The Variations of Floor Tile Patterns

Properly tiled flooring adds more than aesthetic touch on any part of the building. Floor tile installation brings convenience especially in cleaning and moving things around. Depending on the preference of the homeowner and the specific requirements of the building, a great variety of floor tiles can be chosen from.

Floor tile variations

Design and pattern of the tiling surface easily catch the eye of the buyer, and this is one characteristic where these products greatly vary. Once the design has been decided upon, the type of material used for the product is the next consideration. The installation procedures largely depend on the kind of material being used so it is best to check for compatibility with the flooring surface. Common conventional materials include ceramic and stone. With developments in rubber and glass production quality, these materials are used for tiling as well.

Terrazzo

Terrazzo variants are great for creating a formal ambiance. This type is made from marble chips embedded in concrete with surfaces thoroughly polished. Other kinds of stone chips are also used instead of marble to reduce costs. But for standard quality, marble chips are preferred.

Quarry

Made from clay or shale, quarry tiles are made similar to bricks only thinner and with a higher surface area. It is very durable and easy to maintain especially if surfaces are polished to a high sheen. Its seemingly chaotic surface patterns make these quarry tiles pleasing to the eye.

Ceramic

The ceramic type is made from kiln-fired clay and displays very vivid colors with the addition of colored glaze. Naturally slippery, ceramic tiles are treated with an abrasive so as to avoid accidental slipping. Unglazed ceramic is the same as the quarry type.

Porcelain

When clay is subjected to very high temperatures, a dense material is created that can resist moisture quite effectively. This manufacturing process makes porcelain very hard yet easily crafted with the right cutting tools. It is also one of the most expensive materials for tiling.

Terracotta

The raw material for terracotta is clay, which is the same material used for garden pots. It is fired at high temperatures but not colored and often left unglazed. Colors can, however, vary depending on the mineral content of soil being used. Its most common color is orange but light to deep brown shades are also available. Since the raw material is relatively cheaper compared to the other types and the manufacturing process is not at all too demanding, terracotta requires minimum budget for flooring. However, it is not very effective in resisting moisture so that it has to be treated before installation.

Recycled glass

For the homeowner who loves to experiment with interior design, tiles made from recycled glass are recommended. These are categorized as recycled because the type of glass being used is derived from post-consumer or post-industrial glasses. Just as long as the patterns are carefully arranged to create harmony within the building interior, recycled glass tiles can be very attractive.

Floor tile choices are just numerous depending on material used, design, and installation requirement. While there is a floor tile aimed for luxury, there are economical varieties as well.