HOW TO CHOOSE THE PERFECT FIREPLACE TILES
Posted by Mike Belk on Sep 07, 2017
A fireplace is already considered as one of the essentials at home. It has become a necessity for residents in most countries that tend to have winters or cold weather. It is normally located in the living room where the families gather, talk, and bond especially during the winter holidays. One other advantage of having a fireplace is the fact that it adds value to your house especially if you’re planning to sell it in the future.
Due to its advantages, it is a good idea to upgrade and enhance the look of your fireplace. One of the easiest ways to do this is to use tiles. It is not only easy and fast but also inexpensive because almost all types of tile materials can handle extremely high temperatures. This makes choosing your fireplace tiles fun and enjoyable. You can choose any color and style that would suit your home decorations without worrying about the price. Just avoid using glass tiles because they can’t handle too much heat.
It is actually easy to choose the best fireplace tiles. You just need to know which best suits your fireplace. The fireplace has two parts. You have the hearth or the fireplace floor and the fireplace surround. It is easier to find fireplace tiles for the fireplace surround because it doesn’t need to be that heat resistant. The hearth needs to have tiles that can handle extremely high temperature like stone tiles. Glass tiles are not recommended on the hearth surface.
The first thing that you need to do before choosing your tile is to know your budget. You have to calculate the number of tiles needed for your fireplace. Find a reliable and credible store to avoid buying low quality tiles. Ask the prices of the different types of tiles. You can also ask for the seller’s suggestion since he knows more about tiles. Avoid buying immediately. Try to list and budget first.
After listing all the prices, compare it with your budget. Figure out which kind of tile would suit your budget. You don’t need to worry about the designs and colors because even the cheapest kind of tiles comes in a variety of styles. If you are on a strict budget, you can have the ceramic, concrete, or porcelain tile. They can actually mimic other tile materials that it is almost impossible to tell the difference. If you prefer to have durability, you can opt for natural stones like granite, slate and marble as your fireplace tiles.
After choosing tiles, you can now go back to the store and choose your preferred color or design. Ask for assistance from the seller and explain to him your preferences. Before paying your fireplace tiles, make sure that they have a PEI (Porcelain Enamel Institute) rating of 4 or 5 especially if you’re going to use them on the hearth or the area located at the base of the fireplace.
Choosing the best fireplace tiles is actually as easy as ABC. You just need to know your preferences in terms of budget, quality and design. You also have to be creative and wise. Now go ahead and start upgrading your fireplace. Happy decorating!