Tiling Glory

NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 22 TILING GLORY 10 N OW, MORE than ever, we’re spending more time at home, so it’s never been more impor- tant for your home to feel comfortable, welcoming, and focused. Here, we’ll tell you about how you can accomplish that and more with the use of tile. Design the HOME OF YOUR DREAMS! PORCELAIN VS CERAMIC TILES Porcelain is a type of ceramic so what we’re really discussing is porcelain vs non-porcelain tiles. The main difference between the two is that porcelain tiles are denser and made with ‘porcelain’ clays that have specific properties. A denser body means lower water absorption, resulting in a much more durable, weather-resistant tile. If you’re looking for the most durable, long-lasting option for your home, porce- lain tiles are definitely the way to go. This doesn’t mean that non-porcelain tiles don’t also have their uses and benefits, for exam- ple, in lower-traffic areas and interior walls. DESIGN VERSATILITY Ceramic and porcelain tiles offer un- paralleled design versatility. If you can imagine it, there’s likely a tile for it: from polished or matte finishes to monochro- matic colours, wood-look tiles, to stone and marble looks, as well as metallic and fabric textures, just to name a few. WIDE RANGE OF USES The first thing to know when choos- ing a tile is that not all tiles are created equal. A tile that may be suitable for use on your wall may not be suitable for your floors. Kitchens and living rooms also have higher use and heavier traffic than a bathroom so you may want to opt for a porcelain tile in these areas to keep up with you and your family’s active lifestyles. BATHROOMS Tiles are the perfect fit for bathrooms, not only because of the limitless design options but also because they’re easy to clean and inhospitable to mould, germs and bacteria, making them perfect for your showers. Bathrooms tend to see less traffic than other areas of the home, so if the cost is a concern, opt for a non-porcelain tile in this area, particularly on the walls. Tip: Large-format tiles and lighter col- ours or a glossy finish will help to make a small room look larger or brighten up a dark space. KITCHENS Kitchens are some of the busiest places in most homes and you should opt for a tile that can hold up to whatever you may throw at it. Messes and spills are bound to happen and clean-up will be a breeze – no speciality cleaners required here. Tip: Consider a glossy or smooth tile for your kitchen backsplash, such as glass mosaics, as these tiles are super easy to clean and add brightness to a space. LIVING ROOM Living rooms are another high-traffic area where porcelain tile is a good choice.Wood-look porcelain tiles are perfect here as they provide warmth to a spacewithout the highmaintenance and cost that comes with natural wood (bonus: no termites!). This is also a great place to let your inner designer shinewith a tile feature-wall! Tip: Consider a neutral tile on the floor here and use your smaller décor accessories to add pops of colour to the space. It is easier to change small décor items if you get bored or if your tastes change than it is to change the tile. EXTERIORS – VERANDAHS, POOL DECKS, AND MORE Another areawhere porcelain tiles really shine is in exteriors. Their durability, ease of mainte- nance, and resistance to weather and UV rays make them the perfect fit for areas exposed to the elements. Be sure to choose a tile that is slip-resistant enough to be used outdoors. Tip: It’s important to ensure safety in these areas and not all ‘antislip’ tiles are equal. Many tiles today have a ‘slip resistance rat- ing’ which can help to guide in selecting the best tile for your application. FURNITURE/BEDROOM Tiles are also starting to become more popular in areas such as bedrooms (head- board features) and on furniture, allowing you to truly have one continuous material throughout your home. It’s important to ensure you’re getting a good-quality tile that’s suitable for your use, as well as to employ trained professionals to install the product in order to ensure you protect your investment and get the look and feel that you want for your dream home. For more help designing your dream home call us,Tile City and Home Centre, at 876-925-TILE (8453),WhatsApp us at 876-360-1828, or visit one of our show- rooms located at 114 Constant Spring Road or Ferry, Mandela Highway.