For owners of luxury apartment buildings or condominiums, there are many factors to consider when selecting flooring. There is no one particular flooring material that is ideal for the entire apartment. 

In each case, the owner has to weigh the pros and cons of the flooring before making a decision. When making a decision on luxury floors for apartment bathrooms, however, one that stands apart from the rest is luxury tile.

A few of the considerations that should be discussed for luxury tile floors for apartments include the following:

  1. Aesthetics: The flooring in a luxury apartment complex should be elegant and beautiful throughout the building to entice new renters. Flooring is often one of the first features that potential tenants notice. If the flooring looks clean with good aesthetics, it can be a magnet for attracting good tenants.
  2. Durability: A material’s durability should always be a priority when selecting luxury tile floors for apartments within a building complex. Besides tenant foot traffic, there may be children, pets, service technicians, cleaners, laborers, and movers who are constantly in and out of the building. Therefore, no matter which flooring you select, there will be wear and tear, but the decision should be made as to how the material will hold up under this constant onslaught. For example, you really should not install carpet at a front entrance because, not only will it quickly get dirty, but it may also easily get damaged by the movers, pets, and tenants. Entrance areas obviously are going to see more heavy foot traffic.  You should select a flooring that will last you at least two decades or you will be replacing the flooring every few years, which means you will see less profit from all your hard work.
  3. Moisture resistant: Moisture resistance is another factor that you need to consider when deciding on luxury floors for apartment bathrooms.  In Florida, where the weather is often hot and humid, hardwood and carpet often do not fare well; they are especially not recommended for use in bathrooms or kitchens. When hardwood/carpet flooring is exposed to moisture, it can easily become damaged and will likely have a shortened lifespan. 
  4. Ease of cleaning: Apartment buildings tend to have many units and no matter what flooring types you select, the flooring you choose should be relatively easy to clean. You preferably want luxury tile floors for apartments that can be easily wiped or swept and do not accumulate dust and debris easily. The flooring should also not require complex appliances for cleaning, other than a broom or a vacuum.
  5. Cost is also a consideration when it comes to luxury floors for apartment bathrooms. When you are purchasing luxury tile floors for apartments, you also want flooring that is not only aesthetically pleasing and durable but also affordable. 

Based on the above features, the flooring that is most ideal for many areas, including bathrooms, in luxury apartment complexes is tile.  Tile has always been a popular choice among owners of apartment complexes or condominiums exactly because of its affinity with durability, versatility, practicality, and simplicity.  Today, there are more types of tile flooring than ever before.

What Is Tile Flooring?

Tile flooring is made from a clay-based material and, depending upon the composition, can be divided into porcelain and ceramic styles. Both porcelain and ceramic tiles are available in many styles, designs, patterns, and sizes. In general, porcelain tile tends to be denser and more durable compared to ceramic tile. The third variety of tile flooring is stone tile, which is made from marble, granite, or slate, each of which has its own unique appearance and characteristics. Overall, ceramic and porcelain tiles are more budget-friendly than stone tiles. 

What are the Benefits of Tile Flooring?

  1. Durability: Tile flooring is extremely durable. It can withstand a significant amount of foot traffic and is quite resistant to cracks or breaks. If well-maintained, it can easily last two decades. However, for luxury tile floors for apartments, it is important to select Class IV or Class V tiles, which are the most durable tiles on the market.
  2. Aesthetics: Tile is available in many styles and designs that can match any decor. In fact, porcelain tiles can mimic the look of marble or stone. The latest tiles have a surface layer that comes with a variety of unique appearances.  You can also purchase them glazed or unglazed.
  3. Maintenance: One of the best features of tile is that it is easy to clean and maintain. You do not need any fancy cleaning appliances or solutions. A mop, broom, and regular vacuum should do the job. Liquid spills only need to be wiped and water is the universal solution for cleaning.
  4. Moisture resistant: Tiles are one of the most water-resistant floorings on the market. For a climate like Florida, which is often humid or wet, tiles are ideal. They do not rot or degrade even if water is left on the surface for a long time. However, the key is proper installation so that no water can permeate below along the edges. While tiles are waterproof, the grout is not, and good maintenance is vital.
  5. Installation: Tiles come in many designs and styles, and this versatility allows them to be installed in the foyer, hallway, bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, and entrance. In Florida, where the weather is hot and humid for most of the year, tiles can also help keep the living space cool and comfortable. 
  6. Pet and child friendly: Tile flooring is pet friendly as it is less prone to scratching compared to hardwood. However, at the same time, pet owners should be asked to trim their dogs’ nails. Tile flooring is relatively child-friendly as well, but to be on the safe side, in areas where children play, a heavy rug should be placed so that the flooring stays warm and minimizes the impact of a break from a thrown toy.

The Cost

Tile flooring is relatively inexpensive, and the cost can vary significantly, depending on the type and design. The cost usually varies from $0.50 to $10 per square foot. Natural stone tiles will cost a few dollars more per square foot.

Maintenance

The key to the longevity of tile flooring is regular maintenance. First, the tiles should be installed and sealed properly. If the installation is done well, cleaning should be easy. A damp cloth, mop, or vacuum is all you will ever need. A deep cleaning process should be scheduled every 3-6 months to remove all dirt from the edges and corners and ensure that the grout is intact. Hard chemicals, like bleach and ammonia, should be avoided as they can damage the tile surface.

Anytime you see the grout crumbling, it should be repaired right away; if left unchecked, water can seep through the cracks and damage the entire floor. Regular resealing is recommended, especially in high-traffic areas. To further increase the life span of tile flooring, you can placemats and rugs in areas of the heaviest foot traffic.

Design Options

Tiles are available in numerous designs, shapes, styles, and colors. In addition, the surface patterns can vary from mosaic, stacked, offset, wire, brush, or anything that you want to match the building decor. Tiles also come in many other shapes, including hexagons, rectangles, and even diamonds.  You can also choose between the glazed or unglazed tile.  

Longevity

A well-maintained tile flooring can easily last two or more decades. Unless the tile is damaged, it can last 30 years or longer. Grout issues are the one thing to watch for and, by being proactive, tile flooring will probably be the last flooring you will need for a very long time.

Always order a few extra tiles of the same design and pattern at the time of purchase and installation. In the future, if one of your tiles does get damaged or cracked, you will not have to search for the same tile design to replace it. You can just utilize any spare tiles you have; it can save a lot of aggravation.

CONCLUSION

Tile flooring has all the necessary components to make it the number one choice of flooring when considering luxury tile floors for apartments. Besides being versatile, it is easy to clean and maintain. Tile flooring will bring sophistication to the building without the major headaches associated with hardwood and other synthetic floorings. Consult with an East Coast Flooring & Interiors specialist today to learn more about tile flooring, and how it can benefit your building complex.  Go by the showroom or call 1-954-621-1375.