How to Choose Ceramic Floors (without repenting later !!)
Do you have to choose ceramic floors for your house?How to Choose Ceramic Floors (without repenting later !!)
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Do you have to choose ceramic floors for your house?
It is no small thing, especially if we consider the power of the renovation of the floors to change the appearance of a space. They are the support of the environment.
For innumerable reasons, which I would like to tell you next, ceramic floors (in all their varieties), are one of the most frequent choices.
But does the ideal floor really exist?
For example:
How do we choose ceramic floors for a room?
With the brain, with the heart, with the pocket, after many discussions or impulse and the heat of the moment.
Whatever the motivation, in general, there are usually not many reasons to explain why you decide what you decide. All right while there are no regrets ...
And what happens if we want to take less risks? Something like trying to choose floor ceramics is less "passionate" and more "rational".
Maybe you have some wonderful, for example:
What floor color to choose for a small house?
How to choose economical and easy to install ceramic floors?
How to choose ceramics for the floor or wall (and what is the difference between them)
All roads lead to advice. Therefore, nothing better than to start.
How to choose ceramic for floors of a house.
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The idea is to have two or three clear concepts at hand so that when deciding which ceramic floors to buy for your home:
a. Do not feel victimized by a salesman who does not stop talking.
b. Stay immune to the bombardment of so much variety offered.
c. In short, be more sure of our choice.
I will try to go behind these 3 ideas, with simple words, so that at the end of the day, choosing ceramic floors for interiors and exteriors is something simpler.
What you should keep in mind when buying ceramic tiles: The theory of "3 B's"
In short, when deciding to place or renovate the floors of your house, what conditions should the ideal ceramic floor? Of course, if it exists.
Perhaps the theory of "the 3 B" is the one that best summarizes the essence of what we all end up looking for when choosing a ceramic floor:
Make it "Good, Pretty and Cheap".
Who can deny the truth of this simple aspiration!
Let's see then what is true in this theory, and what should you take into account to choose the ceramic for floors of your home.
Good: The quality of ceramic floors
If by "good" we are referring to the benefits or the quality of a ceramic floor, let's say that the current market, at least on this occasion, is on our side.
There are a huge offer and variety in ceramic types for floors for an appropriate choice, in which the good technical skills (resistance, hardness, etc.) are part of any of the leading brands.
Therefore, in that sense, unless we want to experience little-known products, we should not take too many surprises.
Bonito: The aesthetic quality of the ceramic floor.
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If by "pretty" we are referring to its aesthetic qualities, here the thing becomes more debatable.
Is a shiny ceramic floor more suitable than an opaque one? Does a large ceramic floor look better?
We agree that we all put a new floor "so that it looks nice ...", but, since beauty is such an abstract (and personal) concept, there will be no formula that guarantees good results.
As everything depends on the glass with which one looks, what for us can be a ceramic floor of good appearance, for our neighbor can be something less than unpalatable ..., which ends up reinforcing the relativity of the concept of beauty.
Cheap: The price of ceramic floors
If by asking for a "cheap apartment" we are focusing everything on an economic issue, let's say, to be honest, "that not everything can be done in this life !!"
Let's also recognize that luckily the ceramic floors offer an alternative according to each pocket, with an interesting range of options in types and varieties to find the one that suits your budget.
A tip: if you are one of those who always keeps an eye on the most expensive floor tiles, and suffers for not being able to pay them, it will be convenient to start the tour on the price side.
Only then, when you get to those that have to do with your possibilities, you can stop to look at what product they correspond to. Guarantee of less suffering.
Anyway, and even though any investment always ends up scaring us, renovating the floors of a house, it should not be such a difficult business to face.
Types of Ceramic for Floors: Tips for buying those of your house
1) Porcelain tile floors: Characteristics
Among the different types of ceramic floors, one of the main trends in the choice of flooring in recent years is the generalization of the use of the porcelain floor.
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What are the characteristics of porcelain floors?
The first difference between ceramic floors and porcelain is that, while the ceramic floor has a ceramic base with enameled finish, one of the main technical characteristics of porcelain floors is to be composed of a uniform mass of material, with a ceramic at high temperatures, which gives greater resistance to both breakages and wear due to intensive use.
These qualities make porcelain floors a very durable and easy to maintain the product.
The first key to the preference.
There are different types of porcelain: polished, semi-polished and opaque floors. They also come in different textures that perfectly imitate materials. So you can find ceramic floors like wood, smooth cement or marble, which reproduce almost exactly these surfaces. Hence the possibility of having the floor you always dreamed of, on a ceramic base.
Although in its origins the prices of the ceramic floors made it a luxury item, today it can be said that the generalization of its use has transformed it into a much more accessible product.
A second key to the success of ceramic floors.
2) Ceramic measurements for floors and wall: What size to buy
Today the market offers various ceramic sizes for floors, from pieces of 2 x 2cm (placed in reinforced meshes) to the largest, 90x90cm or 60x100cm, and more.
The first thing that I can think of to recommend you in this regard, is to try to adapt the choice of the size of the ceramic floors to the dimensions of the environment. ("Size here does matter").
As for the types of ceramics for bathrooms, especially when reforming, let's say that it is not very practical to place gigantic ceramic pieces in a very small bathroom while trying to dodge toilets. Colocadores, grateful.
On the other hand, in reference to the type of ceramics for rooms and dining rooms, that is, environments of generous dimensions, the most appropriate decision is to opt for varieties of larger ceramic floors, for their image and for their ease of placement.
In large-scale ceramic floors, one of the main advantages is the lower presence of joints (less dirt) and therefore, greater uniformity in appearance.
ceramics for floors
Clear ceramic floors "enlarge" the environments
Since everything cannot be rosy, one of the biggest disadvantages of large-scale ceramic floors is that a perfectly leveled base is needed, a quality that is very difficult to achieve in times where good labor is not commonplace...
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Another disadvantage of large-scale ceramic floors is the difficulty of handling large pieces that end up being very heavy and difficult to handle.
3) How to choose the color of the ceramic floors
The same diversity of sizes offered by the market is transferred to the availability of multiple textures and colors to facilitate the choice. Or to complicate it.
What floor color to choose?
Ceramic floors light or dark?
Even if there is not a written science or a formula to decide which pieces to buy, we will try to give a maxim that can help us to choose ceramic floors with greater criteria: "light colors brighten and dark colors shrink the rooms".
ceramic floors
Dark colors "shrink" environments
Without magic but with an easily verifiable effect, everything is reduced to a matter of reflection of the light that comes to them and that is then transmitted to the environment, illuminating it and giving that feeling of greater amplitude.
The fact acquires fundamental importance especially for small environments, where the choice of a dark ceramic floor would only exaggerate the reduced size.
In the same way, if you have to choose floor colors for a small house, clear ceramic floors will be the best allies to illuminate the rooms and make them look larger.
I remind you of something important: this is only a criterion. If the goal is to play with the contrast between dark ceramic floors and light walls, you will not be violating any written law. And if it was written, you should just ignore it.
4) Bright or Matt ceramic floors
What are the advantages and disadvantages between a shiny ceramic floor and an opaque one?
In recent times, and especially after the appearance of porcelain floors, a tendency towards the placement of "hyper-polished" surfaces has developed.
The idea was to take advantage of the sense of distinction that transmits its appearance "marble simile", obviously without the costs of it.
Beyond this effect, we must clarify that one of the main disadvantages of bright ceramics is that they are very slippery and end up being very telltale of footprints and dirt in general. Although this is easy to suspect.
One of the main advantages of shiny ceramic floors, on the other hand, is that polished finishes are usually more regular in their size.
how to choose ceramic floors
Glazed ceramic floors
The bright ceramic floors result from a second selection process that sends the pieces to a more intense polish. This contributes to minimize imperfections, regularize measurements, and therefore, to simplify their placement.
In reference to the characteristics of matt ceramic floors, let's say that the opaque terminations have to do with a greater rusticity of its surface. This quality makes them more noble in this not so easily denounce the dirt, and in addition, to be less slippery ... but, more difficult to clean.
5) How to choose ceramic floors according to their quality
What are the second selection ceramics?
In general, the market offers only pieces of ceramic of 1st quality, or without imperfections. At least those imperfections that the manufacturer can admit as true.
The reality leads us to check (oh, coincidence!), That this is not always verifiable, especially once we open the ceramic boxes ... but that's another story.
What is called second quality ceramic floors, as with clothing, is a selection criterion used by ceramic factories.
The idea is to offer the market ceramic types for floors that may have been discontinued in their manufacture or that have minor defects that do not alter the final image.
In general, the imperfections do not compromise the resistance of the ceramic floor or the duration of the product and they do not become evident enough to be perceived in the finished floor image.
ceramic for floors
Ceramic second choice is an excellent way to save money when placing floors
As you can imagine, the main advantage of ceramic floors of second quality is the lower cost, a circumstance that makes them increase their attractiveness, especially to place them in environments, which you can evaluate as less important, such as a garage floor.
6) How to calculate the number of ceramic floors to buy
It seems obvious to assume that if the environment measures 3 x 4m you should buy 12 m2, but nothing is so simple. There will always be circumstances that will force you to make the most generous accounts.
For example, it is not surprising to open a ceramic box and discover broken or broken pieces due to bad transport. On the other hand, in the installation of ceramic floors, it is usual to make adjustment cuts that end up generating waste.
Equally, it would be necessary to foresee the need to have some piece of ceramics for some future repair. Even today, many assume to find exactly the same type of ceramic flooring in the sales center where they bought it two years ago !!
To be disappointed, any ceramic floor with a manufacturing item different from the original will be different, although only a few days have passed since those we bought.
On the other hand, let's not be innocent: there is a whole business strategy to discontinue the manufacture of models or types of ceramic floors to encourage greater consumption, especially in the case where we must make an expansion, including that original floor.
For all that said, when it comes to knowing how to calculate how much flat to buy, it will always be advisable to buy between 7 to 10% more to go to the crossing of this type of situations.
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7) The importance of the original packaging: the ceramic boxes
Although nobody is used to highlighting it, we must give a lot of importance to ceramic boxes or original packaging.
In them, there is much information from the manufacturer about the way of placement, proper glues, minimum joint widths, and maintenance, which will ensure a more successful job.
Therefore, the first recommendation will be to read the indications of the ceramic boxes, and also to have the habit of keeping them; indispensable condition to make any claim to the manufacturer.
Other Important Tips for Choosing Ceramic Floors
The choice of an affordable and easy-to-place floor does not end with the recommendations that we have made so far. There are other issues as important or more important to consider when buying ceramic that have to do with tips and practical advice that will reduce your doubts, and therefore simplify your choice. That's why we see.
How to Choose Interior Floors: Unify Ceramic Floors
* Given the need to choose floors for interiors or when knowing how to combine ceramic floors, a criterion that will never fail you is to try to unify appearances using the same type of ceramic for all that space that can be appreciated from a single glance.
Except for a special intention, the ceramics of the floors should be taken as a "visual support" on which to seat the furniture, without competing with it.
Ceramic for Wall or Floors: What is the Difference
* Due to the characteristics of its manufacture, a ceramic floor made for flooring can be used as a covering, but never the other way around. What was created as a ceramic piece for coating usually does not have the characteristics to withstand the wear and tear of heavy traffic. For that reason, to be attentive to what we buy.
Sockets for Ceramic Floors: Materials
* When calculating how many meters of a floor to buy, it must be borne in mind that, in general, the ceramic floor sockets must be cut from the same ceramic pieces, which will force us to contemplate an extra percentage that the include and allow us not to be startled.
There will also be the possibility of using wooden plinths for terminations of environments with ceramic floors. Although the aesthetic result is pleasant, the wood suffers premature wear from exposure to the continuous rubbing of the cleaning elements that are commonly used. In this sense, a ceramic plinth of the same floor that is placed will be the most durable solution.
Boards for Ceramic Floors: With or Without Board?
* I know that I am going to win the antipathy of more than one housewife but I have to recommend it: it is NEVER convenient to place ceramic floors WITHOUT GASKET.
Placement boards are not a simple whim of the manufacturer. And in this sense, I recommend you give much importance to the indications of placement of the original packaging.
If the suggestion is to place the ceramic floors, for example, with 3mm minimum joint, is that in some way the manufacturer is admitting (without saying so) the lack of uniformity of the ceramic pieces. If they are placed without a joint, at some point there will be ceramics that we can not place because they are the largest.
A board of placement allows us to absorb and disguise the differences in the size of ceramics, in addition to favoring the replacement of a broken piece if necessary (everything can happen ...).
Ceramic Floors of Different Matches: What to do with the Differences?
* We may have to deal with ceramic floors of different items or with slight variations of color, which when placed have obvious differences.
In these cases, they can be used to cut the baseboards. Placed vertically, the differences with the rest of the ceramics of the floor will be disguised, even more, if we reserve them for hidden sectors for the furniture, where they will practically go unnoticed.
The differences between tonality and size in ceramics of different items is a reality much more common than one might suppose. That's why my advice is that, for the placement of ceramics for interior floors, you reserve the same items for the main rooms.
If you then have to make an adjustment in the purchases, they can be used in sockets or minor environments.
Glue for Porcelain or Ceramic Floors
* Although the most important thing is to follow the manufacturer's instructions, in general, the glue for the ceramic floor and the porcelain tile is NOT THE SAME.
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The porcelain is a ceramic piece with very little absorption and therefore will require a special glue (it is rinsed in the package) that allows a better adherence between it and the base of placement.
Obviously, the glue for porcelain tile will be more expensive than the common one (the laws of the market ...), but in this sense, it is not convenient to invest a large amount of money in a porcelain floor, and then ruin it in the installation.
Although it may seem to work well in the beginning, a common ceramic glue, used in a porcelain tile, can eventually cause problems.
Exterior and interior floors
* With few exceptions, the market does not usually offer "ceramic floors for interiors or exteriors" as an exclusive use option.
Although on taste there are no laws, common sense would say that for outdoor floors the choice of a bright ceramic floor, would not be the most advisable.
It is not necessary to be understood to suppose that an enameled pottery in a sidewalk or outside gallery (exposed to moistening), is an invitation to slips and uneven landings.
There are many varieties of ceramic floors and porcelain with medium roughness that gives better traffic adherence to surfaces that can get wet.
The only thing that must be taken into account is that the ceramic tiles are not so rustic as to accumulate dirt that later is difficult to clean. That said, not to mention the inconveniences of pasting a flat with these characteristics. Whoever tried it will attest to how complicated it is to pretend that the ceramic remains without stains.
Choice of Ceramic Floors: Royal Environments
• In the same way, as with the paint colors of a catalog, it will be very difficult to make a choice of the color of a ceramic floor based on a single piece. It would be unthinkable for you to get an idea of the final appearance of the environment with a sample of such small dimensions.
In this sense, it will be useful to try to resort to real settings, especially those sales centers that, due to their size, can access this type of product display. The "live and direct" will be the best way to get an idea of how it will look at what you are looking for.
Conclusions regarding the way to choose ceramic floors
The truth of everything that I have told you about how to choose ceramics for floors ends at the same moment we put our eyes on a floor that seems to have "called us".
The argument of the choice will be: "I saw it and I liked it" ... although later it is difficult to maintain, it has nothing to do with the house and it cost us an eye for the face !!
All of which shows that, after so much recommendation, at the end of accounts we chose the floors of our house from the "affection".
And here my science is finished. I do not dare to comment on the choices of the heart ...
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