Residential tiling: selection criteria and standards to be respected

When it comes to the aesthetics and functionality of your home, one of the basic elements you need to consider is the tiles for home. But, what are the criteria to consider when choosing a floor tiles for a residential floor? What are the standards you need to follow to ensure that the floor tiles you have chosen is safe and durable? These are all essential questions that this article will answer in order to show you how to combine style, functionality and compliance for sublime interiors.

To choose the right floor tiles, it is advisable to:

• Make aesthetic considerations,
• take into account practical aspects,
• find out about the types of tiles,
• take into account costs.

Aesthetic considerations

From an aesthetic point of view, the considerations are generally related to the style of the house (rustic, traditional or modern) and take into account the effect you are looking for (a larger space, a warm atmosphere, etc.).
More specifically, your choice should take into account:

• the colours of the tiles (light colours will make the house brighter, while dark colours can create a much warmer atmosphere),
• the patterns of the tiles (geometric tiles will add character to the space, while plain tiles adapt to all styles of house),
• the size of the tiles, which influences the way we perceive the space,
• the type of material, as this strongly influences the aesthetics of the house (natural stone tiles, for example, give an authentic and rustic look to the space),
• the finish (glossy tiles bring elegance and reflect light, while a matte finish is discreet),
• the colour of the joints (joints that match the tiles will provide a more uniform finish, while contrasting joints will better serve to highlight the tile pattern value).

Considering practical aspects

When choosing a tile for a residential floor, it is important to consider the practical aspects. Indeed, this consideration will ensure the durability of the tiles you intend to use as well as their maintenance. Therefore, the tiles must:

• be able to withstand wear and tear (like porcelain tiles),
• be water-resistant (like porcelain stoneware and glazed ceramic tiles),
• be easy to maintain,
• be non-slip,
• have joints of the right size (joints give the tiles a more uniform appearance while wide joints are easier to clean),
• be the right thickness, guaranteeing stability and resistance,
• be compatible with underfloor heating.

Information on the types of tiles

The tiles available on the market fall into three main categories. These include natural stone, terracotta and stoneware. Natural stones
Among the natural stones, it is possible to cite:

• Granite which is very resistant.
• Marble which has many finishes (raw, patinated, aged, softened or polished).
• Slate which is very popular in small touches for a wall decoration, for example.
• Travertine which has an excellent quality-price ratio.

Terracotta
Tile made with terracotta is very popular in traditional style houses. It is also much easier to install compared to natural stone tiles. In addition, it is all the more interesting because there is a wide variety of shapes and styles.
In this category, we also find cement tiles and terracotta tiles. If you want to bring an authentic touch to your home and give it a warm appearance, this type of tile is perfect for you. Stoneware
Stoneware comes in several versions. These include:

• Glazed stoneware, which is very decorative with lots of patterns and effects.
• Glazed porcelain stoneware, which is more durable and has a higher density.
• Full-body porcelain stoneware, which is as durable as natural stone.

Stoneware is all the more interesting because it can be given the appearance of marble, wood, concrete and stone.

Cost considerations

The prices of tiles for the home vary depending on the supplier, the type of tile and the surface area. Taking into account your budget, you will therefore choose your floor tiles taking into account the product that offers the best value for money, considering of course your aspirations in terms of practicality and aesthetics.

Standards for residential floor tiles vary from place to place (in Europe or elsewhere). They also relate to technical criteria (resistance to wear, slippage, stains and chemicals; size and thickness) and installation methods. More specifically, it is possible to cite:

• The EN 14411 standard, which is a European standard that defines the quality criteria that ceramic tiles must meet.
• The ISO 13006 standard, which is an international standard that defines the specifications related to ceramic tiles that are used to cover floors and walls.
• The UPEC standard which evaluates the resistance of tiles to wear, water, chemicals and mechanical stress.
• The PEI standard which evaluates the level of abrasion resistance of ceramic tiles.
• The R and ABC standards which classify tiles according to their resistance to slipping.
• The EN 122 standards (in Europe) and ASTM C1378 (in the United States) which evaluates resistance to chemicals and stains.
• The EN 13813 and EN 1264 standards which define how the floor must be prepared before laying tiles.
• The EN 12004 standard which defines which adhesives are required when laying ceramic tiles.
• The 13888 standard which defines what performance is expected of the materials used for grouting.

To choose a residential floor tiles well, make several considerations taking into account aesthetics, practicality and the best value for money. The tiles you choose must therefore respect the style of your home, be durable and easy to maintain.
On the other hand, to be sure that your tiles meet safety and quality standards, you must ensure that the relevant standards are respected. So take the time to think carefully about the aesthetics of your tiles while finding out about the technical specifications required.