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Architectural versatility for flooring comes in the form of ceramic tiles. You can install ceramic flooring in a broad range of environments, and not worry about factors like design, stains, and water. But there are downsides to everything, aren’t there? So let’s find out the pros and cons of ceramic tile flooring.
Ceramic tiles have a hard surface covering, which makes them unsuitable for certain locations. But the upsides make up for this particular flaw. A complete understanding regarding the advantages and disadvantages of ceramic tiles will help you in making a better decision. So are you ready?
Pros and Cons of Ceramic Tile Flooring
The Advantages:
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- Water Resistance
The glazed version of ceramic tiles has an excellent protective layer on top of the material. What this does is provide stain and water resistance. In fact, ceramic flooring also offers protection against high humidity penetration. Such characteristics make it suitable for moist settings like the kitchen and bathroom.
On the other hand, the unglazed version requires sealing to provide liquid protection. You will find grout lines between the ceramic tiles, which are prone to moisture. So these also need sealing to keep water at bay. Otherwise, liquids seep down the grout lines and weaken the installation. And more often than not, this leads to the formation of mold.
- Durability
When buying the best electronics like a camera for YouTube or kitchen appliances like a good faucet water filter, what do you keep in mind? Important factors such as durability, right? So why does it have to be any different with flooring!
In that context, you will be relieved to know that ceramic tiles have an incredibly resilient nature. And this means that the flooring is a hard nut to crack (quite literally!).
High-quality installation tends to last for as long as 20 years. And even longer if the flooring is well maintained. On top of that, if one ceramic tile somehow gets damaged due to severe impact, you can replace that one in no time.
- Maintenance
This part is quite appealing too. When it comes to maintenance, there’s nothing you need to worry about with ceramic tile flooring. Liquids, stains, and dirt are not difficult to clean. You can vacuum or sweep the floor using a brush attachment as a part of regular maintenance.
For heavy-duty stains, cleaners are the best options. And such appliances don’t tend to damage the hard material of ceramic flooring.
[YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZIcOXHMh7Y]
- Cost-Effective
Even though ceramic tiles are slightly expensive, they offer great value for money. They cost $5 to $10 per sq. ft. When compared to other flooring options, ceramic tiles are moderately costlier.
On the other hand, hardwood flooring and carpet are more on the affordable side. But they don’t last as long as ceramic tile flooring. Once installed correctly, ceramic tiles add lifelong value to your property.
- Allergen Concerns
Due to the solid, hard surface, ceramic flooring doesn’t attract allergens like pollen, dust, and dirt. Even when these elements are present on the tiles, you can spot them easily. So all you need to do at such times is wipe away the mess with a sponge or mop.
This is good news for people suffering from asthma or allergies. Ceramic tiles are an excellent option if you want to keep the environment in your house free of harmful or irritating particles floating in the air.
I’m done with the first part of the pros and cons of ceramic tile flooring. Now it’s time to discuss the downsides of installing ceramic tiles.
The Disadvantages:
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- Hard Flooring
The solid, hard surface of ceramic tiles may be easy to maintain and clean, but that doesn’t make them comfortable to step or stand on. These tiles are not like resilient floors. That means you cannot soften them with padded underlayments.
Such a nature of ceramic flooring makes it unsuitable for spaces where people have to stand for long hours of the day. So the best solution to this problem is covering up the floor with area rugs. You can place rugs in the spots where people tend to stand more often.
- Temperature
The ceramic material doesn’t have the capacity to hold heat for a long time. This is bad news for when winter sets in. But it also means a cold floor during the summer season. Not much of a deal-breaker now, is it?
- Installation
These kinds of tiles are heavy and hard in quality. Installing them means using a broad range of tools, grouts, and mortars. The process can be carried out by an amateur or professional. But the problem here is that it’s time-consuming. And even a single mistake can ruin the whole procedure, thus leading to major problems along the way.
[YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9xb7cMa51k]
- Weight
Since ceramic tiles are heavy, it only seems logical to assume that they might be unsuitable for installation in the upper levels. A qualified hence expensive professional will have to inspect the structure of your building or house. Only after doing that, will he or she be able to tell you if you can install ceramic tile flooring or not.
Final Verdict
So what have we gathered from the pros and cons of ceramic tile flooring? That it’s an excellent choice for those who want easy maintenance and long-lasting value. The latter makes the extra cost of the flooring and installation worth it, doesn’t it?
Due to their exceptional water resistant quality, ceramic tiles are a great option for bathrooms and kitchens as well.
So tell me, did you find any disadvantage a deal-breaker? If yes, then what was it?
Please don’t forget to share your feedback with us in the comments section below.
I hope the article provided enough information for you to reach a final decision.
Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope to see you again soon.
About the author:
Christian Olsen has successfully managed to create an online platform that delivers the best product recommendations. He is a professional reviewer whose brain contains a broad range of information about all kinds of products. These fall under the category of sports gear, electronics, home and lifestyle, and more. His passion for both technology and writing is responsible for the creation of his blog and its success.
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