Intertech Flooring
San Antonio, TX 78233
4 Reasons to Consider Tile for Your Next Flooring Project
Tour any new commercial project and it is likely you’ll be walking on tile. Tile is one of the hottest commercial flooring choices right now, and there’s a good reason why it is trending in popularity. Here are four reasons to consider tile for your next project.
Flexibility
Tile floors deliver crisp, cool, distinctive
finishes to virtually any design from contemporary to rustic. You can
choose from a variety of types, each with unique aesthetic and
performance characteristics. Options include:
Ceramic – Clay-based and kiln-fired, ceramic tile is glazed for
protection and long-lasting seal. While not as dense as porcelain
tile, ceramic tile has a higher absorption rate and is less resistant
to chipping or damage. Ceramic tile also is not frost proof.
Porcelain – Porcelain is a type of ceramic tile but its unique
composition makes it more impervious to water penetration. Because it
is fired at a higher temperature and under greater pressure, it is
denser, finer and smoother than traditional ceramic tile. It also
withstands colder temperatures.
Stone – Architects and designers
since the beginning of civilization have used natural stone for their
most important works. Travertine and limestone are examples of
sedimentary stone. Granite is an example of an igneous stone. Slate
and marble are examples of metamorphic stone. There is an alternative
called manufactured stone.
Terrazzo Tile – Marble chips mixed
with epoxy which gives the look of a poured terrazzo, at a lower cost.
Terrazzo tile is ideal for smaller or more complex spaces.
Long-Lasting Durability
Flooring products that stand the test of
time are in high demand, and none is more durable than ceramic tile.
The National Association of Homebuilders says the average life
expectancy of ceramic tile is 75 to 100 years. Natural stone floors
can last even longer, it says, in excess of 100 years.
“Durability is much of the reason why we are seeing a lot of interest from our customers in ceramic tile installations,” says Marcos A. Lopez, project manager in Intertech’s San Antonio office. Among the recent tile projects he has worked on are the Texas A&M University-San Antonio Science and Engineering Building, North Central Baptist Hospital emergency room renovation, USAA Real Estate’s Colonnade building and the UTSA Science and Engineering Building.
“Tile floors can handle heavy traffic and have a usable lifespan that far exceeds most other flooring options,” says Lopez, a 20-year flooring veteran who has led Interech’s ceramic tile division for six years.
Easy to Maintain
No company wants to spend excessive amounts of
cleaning and maintenance. And they don’t have to with ceramic tile.
Because of its protective layer of glazing, ceramic tile is
water-resistant and impervious to dirt. A simple sweeping, mopping or
vacuuming will keep your tile floor free of dust and debris.
Good for the Environment
It turns out those hard surfaces help
make for a cleaner environment, too. Allergens like dust, pollen and
dirt can’t penetrate tile – and are easily eliminated with a simple
mopping. That is a bonus for indoor air quality and a healthy
environment for employees and visitors.
Things to Consider When Choosing Tile
First, allow ample time
for a tile floor installation. “The installation process is much
different than that of carpet or LVT,” says Lopez. “It is time
consuming to do it correctly. You have to let everything dry
completely, and there are different processes depending on whether it
is thin-set or mud set.”
Second, make sure your floor is installed by tile experts. “It is tricky to install, so few people want to do ceramic installation,” says Lopez. “We’ve been doing this so long that we have a proven group of installers we’ve worked with for more than a decade, and that can of experience is invaluable to our customers. We also offer certified installers, for jobs requesting those.”
If you are considering tile for your next project, experience the Intertech advantage. No one can match our experience and expertise in tile flooring. Learn more.