Ceramic tiles are becoming one of the
biggest decorating trends for flooring. The variety of shapes, colors, and
custom designs is limited only my your imagination and can transform any room
into a masterful work of art.
Ceramic tiles resists dirt and stains and can be easily maintained with minimal
dusting, and damp mopping. Ceramic tile is water, fire, and fade resistant,
maintaining its look for years.
Having said this, Ceramic
tile is not your only choice. Some of the biggest challengers include :
1. Marble has been used for thousands of years and has withstood the test
of time. It is very durable, and its colors and unique veining makes marble a
popular choice.
Often used in bathrooms, surrounding fireplaces, or in foyers especially in
commercial buildings, marble is definitely a floor upgrade and its price is
reflective of this.
Similar to Marble is granite, travertine and porcelain.
2. Granite is the second hardness stone after diamonds and is therefore
an extremely durable material. It is an excellent choice for countertops, and
areas surrounding fireplaces. It is less expensive than marble but generally
more than porcelain or slate in price.
Adding granite to your home is an excellent upgrade that will add value to any
home.
3. Travertine (tiles) are actually a dense closely compacted form of
limestone.
Travertine is very popular lately because is has the elegant look of marble but
is considerably less expensive.
Once sealed Travertine tiles require very little maintenance. It does not show
scratches and always looks beautiful.
4. Porcelain tiles are made from clay which is baked at high
temperatures. Often called the artificial marble, porcelain tiles share similar
characteristics to quarry marble - homogenous, can be honed and polished.
Porcelain tiles are traditionally available in many different sizes both square
and rectangular and many colors, and usually have the choice of a matt finish or
a high gloss polished finish
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