If you are a homeowner who wants durable and affordable flooring, rubber floor tiles can stand up to conditions of any type. Rubber flooring is available in various forms, but tiles are probably the easiest to install. You can purchase the interlocking rubber floor tile type, so they are easy to lay, without the hassle of special tools or messy adhesives. You can find rubber tiles in sizes and shapes to meet your outdoor and indoor needs, and you can find rubber that will fit in with any décor.

Rubber flooring is used successfully in high-traffic areas, where you need to be able to clean up quickly and easily. So they work well in home gyms, garages, workshops or basements. You can buy rubber tiles that have an anti-slip surface, and these work especially well for patios and mud rooms. The scent of rubber, which is pretty much unavoidable, will dissipate over time.

With the world trying to go more green, many rubber companies now manufacture their flooring in whole or in part with recycled rubber. This can come from tennis shoes and old tires, among other options. If you want to have a “green” home, however, the production of rubber, including refining, uses quite a few resources that can make the flooring look more eco-friendly than it actually is.

There are some instances in which rubber tile isn’t the best option. This can be because of installation issues or the cost factor. A more workable option to rubber floor tiles is rubber flooring made into mats, which you can seal with adhesive or pull back when not in use. Rubber mats offer noise reduction and shock absorption, and rubber flooring tends to be springier than other options. It’s comfortable to move around and to stand on.

Rubber tiles’ pricing varies, depending on the source of the rubber, and the thickness and quality of the rubber. Thin interlocking tiles can cost $1.50 each, while recycled and thick tiles can run closer to $10 each. If you aren’t planning to install the tiles yourself, you can check at home improvement stores where the staff can help you judge what thickness and square footage will work best for you.

If you are on your feet all day in a workshop or garage, you can’t beat the support and comfort that rubber garage floor tiles will offer you. You’ll enjoy your hobby or workshop time more with comfortable flooring to stand on. Spills are easy to clean up on rubber, too, and the floorings can be bought with a non-slip surface to keep you from falling. Rubber garage tiles can also trap in grime and dirt, which will keep your house cleaner, since it won’t be tracked in. Rubber mats are very easy to clean, and you can mop or sweep them up easily.

Anti-fatigue rubber mats are easier to install than tiles or vinyl flooring, and no previous knowledge of installation is necessary. Rubber is also easy to use, and rubber tiles or mats can save you money in the long run. A rubber floor covering for a garage is cheaper than stones, tiles or epoxy floorings, or you can use rubber just in areas that aren’t already covered. Rubber floor tiles and mats install easily right on top of concrete, for a good and inexpensive look.

Slate floor tiles are an excellent choice for a hard flooring type. They are very stain resistant and durable, and they give you a more secure walking surface than does ceramic tile. Ceramic tile can get slippery when it’s wet. Slate also has a look that is unique to this flooring type. Slate’s face has a natural texture that forms when it breaks away from the rock face where it formed. This makes it a unique and beautiful flooring product.

When you choose slate stone floor tiles for your home, determine what shade or color that you would like, the size of the tiles you wish to use, and whether you want a design made from simple squares or a repeating pattern. The repeating pattern looks uniform, but is actually made from different shapes and sizes of tile.

If you’re laying your slate floor over concrete, you won’t need an underlayer if the concrete is free of damage, drop offs or cracks. When you install on wood, use a backer board based with cement first. This will give you a good surface for your slate and mortar to adhere to.

Thinset mortar will be used to secure your slate tiles to the underlayment. Check before you lay the underlayment to make sure that it will work effectively with your slate tile. You will want to use spacers to make sure the tiles are equal distances apart. A sealer will increase the stain resistance and the life of your tile, so plan to seal it occasionally. The instructions on the sealer packaging will tell you how often slate floor tiles need to be resealed.

Before you start prepping your floor, check your slate flooring materials. Open the boxes and make sure there is no damage. Make sure that the store who sells the slate tiles will allow you to return any tiles that you find damaged or broken. If you need to exchange due to broken or damaged tiles, be sure that the replacement tile is from the same lot as the tile you already have. Slate is a natural product, so there can be color and hue differences in different lots.

Porcelain slate tile will prove to be a durable and beautiful flooring for your home. It can be combined with many types of décor, from traditional to contemporary to rustic. The colors are earth tones with a warmth that reflects the beauty of the landscape they come from.

You can use mortar slate tiles for other areas besides floors, too. It makes an excellent tile for showers, fireplaces and backsplashes. The various sizes can give your installation a truly unique look. Flagstone made from slate makes lovely patio or deck projects.

The colors available in slate tiles vary from one retailer to the next, but generally will include African gold, Indian Autumn, California Gold and multicolor. Select the color that best highlights the area where you plan to use it. The textures and colors of slate floor tiles have made them a natural favorite for builders, contractors and homeowners who want to increase the beauty and value of their homes.