Porcelain tile is an ideal floor material for custom built homes and high end remodel projects. Porcelain floors add an elegant touch to any home, and can be used in many instances where ceramic doesn’t quite give the effect desired. Porcelain floor tile comes in many different sizes, shapes and styles, and is available in nearly any color. Many porcelain tiles are painted with small designs or borders, and in some instances can be acquired in sets that form a larger picture.
Porcelain flooring is most commonly used for entryways, bathrooms and kitchens. In some cases, homeowners choose to include porcelain tile floors in formal dining rooms as well. Porcelain tile isn’t nearly as porous as ceramic, making it a great choice for behind the stove or sink as a backsplash. It can be used for countertops as well. Porcelain flooring isn’t generally used for living areas or bedrooms as it is slick and cold underfoot.
Porcelain tile flooring is more expensive than ceramic tile, but the cost is offset by the higher gloss finish and the increased value of the home implied by its use in bathrooms and kitchens. Porcelain is much harder than ceramic tile, requiring specialized equipment to cut and install, but the finished look is worth it.
Porcelain tile is best installed on a concrete backer board underlayment over a wooden sub floor, or over meticulously prepped concrete. It isn’t suitable for use in areas such as workrooms where something heavy may be dropped on it. Entryways also should be covered with a rug just inside doors from the outside as porcelain flooring is very slippery when wet. The experts at Ideal Floor can help you determine if porcelain flooring will work in your home, and can help you find colored or painted tiles that will bring out the beauty of your home’s décor.
