Whilst flooring lays out the foundation of any space, going wrong with it could lead to tragic consequences, one you do not want to encounter. Some decor decisions could be overturned if something goes awry, but flooring is sadly one that is very challenging to make good. Not to mention that it could burn your pocket deeply. From scratches to dents and stains, there are innumerable hurdles that could cross your path, but some of the biggest mistakes are made even before you’ve laid the flooring.
We are all about sticking to the assigned budgets and sometimes we may not think too far and be rigid about sticking to the cutoff point when it comes to spending. When we do this we end up compromising on the quality of the materials without even realising it. You may feel great about making some huge savings, but the constant repair and maintenance overheads could break the ceiling of your budget bank. Thus, doing thorough research or hiring an expert to guide you through could go a long way in getting the best for your homes. Here are some tips that could help you in making an informed decision and could prevent you from making those errors in choosing your flooring.
Choosing flooring without taking the room’s function into account:
We may love a certain material or a certain style of flooring without actually knowing if it is the appropriate one for that part of the house. For example, glass tiles or mosaic tiles look gorgeous, but if they are used in the kitchen, then it would be an incorrect choice as the kitchen takes a lot of berating from spills, stains and overheating. It will only be a matter of time before the glass tiles or mosaics succumb to the pressure, quite literally.
Opting for the wrong tile finish:
There are a plethora of options available in the market when it comes to finishes and effects of tiles. From glazed glossy tiles to gradient matte tiles, the options are endless. Even natural stones like marble, granite, etc are available with polish. Polished tiles add that extra sheen and luxe and up the elegant quotient of your homes. You need to be mindful of what tiles to choose for what areas. For example, for flooring these glazed tiles would be a big no since they are super smooth, which would work against the safety aspect of all the inhabitants at home, risking them to have accidental slips and falls. For flooring, it is always better to have tiles that have a high COF (Coefficient of Friction) value, wherein the resistance to slip is high, thus keeping the accidents at bay. Glossy tiles however would be great for walls, especially to create a feature wall.
Picking too large or too small tile patterns:
Another very important aspect that we could potentially go wrong in is the size of the tiles. The size of the tiles should be determined by the relativity of the size of your space. A large, open space will be perfect for those large sized tiles, whereas a medium or a small sized room will be perfect to home medium or small tiles respectively. If you do end up picking small tiles for large rooms, it means there will be more grout lines, thus making the space look rather sordid. You can however choose to install large tiles for smaller or medium sized rooms as large tiles succeed in creating an illusion of the space being bigger. You are free to choose tile patterns of your choice, depending upon your style and taste.
Using the wrong cleaning solutions:
Each floor is made differently with different raw materials and different finishes. It is very important that you take notes on cleaning instructions during the time of your purchase from the vendor so that you can give the tiles the right cleaning and care it needs. In any case, using harsh chemicals and floor cleaning agents is certainly going to take away the beauty and could possibly even damage them over a period of time, especially if your flooring is in natural stone. Using mild surfactants that are also good for the environment and free of toxins will not only clean your home floors but will also keep the environment safe.
Selecting Poor Quality:
Flooring is one of the most expensive projects in remodelling your homes. After putting in all those efforts and time, you do not want to compromise on the quality after all. All those efforts will go down the drain if you end up getting poor quality flooring, because that is going to need replacement in a few years, which is the same cost or even more than what you will be incurring at present. Rather than getting lured by saving a penny or two, it is better to spend a little extra and get high quality flooring for your homes, that will last you long and strong.
Tiling Directly on Concrete:
Is there really any harm if you lay tiles on concrete? The answer is no. but it definitely comes with a couple of caveats, which is why it is not advisable to do so. If you install tiles directly on concrete, there is a good possibility that the concrete could crack or shift. All the movements, be it this or even moisture is sure to get transferred to the tile over a period of time and that is going to make the process of tile installation futile and ineffective.
Cheating Curing Time:
Once tiles are installed, they need some time before you can fully start using them or walking over them. This time is called curing time. Usually it takes about 3-5 days for the tiles to be fully ready to be used. If one decides to overstep this curing time and start using the tiles before that then there is a good chance that the tiles may not have been cured and fully dried up, resulting in them not fitting in well. It is best to stay patent and allot the tiles the required curing time so that it can be used efficiently for a long time.
Selecting right flooring for your homes could be challenging for some and for some it may be an ordeal, but there is no denying that it is one of the most important decisions to make for your homes. By avoiding these mistakes, you can save yourself the chaos and the commercials that you could have spent in the bargain.
Author Bio:
Mahima Rawat works with the content team at Orientbell Tiles, where she creates interesting lifestyle pieces on home and interior design. She loves presenting options to her readers so they can make the right choices when it comes to their home interiors. Flooring and tiles are her favourite topics. Besides interior design, she also loves to travel, play badminton and listen to music.