Choosing the Perfect Floor Tiles for Your Home: Expert Advice from Delforno

When it comes to transforming your home, the right floor tiles can make all the difference. Whether you're updating your kitchen, bathroom, hallway, or living space, floor tiles offer a stylish, durable, and low-maintenance option that adds value to any interior. At Delforno Tiles Cork, we’ve been helping homeowners, designers, and builders find the ideal tile solutions for over 40 years.

In this post, we’ll guide you through the benefits of floor tiles, and how to choose the perfect tile for your next project.

Miscela-R Grafito Polished 80 X 80cm-Arcana Ceramica-Delforno

Why Choose Floor Tiles?

Floor tiles are more than just a practical surface solution, they’re an investment in your home’s future. Here’s why so many Cork homeowners choose tiles over other flooring types:

Durability: Built to Last

One of the biggest advantages of floor tiles is their exceptional durability. Unlike wood or laminate, tiles don’t warp, scratch, or dent easily. High-quality porcelain floor tiles are particularly resilient, making them ideal for high-traffic areas such as kitchens, hallways, and open-plan living spaces. With proper installation and minimal upkeep, your tiles can look as good as new for decades - even in busy family homes or commercial spaces. 

Our tip: If you love the look of a wooden floor, but need the durability of a porcelain tile, go for a wood-effect tile


Slip Resistance: Safety Without Compromising Style

Slip resistance is a key factor when choosing floor tiles, especially in moisture-prone areas like bathrooms, kitchens, or entryways. At Delforno, we offer a wide range of slip-resistant floor tiles that combine safety with contemporary design. Textured surfaces and matt finishes help prevent slips without sacrificing style, making your home both beautiful and secure. For families with children or elderly members, this feature is not just a bonus, it’s a necessity.

That said, not all floor tiles need to be slip-resistant. In dry areas such as living rooms, bedrooms, or formal dining rooms, standard tiles with smoother finishes are often perfectly suitable. 


Insulation: Stay Warm All Year Round

While tiles are often thought of as a “cold” surface, the reality is quite the opposite when combined with underfloor heating. All of our floor tiles are fully compatible with modern heating systems, helping to keep your Cork home warm and comfortable during the colder months. Tiles also naturally retain and distribute heat efficiently, making them an energy-smart choice that enhances comfort and lowers heating bills.

Ural Porcelain Tile 33 x 66cm-CODICER-Delforno

Floor Tiles: What to Consider Before Buying

Kitchen Floor Tiles

Your kitchen floor takes a lot of wear - from spills to foot traffic. Our kitchen tile collections combine functionality with beauty, featuring slip-resistant options and trendy patterns like herringbone or terrazzo.

Bathroom Floor Tiles

Slip resistance and moisture resistance are key in the bathroom. We stock a wide range of bathroom tiles designed to bring elegance and safety into your space - from subtle neutrals to bold statement pieces.

Outdoor Floor Tiles

Outdoor spaces like patios, balconies, and garden paths benefit greatly from durable and weather-resistant outdoor floor tiles. At Delforno, we offer a selection of outdoor tiles specifically designed to handle Ireland’s changing climate - from heavy rain to frost.  Whether you're creating a sleek terrace or a rustic garden path, our outdoor tiles are built to last and easy to maintain, providing a beautiful extension of your indoor living space.

Aspin Cotto Porcelain Tile 25 x 25cm-CODICER-Delforno

Before choosing your new tiles, consider the following:

Material: Ideal for both indoor and outdoor use, porcelain tiles are known for their strength and minimal porosity. They come in a range of finishes including matt, polished, and textured - perfect for creating seamless open-plan living areas.

Room Size & Lighting: Light-coloured tiles can open up smaller spaces, while darker tones add drama to large rooms.

Texture & Finish: Matt or textured tiles are ideal for wet areas, providing better grip.

Underfloor Heating Compatibility: All our floor tiles are compatible with underfloor heating systems - perfect for keeping your Cork home cosy in winter.

Style: Choosing the right floor tile can transform your entire room. From neutral wood-effect, stone effect and terrazzo to bold colourful geometric and pattern tiles, we have a floor tile to suit your space

Jaen Matt Glazed Porcelain Tile 25 x 25cm-Codicer-Delforno

Visit Our Tile Showroom in Cork and Dublin

At Delforno, our extensive tile showrooms in Cork and Dublin showcase a wide variety of floor tiles for every room and aesthetic. We pride ourselves on offering not just great products, but honest, expert advice and a personalised service that larger chains can’t match.

Whether you’re renovating a bathroom, updating your kitchen, or tiling an entire home, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.

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