5 Must-Have Features in a China Flooring Manufacturer

5.Tips to Choose the Right Tiles

Aside from choosing what color, design, or size of tile you need or want, here are some things you should consider:

5.1 Density and Glaze

Tile density relates to the water absorption of tiles. Denser tiles have more compact particles- hence, they are stronger and less likely to break, less prone to water absorption, and are less likely to allow dirt particles to penetrate it. However, tiles can also prevent water absorption with a good quality glaze, which makes the tile easier to clean. So if you are looking for durable tiles that are less prone to getting dirty and are easier to maintain, look for higher density (water absorption is less than 0.5%)and high-quality tile glaze.By the way,if the tiles are used in bathroom wall,then you have to choose water absorption which is around 10%.Otherwise the tiles will fall down easily cause they can’t absorb water.

Density ClassificationWater AborptionHS CodeTile ClassificationImpervious (Extremely dense)E≤0.5%690721Porcelain,most are polished tileVitreous (High Density)0.5%<E≤3%690722Ceramic,most are rustic tileSemi-vitreous (Medium density)3%<E≤10%690722Ceramic,most are rustic tileNon-vitreous (Low density)E>10%690723Ceramic,most are bathroom tile

Remarks:Above tile classification is just for reference because the production technology of ceramic tile changes with each passing day.For example,some rustic tiles can be made into porcelain now while some people would use porcelain tile for bathroom.

High water absorption-ceramic tile

Low water absorption- porcelain tile

5.2 Construction Cost

Ceramic tiles are the cheapest and don’t have complicated construction requirements. However, ceramic tile size is a little limited and may not fit your space needs, especially if you require larger tiles. You may want to look into wood grain or marble tiles as an alternative. Cheaper tiles may seem cost-effective but also check tiling method costs. To apply tiles to a surface, you may use traditional cement mortar or ceramic tile glue. Ceramic tile glue is more expensive and you also need to use traditional mortar first to level the surface of where you will apply the tile.

Factor the cost of the tile as well the cost of surface preparation and tile application to check if a type of tile fits your budget.You need to count the quantities clearly,such as tile borders,skirting.It is better to obligate 0.5% more for wastage.You can ask the tile supplier to count for you.They are more professional.

5.3 Choose a more common size of tile

Labor to install your tiles is much more expensive than the actual tile. For example, small mosaic tiles or specially shaped tiles may be very cheap when considering the “per piece” price, however, these take more skilled labor and more time to apply, which can inflate your labor costs exponentially. So, it’s best to choose regularly sized tiles, which are more common and produced on a larger scale (which can make the tile cheaper) and will be much easier to install.Moreover,you need to confirm it is hard to take the tiles to the 2nd floor or not.In some contries,it is very expensive to use a crane to get the goods from ground to 2nd floor if the elevator is too small to lift the tiles.

5.4 Tiles should conform to national standards

Most times, the quality of tiles cannot really be seen until they are used in construction. However, there are still ways to assure that the quality of tiles will be good even before you purchase them. Some simple things to check are that the tile is:

• Durable and not easy to break
• The surface is level, easy to clean, and does not easily scratch, and
• The tile design and color is uniform.

The problem is, you may not always be able to check on these standards yourself. The best solution is to hire a tile quality checking company to check.A professional tile quality checking will help you make sure all are what you need.You don’t need to worry about great loss for receiving bad quality tiles.

7 Tips-How to do the tile quality checking when buy tiles for projetcs?

6.Floor Wood vs. Tiles

Now what material is better to use for your floors? Floor wood or ceramic tiles?

When you’re choosing what material to use for your floors, keep in mind where you’re going to apply the material. In the bathroom? Bedroom? Somewhere there’s a lot of foot traffic? Who are the people that will use this space? Elderly or children? These factors can greatly affect your choice. Here are some advantages and disadvantages that can come with the choice of floor wood or tiles.

Floor wood tile

ADVANTAGES

• It’s very beautiful. Nothing beats the elegant look of wood floors
• Environmentally friendly
• It’s comfortable to walk on, even with bare feet
• Non-slip

Laminate or Composite wood flooring is cheap and easy to install because of its “snap-buckle” type edges

DISADVANTAGES

• Not suitable for high-traffic areas which can wear down the wood over time
• Not suitable for kitchen and bathroom areas. This is because wood is more prone to absorbing water, which can result in warping and damage to the surface.
• Solid Wood floors need skilled workers in installing this type of flooring material because a simple mistake can result in long-lasting damage and wastage of materials
• Expensive

Floor tiles/ bricks

ADVANTAGES

• Very wide range of designs for you to choose from and can simulate the textures and patterns of other materials like stone and wood
• Very easy to clean and maintain
• Does not absorb water easily, so tile is very much suitable to be installed in your kitchen, bathroom, or anywhere that is prone to exposure to liquids and spillage
• Environmentally friendly
• The material conducts heat more easily and is very suitable for floor heating
• Can be applied to decorate all kinds of spaces as long as you choose the right type of tile
• Cheap

DISADVANTAGES

• Glazed tiles can be very slippery unless you choose tiles with matte textures
• Tiles are generally hard and can be cold on bare feet unless there is floor heating. This can make tiles unfriendly for the elderly and not suitable for areas where children sit and play.

There are ceramic tiles which are made into wooden look.Like below picture.It is ceramic but look like wood.Not only can be used living rooms but also kitchens.Price is affordable,too.

Ceramic tiles with solid wood pattern look

Want to see how architects and designers from around the world have used woven vinyl flooring creatively? Scroll down to get inspired by these projects:

1. KVÄNUM KITCHEN SHOWROOM, COPENHAGEN, DENMARK.

Pairing the amber color with the right flooring was challenging, so the Bolon flooring was a perfect choice, both for finding a color that could match the amber color, but also largely for the texture, the look of the tatami, It just works perfectly with the kitchen.

– GRETHE HOLST, INTERIOR DESIGNER AT KVÄNUM.S SAYS:

2. WORK AGENCY, MILAN, ITALY.

Here, the architects at P2A Design, preserved the nature of the building while adding some modern and understated elements, including the Silence Sense  woven vinyl flooring, which is used throughout the office.

Silence Sense Flooring close up. This floor is soft, structured in gray / brown. Influenced by historic textiles and classic and traditional wood parquet patterns, a unique weaving technique gives it great depth and structure while creating stunning 3D effects and fun light reflections.

3. VENTURE SMART, HONG KONG, CHINA.

Located in the prestigious Lee Garden Three in Hong Kong, Venture Smart’s new business office was designed to facilitate customer-manager relationships with the creation of a high-end lounge, a variety of meeting spaces and a cafeteria. Radovan Macak, Design Director at Prague Design Hub, aimed to create an elegant and modern space, while being luxurious and welcoming. With its premium, sustainable and high-end attributes, Bolon was an obvious choice for space and features in all client gathering areas, including columns and riser walls.

Learn more about the collection here.

4. 25 HOURS HOTEL, COLOGNE, GERMANY.

Inspired by the West German society of the 1950s and 1960s, the design agency Studio Aisslinger let the ideas, materials and colors of this era influence the renovation of the historic building of the Hotel 25hours in Cologne. While the large public spaces are a mess of colors and modular furnishings, the 207 rooms use the light and quiet woven vinyl flooring to balance color and function in one of Germany’s coolest design hotels.

Here, Elegant design and soft textile feel were used as an interior element that brings cleanliness and clarity to the hotel room space.

5. COPENHAGEN UNIVERSITY, COPENHAGEN, DENMARK

In the renovation of the artefacts and cultures of the University of Copenhague, the archeology of the University of Copenhague transformed what should be a spectacular biblioteca spectacle in an area of natural descent in a natural color spectrum. Choose materials that work with a variation of the light without leaving to be unduly dominant, the piso Oak cobra life with all the natural light that underlides the spleen through the large vents, creating a superficial space that looks like a beautiful house to carve the light of the day.