Tile flooring is attractive, strong, and easy to clean. A number of tiles can be installed by the homeowner. There are floor tiles to suit every use, every taste, and every pocketbook.
Stone flooring has been in use for millennia. Today, stone floors create a feeling of luxury. They can create of mood of great formality or relaxed informality, depending on the type of stone. Generally, marble floors are the most formal and flagstone floors are the most informal. The natural variation in color and pattern make stone floor tiles very beautiful, and they are very durable as well.
Mosaic floor tiles are usually made from porcelain, ceramic, or glass formed into squares of less than two inches. The squares can be arranged to form a picture or a repeating pattern. Artisans create unique floors using mosaic tiles. The tiles are also available in standard patterns, which can be purchased attached to a backing for simple installation.
Vinyl tiles were developed after World War II. Today, the process is so complicated that vinyl floor tiles can mimic any other stuff, from hardwood to porcelain. They are inexpensive and easy to install.
Ceramic tiles is made from clay fired in a kiln. Then a colored glaze is added, and the tile is fired again, making the colors very vivid. Ceramic tile can be slippery, so they are usually treated with an abrasive if they are to be used a floor tiles. Unglazed ceramic tiles, known as a quarry tiles, are also available. They stain easily, so they should be sealed for use as flooring.