Ceramic tiles are becoming an increasingly popular flooring option for throughout the home. They are no longer just used in the traditional bathroom and kitchen areas. They are now used in dining and living areas and even in bedrooms. Today’s designs are both good looking and hard wearing.

Here are some important things to know when choosing tiles.

• Quality. Check if the tiles are firsts or seconds. Firsts are a higher quality tile and therefore will cost more.

• Origin of Manufacture. European tiles were once regarded as better quality but in recent years, state of the art equipment and expertise from Italy have been exported to countries such as Asia, enabling them to produce excellent quality ceramic tiles.

• Base. Porcelain base tiles are denser than other styles and will therefore stand up to heavier traffic use, although Monocottura floor tiles will perform more than adequately in any domestic situation.

• Finish. Choose the look for the area where the tiles will be situated but consider the following points.

1. Gloss tiles are more slippery when wet.
2. Heavily textured, non-slip tiles are more difficult to clean and tend to show dirty marks more readily.
3. Using the same tiles for both walls and floors in a bathroom can create a wonderful feeling of space. But make sure the tiles you choose are suitable for flooring.

Your Andersens flooring consultant can give you helpful advice on the best tiles for your application and can even help with interesting and innovative design ideas.