The many types of tile flooring
Tile flooring is so versatile it looks just as good in the living room or den as it does the kitchen and bath. There is an overwhelming assortment of designs, colors, shapes, and sizes, but all have different characteristics that may make them better for some installations than others. Be sure to explain precisely how you plan to use it so you can be guided to the best one for you.
Porcelain tile: heavy-duty, waterproof, stylish
This is composed of a non-porous clay called kaolin, comprised of sand and glass and then fired at higher temperatures. The result is a type of ceramic that is dense, heavy, and especially suited to busy, high-traffic rooms like the kitchen and bath. A large-format comes in an almost unlimited number of colors and patterns and can be made to look like anything, including stone, fabric, leather, and wood. These tiles can also be used on walls, tub and shower surrounds, and outdoors on the deck, patio, and pool flooring.
Porcelain tile is also wholly waterproof whether or not it's glazed and is known as a through-color, meaning that in the unlikely event it chips, you won't see a different color. These tiles stand up to any weather condition, an important distinction from some that say they are "frost proof." These will not crack under freeze-thaw conditions.
Porcelain tile is also wholly waterproof whether or not it's glazed and is known as a through-color, meaning that in the unlikely event it chips, you won't see a different color. These tiles stand up to any weather condition, an important distinction from some that say they are "frost proof." These will not crack under freeze-thaw conditions.
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Ceramic tiles: Not just the 4 X 4 squares
The highly decorated squares are thinner yet sturdy enough for moderate foot trafficked areas and are often seen on backsplashes, accent walls, shower walls, tub surrounds, and fireplace panels. When glazed, the squares are waterproof and almost impossible to crack. Some can be used outside, as long as they have the proper grade rating.
Other ceramics include the terracotta bricks, with their beautiful reddish-brown color works so well in rustic atmospheres. These are ultra-durable but porous and should be sealed. Mosaics are tiny, durable, decorated pieces often used as accents in flooring. Subway tiles are usually used on backsplashes but can be appropriate for floors as long as their indoor, low-traffic areas. Other non-ceramic tiles include glass, natural stone, concrete, metal, and more.
Other ceramics include the terracotta bricks, with their beautiful reddish-brown color works so well in rustic atmospheres. These are ultra-durable but porous and should be sealed. Mosaics are tiny, durable, decorated pieces often used as accents in flooring. Subway tiles are usually used on backsplashes but can be appropriate for floors as long as their indoor, low-traffic areas. Other non-ceramic tiles include glass, natural stone, concrete, metal, and more.
See them for yourself in our Portsmouth or Scarborough store
Whether it's for your kitchen, bath or anywhere else in your home or business, you can be assured of expert tile installation from Portsmouth Quality Flooring. Our professional in-house team installs every product we sell; there are no subcontractors! Our services range from professional installation to design consultation so visit our tile stores in Scarborough, ME and Portsmouth, NH when you are looking for new flooring. We work with homeowners and businesses around Portsmouth, NH, Greenland, NH, New Castle, NH, Rye, NH, North Hampton, NH, York, ME, Kittery, ME, Newmarket, NH, Exeter, NH and Stratham, NH.
