ENTRY TILE choices

9 years ago

I am deciding between 2 options for a foyer/entry tile. I love the large 24x24 polished look (hope it doesn't look funny in my pretty small/avg sized foyer.) Which tile is nicer/more kid friendly...won't show dirt/need to be cleaned constantly. Thanks!

choice 1: (the bright light cream one)

choice 2:

Featured Answer

PRO

John McLean, Architect

9 years ago

A couple things to keep in mind:

1) If this is an entry into which people will come with wet shoes, that polished tile might not be a wise choice. Could be very slippery.

2) The larger the tile pieces, the more difficult it can be to have the corners flush with each other at the point where 4 tile corners meet UNLESS the subfloor on which the tiles are being installed is perfectly flat. If you are using a full moral bed rather than thin setting the tile on plywood or a slab, that may help. The problem can be even greater if the joint width between tiles is very small.

3) I'm not sure I agree with Lindsay's comment that larger tiles can make a small space seem larger, but that is your call.

4) The lighter the tile, the larger the space will seem. The lighter the tile, the more dirt will show, even with a polished tile, although less so. The grout will likely become dirty over time without constant attention, so you might consider going to a darker grout to help minimize the visual problem.

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Comments (11)

lindsey_9002
9 years ago
I like the second one. The first one reminds me of Walmart's floor.
lindsey_9002
9 years ago
Also, I love the large format tiles as well. And larger tiles can make a smaller area appear larger (less seams).
dani k thanked lindsey_9002
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PRO
My Beautiful Floor .com
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
These large format tiles make a statement as soon as you walk in the door. Beautiful.
dani k thanked My Beautiful Floor .com
balou79
9 years ago
Walmart floor? gosh I wish my Walmart was that fancy ; )'
dani k thanked balou79
Beth H. :
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
how wide is your entry and does it lead down to a narrower hallway? lets say the hallway is 3' wide. doing 24" tiles would look bad. you would have 1 full tile in the middle and 6" of cut tile on either side of that one. big waste.

so, to help you with a decision, we really need to see the space in which this is going.

you might be better off getting 8x32 tiles (I'm sure they have those in a similar size) and laying those in a 1/3 offset pattern. plus, you would get a bit more traction w/more grout lines. these are 12x24, but you get the idea

this porcelain is polished and is 8x48
dani k thanked Beth H. :
dani k
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you all for your help...Beth, it starts out for being around 5x7 but then like you suspected turns into a narrow approx 3 ft hallway for around 7ft. It wouldn't look ok if there is in centered tile for that area? I plan on laying them in a diagonal...I have rectangle tile everywhere else I really wanted my foyer to be squares set like diamonds. Would you suggest 18x18 instead?

John, you make some great points, thanks! In #2 is that the same thing as a mud job?
dani k
Original Author
9 years ago
Sorry Beth I meant if there is ONE TILE centered like a diamond in the 3ft area
User
9 years ago
Anything light n shiny will show every dirt mark. Something to think about if u have kids. Could drive u nuts. :)
PRO
John McLean, Architect
9 years ago
Yes, a mortar bed (not a "moral" bed as spell check changed it my earlier post, can be referred to as a "mud job." In essence, by applying a bed of mortar, the installer can make the top of the bed flatter than might be the case with the substrate (plywood subfloor, usually) on which the bed is placed.
PRO
Brian Gannon
9 years ago
Discuss with person laying tiles. Certain size tiles especially on a diamond pattern as you call it will leave odd size pieces where just changing the size of the tile will make a better finished product leaving say 1/2 a tile vs a 2" piece. Your tile installer will also show you how one pattern fits your room better. It isn't just about picking a pretty tile and that is where people make a huge mistake and are unhappy with the results. If they are part of the decision process they can't blame it on the tile you bought.

I agree with John in regards to the mortar bed but how will this effect your adding rooms? Will it leave you with a step? Large format tiles are all the rage but leave many an unhappy clients if the tiles are dead on accurate.