Basalt Tile Problems And Complaints: Is It Worth It?

The simple and natural look basalt tiles add to the floor will surely grab anyone’s attention at first sight. Its hard-wearing nature makes it a top choice for high-traffic areas such as kitchen surfaces, paving stones, etc. 

However, customers have complained about various Basalt tile problems.

Though it has a unique color, design, and excellent durability, you can’t use it in all situations. Wrong installation may put you in a heavy mess. 

After considering more than dozens of verified reviewers, we came up with a complete discussion of why we should avoid buying basalt tiles.

Problems With Basalt Tiles

Nothing is perfect, and neither do basalt tiles. Just because the floor tiling has many advantages doesn’t mean it will be out of cons. Here are some common issues most users complained about basalt tiles. 

• Low Anti-fouling Properties

Anti-fouling properties are mainly a protective layer that protects the surface from corrosion and other unwanted damages.

Since basalt tiles have low anti-fouling properties, they won’t be able to protect the multi-layer coating systems effectively.

Its barrier is not strong enough to stop the degradation of the tiles.

Hence, the overall construction of the basalt tiles will become weaker over time, especially if it is exposed to extremely harsh weather conditions. 

• Poor Resistance To Twists And Turn

Correct installation is essential regardless of the tiles you choose. However, a few tiles are more forgiving than the rest. This gives you the flexibility to set up the floor precisely when you make mistakes accidentally. 

Unfortunately, basalt tiles are not as forgiving as you expected them to be. They have a resistance to twists and turn. You might struggle to install them correctly if you made significant mistakes initially.

• Basalt Tiles Are Porous

Before choosing a particular tile for your home or outside area, it is crucial to consider it has a porous surface. Unfortunately, basalt tiles are porous, meaning they tend to leak. 

You may not notice it unless a few years pass.

They will start developing holes. So, more water will enter through the holes effortlessly. This will lead to mold and condensation issues. 

If this continues for a long time, you may see adhesive failure between the tiles and subfloor. It will make the tiles loose. 

• Easy To Dye 

Porous tiles like basalt are prone to get harder stains easily. Regular cleaning is mandatory when using them in highly busy foot traffic areas. In some cases, you may need to clean the surface several times to prevent the stains from becoming harder quickly.

Keeping the tiles in tip-top condition requires you to clean them whenever the surface is exposed to unwanted things. Your primary focus should be on preventing the growth of grime buildup. 

Not addressing the issues on time will lead to mold and mildew growth. 

• Hard To Clean 

Since basalt tiles have an unsmooth and indentations surface, cleaning them with a simple mop is not easy.

Dirt and grimes will accumulate in different nooks and crannies that are difficult to remove with a simple swipe.

You will have to use baking soda paste and vinegar to clean them thoroughly.

Also, regular maintenance is crucial. The more you delay cleaning it, the harder the dirt will be. 

You may need to get professional service to clean them, which will increase the maintenance cost. 

• Discoloration

Basalt tiles are often prone to discoloration issues if mineral salts touch the stone surface. You may notice several white spot blemishes initially. This will add a significant impact to the overall appearance of the tiles.

As a result, the tile will look dull if you don’t take it immediately to handle the problem. According to several experts, you can prevent these issues by applying a decent-quality sealant before installing the main tiles. 

• Limited Color Options 

Not all household floor surfaces will need the same color. It needs to match your home structure, color, pattern, and design. 

Unfortunately, basalt tiles are mainly available in gray. You won’t have a wide selection of options to pick various textured finishes and shades.

If you are a fan of different types of unique color choices, basalt may not be your right pick. Choosing an incompatible color or shade will make the floor appearance unattractive. 

Hence, watch out for the color variation available for basalt tiles before selecting a particular one. 

• A High Absorption Rate

Have you decided to use basalt tiles in a highly damped or wet area like a bathroom floor? You may need to think twice before doing such types of things. 

After all, basalt tiles have a high absorption rate that can be more than 10% in some cases.

You may lower the moisture absorption rate by installing a high-quality sealant. But completely preventing it is not possible. 

That’s why most experts don’t recommend using basalt tiles in highly water-exposed areas like bathrooms and bathtub rooms. 

• Tend To Heavy

Basalt tiles are mainly made of natural volcanic stones, known as solid materials. Compared to tiles, or timber, they tend to be a little heavier. Installing this type of tile requires a little bit more caution to prevent breaking them.

If you are not expert enough to handle tiling projects, it is better to hire a professional. After all, your primary focus should be on careful weight distribution for the tiling. 

Following the wrong approach may lead to weary issues soon that will increase your overall investment cost. 

• Vulnerable To Chemicals

Basalt tiles are not highly chemical resistant. You should not expose them regularly to harsh chemicals such as bleach, acid, etc. Also, avoid using lemon and vinegar on a regular basis. After all, they also have a good amount of acids. 

Using these chemical-based solutions for a long time will cause heavy damage to the tile surface gradually. Their hardness will become weaker over time. As a result, the quality will deteriorate, and you may replace the tile soon.  

• Can’t Handle Heavy Objects 

Though basalt tiles are made of natural stones, they are not as strong as a few other natural stones. Avoid dragging any heavy objects on such type of tile surface. Otherwise, it will put extra pressure on the physical structure of the tile. 

If you have planned to use this type of tile for a long time, keep the surface protected from regular heavy items. You may want to use other types of tiles for this purpose. 

Final Thoughts

So, what have you decided after learning all the Basalt tile problems? 

Should you buy this tiling option for your household or look for another better option? Since no tiling options are out of flaws, choosing a particular floor tiling requires considering your requirements first.

If it meets your specific criteria and you are ready to overlook its drawbacks, you can go with basalt tiles. However, it is better to learn all other options thoroughly to get the best bang from your investment. 

Hopefully, you got a clear idea about the drawbacks of basalt tiles.