When it comes to tiling, there’s no shortage of designs, colours, textures and materials to select from. However, not all kinds of tiles are appropriate for all spaces. Here are several tips on how to choose the best option.
- Consider the tile hardness
When shopping for the best tile flooring, one of the biggest features to focus on is the hardness. The Mohs scale measures the ability of the tile to withstand wear, foot traffic and scratches. You can use it to choose a product that is best suited to the function of your room.
Class I: Appropriate for application on walls only, because it cannot withstand foot traffic.
Class II: Best option for areas that have light foot traffic, without any scratching dirt e.g. bathrooms and bedrooms that have no exterior access.
Class III: Suitable for places with light to moderate foot traffic, countertops and walls.
Class IV: Can be used in areas with moderate to heavy foot traffic like entryways, halls and kitchens.
Class V: Work well for any room in the house and commercial spaces too because they can withstand heavy to extra heavy foot traffic and being exposed to scratching dirt.
- Focus on tile porosity
Another important feature not to be ignored is the porosity. The porosity of a tile is determined by the proportion of air holes to the solids it has, which has an impact on the amount of water it can absorb. If you are installing in an area that is prone to moisture like the kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room, consider these porosity classifications:
Impervious: This means that the tile has a water absorption capacity of at most 0.5%. Such tiles are recommended for use in the bathroom and the kitchen.
Vitreous: The water absorption capacity is 0.5% to 3%.
Semi-vitreous: Tiles with this porosity rating have a water absorption rating of 3-7%.
Non-vitreous: The water absorption capacity of a non-vitreous tile is more than 7%; therefore tiles in this category are not suitable for floor use.
- Ensure slip resistance
Many tiling materials have a tendency to be slippery, especially when water is poured on them. If you have kids and seniors living in the house, it’s important to use only slip resistant tiles. Bathrooms are prime areas where fall accidents might occur, particularly on the shower region, so reliable slip resistance is greatly recommended.
When looking for shower tiling options, look for products that have a high coefficient of friction (COF). It is better to install 4×4 tiles or smaller than those one that are larger than 6×6. There are several options to put into consideration:
Ceramic or porcelain: Pick a product with a special textured surface. You should ask the sales rep about slip-resistant coatings.
Slate: This eye-catching stone is naturally slip resistant.
Small size tile e.g. glass and mosaic: These tiles have more grout lines meaning they are more textured on the surface, and thus slip resistant.
Pebble stone: These tiles have a highly textured surface and on top of that they are visually appealing.
Marshall Industrial Supplies Ltd is one of the largest tool and fixing centres in the UK. We offer all sorts of fixings, industrial tapes, hand tools, adhesives, work wear, power tools, safety clothing and a wide variety of designer architectural ironmongery. Contact us today for the best tiling options.
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