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When it comes to picking tiles for your home, the choice can be a little overwhelming.

Especially if your tile knowledge isn’t up to scratch!

Recently we looked at different types of tiles that can be used for flooring, and some of the reasons you would choose each one. In this post, we’ll be taking a more detailed look at ceramic tiles and the pros and cons of using them for flooring.

Ceramic tiles date back as far as Egyptian times (around 25,000 years ago!) when they were used to decorating homes. More recently, the Industrial Revolution allowed tiles to be mass-produced through new techniques and the introduction of machinery. This resulted in the Victorians using them in a lot of public buildings and even Royal residences. In time this filtered down to wealthy homes and commercial buildings.

Today, ceramic tiles are one of the most commonly used floor coverings in homes.

Pros

Easy to look after – Ceramic tiles are easy to maintain and keep clean. Dirt and liquids sit on the surface of the tile making them easy to remove. As long as you make sure you are regularly cleaning your tiles (once a week) hot water and a mop should be sufficient. If there are more stubborn stains that need to be removed, a couple of drops of dish soap can be used. Avoid floor cleaners with harsh chemicals like ammonia as they can damage the glaze on the tiles.

Design options – Advances in technology mean that the material used for ceramic tiles can be printed in lots of different ways. With these options available you can really put your own stamp and personality on your home and create unique looking spaces.

For design inspiration get in touch with Midlothian Tiling Services, and check out our Pinterest board.

Affordable – Choosing ceramic tiles is an affordable option for your home with lots of options for every budget.

Durable – Ceramic tiles are hard and tough to crack, this makes them a great choice around the home. If you do happen to crack a tile they are fairly easy to replace. Just make sure you keep some spares that match your original tiles!

Moisture Resistant – As we already touched on, any liquids spilt on ceramic tiles sit on the surface. This makes any spills really easy to clean. And makes them a great choice for rooms that can have a build-up of moisture like a bathroom.

Slip Resistant – Not all ceramic tiles will be slip resistant, this is something to consider depending on where they will be used. However, it is possible to buy tiles that have been specifically produced to have anti-slip properties.

Cons

Heavy – Some ceramic tiles won’t be suitable for upper floors. This is an important factor when buying tiles for an upstairs bathroom or upper floor flat.

Not always suitable for floors – Not all ceramic tiles are suitable for flooring. When picking your tiles make sure you’ve checked this.

Cold – Ceramic is a cold material. A good thing in warmer climates, but it can be a bit of a shock to bare feet on a cold winter morning. Underfloor heating might be a good idea to take the chill off the tiles.

Lifespan – The lifespan of ceramic tiles isn’t as long as porcelain. Depending on the tile you pick you can expect it to last anywhere between three and twenty years. While this won’t be an issue to some people, if you’re looking for something long-lasting, porcelain might be a better choice.

The pros for ceramic tiles far outweigh the cons, and there are many options available to help you create a beautiful home.

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