Flooring ‘N Tiles

Carpet doesn’t have to come in the form of tiles.

Natural marble light floor tiles have all those charateristics we look for in a marble product: a veiny, multicolored look, speckled with granite-like inbedded splashes of color and a semi-tranluscent sheen. Marble has been used for centuries as a flooring product for the very most elegant places. The glamor and sheer beauty of marble override some of its detriments and offer a strikingly gorgeous flooring solution that pleases absolutely everyone with its breathtaking charm.

However, as mentioned marble has a detriment or two. It is not nearly as hard a material as Travertine, for example, and many other natural stone flooring tiles. There is a reason outside of it’s gorgeous color that is has served well as a scupltor’s medium: it very simply cuts easier than many other materials. Marble also has issues with standing water and anything possessing a level of acidity which often weakens it. It is pourous enough to collect the acidic waters and chemicals and certainly soft enough to break down over time.

Nevertheless, marble remains the “summa cum laude” of flooring beauty, simply because of its sheer beauty. And it does indeed have that. Tightly-veined, impressively colored, seemingly semi-transparent, marble can be an absolutely breath-taking material to use on flooring in a residence where constant traffic is less than in a commerical application and where the upkeep on it can be safely assumed. Marble light floor tiles are very easy to install as well, something I certainly care about. The materials on the slick, clear surface wipe up perfectly and owing to the expense, they typically get cut to exactly the specificiations and installer wants most. By residential, not commerical standards, marble holds up as well as any flooring tile.

While many advancements have been made in ceramics and in floor tiles in general, there is always a strong interest in the grandaddy of all floor tiles: terracotta. From its earliest origins thousands of years ago, terracotta has always proven to be a most satisfying and reasonable durable flooring tile. For those desiring a Mediterranean look, there is simply no replacement for this venerable and still-produced brick tile. Methods in manufacturing solid terracotta floor tiles have little changed over the millenia proving that some things just don’t get better. They were already very, very good.

These can be a maddening installation for those familiar with them. Owing to the clay-fired nature of the product, expansions and contractions during the firing process leave these tiles not exactly perfect. The variations often drive installers nuts, the truth is. Variations of every type – in terms of thickness and width require patience in handling. It can be an exercise in selective listening when they are being installed, lol. For those with virgin ears or a intolerant view of swearing, I advise keeping a distance!

But then, this is also the charm of the product. Inasmuch as it will never he perfect, there lies in solid terracotta floor tiles a certain definite humanness which translates well onto a kitchen – or any other room’s – floor

With the kids at home for the summer, let’s take a look at some relevant flooring options.

Interlocking foam flooring is a marvelously durable and safe product with an incredibly wide array of possible uses. For children’s playrooms, this soft product is easy on the feet and definitely superior for those nasty and repetitive crashes kids make onto floors all over the world. It’s their job, after all! But these interlocking foam flooring items also can come in riots of colorful and kid-pleasing sections, whether put together like some interesting puzzle that attracts the eye or simply in the simplicity of an arrangement of primary colors.

But interlocking foam flooring has many other uses of interest to a homeowner as well. Their easy cleaning and easy replacement makes it an ideal “mud room” flooring, easily washable and, if damaged, simple to replace entirely. As a flooring surface for an exercise room, it aids in sensations of quiet and warmth for walking barefoot and for softening the crashing oif weights or the irritating noises concomitant with repetitive exercise in general. It’s noise suppression equals its quality as an absorbant surface, much more resistant to damage at the surface.

These floorings install in literal minutes and are stain-resistant, fireproof, noise suppressive, lightweight and waterproof. They also come in some surprising tones and colors, some even resembling wood.

Ironically, or maybe not so much, they also make a fabulous outdoor product, once again as durable as they can be and colorful. Interlocking foam flooring systems are easy on the feet and helpful, once again, with those tendencies of children to “crash and burn” while having fun.