Whether you are preparing for bathroom remodeling or kitchen remodeling, you may choose to redo your floors and treat them to a much-needed makeover. However, you may feel overwhelmed during the planning phase while thinking about the type of flooring that suits your needs, preferences, and budget. One option worth considering is floating tiles. Continue reading to learn more about them through this guide.
What Is the History of Floating Tiles?
Years ago, the manufacturers of Kwik-Tile, tested if a floating tile floor installation is faster than a traditional one. They discovered that their floating tile product completed an average of 72% faster when installed over an existing sheet vinyl floor. In other words, the grouting phase can begin within 5-6 hours instead of 18-22 hours with a traditional installation.
One of the earliest floating tile floorings was a product called Edge. Unfortunately, its 1/16” tile glued to a laminate core board system is prone to cracking under normal weight loads. Although this product was short-lived, it paved the way for modern plastic tile trays and thicker ceramic tiles resistant to cracking.
What Makes Floating Tiles Different From Traditional Ones?
The floating floor system involves plastic trays that interlock to adjoining trays. These trays automatically space the tiles and control alignment with utter precision. They also attach only to themselves and never to walls or the surface below. These trays are combined with their weight with friction holding them in place.
Unlike using traditional flooring, such as ceramic and porcelain tiles, floating tiles don’t need to be secured to a subfloor. Instead, they can often be installed over existing surfaces.
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What Are the Benefits of Using Floating Tiles?
Installing a standard tile floor requires existing flooring to be torn out and new tile to be secured to the subfloor. Thankfully, opting for floating tiles lets you enjoy a simplified tile installation. Here are other benefits of using this type of flooring:
1. Tiles Are Automatically Spaced
A traditional tile installation needs seams filled with grout. These seams can be difficult to achieve, even for trained tilers. This flooring option also requires cross-shaped tile spacers to create properly sized seams. These complicated installation aspects are eliminated when you select floating tiles. Since they contain plastic spacers essentially built into them in the form of plastic trays, floating tiles snap into each other and connect the tiles.
2. Mortar Bed Is Not Needed
Installing traditional tiles takes up a lot more work because the tiles must be placed on a bed of thin-set mortar dragged across the subfloor with a trowel. On the other hand, floating tiles don’t require a mortar bed. Instead, they are inserted into set plastic trays.
3. Faster Grout Application
During a traditional tile installation, sanded or unsanded grout is placed into the seams between the tiles with a type of rubber trowel. Meanwhile, floating tiles need only a urethane-based grout. It is exceptionally durable because it adjusts to the movements and shifts in the floor system.
Conclusion
Tiles serve more than just as a protective surface for various areas. They also have the power to create your desired ambiance and complete the look of your space. Because of this importance, you may have a hard time choosing the type of tile that is right for you. If you are hesitant about installing traditional tiles, using floating tiles might be your best option.
Meanwhile, if you are looking for an experienced tile contractor, feel free to reach out to Design Miter Tile. We offer custom tile installation for our clients in Santa Clara County and nearby cities. Contact us to request a tile quote today!
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