| Let's face it: natural stone floor tiles do not come | | | | scratching the floor with the bits of leftover gravel? |
| cheaply, so if your idea of an exotic entertaining area | | | | Alternatively, if you are planning floor tiles for the |
| includes beautifully laid polished sandstone floor tiles, | | | | large entertaining/family room at the back of the |
| then you'd better do your homework so you get it | | | | house that leads directly to the pool area, will |
| right first go. | | | | chlorinated or salt water be dripped on the tiles? |
| While that rich travertine kitchen floor that reminds | | | | Although most natural stone floor tiles are water |
| you of cream brulee looks positively magnificent in | | | | resistant, you may need to consider a specially |
| the latest home magazine, it may not be the most | | | | formulated sealant to protect your new tile floor |
| appropriate choice for you and your messy family. | | | | from salt attack. |
| Whether you are building a new home or renovating | | | | Weather Factors |
| an existing one, the flooring you choose can make or | | | | Most natural stone floor tiles adapt well to extreme |
| break a room, or worse still, the entire house. | | | | changes in temperature, but some adapt better than |
| Therefore it is imperative that you thoughtfully plan | | | | others. Talk to your tiling professional about which |
| your flooring; how it will be used, how much traffic | | | | tiles provide 'fitness for purpose'. |
| flow it will get and how the surrounding furnishings will | | | | Another factor to consider is the amount of direct |
| look (including the soft furnishings). | | | | sunlight your tiled floor will get during all the seasonal |
| So let's look in more detail at the points you need to | | | | changes. The amount of sunlight not only affects |
| consider before choosing your floor tiles. | | | | whether or not the tiles will fade, it also has an |
| Lifestyle Factors | | | | impact on how hot or cold the room will become at |
| First, look at your family and lifestyle. Do you have | | | | various times of the year. Some stone tiles retain |
| children who traipse through the house in dirty school | | | | heat well while others deflect the sun's rays. |
| shoes, or play 'chasies' throughout the rooms? | | | | Decorative Factors |
| Do you lead very active lives which leave little time | | | | Think about the colours you will be using or are |
| (or energy) for repetitive household chores? Or are | | | | already using in the room you are going to tile. Take |
| the two of you relishing the 'empty nester' lifestyle | | | | into account the furnishings, curtains, accessories and |
| and the downsized modern townhouse you've just | | | | even the paintings in the room. The most important |
| purchased? | | | | consideration is complementing cool colours with |
| Floor tiles differ enormously in density, porosity, | | | | similar cool colours and warm colours with appropriate |
| strength, durability, slip resistance and abrasion | | | | warm colours so the floor tiles don't clash with the |
| resistance. All of these factors need to be considered | | | | decor. |
| when choosing the right type of natural stone for | | | | If you are totally clueless when it comes to the |
| your floor tiles. | | | | colour wheel, the Internet is full of information about |
| Most tiles are rated on a scale of one to five for | | | | complementary tones and how to choose the right |
| durability, with one being at the bottom of the scale | | | | shades for your decor. |
| and five at the top. So, if the room you are tiling is a | | | | Putting It All Together |
| heavy traffic zone, you will need to consider a tile | | | | Once you have factored in all the necessary |
| with a rating of between four and five. Likewise, if | | | | considerations, the final factor is that deadly one - |
| the area to be tiled is a play area, you will need to | | | | the price. Your final decision will ultimately be made |
| consider durability as well as identifying floor tiles that | | | | by the size of the area you intend tiling and the cost |
| are easy to maintain and keep clean. | | | | of the floor tiles you would like to use. |
| You will also need to consider other factors like the | | | | You may need to either alter your budget or the |
| room's location. As an example, if you are tiling the | | | | floor tiles you had your heart set on. Although natural |
| entrance hallway, is it going to be subject to wet | | | | stone tiling is not the cheapest option, it is certainly |
| boots and umbrellas when it rains? Or will guests | | | | the best value for money because your tiles will still |
| entering from across the gravel driveway be | | | | look as beautiful in 20 years as they do now. |