Tile flooring seemingly does it all! It’s beautiful, durable and fits into almost any room of your Buffalo home, except when it doesn’t. Like other flooring materials, it has its pros and cons so being able to make smarter flooring decisions is key to avoiding costly regrets.
Where should you skip tile in Buffalo? It’s not great for bedrooms, living rooms where comfort matters, rooms without adequate heating and areas where you’ll be standing for long periods of time. Buffalo has cold winters so this isn’t something to overlook.
At Tontine Carpet One, we’ve been helping Buffalo homeowners make the right flooring decisions for over 90 years. We’re honest and tell you when tile will work and when you should consider alternative options.
Tile has a hard, cold surface. Because of this, it’s not ideal for Buffalo bedrooms. Here’s why:
Cold Underfoot: Buffalo experiences brutal winters and tile can get cold pretty fast. Stepping onto a cold tile on a January morning isn’t pleasant, even with rugs or slippers.
Comfort Concerns: You come to your bedroom to relax. Carpet or luxury vinyl plank (LVP) offer warmth and cushioning you won’t get from tile.
Noise Issues: Tile reflects sound, doesn’t absorb it. In bedrooms, this creates an echo that disrupts the cozy atmosphere most homeowners prefer.
Exception: Tile flooring in Buffalo can work well in bedrooms with radiant floor heating, eliminating cold-surface problems. That said, installation costs can skyrocket.
Tile flooring can work in living spaces, but isn’t always ideal for Buffalo homes:
Standing and Playing: Families with young children or pets might find tile uncomfortable for play areas. Falls on tile are also much harder than carpet or vinyl.
Cold Seasons: Buffalo’s long, dreaded winters come up quickly. During these times, living rooms should feel warm and inviting. Tile is cold and not great for months when you spend the most time indoors.
Better Alternatives: Luxury vinyl plank is durable, has a waterproof core and is more warm and comfortable underfoot. Engineered hardwood is another practical choice that provides timeless beauty and softer feeling underfoot than tile.
Don’t completely rule out tile for your living spaces. It can work in formal living rooms and sunrooms where the look is more important than comfort. Add some area rugs and radiant heating to completely change the vibe of the space.
Tile takes on temperature extremes, which can be problematic in certain Buffalo spaces:
Three-Season Porches Without Heat: Tiles in unheated spaces have to deal with elements. Porcelain can deal with freeze-thaw cycles, but the surface can turn incredibly cold and slippery with condensation.
Poorly Insulated Rooms: Rooms over unheated garages or with inadequate insulation will feel frigid with tile flooring, but addressing insulation issues before installing tile or choosing warmer flooring alternatives can work wonders.
Unfinished Basements: In finished basements, tile should have no problem. However, unfinished spaces with moisture issues or lack of climate control aren’t ideal.
Tile is hard. That’s why it’s not ideal for the following areas of your home:
Home Offices: Standing at a desk or spending long hours in your office can take a toll if you have a tile. It can lead to leg and back fatigue, while cushioned flooring provides better ergonomic support.
Craft Rooms and Workshops: Hobbies where you need to stand benefit from softer flooring or anti-fatigue mats if you have to install tile in the space.
Note On Kitchens: While it might sound contradictory to have tile in the kitchen because you’re constantly standing, tile remains a top choice for these spaces. Why? It withstands moisture and is quite durable. Just put mats in front of kitchen appliances where you’ll be cooking.
While tile doesn’t work for every area of the home, it does have its merits. Consider installing tile flooring in:
Bathrooms: Moisture resistance is essential.
Kitchens: Durability and cleaning come first.
Entryways and Mudrooms: It can handle snow, salt and wet boots.
Laundry Rooms: These options are waterproof and easy to maintain.
Finished Basements: Tile withstands moisture from concrete slabs.
When you choose Tontine Carpet One for your flooring project, our goal is to help you find the right material for each room. Our team serves West Seneca, Orchard Park, Hamburg and surrounding areas. During our free consultations where we assess your space, discuss your lifestyle and recommend flooring that fits your space whether that’s tile or another option.
We also back each flooring installation project with our exclusive Beautiful Guarantee®.
Tile is a great flooring choice if you use it in the right spots. Understanding where it doesn’t belong is just as important when it comes to creating a comfortable, functional Buffalo home. At Tontine Carpet One, we get that. For this reason and many more, we work hard to help you choose the perfect tile floor for your space.
Ready to dive into your options? Visit our flooring showroom in Buffalo or contact us today to explore tile flooring options!