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Tile Surface Texture

16 years ago

I'm about to replace the carpet (yes, carpet) in my master bath with tile and I've narrowed it down to two porcelain tiles. From a distance, they look very similar (color, shade variances etc) but one is smooth - not glossy or slick but when you run your hand over it, there aren't any ridges or divots (gouges). The other is not smooth, I guess more like natural rock or stone would feel. Despite watching lots of HGTV, I haven't really paid attention to the details. Is one more desirable, fashionable, practical? What would you recommend for a bathroom floor - just the floor will be tiled, not the walls or shower)?

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Comments (4)

melanie389
16 years ago
braddlisan,
Because the tiles are similar in look, I don't think one will be more fashionable than the other.

When I was shopping for a home, I compared two different porcelain tiles. Both mimicked travertine. One was a through body with a rougher texture, the other one was a smooth glazed tile. Both tiles were not glossy or slick. I liked the smoother glazed tile better because it felt nicer underneath my feet and the color variation was prettier. Your decision should also factor in how tactile sensitive your feet are. The through body tile felt coarser than the cement on my patio. Tiles that mimic stone in both look and texture are gorgeous but I just didn't want to feel like I was walking outside while indoors. Walk on both samples. It may help you in your decision.

Porcelain/ceramic tiles are easy to maintain. Smoother tiles may be easier to upkeep than more textured tiles because they lack the tiny ridges that could trap dirt. You might also want to seal the grout with a penetrating, breathable sealer. I didn't seal mine though because I don't wear shoes in the house. :) I can't see my grout getting discolored or dirty in the bathroom.

Choose what you like and good luck!
weedyacres
16 years ago
I like physical texture on my floor tiles because I think it gives them character and mimics real stone more closely.
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I bought the Hoover Floormate and it would be great for a smooth tile. It's easy to use. Fill it with a mixture of hot water and a detergent made for tile. However, the scrubby brushes do not get into the deeper recesses of textured tile - mine is the Tuscan style and has little grooves and pinholes everywhere. My grout has a mixed in sealer and, believe it or not, it actually comes right up. So, for a really thorough cleaning, I use a phosphorous acid cleaner from a tile store. Brush or spray it on and wait ten minutes. Use a very stiff brush on a long handle and work the bristles into the floor. Then I clean with the Hoover which sucks up all the dirty water. It's time consuming but the tile looks like new. Normally, I use the Hoover for cleaning once a week and it definitely draws up a lot of really dirty water but the texture not so much, I will never buy this kind of tile again.
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Once the floor is clean, you shouldn't need anything but hot water to maintain it. Unless you have a tribe along with a heard of dogs who love to run in the mud, that's all it should take. If it starts getting tough to clean it up, mix up some Oxyclean with hot water in a bucket of water. Use a scrub brush on a stick to clean it, and then a wet vac to suck it up. Then do the same thing with clear hot water. Hit the floor with the clear hot water, and then suck it up with the wet vac. That way, you're not pushing the dirt right back into the grout joints or the texture of the tile. One of the biggest pros about having tile is that it's so easy to maintain!! I see so many people who over think this, and try to get it surgically safe!! hot water. Use it, and enjoy your floors.
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melanie389
16 years ago
Texture absolutely lends more characer to tile and looks richer too. Whatever tile one chooses, feet will eventually get used to any texture. I had slate in a bathroom in my other house and it felt weird at first but I got used to it and didn't even notice the texture over time. The same thing happened with unpolished donegal(?)--not sure what it is-- tile in my brother's house. In both cases, I loved the look of the tiles.
braddlisan
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for the advice. I gave them the barefoot test this morning and was surprised by how smooth the more textured tile was and how little I felt the hills and valleys. I liked the looks and size of that one better already so that clinched it. Thanks again!

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