What Are the Best Tiles for Hallways?
Selecting flooring for your home remodel can be a big job. You won't be done just because you've picked out material for each of the rooms. Considering the hallway flooring is another essential step in the renovation process. Knowing the best tiles for hallways can help you narrow down the choices.
Hallway Tiles Should Hold Up
Your home's walkways might be some of the most-traveled floors in your house. Even still, the flooring could hold up for years to come if you invest in durable tiles.
Porcelain is one example of a sturdy material that can last for many years, but not all porcelain tiles are equally strong.
Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) ratings are used to rate the durability of this type of tile. This classification system includes six levels of hardness, with Class V being the highest. The higher the score is, the better a tile will be at resisting visible wear.
For hallway tiles, a rating of at Class IV is typically recommended. If you are tiling a commercial hallway, opt for Class V. Your tile professional can steer you toward porcelain tiles that fit your needs.
You can learn more about the PEI scale in the following video:
Natural stone tiles are another dependable choice for long-lasting hallway flooring. Stone tiles aren't evaluated on the PEI scale. Rather, the Mohs hardness scale can be used for this purpose.
For a residential hallway, Class 4 on the Mohs scale is best. Commercial hallways will benefit from Class 5 tiles.
Consider marble as a durable natural stone for your hallways. Marble tiles usually fall between 3 and 5 on the Mohs scale. Your tile artisan can direct you toward a sturdy variety that will work well for hallway flooring.
Halls May Need Slip-resistance
Some of the hallways in your home might be prone to drips and splashes. Think about the walkway from the back door to the coat closet or the path from the shower to the bedroom. For those hallways, it's smart to install tiles that provide extra traction underfoot.
Slate tiles are prized for their natural slip-resistance. This material has a rough-hewn texture that lends valuable friction to each step that you take, even when your feet are wet.
Tile Arrangements Can Change the Feel of the Space
Rectangular tiles are a popular shape for hallway floors, and how you lay the tile can make a large difference in the feel of the space.
One option is to lay the long end of each rectangle perpendicular to the walls. This will help the hallway seem wider.
If you want to create the illusion of an unending stretch of hallway — the sort of thing you'd experience in a grand palace — turn the tiles the other way. By running the long sides of the tile parallel the walls, you'll elongate the feel of the space.
Porcelain Tile - View Details>>
Patterns Add Visual Interest
Of course, you aren't limited only to rectangles for your hallway designs. There's any number of patterns that you could pick from. Some are muted and stately, and others are bright and bold. Consider the overall feel of your house and select a pattern to match.
For the most intricate designs, look for a tiling professional who can create waterjet tiles for your hallway. This precise cutting method allows for detailed curves and careful lines that fit together just right.
Medallions and Murals - View Details>>
Keep in mind that the entire hallway doesn't have to feature the same pattern. For example, you could choose a delicate design for a border along the edges and fill in the middle with a larger-format tile.
Mosaic Borders - View Details>>
The opposite will work as well: Line the edges with a simple design, and use a stand-out pattern down the center.
Waterjet Designs - View Details>>
Easy Care Is Always a Good Call
Hallways are typically considered a utilitarian part of the house. You might not want to spend a great deal of time keeping them in top shape. Floors that are easy to take care of can be a smart choice for the halls.
For this reason, consider large-format tiles. The larger your tiles are, the fewer grout lines there will be for dirt to hang out in. A large porcelain tile with an accent border can be an inviting look for the hallway.
Porcelain Waterjet - View Details »
If you have your heart set on a smaller pattern, think about picking a dark shade for the grout. This will help camouflage dust and dirt.
Tiling the Walls Makes a Statement
Keep in mind that tiles don't have to be only for hallway floors. You can use tiles on the walls as well.
Wall tiles don't have to be as sturdy as those that you put on the floor. This opens up the possibility of incorporating materials with a lower rating on the PEI or Mohs hardness scales.
You might also decide to use more intricate patterns on the walls. Since people won't be walking across them, there will be less worry about dirt building up in the grout lines.
Plus, you can incorporate more texture on the walls. With uneven floor tiles, each trip down the hallway would be an unsteady experience. Since that's not a concern with wall tiles, so you can use rough ledger stone or other eye-catching dimensional tiles.
Dimensional Tile - View Details>>
Above all, the best tiles for hallways are the ones that support the look you're trying to create in your home. If you need help picking out the right material for your hallway floors or walls, call Artsaics' tile artisans. We'll help you select tiles that are durable, beautiful and just right for your space.