Uses of Tiles Around the Home

Tiles are one of the most versatile building materials for your home. They’re not just for walls and flooring-you can use them for décor, protection, or other less common applications. Since they’re light and easy to install, anyone can work with tile for a wide range of home improvements. Here are five places around the house that can benefit from tile applications.

Counter: Ceramic tile is among the most common materials for kitchen countertops. Because it’s hard and water-resistant, it holds up extremely well to the moist and often humid environment of the kitchen. If you’re busy, you’ll also like its low-maintenance nature; a quick wipe once in a while is usually all it needs.

Backsplash: The backsplash protects your walls against spills coming from the sink and counter. Almost all backsplashes are made of tile because of its natural water resistance. Some people prefer stone or marble, but since it’s more of an accessory, it’s not practical to splurge on expensive materials. You can use the same tile design as your countertop, or go for a contrasting color for a stronger effect.

Flooring: Tile is one of the cheapest flooring options, especially compared to popular materials such as hardwood and marble. Most tiles can withstand heavy use in living rooms and the heat and moisture of bathrooms. Best of all, it’s easy to install-you don’t need much prior experience to lay a floor tile on your own.

Wall accents: Small decorative tiles make great accents for walls, counters, and flooring. They usually come in stronger, deeper colors and feature interesting patterns, often to complement the color of bigger tiles. Use them to dress up large walls or to create designs on your tile floor.

Exterior: Some tiles can actually be used on the exterior walls of your home. These are usually decorative ones made to look like natural materials, such as wood and stone. They make great alternatives to exterior painting, since they don’t fade and can withstand most outdoor elements. Since you won’t be stepping on them, you can use larger, lighter tiles to make installation easier.