Using tile in a sustainable home: An eco friendly flooring choice

100 year old Mosaic tile floor

It’s not just the construction and demolition of large urban buildings that add to the carbon footprint and other environmental issues of the construction sector. How each of us builds and furnishes our home is one of the most important decisions which influence our environmental impact.

Some of the largest contributors to the sustainability of the home we live in are the materials we use. We should all be striving to use those which are most durable, help us conserve energy, are made with sustainable practices and have a low impact after disposal.

Ceramic and porcelain tiles, based on these criteria, make for one of the most sustainable flooring choices, as they’re sustainable throughout the whole life-cycle.

In manufacturing

Ceramic and Porcelain tile is made from clay and other natural materials, which gives it a clear advantage over other flooring types made from plastic. There is also the option of using recycled ceramic in manufacturing, further decreasing the impact. As natural materials are used, there are no toxic chemicals being released into the air or water during production.

Additionally, a ceramic and porcelain tile can be created with a variety of finishes, with the possibility to simulate other materials such as wood, which allows them to be used all around the home.

A long lifespan

According to a study by the National Association of Home Builders, the lifespan of a ceramic tile floor is up to 100 years. This is thanks to its unmatched durability and resistance from the elements. Throughout its lifespan, it’s one of the easiest materials to clean and maintain, as there is no need for any chemicals to be used.

Aside from functionality, tiles in neutral tiles also stand the test of time wonderfully aesthetics-wise.

1700 year old Roman Mosaic TIle Unearthed

After disposal

Although a ceramic or porcelain tile will last in your home for a long time, it will eventually come to the end of its lifespan. At this point, it can either be recycled or sent to landfill.

Tile being Crushed to become aggregate

Ceramic tiles can’t be thrown in any of the recycling bins you’ll find in most areas – In Calgary you’ll need to take them to a recycling collection centre such as Calgary Aggregate. When tiles are taken to one of these facilities the material can be ground up and used in the manufacture of new products.

If disposed of in the landfill, it takes a very long time for it to decompose. While this does mean that it will sit in the landfill for much longer than other materials, it doesn’t release any chemicals into the environment in the meantime, which is a big plus.

Ceramic and Porcelain tiles are some of the most versatile products you can use for your interior or exterior construction project. Whether you are building a shower for your en-suite or a floor for a shopping center, tile is a great choice that will last the life of the building.

Laundry Room Renovation

The idea behind this renovation was to move the laundry room from the customers basement to an under used bedroom on their main floor. For this project we worked with the homeowner and cabinet supplier to come up with a design that would not only create an efficient and functional space but also give the home more storage.

We were able to include a couple nice features in this room. We installed a mosaic tile backsplash, quartz countertop, LED under cabinet lighting and concealed Washer/Dryer controls. The classic black and white colour scheme of the cabinets, tiled backsplash and cabinet handles have a clean classic look and are easy to maintain. This tile backsplash design gives the room a fun overall look.

For the countertops we used a left over quartz piece found at our countertop supplier. The tiled backsplash uses the classic shape of a subway tile, however in a smaller size and black colour with contrasting white grout. We also incorporated a painted access panel that hid the laundry hook up to keep the tile backsplash looking clean and sharp.

Moving the laundry room for this customer from the basement to the main floor helps make the simple task of doing the laundry safe and efficient. This improved their day to day lives and likely will enable them to stay in their home longer.

Framing completed for Laundry room mechanicals

Drywall completed

Completed Laundry room

Top tips for a successful tile installation

Tile is supposed to last a long time, so it is important to make sure you get started on the right foot. We have put together some quick tips for a successful tile installation.

1. Have you completed a project like ours before?

   This may seem silly at first, however with so many different types of projects out there it is important to make sure your installer has completed a job like yours in the past. Unless you have worked with the installer before and are sure of their abilities you don’t want to be their guinea pig.

2. What installation products are you planning on using?

   With so many different areas that tile can be installed, there are different tile installation products out there. Depending on the type of tile being installed, the location the tile is being installed and the type of grout is being used all factor in the products your installer will use. It is important to make sure that the installer uses the correct materials for your particular project.

3. Ask to verify layout

   Tile in a large part is a visual art, so personal preference plays a large role in tile layout. The best way to ensure a successful tile install is to make sure you and the tile installer are on the same page. This is especially true with intricate patterns or a especially visual area. Spend the time, and have your installer clearly show you how your final install will look.

4. Have the installer view the area before installation

   Seems fairly basic, however these days with COVID and social distancing we have been doing estimates off site quite a bit. It is important to have your installer physically view the area to be tiled. A picture can say a thousand words, however inconsistencies such as a bowed wall or a spongy sub floor can easily be missed by only viewing a photo or through video chat. If your installer has not been to your home before the install date it is important to understand there may be unexpected costs and increased time spent on your project.

5. Ask what type of waterproofing or shower system will be used

   Always ask your tile installer about what waterproofing will be used. No one thing provides us with more work then leaking showers. The simple way to avoid this is to use an experienced tile installer and to use a quality waterproofing system. There are a few different systems out there however all of them are designed to stop water from getting where it is not supposed to be. Tile and grout can handle continuously being soaking wet but wood can’t. Our team uses the full Schluter Systems and Wedi GmbH product lines to make sure we can fully stand behind the work we complete in your home or business.

Have any other questions about tile installation or would like a quote? Feel free to contact us at 403-888-3182 or send us a email.