EXPLORE WHY TILES ARE BETTER THAN CONCRETE BLOG

Do you love the cool, contemporary appearance of concrete, but worried about the cost of installing and sealing exposed concrete flooring? You’re not the only one. Exposed concrete has been a popular flooring option for many years now and continues to attract a wide range of homeowners looking for a stylish and modern flooring solution. However, it’s important to consider your lifestyle when making important decisions about your home. The common disadvantages of exposed concrete floors are why so many Australian renovators are turning to concrete-look tiles instead.

The Common Disadvantages of Concrete Flooring

The main downsides to exposed concrete floors are:

• Expensive to install – pouring concrete in your home is a huge project that usually requires a crew of people to complete the job.

• Needs to be sealed regularly – concrete floors require periodic, ongoing treatment to remain durable. Keep in mind, these costs add up.

• It can be stained and damaged by moisture – concrete is a porous material and highly susceptible to staining and damage from spilled liquids. Water from a leaky fridge or dishwasher, or everyday use from a family bathroom, can permanently damage the concrete if it is not sealed or treated properly. This can quickly snowball into an expensive problem for homeowners.

So, with that in mind, here are the top 3 reasons Australian renovators are turning to concrete-look tiles for their homes instead:

Pictured: Be Square Concrete Matt 600x600mm Porcelain Wall & Floor Tile

Tiles Look Like the Real Thing

Modern manufacturing technology means that tiles can perfectly replicate stylish materials like concrete. This means you can enjoy the practical, functional benefits of tile flooring but with the design aesthetics of your favourite materials.

Unlike concrete, tiles are 100% waterproof and won’t become moisture-damaged, hence why they are the leading material used in wet areas like bathrooms, laundries, and kitchens.

A variety of your favourite concrete looks, from exposed aggregate to neutral, grey concrete, can be recreated on tiles with a high degree of accuracy, thanks to digital printing technology.

Our Meteora tiles are inspired by aged concrete flooring, like something you may find in a converted warehouse. While these tiles are highly industrial in appearance, they also feel sophisticated and glamourous. 

Pictured: Meteora Grigio Matt R10 610x610mm Porcelain Wall & Floor Tiles

Tiles Are Affordable

Prices often start from $40 per square meter for porcelain floor tiles (and even cheaper when you shop discontinued tiles). When installing tiles, other costs to consider include your tiler, as well as any glues, grouts and spacers required to complete the job.

Compare this with the many complicated steps involved with pouring an exposed concrete floor, the number of building crew members needed to work on the job, and the number of weeks required to complete the installation process. In your research, you’ll most likely find that tile floors are far less expensive and much easier to install than concrete.

Keep in mind, there is no DIY option for installing concrete flooring as it is too dangerous. However, it is possible to DIY your own tiling, given you take the time to learn and understand the process, which can save costs if your renovation budget is tight.

Pictured: Be Square Black Matt 600x600mm Porcelain Wall & Floor Tile

Tiles Are Low Maintenance 

Tiles are extremely low maintenance. They can be cleaned quickly and easily with conventional cleaning methods like sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping. Unlike concrete, tiles do not require regular sealing and treatments for durability.

If one tile breaks, that single tile can be easily replaced (as long as you kept that spare box of tiles from the time of purchase). The same cannot be said for concrete, which is much more difficult and expensive to replace if the concrete becomes cracked or damaged.

While extra care should be taken when cleaning tile grout and corners, tiles still outperform concrete when it comes to ease of care.

Pictured: T-Stone Ash Grey Matt 600x600mm Porcelain Wall & Floor Tile

So, if you’re after flooring that’s durable and easy to care for, but still offers the natural beauty of concrete, then concrete-look tiles are for you.

At Designer Tile Company, we offer an unbeatable range of concrete-look and aggregate-look tiles for any room in your home. Not only that, but our Melbourne warehouse carries thousands of square meters of tiles, so you can start your renovation straight away.

Shop concrete-look tiles online now, or visit our showroom located at 1664-1666 Centre Road, Springvale to view in-store tile displays.