What To Know Before You Install Tile Flooring

Before you install tile flooring in your property, it is important to consider all of the factors that go into the installation, selection, care, and maintenance of your tile flooring. Tile floors can be expensive to install, so it is important to ensure that you are making an informed decision on the pattern, color, and material of your tile flooring, while keeping in mind how you plan to maintain and clean your floors over the years.

Straight Edge Tile & Flooring understands the importance of selecting a floor that suits your household's needs while aligning with your aesthetic preferences. Tile floors are beautiful and durable, but can be a expensive undertaking. Our tile installation services are sure to provide you with the quality of flooring you deserve. Here are a few tips to consider before installing tile flooring in your commercial property or residence.

Tile Selection

Before installing tile flooring, our tile installation company strongly encourages carefully selecting the material, color, and pattern of your tile. Factors such as the intended use of your tile and the needs of your household should be impacting your choice of tile.

Small tiles arranged in intricate patterns are better suited for kitchen or bathroom walls, while larger, sturdier tiles are best for flooring in high-trafficked areas. The larger the tile, the more it can withstand damage from long-term foot traffic and everyday spills and messes. When selecting a bathroom or kitchen tile, it is a good idea to select a waterproof material, such as ceramic, stone, or porcelain.

When selecting a tile, you should also consider the needs of your household. If you have children or pets, pick a textured tile to ensure that you don’t end up with slippery flooring. Consider how your family members’ hair or your pets’ fur will show up on a tile before deciding on a color to make cleaning easier in the future.

Tile Maintenance Guidelines

Tile flooring is water resistant and durable, making it the easiest kind of flooring to maintain. If you are having tile floors installed in your home, a good mop is a vital investment that you will be able to use for years to come. Straight Edge Tile & Flooring recommends mopping your tile flooring regularly with gentle commercial cleaning products to remove dirt and debris buildup from your flooring. Our flooring installation company also recommends cleaning your grout every three to six months, with more frequent cleanings in high traffic areas of your home. A homemade mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, applied with a rough brush to the affected areas, is typically sufficient to clean grout. For tougher stains, commercial grout cleaning products should be used. The more frequently you clean your grout, however, the less difficult the process will become.

While tile is not usually able to become stained, scratched, or warped, your tile can crack if put under sudden, intense pressure. Dropping heavy objects onto a structurally weak spot in your tile can cause these cracks to form. Luckily, it is easy to repair cracked tiles with a replacement tile or a small amount of clear epoxy, making tile the cheapest kind of flooring when it comes to maintenance and repair costs over the years.

Straight Edge Tile & Flooring only uses high-quality materials that are resistant to cracking in our professional tile installation services, but when accidents happen, we are always here to help. Request an estimate today to learn more about our tile repair services!

Tile Installation

Depending on the size of your room and the intricacy of your design, tile installation can be a lengthy process. Our floor installation contractors are committed to providing quality installation services that will last you a lifetime. Our contractors must first prepare your subfloor, removing any old flooring and ensuring that there is a smooth, even surface for your tile to sit on. Next, they lay out each individual tile, assessing uniformity and ensuring that all designs and patterns are aesthetically pleasing and properly aligned with the boundaries of your room. Depending on the size of your tiles and the intricacies of your design, this step can take a very long time to complete accurately. Once the tiles are all laid out and accounted for, the contractor will apply adhesive to each tile, which then has to dry for 24 to 48 hours. Lastly, the grout is applied, polished, and left to dry for several days before the flooring is safe to use normally.

Tile installation is without a doubt a lengthier process compared to that of many other flooring materials, but it is well worth the effort. If you are interested in having tile installed in your property in the Gainesville area, contact Straight Edge Tile & Flooring today!