Under Foot
A Sense of Warmth
by Tracy Dickinson

Ceramic tile has always been a popular option for kitchens and baths, despite the perception (and, often, reality) that it was extremely cold in the winter months. But in the past couple of years, hard-surface tiles such as porcelain, stone, and ceramic have become a top flooring choice with homeowners. Surprisingly, one of the main reasons is the warmth they provide.

“People love ceramic and stone tile for its durability and cleanability,” explains Leanne Young of Flooring Gallery in Windsor Heights. “It basically takes care of itself—you don’t have to use special cleaners or worry about humidity control. You just sweep and mop and it’s beautiful.”

But with the increased interest in energy efficiency and financial value, products like stone and ceramic are finally being recognized for their other advantages as well.

“Homeowners are looking for ways to heat and cool their homes efficiently, and one great way to do that is with radiant heat beneath the floors,” says Young. “Ceramic is ideal for this since it retains the heat well and its integrity isn’t affected by the temperature changes.” 

In addition to their ability to transmit and retain heat, hard-surface tiles also add warmth to the decor of a home. As Kate-Lo Tile’s Robert Steger notes, “Porcelain and stone add luxury to a home because they give a sense of history and elegance to the rooms. And the design possibilities are almost endless since they can be used anywhere in the house.” 

Though traditionally used in the kitchen or bath, tile is now being used in innovative ways throughout the home. Living rooms, family rooms, lower levels, even outdoor rooms can be ideal locations for the products on the market today.

“We have some wonderful exterior products,” says Heidi White, Kate-Lo Customer Service Manager, “that can be used in outdoor patio rooms. And we’ve even seen tile used on accent walls, where the
customer chose a light wash finish on the stone to make it the focal point of a room.”

Inserts are also seeing a renaissance in the tile market. “The concept of inserts isn’t new,” Steger observes, “but what’s new is the products being used for inserts today. It used to be, people would just choose a different color or size tile as an insert to create some interest in the design. But now we’re seeing glass and even metal inserts in backsplashes and floors, and designers are coming up with some really fantastic looks this way.”

Flooring Gallery’s Young agrees. “The variety available for inserts allows homeowners to create a gorgeous look. This is especially popular with backsplashes and countertops in the kitchen and bath.”
Although it costs more than carpet or laminate flooring, the durability and beauty of ceramic and stone far outweigh any cost issues. “It’s competitive with better hardwood products,” says Young, “and installation is comparable to that for hardwood floors as well.” 

But the real advantage, White notes, is its long-term value. “Ceramic and stone always add value to a home, and they last so much longer than the less-expensive alternatives.”

Famously criticized in the movie When Harry Met Sally as “this cold, hard, Mexican tile,” hard-surface flooring has had a reputation for being beautiful but cold.
These days, though, it adds a warmth and richness that even finicky Sally Albright would love.

 

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