There are several options for floor and wall tiles to finish your home. Choosing a tile floor is often a matter of aesthetics and is very common. However, wall tiling outside bathrooms and kitchens is becoming more and more of a trend. How to choose the right tile covering for your wall?
The different materials of wall tiles
Several types, categories, and shapes of tiles are available on the market and in many hardware stores. Choosing the right tile starts with mastering the existing tile ranges.
Earthenware or ceramic tiles
This wall tile is the reference. It is the most used and adapts easily to all surfaces. The earthenware is formed by the ceramic covered with a film of enamel to give it the aesthetic appearance we know (color, brightness, pattern). With its fine and light structure, ceramic offers your bathroom or kitchen a freshness thanks to the patterns or mosaics it allows to create.
Decorative tiles
For decorative finishes, this wall tile differs from others thanks to a little something special. Decorative tiles can be used in various ways to fit in with any decor.
Smooth tiles
Classically, smooth tiles come in several varieties. Some imitate natural stone; others have various patterns or can be kept plain to fit any room in your home. Find in this category travertine, zellige, and marble.
Natural stone
Natural stone tiles are an authentic covering that significantly enhances your walls. The installation of natural stone tiles is often difficult because of the unique character of each room. It is not recommended for a beginner, especially on a wall. Do not hesitate to call upon a professional in the field to avoid inconveniences.
Full-body porcelain stoneware
Whether covered with enamel or not, this tile is remarkably solid. Able to cover different decorative aspects surprisingly close to reality (concrete, wood, stone, fabric), it refreshes the interior decoration and makes it unique. This allows it to be used for walls in very large formats. Porcelain stoneware is non-porous.
Abrasion resistance
The choice of wall tiles after the characteristics of materials is based on a second criterion: the resistance of the tile to abrasion. Indeed, depending on the room’s frequency of use and passage, you will choose the tile that suits you. There are three levels of exposure:
- Important exposure: for rooms not subject to daily activities such as the bedroom or the bathroom;
- Intensive exposure: here, you find the rooms that host the whole family and sometimes guests: living room, dining room, playroom, veranda, office;
- Extensive, very intensive: it concerns the places where the flooring is most exposed to the weather, such as the kitchen countertop, an entrance, a corridor, a staircase, etc.
Format and patterns
The tiles’ size and patterns are other criteria for choosing a tile. You can choose the formats 10×10, 15×15, and 20×20 centimeters that fit best for your kitchens. The formats 20×20 and 30×30 centimeters are the most popular for bathrooms, but the format 5×5 is the most common for mosaic patterns.
You can also opt for the large format tiles, which allow you to cover your wall and limit the number of joints but are not recommended for small rooms. Regarding the colors, you should not choose them at random. This will help you to avoid mistakes in taste.
Aesthetics
I think tiles will enable you to make your home aesthetically pleasing without breaking the bank. Porcelain tiles exude excellence and sophistication and can give your home a boost in the aesthetic department. The variety of tiles currently on the market also allows you to create interesting designs and patterns that give your home a more eclectic feel.
You can use geolux tiles to give your home a more modern look, and they mimic wood perfectly and tend to be much cheaper than wood floors. Decorative tiles will make your home stand out and give it that extra touch that makes it more inviting and lively. They are also a great addition to any home, making your space look larger and more cohesive. You can mix and match mosaic tiles for your interior, which is very much in vogue now.
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