When it comes to home renovations a lot of people focus on the living room or bedrooms, probably because these are the rooms that we feel like we spend the most time in. Actually, if you put it into perspective we spend a lot of time in other rooms such as the bathroom and kitchen, so how do we add value to our homes by renovating these rooms? Simple; the power of tiles!

Not only are tiles aesthetically pleasing, but they make for a fantastic investment within the home. Such renovations can change the complete look of your home, and make it look like a completely new place. Once you see all the options you have, you can look for floor refinishing chicago (or wherever you live), and have them turn your house into a beautiful castle (figuratively).

We’ve put together a little list of the tiles that not only add beautiful visuals but can also increase the value of your home should you consider selling or letting it.

Natural Stone:

There are a few tiles that fall under this category, but they all have the same beautiful effect on any room that they are placed in. Each tile is unique, as well as being practical too – they tend to be much more durable than other materials and have long-lasting qualities to ensure a prolonged lifespan for your home, making them a great investment in the long run. Natural stone may be more expensive than other materials, but it is a worthwhile investment. Luckily, a site like https://www.sofi.com/personal-loans/home-improvement-loans/ can help to boost your budget if money is tight. This will help you to achieve the floor of your dreams, no matter the size of your wallet.

Marble:

Probably one of the most elegant tiles that you could have in your home, if you look back over the years Marble tiles were commonly used to show off wealth and superiority in grand houses and even today it still has that effect and creates an air of sophistication throughout.

Pros:

  • Due to the hard surface of marble flooring it allows manufacturers to add a polish that creams a smooth and shiny finish to the stone itself, this polish tends to bring out all of the unique colours that lay within the stone itself too.
  • Marble is a great choice if you’re environmentally conscious, it’s an all-natural material that is created by the earth itself. This means that once the stone comes to the end of its functional life as a tile or work surface it is bio-degradable and should not cause any excess pollution.
  • As discussed above, marble tiles add a beautiful sense of style to the home and provide an almost regal appearance to the room that they are installed in.
  • Marble has been used over centuries for different purposes, mainly because the translucent properties that it holds. This means that light is able to slightly penetrate through it which makes the tiles appear to ‘glow’ when the sun hits them on a certain angle.
  • They are also really good for conducting heat, which is great for saving on the heating bill!

Cons:

  • Although marble is a natural rock it’s actually quite soft in comparison to other materials and as a result it is more prone to scratches which aren’t too easy to repair if they do occur.
  • Marble is not the best material to use if there is any water damage, it can also be stained from certain liquids but this can be prevented if a certain sealant is applied.
  • If marble is being used for the floor then it’s important to head caution, especially if it is polished, polished marble can be incredibly slippy so be careful to mop up any spills straight away!

Slate:

Slate tiles are probably one of the most sought after on the market at the moment, and it’s no surprise to see why, they really are stunning. Slate is a great material to use within the home, it adds a really rustic feel and puts the ‘natural’ into natural stone.

Pros:

  • High quality slate tiles are naturally slip and stain resistant, making them ideal for installing in rooms with high moisture levels (kitchen and bathroom). As well as being fire resistant too! Slate flooring is one of the safest materials to have in your home.
  • Slate is easy to clean and care for, as with most tiles it just requires a regular sweep and mop with a mild cleaning detergent and you’re away!
  • If you are considering selling or letting your home then slate tiles are one of the key factors that can really increase the value you’re considering to let it go for. Estate/letting agents absolutely love slate in the home so investing in this could really pay off in the future.

Cons:

  • If you do choose to install slate tiles then you will need to seal both above and below the surface of the tile in order to protect it, this process will need to be repeated every 12 months.
  • Slate is very durable, but it isn’t indestructible, this material can scratch, especially if you’re placing it in a room like the kitchen where furniture will be dragged across the floor. If damage does occur it can be difficult to rectify.
  • The installation of slate tiles is not easy, even if you or someone you know is a dab hand at DIY it is recommended that a professional is used to install them.

Granite:

Granite tiles are quite similar to porcelain, well in their strength anyway. Granite is formed under a really high heat and as a result the tiles are quite dense which makes them ideal for use on either floors or walls. As with marble, granite offers a really sophisticated appearance and can bring a really distinctive look to any room.

Pros:

  • As a result of the manufacturing process behind granite tiles they are one of the most durable on the market, there’s no need to worry about any spillages etc because these tiles can withstand pretty much anything!
  • Again, as with most of the tiles already mentioned, Granite tiles are pretty low-maintenance. Just like other materials it requires a simple sweep and mop to keep on top of the general cleaning, nothing too strenuous!

Cons:

  • Granite tiles are a lot more difficult to install than other tiles, if being used for the floor then the subfloor has to be perfectly level because of the weight of the tiles themselves.
  • As granite tiles are polished they often have a glossy finish which can make them really slippy, especially when they’re wet, this means that if you are considering them for your home it may not be the safest option if you have little ones or elderly family members living with you.
  • Unlike some of the other tiles mentioned in this list, granite does not conduct heat well, this means that the floor can feel really cold underfoot. Of course, you can install underfloor heating but this can be quite costly. Though there tend to be online resources that can help you learn how to save money on your heating, choosing the right type of granite seems the smartest solution. Of course, we know that this may not be a deal-breaker for some people but it is worth mentioning beforehand so to avoid people choosing to install it in a room where a warm, cosier vibe may be craved.

Of course we could go on and on through all the different types of natural stone tiles, but there are so many to choose from we figured that a top 3 would suffice. Simply speaking natural stone tiles can really benefit your home, both in appearance and value – you’d be a fool to miss out!

Katie
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