Tile Thickness: Things to Consider When Buying Tile
Tile Thickness: Things to Consider When Buying Tile

Tile Thickness: Things to Consider When Buying Tile

Ever wondered why most homes have a tile floor? There are many reasons for this. Millions of people worldwide have chosen to go with tile flooring as it is practical, easy to care for, and looks elegant in any home.

You have many options when you're looking to buy a new tile for your home. With the development of modern technologies and innovations, tile has expanded its uses and applications in other sectors, including home renovation, home design, and architecture. Thickness is one of the most important factors when choosing the right tile for your home.

In order to help you with your home renovation project and choose the right type of tile for your needs, we've listed the important factors that you should consider when selecting which type of tile thickness to use in your home:

Why Should You Choose A Thick Tile?

There are several varieties of thick tiles such as porcelain, ceramic, luxury stone, marble mosaic, slate, stone veined marble mosaic, stone brushed marble mosaic, laminate glass mosaic, and engineered stone mosaic.

Thicker tiles provide more wear and tear resistance and look more elegant and sophisticated. All these factors should be carefully pondered upon and considered when deciding to choose thick tile for a renovation project.

Natural stone tiles are also a good choice in terms of thickness; the tile varies available in marble, granite, and travertine, and they have their unique looks, durability, and maintenance. With that insight, let's check out why tile thickness matters:

1. Luxury and Durability

If you are seeking a durable tile that can withstand the test of time, thick tiles are the way to go. Thick tiles are strong, making them durable and resistant to wear and tear. They are resistant to damage, so you do not have to worry about them chipping or cracking when you drop some heavy object on them. Thick tiles last longer and require less maintenance. That's why thick tiles are ideal for luxury homes with a more formal and organized style.

2. Resilience and Stability

When you choose a thicker tile, you can rest assured that it will be more stable and resilient. The thicker the tile, the more it stands up to wear and tear. It is also more resistant to moisture damage and has great cleaning and maintenance benefits. Thicker tiles are good for resilience and stability because they have a greater density. It is not as soft as an average-thickness tile, so it does not bend or get as warped from moisture.

3. Easy to Maintain

Thick tiles are easy to clean and maintain. They are also very easy to repair if broken. If you have children in the house or pets, you will find that cleaning and maintaining thicker tiles is easier as they do not leave splatters of food and dust when mopped and wiped clean. With more surface area to cover, they are also easier to clean.

You do not have to use as many cleaning agents because they have more surface area to absorb the dirt. You can also easily install tiles thicker than standard thicknesses, making them an ideal choice for remodeling projects and renovations.

4. Economical Option

Thick tiles are more environmentally friendly than thinner ones. They have a greater surface area and are therefore more efficient in the use of the tiles, which helps reduce the number of tiles that are needed and helps reduce the overall impact on the environment. Thick tiles also have a longer lifespan, so you do not have to buy as many tiles over the lifespan of your home.

They are also more economical than thinner tiles because they use less material during manufacturing. So, if you are looking for a tile that lasts longer than the usual thin ones, thick tiles are the way to go. Thick tiles also have several aesthetic benefits, such as creating a more luxurious feel by increasing the sound absorption and providing a smoother, more luxurious feel to the flooring when walking.

What is a Good Thickness for Tiles?

A good thickness for tiles is 5-15mm. The most commonly seen tile thicknesses are 1/4 inch, 1/2 inch, 5/8 inch, 3/4 inch,3/8 inch, etc. Blanket- or sheet-style floor tile is typically 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch thick and is designed to be used outdoors as well. You can use it under or on top of concrete, asphalt, or grass. You can also utilize it as a walkway or patio flooring.

 

  • For pools, the pool tiles should be ¼ inch to ⅜ inch thick. And the thickness of backsplash tiles often ranges from 3/16 to ¼ inch thick. However, with the addition of mortar, the average thickness goes to ½ inch. When it comes to Peel and stick flooring, the thickness averages 0.3 to 0.5 millimeters.
  • Tiles have the Porcelain Enamel Institute hardness rating or PEI rating. While choosing a tile for your home, ensure that Make sure the rating is at least a 4. For a home renovation project or for any other residential purpose, usage rating 4 tiles are suitable.
  • Also, check out the tile grades as the tiles grades stand for the quality of the tiles. Grade 1 tiles contain no defects, whereas Grade 2 tiles may contain minimal imperfections. Grade 3 tiles are thinner, and they are exclusive for wall tiling. If you are seeking a tile for floor installation, choose the Grade 1 and Grade 2 tiles.

What is the Right Tile for Your Home?

The right tile for your home really depends on your needs. For example, if you want to install a backsplash, you’ll want to make sure you buy the right tile for that application. Different tile applications are less durable than others, so you’ll want to make sure you buy tile that’s designed for that purpose. There are many different types of tile that can be used for home renovation projects, including porcelain, stone and ceramic.

Tile Name

Usability

  • Porcelain Tile
    • Porcelain tile is the most common type of tile used for home renovation projects because it is available in a variety of styles and textures to suit any decor. Tiles are 6mm to 10mm thick.

    • Porcelain tiles are generally less expensive than other types of tiles and can be painted to match any existing color scheme. 

    • Porcelain tile has a sleek, modern look that's perfect for high-touch areas in your home. It is also easy to clean and maintain. These tiles are elegant and upscale in kitchens or anywhere that looks high-end. 
  • Ceramic Tile


    • Ceramic tiling is popular because of its durability and low installation cost. It also has a decorative appeal that can blend in with another décor.

    • The standard thickness of the ceramic floor tile is typically 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch thick. And the ceramic wall tile tends to be thinner, i.e., 3 inches to 6 inches. 

    • Mosaic tiles are usually available in 2-inch squares, but the popular and available sizes are (in inches) 12 x 12, 12 x 24,16 x 16, and 18 x 18

    • Ideal for high-traffic areas, and the tile installation is best suitable for use in kitchens, bathrooms, entryways, and mudrooms. 

    • Ceramic tiles' popular options include subway tiles used as shower tiles and kitchens. 
  • Stone Tiles
    • Stone tiles have a rustic look and are perfect for bathroom floors or anywhere that requires a rugged look. 

    • Stone tiles, such as marble tiles, are durable and often the most expensive type of tile to purchase. These tiles withstand over time and can be polished to enhance their appearance even further.

    • Natural stone tiles are typically ½ inch thick, but travertine, marble, or limestone pavers are at least 1¼ inches thick.


     

    What Are Aspects to Consider While Choosing A Tile?

    Whether you're installing tile for the kitchen, bathrooms, or both, make sure you're buying the right tile for your home. This is why it's important to know what you're looking for when buying tile for your home.

    1. Know What You're Looking For

    Before browsing every store in town, you should know what you're looking for. This might seem as an obvious tip, but it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of buying new tile without taking a step back and thinking about what you need.

    We have been in that situation where we just want to buy something, no matter what. So, think about what you want to get out of buying a new tile. Are you seeking to spruce up your kitchen? Are you trying to add some texture to your bathroom? Once you know why you're buying, it's a lot easier to find the right tile for your needs.

    2. Surface Condition of Tile

    When you buy tile, you also need to make sure that you buy tile that's in good condition. While all tile is designed for durability, it's not all the same. Some tiles are made from much thinner material, making them more susceptible to damage. So, make sure you're buying tile that has a good surface. If the tile has been dropped or suffered any other damage, make sure you avoid buying it.

    3. Measure and Sketch Before You Buy

    If you're shopping for a new tile, you should make sure to measure your current tile before you buy a new tile. If you don't measure your current tile, you might end up with the wrong tiles. This is especially important if you're replacing your tile in the kitchen or bathrooms.

    This will not only help you to pick the right tiles, but it will also help you to make sure you have enough tiles for your project. You can use a tape measure or a ruler. Whichever method you choose, ensure you're using the right method for measuring. It helps you to pick the correct tiles without going too far off.

    Wrapping Up

    Whether you're looking to replace your existing tile or just spruce up one small area, buying the right tile can make a massive difference in the outcome. It's important to know what you're looking for, and it's also important to know what you're buying.

    In addition, for home renovation, buying in bulk is a wise choice. Online ecommerce stores, such as Mosaic Tile Outlet, offer special deals on large tile orders. If you're buying in bulk, you should keep in mind a few things. Ascertain that you have enough space for the tile. Also,tile often comes in large sheets or panels, so ensure you have enough space to store it.


    Author

    Leonardo Villalobos

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