How To Build It

PRACTICAL TIPS FOR HOME IMPROVEMENT DIY-ERS AND CRAFT ENTHUSIASTS

Pros and Cons of Different Types of Tile

When we were building our house, there were SO many options for finishes and it was pretty overwhelming to decide on every single little detail.  Flooring was one of those!  If you are looking into new tile, here is an overview of the pros and cons of different kinds of tile before you decide what to install:

Understanding Tile {Types, Pros, Cons}

 

 

Terra Cotta

PROS: can last a long time if you get good quality tiles, beautiful look

CONS: difficult to assess the quality of the tiles, difficult to install by yourself, must seal thoroughly

 

Slate

PROS: beautiful, can last a long time, dark color conceals dirt

CONS: individual tiles can break due to softness and tendency to split, difficult to install by yourself

 

Terrazzo

PROS: lasts a long time and can be refinished repeatedly, elegant look

CONS: can be slippery, expensive, difficult to install

 

Concrete

PROS: extremely durable and can be made to look like other materials

CONS: should be installed only by professionals

 

Marble

PROS: beautiful look, available in many patterns and colors

CONS: expensive, easily stained and cracked and therefore requires high maintenance, difficult to match tiles–it is recommended that you have your contractor lay out the tiles before the install them so you can make sure you like how they look together

 

Travertine

PROS: feels softer to your feet, available in many different colors and patterns

CONS: scratches and stains easily, doesn’t shine very well

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