Are you planning to have floor ceramic tiles (กระเบื้องปูพื้น, term in Thai)? If yes, then you have come to the right place. In this article, we will discuss the good side and not-so-good side of installing ceramic tiles for flooring. First you have to keep in mind that ceramic tiles have solid and hard surface, which makes it a perfect choice for flooring. It does not hold much dust, pollen, dirt, and other allergens.
The good side of installing ceramic tiles for flooring
Cost
If you are looking for one of the most affordable tiles for flooring, then one of the best options would be ceramic. Not to mention, you can have it installed DIY, although professional installation makes a huge difference in the overall look. The cost of installing the tile professionally can greatly varies depending on the tiles’ quality and difficulty of installation.
Maintenance and repair
Another good thing about ceramic tiles is that it requires less maintenance, more so if you install the glazed tiles. Such style of ceramic tiles comes with protective top layer making it resistant to stains and water. Hence, the very reason why these types of tiles are used in areas that usually gets wet such as the laundry room, kitchen, and bathrooms. All you need to do is to sweep or vacuum using soft brush attachment and the floor will be fresh and clean. Aside from the glazed ceramic tile, there are also unglazed tiles, but this type of tile must be sealed to protect the tiles’ surface from stains and liquid.
Design
When it comes to design, the choices are vast. There are now modern manufacturing methods allowing ceramic materials to be styled in many different ways. The tiles can be mixed and matched with patters making it aesthetically appealing. Some ceramic tiles can be designed to look like natural stones or hardwoods.
A few downsides
Although there are many good sides to using ceramic tiles, there are a few downsides too which include the following:
Tile installation
One of the downsides of ceramic tiles is the installation process as such can be labor intensive. Of course, you can always do it yourself, but if you don’t have the handyman skill, you might end up spending more money. Many people would prefer to have the installation done by professionals. It might cost more, but you will be able to save time and energy.
Comfort and Convenience
The hard characteristic of ceramic tile makes it easy to clean and maintain. On the other hand, some people find this type of tiles difficult to stand on for a long period of time. Ceramic tiles cannot be softened using soft underlayment. If you are going to use the place to stand on for a long period of time, then ceramic tile flooring might not be the best option. Again, it all boils down to comfort over convenience. It is a matter of choosing which one suits your needs, style, and budget.
