Tips For Buying Porcelain and Ceramic Tile Flooring

Are you thinking of installing new flooring?  I replaced all of the flooring in my home several years ago. I replaced all of my carpet with hardwood, installed porcelain in my kitchen, and ceramic tile and vinyl in the bathrooms.   

I banged my head a few times during the selection stage, but the end result was spectacular.  My biggest frustration was running from store to store to bring home samples.  I have a solution for this problem, check out GoHaus.  GoHaus sells luxury flooring from engineered luxury wood to porcelain. 

Although I purchased hardwood flooring, I’m going to focus on porcelain and ceramic tiles today.  I selected porcelain for my kitchen flooring and ceramic and vinyl flooring for my bathrooms. My kitchen takes a beating, especially during the summer and fall.  I’m a kitchen gardener and I love to entertain my large family, so my kitchen is used to can, pickle and make jams from my garden harvest in the summer and large pots of deliciousness for my family. Here’s are things I considered before I purchased my kitchen flooring:

• That it be able to take high traffic
• That I be able to clean it with ease
• That it have low water absorption (When I’m using my canner for preserving, it splatters water)

After careful consideration I decided on glazed porcelain. My flooring makes me happy, I smile when I work into my kitchen. I know that it will last for decades and it looks great. Your floors should make you smile too. GoHaus has beautiful porcelain flooring  for you to choose from. Head over and check it out.   

Did you know that porcelain comes in 3 finishes.  Glazed, Color Body and Through Body.  Here’s some insight on these finishes:

• Glazed – Glaze protects the porcelain from water penetration and stains. There are more designs to choose from in this category. You can find patterns that model wood, stone or solid color combinations. 
• Color Body – Color body porcelain tiles are created colored stains from the glaze surface throughout the body of the tile. The color remains consistent throughout the tile; however, the surface design does not continue throughout the tile body.
• Through Body – Through body tiles does not  have the protective layer of glaze. This type of flooring relies on the density of the material for protection from water penetration and stains, although a sealant can be added.  This type of flooring is color fast, so you don’t have to worry about it fading over time. 

I selected Sinter Ceramic Tile for my master bathroom, and Through Body porcelain tiles for the others with vinyl flooring.  I’m thrilled with the end result.  If you decide to purchase ceramic tile, I suggest a heat mat under your flooring if you’re a cold natured person and be sure to consider how slippery it will be when wet.  I went with vinyl flooring in the other bathrooms, my grandchildren and guests use them and their safety was a major consideration.  Here’s a list of the most common types of ceramic tile:

• Sinter
• Klinker
• Terracotta
• Majolica
• Mosaic

Hop over to the Ceramic Tile section at GoHaus and check out their selection.  You can request up to 6 free samples of flooring without using your credit card.  Don’t you love this perk. Most stores charge for samples.  Do your homework and make sure you love your selections. 

Note:  I have been compensated for this post; however, all opinions are my own.