7 Tips for Choosing a New Tile Floor

With spring on the way, a lot of homeowners are looking for the right ideas and projects to begin giving their home a new update or some flare. One of the best projects to complete in a home every few years is to replace floor tiles. Depending on the amount of traffic in and out of rooms, some tiles can become rather worn quickly, so replacing them would be a great way to update a house in a way that benefits the home's value. Here are seven things to consider when choosing new tile for a floor.

Consider the People Living in the Home

Elaborate tile designs can be absolutely gorgeous and an asset to a home's style. However, some of these designs might not be as safe for children or the elderly if they lack traction or have sharp edges that can encourage tripping or a sleek surface that might cause slipping.

Slip Resistant Tile

In rooms where water is a factor, such as with kitchens and bathrooms, a great feature for a tile floor would be to look for materials that are slip resistant. This feature could minimize accidents a great deal, especially considering that 45 percent of all accidents take place in the home

Amount of Expected Wear and Tear

One of the key things to look for when replacing a tile floor is how much wear and tear the tile itself will take throughout years of use. After all, many tile floors end up needing to be replaced due to this very reason, and to avoid facing a great deal of cost every few years, the right tile should be chosen to match the needs of the house.

Stain Proofing

Another thing to consider would be the room the tile is located in and for what it is used. For example, a kitchen floor might see a lot of risk for stains because of dealing with food preparation and consumption. Therefore, a tile that resists stains would be a good idea to make clean up easier and to avoid the chance of damaging the tile's design.

Overall Cost and Value

Adding or updating a tile floor can add a great deal of value to a home. However, to spend too much money on a house that does not have the same type of expected value due to the home's age or due to the neighborhood where it is located would be a waste. Be sure to price point tile choices in ways that will add value to the home without adding too little or too much.

Overlaying an Existing Floor

Sometimes, homeowners chose to lay tile on top of a floor that already exists. This choice is perfectly fine, but one factor needs to be considered in this case. If the floor has structural movement, then certain types of tile, like ceramic, should be avoided due to the fact that such movement can cause a tile to crack.

Temperature Control

During the warm months, walking across tile can feel absolutely wonderful due to its cool nature. This feeling might be a problem during the cold months, though, unless there is some sort of heating system built into the floor. Therefore, the choice to go with tile in certain rooms, like the living room or the bedroom, should be carefully considered in regards to how warm feet want to feel throughout different times of the year.

Tile is a classic, timeless look that can be added to any style of home. However, there are a few things to consider closely before it is purchased. Traffic, risk of accidents, temperature, and value all need to be thoroughly thought through during the remodel process.

Tom James,