Pros and Cons of Porcelain Floor Tiles

Originating in China, porcelain has found its use among royalty and is now making place in home and commercial space. Porcelain floor tiles are often considered as a choice among various homeowners for their interiors. With the variety in design they offer and their durability, these tiles can in fact suit the requirements as a flooring type for a home.

These tiles are a superior type of ceramic tiles that offer better properties than ceramic tiles. They are made by firing clay and crushed stones to create heavy duty, durable floor tiles. However, there are also some disadvantages of using these tiles. Here's a look into the positives and negatives of this type of tile.

Porcelain floor tiles have been propounded as one of the most durable types of flooring that can be used in the interiors. It is perfect for high traffic areas considering it is a preferred choice for use in malls. Also, it is a hard flooring type which means it is less likely to crack or chip. If you choose to install glazed porcelain tiles, you ought to know that these are resistant to moisture and stains. Porcelain tiles are also fire resistant.

The number of designs and finishes that porcelain tiles are available in, is immense. They are usually not printed but have speckles or veins on them. Also, the varieties in color are immense, so you can choose from any color that pleases your senses.

You can even avail of beautiful porcelain tiles that look like wood, for the appearance of a wooden flooring which does not require heavy maintainance. Porcelain tiles that look like marble are also a great choice.

If a porcelain tile happens to get chipped or cracked, you will notice that the color or texture of the tile runs through the thickness of the tile. That means you won't have to see the ugly tile base even if it chips. Moreover, they have sharper edges that allow for the thickness of the grout to be minimized when installed. This provides greater uniformity and a wholesome appearance when used in a large expanse.

On the downside, porcelain flooring is extremely cold and hard, and health experts say walking on such flooring, especially barefoot, can cause a lot of stress on the joints leading to joint problems.

Moreover, the glossy varieties can turn slippery when it is wet. As the grout thickness is very less in comparison to ceramic tiles, cleaning the grout of porcelain tiles is difficult. In some cases, the porcelain tiles you use may have different thicknesses which may make the floor uneven. In such a case, you will require the help of a professional who will install it evenly.

Finally, some of you may consider pricing as a disadvantage of porcelain flooring. Purchasing the flooring and having it installed by a professional can increase the overall cost.

However, with the brilliance that porcelain flooring offers you, there is no way you can overlook the advantages it has to offer as against its disadvantages. Though slightly expensive, porcelain floor tiles will definitely last longer, and give your home the grand and luxurious appeal it deserves.