Hallway Floor Tiles: Selection and Design Guidelines
High-quality and tastefully selected floor tiles for the corridor are beautiful and practical, since the entrance hall is a place where you have to deal with sand, dust and high-heeled shoes every day. Tile perfectly transfers these loads, in addition, will allow you to create an unusual and custom interior design.
Features of the choice and characteristic of floor tiles
Before buying flooring for a corridor, you need to consider a number of operational characteristics. Let's consider them in more detail.
Wear resistance
This is the degree of resistance of the material to external factors. Water, sand, street dirt - all this constantly falls into the corridor. If the material is resistant to wear, it will retain its original attractiveness for a long time. Wear resistance is assessed using the PEI mark, adopted in accordance with the European standard. In total there are 5 classes (materials of the fifth, highest, category are used in production workshops). For offices and residential premises, the third stability class is optimal. Such materials are durable and aesthetic at the same time.
Resistance to aggressive substances
The floors in the corridor become polluted quickly, so the use of household chemicals cannot be avoided. There is a special classification of coatings for susceptibility to chemically aggressive substances. In this case, letter marking is used. For example, category AA tiles are acid resistant. The best option for rooms is AB material. The lowest resistance class to such environments is O.
Coefficient of friction
This indicator indicates how slippery the coating will be. If the room is actively operated, a sliding tile will not be the best solution. Gloss erases quickly, the coating fades. In addition, it is traumatic. A much better choice is embossed matte tiles. Such material is practical to use and does not slip. The anti-slip index also has its own marking. For the corridor, the best are tiled materials with the designations R10 or R11.
Moisture absorption
It is generally accepted that the level of moisture absorption of ceramics is zero. However, absolutely perfect materials do not exist. The maximum allowable moisture absorption for tiles is 3%.To achieve good performance, manufacturing companies use various technological methods (for example, firing at high temperature). The quality test is quite simple. Chipped good material smooth, with a reddish tint. A rough beige chipped color means that the quality of the material is not high enough.
Practicality
This factor is no less important than those already listed. A rough surface, for example, is very dirty. The most practical is a tile of a dark shade, devoid of gloss. The floor in the hallway from tile with a polished or glazed surface looks impressive and rich, but such a surface is very slippery.
Types of floor tiles
Whatever option you choose, the set of flooring requirements remains constant: practicality and safety. It must be water resistant, wear resistant and durable. This is important because, near the threshold, the load on such a coating will be significant. Consider the features of various types of tiles.
Ceramics
The tile is suitable for the corridor perfectly. First of all, because it maintains a presentable appearance for a long time, is very easy to maintain, requires a minimum of effort when cleaning or washing from dirt. Ceramics are made of clay, it retains its original shade and texture for a long time. On sale there is a huge selection of ceramic tiles for the floor, imitating wood, ornamental stone, decorated with various patterns. The top layer may be rough or smooth. The first option for floors in the hallway is more suitable, since the coating does not slip.
The disadvantage of ceramics is that it remains cool, unless, of course, a “warm floor” system is not mounted under it. There is another drawback - the fragility of the material. However, if the ceramics are laid correctly, avoiding voids during installation, the risk of damage to it is small.
Porcelain Tile
The main characteristic of this material is its high strength. It is based on feldspar, granite chips and quartz as an additive. In addition, 2 varieties of clay are used in production. The mixture is fired at high temperature. The finished tile is characterized by a fine-grained structure, it turns out painted over to full thickness. The strength of porcelain tiles is significantly superior to ceramics, its cost is higher.
If you compare the color scheme, then the comparison will not be in favor of porcelain. In appearance, it resembles a natural stone. Only natural shades from light to black are on sale. The secret to the success of the material is its durability and strength. It is impossible to spoil it with anything: neither water, nor low temperatures, nor mechanical influences. The material is also neutral to chemical compounds.
Quartz vinyl coating
This is a universal option, suitable not only for apartments, houses or offices, but also for industrial premises with heavy equipment. The coating has a complex structure:
PVC base;
Carbon fiber backing layer with reinforced fiberglass;
The main layer with quartz;
Decor with imitation of various textures;
Polyurethane protective anti-slip coating.
Layering does not mean large thickness at all. It is 1.6-4.0 mm. The thicker the tile, the higher its resistance to wear. The advantages of quartz vinyl tiles include:
Resistance to wear, durability;
Resistance to external factors. The tile does not fade in the sun, moisture and heat resistant;
Easy installation and maintenance;
High maintainability. Individual elements can be replaced. In this regard, quartz vinyl compares favorably with other flooring options;
No slipping, minimizing the risk of injury. In particular, this is true for families where children grow up;
Warm floor surface;
Relatively low cost;
A variety of shades, shapes and textures. If quartz vinyl tiles are used in the hallway on the floor, the interior is unusual.
The disadvantage of the flooring is the large mass and the need for careful leveling of the floor surface for laying. Otherwise, all the irregularities will be not only visually noticeable, but also noticeable. Stack the coating in the following ways:
Landing on glue;
Self-adhesive version (just remove the protective film and mount the product);
The use of castle joints.
Choosing a tile design
If you like tiled flooring, then for the corridor it is almost ideal. It is convenient to use a tile for differentiation of separate zones. The performance of the coating is undoubtedly significant, but the beautiful design of the room is no less important.
There are several professional tricks that will help you to tastefully decorate the hallway:
Large blocks help visually increase the room;
A small tile is not suitable for a spacious room. But it is ideal for a medium-sized corridor;
For a narrow entrance hall, decoration in the transverse or diagonal direction is best suited;
A combination of several types of tiles that differ in texture, size and color looks unusual;
Patterned tiles blend beautifully with plain.
Color variations
The original color options for the corridor are light pastel shades or white. The beige tones are in perfect harmony with the classic style of the hall: light finishes and natural wood furniture. Imitation of parquet with brown accents is appropriate. White tile cannot be called practical, but it creates an atmosphere of cleanliness. This is a wonderful backdrop for furniture. Especially beautiful looks tile of a milky shade in combination with a material that imitates marble.
Dark tiles are associated with wealth and rigor.In a small corridor with limited square meters, it is undesirable to use it, since it visually reduces and narrows the space. The coating can be different in texture: matte, glossy or polished. In each case, the visual effects are different. A dark-veined tile imitating a stone or interspersed with a different color looks beautiful.
Patterns
The use of patterned tiles when decorating the floor in the corridor is always non-trivial and non-standard. Patterns in beige and brown tones, geometric ornaments, imitation of patchwork patchwork technique are popular. You can make the entire floor patterned or use combined elements with a pattern as inserts. The patterned floor serves as an interior accent, so it is important to make the wall decoration monophonic. Otherwise, you will get a cutting eye with variegation.
Texture solutions
Glossy tiles, thanks to the reflective surface, visually increase the hallway. This effect is especially noticeable if the material is a light pastel shade, and the tile itself is large. Covers of cold tones go well with light furniture of simple design. Glossy materials can be mirror, patterned, imitating noble metals, with sandblasting. Laying with squares or rhombs looks good, diagonal installation interspersed with the overall pattern of small elements. Appropriate built-in lighting as a decor.
The practicality and safety of non-slip tiles has already been said. These are materials with fine-grained texture. You cannot slip on such a surface, even if water is spilled on the floor. The anti-slip effect is created in the following ways:
Drawing grooves and notches on the material, because of which it becomes rough and corrugated;
Processing glazed surfaces with chemicals. This forms a rough film that prevents slipping.
The pattern on the anti-slip tiles may be different: imitation of natural stone, sea pebbles or sand. The sizes of individual elements are also different: from mosaics to standard squares or elongated dies.
Size and shape
For a spacious hall, there are practically no restrictions on the size and configuration of the tile. Mosaic tiles look beautiful in the hallway of classic design. It can be an intricate ornament, a “carpet” pattern, a border or a real picture. Mosaic can be monophonic or multicolor.
A special category is wood imitation tiles. This can be a copy of the texture of beech, wenge, pine or exotic rosewood. Color variations are different: from beige and dirty gray to almost black. The shape of the tile can resemble real parquet dies or floorboards. The use of such an unusual material gives the impression of an elite room.
It looks interesting panel - contrasting tiles, forming together a single ensemble. The panel can be located directly at the entrance or in the central part of the room. Most panels have clearly delimited edges and a complex pattern in the middle, with floral and geometric motifs.
Laying Types
There are such layout options:
Traditional. The tiles are laid in even rows. Typically, square or rectangular elements are used for this styling technique;
Diagonal. This styling method is the most difficult. The most laborious moment is the layout of the diagonal axes. We need certain skills in cutting elements;
Rushing apart. This masonry resembles a brick. A single-color rectangular tile looks best, but you can use square;
"Herringbone". Outwardly, this installation resembles parquet. This method is appropriate for rectangular elements with wood imitation. Contrasting tiles look good;
Modular.This is a unique opportunity to create an original interior with minimal tiler skills. First you need to design a drawing;
With a shift. It is used when using inclusions of smaller size.
Combination methods with another coating
The use of different types of flooring in the hallway allows you to competently zoning the room:
The shoe area is decorated with tiles and the rest of the floor with a laminate. The practical tile at the entrance is easily washed from dirt, and a beautiful warm laminate symbolizes the comfort zone;
Another option is a combination of tile and parquet, porcelain stoneware and parquet;
You can play with the same material using coatings that are different in hue and texture. The effect is no worse.
It is important to take care of the safe and aesthetic design of the joint using special materials available on the market.
Maintenance and care of flooring
Attractive appearance and durability of the coating largely depend on the care of it. For tiles, it is advisable to use special tools. Do not use acid-containing compounds. They will not destroy the tile itself, and the joint seams can damage. An exception is the inter-tile space patched with epoxy. Abrasive products should not be used, as there is a risk of chips and scratches. Rough surfaces require special care, as they become soiled faster.
Conclusion
Tile in the corridor - aesthetic and practical flooring. You can buy it without difficulty. In construction stores, there are tiles of various types. It all depends on the type of room and on your taste.
High-quality and tastefully selected floor tiles for the corridor are beautiful and practical, since the entrance hall is a place where you have to deal with sand, dust and high-heeled shoes every day. Tile perfectly transfers these loads, in addition, will allow you to create an unusual and custom interior design.
Content
Features of the choice and characteristic of floor tiles
Before buying flooring for a corridor, you need to consider a number of operational characteristics. Let's consider them in more detail.
Wear resistance
This is the degree of resistance of the material to external factors. Water, sand, street dirt - all this constantly falls into the corridor. If the material is resistant to wear, it will retain its original attractiveness for a long time. Wear resistance is assessed using the PEI mark, adopted in accordance with the European standard. In total there are 5 classes (materials of the fifth, highest, category are used in production workshops). For offices and residential premises, the third stability class is optimal. Such materials are durable and aesthetic at the same time.
Resistance to aggressive substances
The floors in the corridor become polluted quickly, so the use of household chemicals cannot be avoided. There is a special classification of coatings for susceptibility to chemically aggressive substances. In this case, letter marking is used. For example, category AA tiles are acid resistant. The best option for rooms is AB material. The lowest resistance class to such environments is O.
Coefficient of friction
This indicator indicates how slippery the coating will be. If the room is actively operated, a sliding tile will not be the best solution. Gloss erases quickly, the coating fades. In addition, it is traumatic. A much better choice is embossed matte tiles. Such material is practical to use and does not slip. The anti-slip index also has its own marking. For the corridor, the best are tiled materials with the designations R10 or R11.
Moisture absorption
It is generally accepted that the level of moisture absorption of ceramics is zero. However, absolutely perfect materials do not exist. The maximum allowable moisture absorption for tiles is 3%.To achieve good performance, manufacturing companies use various technological methods (for example, firing at high temperature). The quality test is quite simple. Chipped good material smooth, with a reddish tint. A rough beige chipped color means that the quality of the material is not high enough.
Practicality
This factor is no less important than those already listed. A rough surface, for example, is very dirty. The most practical is a tile of a dark shade, devoid of gloss. The floor in the hallway from tile with a polished or glazed surface looks impressive and rich, but such a surface is very slippery.
Types of floor tiles
Whatever option you choose, the set of flooring requirements remains constant: practicality and safety. It must be water resistant, wear resistant and durable. This is important because, near the threshold, the load on such a coating will be significant. Consider the features of various types of tiles.
Ceramics
The tile is suitable for the corridor perfectly. First of all, because it maintains a presentable appearance for a long time, is very easy to maintain, requires a minimum of effort when cleaning or washing from dirt. Ceramics are made of clay, it retains its original shade and texture for a long time. On sale there is a huge selection of ceramic tiles for the floor, imitating wood, ornamental stone, decorated with various patterns. The top layer may be rough or smooth. The first option for floors in the hallway is more suitable, since the coating does not slip.
The disadvantage of ceramics is that it remains cool, unless, of course, a “warm floor” system is not mounted under it. There is another drawback - the fragility of the material. However, if the ceramics are laid correctly, avoiding voids during installation, the risk of damage to it is small.
Porcelain Tile
The main characteristic of this material is its high strength. It is based on feldspar, granite chips and quartz as an additive. In addition, 2 varieties of clay are used in production. The mixture is fired at high temperature. The finished tile is characterized by a fine-grained structure, it turns out painted over to full thickness. The strength of porcelain tiles is significantly superior to ceramics, its cost is higher.
If you compare the color scheme, then the comparison will not be in favor of porcelain. In appearance, it resembles a natural stone. Only natural shades from light to black are on sale. The secret to the success of the material is its durability and strength. It is impossible to spoil it with anything: neither water, nor low temperatures, nor mechanical influences. The material is also neutral to chemical compounds.
Quartz vinyl coating
This is a universal option, suitable not only for apartments, houses or offices, but also for industrial premises with heavy equipment. The coating has a complex structure:
Layering does not mean large thickness at all. It is 1.6-4.0 mm. The thicker the tile, the higher its resistance to wear. The advantages of quartz vinyl tiles include:
The disadvantage of the flooring is the large mass and the need for careful leveling of the floor surface for laying. Otherwise, all the irregularities will be not only visually noticeable, but also noticeable. Stack the coating in the following ways:
Choosing a tile design
If you like tiled flooring, then for the corridor it is almost ideal. It is convenient to use a tile for differentiation of separate zones. The performance of the coating is undoubtedly significant, but the beautiful design of the room is no less important.
There are several professional tricks that will help you to tastefully decorate the hallway:
Color variations
The original color options for the corridor are light pastel shades or white. The beige tones are in perfect harmony with the classic style of the hall: light finishes and natural wood furniture. Imitation of parquet with brown accents is appropriate. White tile cannot be called practical, but it creates an atmosphere of cleanliness. This is a wonderful backdrop for furniture. Especially beautiful looks tile of a milky shade in combination with a material that imitates marble.
Dark tiles are associated with wealth and rigor.In a small corridor with limited square meters, it is undesirable to use it, since it visually reduces and narrows the space. The coating can be different in texture: matte, glossy or polished. In each case, the visual effects are different. A dark-veined tile imitating a stone or interspersed with a different color looks beautiful.
Patterns
The use of patterned tiles when decorating the floor in the corridor is always non-trivial and non-standard. Patterns in beige and brown tones, geometric ornaments, imitation of patchwork patchwork technique are popular. You can make the entire floor patterned or use combined elements with a pattern as inserts. The patterned floor serves as an interior accent, so it is important to make the wall decoration monophonic. Otherwise, you will get a cutting eye with variegation.
Texture solutions
Glossy tiles, thanks to the reflective surface, visually increase the hallway. This effect is especially noticeable if the material is a light pastel shade, and the tile itself is large. Covers of cold tones go well with light furniture of simple design. Glossy materials can be mirror, patterned, imitating noble metals, with sandblasting. Laying with squares or rhombs looks good, diagonal installation interspersed with the overall pattern of small elements. Appropriate built-in lighting as a decor.
The practicality and safety of non-slip tiles has already been said. These are materials with fine-grained texture. You cannot slip on such a surface, even if water is spilled on the floor. The anti-slip effect is created in the following ways:
The pattern on the anti-slip tiles may be different: imitation of natural stone, sea pebbles or sand. The sizes of individual elements are also different: from mosaics to standard squares or elongated dies.
Size and shape
For a spacious hall, there are practically no restrictions on the size and configuration of the tile. Mosaic tiles look beautiful in the hallway of classic design. It can be an intricate ornament, a “carpet” pattern, a border or a real picture. Mosaic can be monophonic or multicolor.
A special category is wood imitation tiles. This can be a copy of the texture of beech, wenge, pine or exotic rosewood. Color variations are different: from beige and dirty gray to almost black. The shape of the tile can resemble real parquet dies or floorboards. The use of such an unusual material gives the impression of an elite room.
It looks interesting panel - contrasting tiles, forming together a single ensemble. The panel can be located directly at the entrance or in the central part of the room. Most panels have clearly delimited edges and a complex pattern in the middle, with floral and geometric motifs.
Laying Types
There are such layout options:
Combination methods with another coating
The use of different types of flooring in the hallway allows you to competently zoning the room:
Maintenance and care of flooring
Attractive appearance and durability of the coating largely depend on the care of it. For tiles, it is advisable to use special tools. Do not use acid-containing compounds. They will not destroy the tile itself, and the joint seams can damage. An exception is the inter-tile space patched with epoxy. Abrasive products should not be used, as there is a risk of chips and scratches. Rough surfaces require special care, as they become soiled faster.
Conclusion
Tile in the corridor - aesthetic and practical flooring. You can buy it without difficulty. In construction stores, there are tiles of various types. It all depends on the type of room and on your taste.