Are you renovating or furnishing your home and wondering what would be better to choose, kitchen and laundry tiles or parquet? The floor represents a large surface in the room and must be covered with a material suitable for the room, your lifestyle, and the room’s decor. Of course, your decision depends on many factors, and your preferences weigh heavily in the final decision. But you can make your task easier by reading about the advantages and disadvantages of bathroom tiles and different models of tiles for each room.
Kitchen and Laundry Tiles for All Tastes
The most common option when renovating your kitchen is the tile, which has well-known advantages (washes immediately, does not swell or discolor). Still, you can also consider a combination of kitchen and laundry tiles and parquet in the kitchen. It’s simple; you put tiles next to the worktop and parquet in the dining area. In this way, you benefit from the advantages of both types of finishes. Furthermore, it will be easy to choose one because you’ve probably already studied all the decoration options, and you’ve seen hundreds of photos with ideas that are more attractive and more suitable for your home.
Straight or Classic Mounting of Bathroom Tiles
Straight mounting is a classic choice, suitable for any room. It looks good in traditional bathrooms, kitchens, hallways, and exteriors decorated with tiles. It is the most straightforward and economical because the losses caused by cutting are minimal, and the amount of material is used as rationally as possible. The assembly usually starts from the right corner of the room and continues on one of the sides, with the chosen spacers. The straight or classic installation of bathroom tiles can be vertical or horizontal if the ceramic tiles are rectangular, depending on the side you want to appear more expansive.
Tiles for Your Bedroom
Tiles have become more and more appreciated in bedrooms, but not ceramic tiles. Preferred are those that imitate wood grain because you can bring a warm note to the space, specific to bedrooms. Some tiles imitate natural stone or cement very well, giving a spectacular effect to a bedroom. The stoneware is very easy to wash and maintain; it is durable and non-allergenic. However, the stoneware is cold, so people usually use it as kitchen and laundry tiles. If you choose tiles in the bedroom, you must cover them next to the bed.
Tiles for the Hallway
You don’t stay in the hall, but in the past, you often pass through it, even with shoes on. Guests also pass by here, and heavy bags and boxes with sharp corners always land on the floor of this transitional space between the inside and outside of the house. Therefore, you could consider bathroom tiles as a finish for your hallway. It resists aggression well and is easy to clean, which is an extraordinary advantage if you think about rainy days and the mud that escapes from the filter of the entrance mat.
If you opt for tiles with a beech look or other wood essence to design your house, the guests probably will only realize that you didn’t cover the floor with the classic wooden parquet. If you like to host and often have guests over for dinner or small parties, then kitchen and laundry tiles are a better choice than parquet – they don’t get stained or scratched. The comfort and the decor will be acceptable if you opt for tiles, but remember that it is more challenging to replace bathroom tiles than parquet.
Diagonal Installation of Your Tiles
Installing the kitchen and laundry diagonally style will give a more elegant, sophisticated look to the room tiled in this way. The process is also more complex, and the measurements and work involve more precision and care. Diagonal installation is more expensive than the classic one, but the neat appearance it gives to the room justifies the investment. The amount you need for such a work is 15-20% higher than that used for classical plating for the same surface. The losses can also be more remarkable because the ceramic tiles in irregular spaces are cut to preserve the model.
Such work requires precision during installation; it is more complex and involves more work time. A pre-assembly or a simulation of the work is necessary precisely because the execution is very delicate. Regarding the assembly preparation, it is essential to draw the diagonals; for this, two perpendicular lines will initially be drawn on the walls at half their length. For the diagonal installation technique of the bathroom tiles, you will also need additional tools and materials, such as a particular model, string with powder, or a high-performance tile-cutting machine. No worries; the experts know what they need to get the job done.
Assembly with Joints
Installation with joints has a conservative appearance, and assembly is more accessible and less detailed than in the case of kitchen and laundry without joints. Most manufacturers indicate the recommended width of the joints between the tiles on the tile boxes. This technique’s main advantages are the possibility of correcting minor mistakes or unevenness with the help of joint putty and ceramic tiles. In addition, assembly with joints reduces the chance of swelling of the ceramic layer and takes over expansions caused by changes in temperature or humidity.
Assembly without Joints
The bathroom tiles without joints have a more homogeneous and better-finished appearance. Infiltrations should not represent a threat if the waterproofing and installation are carried out impeccably. Still, if you want to be sure, you can opt for the compromise solution of minimal joints, almost invisible. Unlike assembly with joints, you must use a rectified tile with perfect dimensions and corners. The work can also be more expensive because it is painstaking, but the final result will be homogeneous and smooth, suitable for any interior. However, this installation is also used for exteriors, considered an affordable option that can replace marble.