Which Tiles Are Perfect for Indian Floors?
Here is an all-you-need-to-know guide to the 6 best options out there for your floors
Floor tiles come in a plethora of options. They have great qualities: they are durable, easy to install, cost effective, low maintenance and easy to clean. All this makes them a popular choice for use in the home over conventional marble, natural stone slabs and hardwood floors. With so many varieties of tiles on offer, such as stone, porcelain, vitrified tiles for flooring, the question is, which ones are best suited for your home?
2. Porcelain tiles
Porcelain tiles are a kind of ceramic tiles that are made with finer clays and extra mineral components, baked at higher temperatures. This process makes them dense, less porous and stronger than ceramic tiles. Porcelain tiles for floors are ideal in high traffic areas as they are resistant to chipping, scratching and stains. With the introduction of digital tiles, numerous design options can be achieved on any floor tile.
Tip: It is advisable to go for rectified or joint-free tiles, where the edges of the tile are cut after they are kiln-baked, to get precision in size. For a neat and seamless look, use epoxy grouting and maintain a gap of at least 2 millimetres between each tile.
Looking for tiling ideas for the living room?
Porcelain tiles are a kind of ceramic tiles that are made with finer clays and extra mineral components, baked at higher temperatures. This process makes them dense, less porous and stronger than ceramic tiles. Porcelain tiles for floors are ideal in high traffic areas as they are resistant to chipping, scratching and stains. With the introduction of digital tiles, numerous design options can be achieved on any floor tile.
Tip: It is advisable to go for rectified or joint-free tiles, where the edges of the tile are cut after they are kiln-baked, to get precision in size. For a neat and seamless look, use epoxy grouting and maintain a gap of at least 2 millimetres between each tile.
Looking for tiling ideas for the living room?
3. Vitrified tiles
Vitrified tiles for flooring are a popular flooring material in Indian homes because of their superlative properties like strength, non-porous nature, resistance against stains, and looks that replicate natural marble. They are commonly available in sizes of 2 x 2 feet or more; this makes installation fast and reduces the number of joints.
Vitrified tiles are manufactured by a process of vitrification (of materials like clay and quartz) at very high temperatures to form a strong glass-like shiny material. These tiles are classified as:
Vitrified tiles for flooring are a popular flooring material in Indian homes because of their superlative properties like strength, non-porous nature, resistance against stains, and looks that replicate natural marble. They are commonly available in sizes of 2 x 2 feet or more; this makes installation fast and reduces the number of joints.
Vitrified tiles are manufactured by a process of vitrification (of materials like clay and quartz) at very high temperatures to form a strong glass-like shiny material. These tiles are classified as:
- Double charged vitrified tiles, which are manufactured with two colour pigments to achieve a two-tone colour on the tile.
- Full body vitrified tiles, which have a uniform colour right through the tile, helping make scratches invisible.
- Soluble salt vitrified tiles that incorporate various patterns on the tile.
- Glazed body vitrified tiles, which have an additional shine that makes the tiles stain-resistant.
4. Terrazzo tiles
A terrazzo tile is a composite of natural marble, granite or quartz chippings that are held together by a resin or concrete base with a colour pigment added to it. It has a unique speckled look and is designed to last a lifetime.
Their manufacturing includes the process of exposing the marble or stone chips on the surface of the concrete and then polishing them till they are smooth. One advantage of terrazzo tile flooring is that if the surface gets worn out over the years, it can be refinished and polished to look like new.
Opt for pre-polished tiles, which require low maintenance and are scratch-resistant.
A terrazzo tile is a composite of natural marble, granite or quartz chippings that are held together by a resin or concrete base with a colour pigment added to it. It has a unique speckled look and is designed to last a lifetime.
Their manufacturing includes the process of exposing the marble or stone chips on the surface of the concrete and then polishing them till they are smooth. One advantage of terrazzo tile flooring is that if the surface gets worn out over the years, it can be refinished and polished to look like new.
Opt for pre-polished tiles, which require low maintenance and are scratch-resistant.
5. Stone tiles
These tiles are made with natural stone materials like sandstone, slate, travertine, marble and granite. Natural stone tiles add colour, texture and warmth with their unique patterns that impart elegance and richness to the space. The natural stone slabs are machine-cut to standard square or rectangular tiles. Note that stone tiles for floors need to be sealed periodically as they are very porous.
Tip: Try to avoid using acid cleaners or strong soap-based cleaners on these floors, as they have a tendency to corrode and damage the surface.
These tiles are made with natural stone materials like sandstone, slate, travertine, marble and granite. Natural stone tiles add colour, texture and warmth with their unique patterns that impart elegance and richness to the space. The natural stone slabs are machine-cut to standard square or rectangular tiles. Note that stone tiles for floors need to be sealed periodically as they are very porous.
Tip: Try to avoid using acid cleaners or strong soap-based cleaners on these floors, as they have a tendency to corrode and damage the surface.
6. Cement tiles
Break away from convention and consider cement tiles for floors, also known as encaustic cement tiles. See how the bold traditional patterns of the floor in this space add life and breathe heritage into a contemporary space.
Tip: Cement tiles are porous in nature and need to be coated with sealants to maintain their look.
Browse though more flooring designs
Break away from convention and consider cement tiles for floors, also known as encaustic cement tiles. See how the bold traditional patterns of the floor in this space add life and breathe heritage into a contemporary space.
Tip: Cement tiles are porous in nature and need to be coated with sealants to maintain their look.
Browse though more flooring designs
Some companies, like Bharat Floorings, manufacture these handmade tiles; here, sets of four tiles have been arranged to create a design by rotating each tile by 90 degrees to form an interlocking pattern.
Read more:
5 Kitchen Floor Tiles That Rule the Roost
10 Unique Options for Your Floors
Tell us:
Which floor tile would you prefer for your home? Tell us why in the Comments section below.
Read more:
5 Kitchen Floor Tiles That Rule the Roost
10 Unique Options for Your Floors
Tell us:
Which floor tile would you prefer for your home? Tell us why in the Comments section below.
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The primary ingredients of ceramic tiles are natural clay and minerals, which are mixed together with water, chemical additives and colour pigments. The mixture is crafted into the required tile shapes and heated to high temperatures. These tiles are available in numerous finishes like gloss, semi-matte (also known as lapatto) and matte.
Glazed ceramic might become slippery – you’ll get better safety if you go for matte-finish tiles and cement or epoxy grouts.
Ceramic tiles are cheap, cost-effective and readily available, so we suggest them as a possible flooring material for Indian homes – otherwise, porcelain tiles are a better option. The main drawback of installing ceramic flooring is that it is fragile and prone to chipping and cracking. Ensure that the contractor handles the tiles carefully to avoid any damage.
Tip: Opt for group-4 or group-5 tiles for flooring as they are designed to handle light to moderate traffic. Brands like Somany Ceramics have such tiles on offer.
Make it a point to keep one or two boxes of the original lot of tiles in stock after installation of the flooring so that in the future, if there is any damage, the tiles can be easily replaced.