Types of tiles in comparison

Tiles are increasingly used as flooring in residential and commercial premises, garages, and also for outdoors in gardens. There are also cheaper variants, but customers like the fact that the tiles have a long life and are made in many different colors. There are also several materials to choose from, each of which is suitable for a slightly different purpose.

Among the most popular are paving stones, concrete tiles, rubber tiles and plastic tiles. All have their advantages and disadvantages, it also depends a lot on personal taste and preferences.

Interlocking paving is very easy to lay

Interlocking paving is known to everyone. It is made of special concrete and got its name because of the specific shape. The individual pieces are made so that they fit exactly into each other, which makes laying the paving stones extremely simple. As a rule, no glue and no expertise is required.

Advantages:

high resistance to sun and frost - that is why it is used in outdoor areas,
resistance to abrasion and mechanical damage,
quick laying.

Disadvantages:

before realization, a gravel bed must be built, and if the execution is poor, the paving stones will collapse under load,
the curbstones must be cut with the help of special technology and equipment,
moss grows between the paving stones shortly after laying.

Especially suitable for garages, driveways, sidewalks and terraces.

Concrete tiles withstand all weather conditions

In addition to paving stones, tiles of other shapes are also made of concrete. These do not interlock as well and in most cases are also laid in a bed of gravel. This prevents the penetration of water and the formation of stains. In some cases, it is also possible to use special plates, which are placed on a solid surface and into which the tiles are laid. However, this option is suitable only for terraces, balconies and covered spaces.

Advantages:

if plates are used, the floor can be dismantled at any time,
this floor, like the interlocking paving, resists external weather conditions,
it fits perfectly with the other garden equipment made of concrete (eg, concrete fence).

Disadvantages:

Gasoline or oil stains are very difficult to remove,
Concrete slabs are heavy,
Concrete absorbs moisture and therefore removes it from the soil, so do not expect lush vegetation around the concrete slabs.

Concrete slabs, like the paving stones, are used for garages, driveways, terraces, balconies or covered spaces.

Falls on rubber tiles do less away

Rubber tiles are soft and absorb falls, so they are suitable for use anywhere where children spend time. They are laid on solid ground and either connected with plastic pins or glued. They are waterproof and fireproof.

Advantages:

since they are soft, they feel comfortable when walking,
they have a sound insulating effect, sometimes they are used to cover walls on shooting ranges,
they insulate and do not feel cold.

Disadvantages:

as a base is recommended concrete or asphalt,
they are available only in matte finish,
they get dirty very quickly, oil stains can not be removed.

Because they can absorb shocks well, they are used for terraces, balconies, around swimming pools, in gyms, at playgrounds and sports fields.

PVC tiles are suitable for all interiors

Plastic tiles include the advantages of all the above variants. Installation is simple, terramondi tiles are only joined together, for this it is enough to use a rubber hammer and a knife. Similar to the rubber tiles, the plastic tiles are also fireproof, they can even contain fire. They also act as a good sound and heat insulation.

Advantages:

the tiles are not glued, they can be replaced at any time,
they are not damaged by oil and chemicals
they can be laid on any surface,
laying is extremely fast, for example, in an average large garage it takes only an hour.

Disadvantages:

until now they are made only in one color,
the price is a little higher,
they can not be used for outdoor.

PVC tiles are not suitable for outdoor areas, but the possibilities for their use indoors are practically unlimited. They are used for garages, children's play areas, in basements and washrooms. Read why PVC tiles are suitable as a floor for workshops and technical rooms.

All the above tiles today are produced in a variety of variants, whether from the point of view of colors and patterns, shapes or thickness of the tiles. It is not certain which of them must be used where, the choice is only yours.