Is ceramic tile flooring durable?

When chosen correctly, properly installed, and maintained well, Ceramic tiles can last 50 years or more without cracks, breakage, or other damage. However, keep in mind that, although they come in an almost unlimited number of colors, patterns, designs, shapes, and sizes, they all have different strength levels that can impact your remodeling project from both an aesthetic and functional point of view. To learn more, come into our Calgary tile stores.

Tile flooring vs. wall ceramics

Floor ceramics need to be heavier, less slippery and withstand people's weight walking on the surface. Wall tiles are precisely the opposite, and some can also be used on counters, backsplashes, accent walls, and shower/tub surround. But, of course, while you can use floor tiles on the wall, you wouldn't use wall tiles on the floor. The box is marked, but also tell your tile expert exactly how you plan to use it.

Tile?s class act

What this means if that tile is broken down into strength levels, identified by class. Broken down, the class levels are Class 1, which is for wall-use only; Class 11, built for light traffic rooms, like the bedroom and indoor walls. Class 111 can be used for low-to-medium foot traffic, countertops and walls. Class 1V is for heavy foot traffic; an example would be porcelain which is heavier, denser, and can even be used outside on the patio, deck, and pool floors. Finally, class V is heavy to extra heavy foot traffic and is used mainly in commercial installations.

You also want to check porosity, which impacts waterproofing and tells you whether you can use the tile outside. Impervious has the best rating, with no water absorption. It is ideal for kitchens, baths, and outdoor use. Then it goes into vitreous and semi-vitreous, with water absorption rates increasing until it reaches non-vitreous status, which would only be used on indoor walls.

With over nine decades of experience in the flooring and design industries, our staff can help you select the right tile for your Calgary home project, whether it's flooring, a backsplash, tub and shower surround, or more. So come into the West Valley Carpet & Flooring showrooms at our three locations: North Calgary, South Calgary, and Westvalley Central (Calgary), AB. We service the entire Greater Calgary, Alberta area, and be sure to ask about your free tile flooring quote.