The 12 Different Types of Tiles, Explained by Pros (2023)

FAQs

How many different types of tile are there? ›

6 Main Types of Tiles.

The three toughest tiles are granite, ceramic, and porcelain with porcelain winning hands down as the toughest. However, porcelain can be hard to work with when installing, so it's possible you'll have uneven cuts in some sections.

Grade is the numerical ranking that reflects tile quality. Grade 1: Highest quality. Recommended for walls or floors. Grade 2: Similar to Grade 1, but with slight imperfections.

Tile. Ceramic Tile: At less than $1 per square foot, durable ceramic tile makes an excellent inexpensive flooring option.

Known for their unprecedented strength, durability, affordability, and longevity, porcelain floor tiles are one of our most recommended kitchen, living, and bathroom floor tile options! Porcelain floor tiles are made from dense clay fired at high temperatures and available in many beautiful options like stone and wood.

Durability: The density of porcelain tile makes it more durable than ceramic tile while being less subject to wear and tear. This makes it more suitable for commercial use as well as in the home. Water Resistance: Porcelain tile is almost impervious to water compared to ceramic tile.

Do porcelain tiles chip easily? As long as porcelain tiles are in a good condition before laying and laid correctly then no chipping should occur over time. If something extremely heavy were dropped on them then they could crack and chip but this would be the same for any flooring under those conditions.

Unlike other materials that are graded, the tile grading system does not indicate the quality of the tile, it just categorizes the tile by its ideal usage. For example, tile with a PEI grade of 1, which is the lowest, can last for years and look gorgeous when it's installed as a decorative wall tile.

Cons to consider: Although porcelain tile is extremely durable, it does occasionally chip, particularly around the edges. This may not be noticeable with through-body composition, but it is a concern. Porcelain tile is typically more expensive than ceramic and other popular flooring materials.

closing volume (CV)

What is Level 4 tile? ›

Grade 4: This grade is a step up from grade 3 tile grades. It's still a good choice for residential uses, such as tile floors and countertops, but it can also take the heavier abuse of light commercial foot traffic, such as you'd find in a doctor's office. Grade 5: This stuff is as tough as it gets.

Subway tile is the most traditional and popular tile pattern, and it typically comes in a rectangular shape of all degrees and colors.

Best for: Ceramic tile is typically affordable, durable, easy to install and comes in a nearly endless array of colors and designs.

Ceramic and porcelain tiles are great for waterproofing. These are virtually impenetrable and will not let liquids soak in, allowing for easy maintenance and worry-free cleaning. Ultra-durable. Tile is known for being one of the most durable flooring options on the market.

Overall, when it comes to white tiles, it's easy to clean them because you can see the mess and bathroom cleaning products work well.

2. Which tile is the most versatile? Explanation: Slate can be used as roofing shingles, it can be used indoors as well as outdoors, because of its natural looks and range of colours.

Floor tiles will last for many years so it is best to choose a neutral colour that will stand the test of time. The amount of natural light in your room may determine whether your floor tiles need to reflect light (lighter colours) to make the room feel larger or if a darker colour will suit.

Which tile size is better? The tile size suggested for living rooms is a size a bit larger than 12 inches up to 18 inches in length. Living rooms are the largest room in your house and so large tiles work better for them. The largest tiles also cost more per tile when compared to smaller ones.

There is no much more difference between branded and local tiles durability. It's based upon the maintenance of tiles. A small one has branded tiles that have durability up to 10-15 years with good maintenance whereas local tiles are up to 13 years with the best maintenance.

As a rule, floor tile is typically 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch thick. Wall tile tends to be thinner and available in squares (3 inches to 6 inches). Mosaic tiles are usually the smallest tile, available in 2-inch squares. The most popular and readily available tile sizes are (in inches) 12 x 12, 16 x 16, 12 x 24 and 18 x 18.

Which tiles are best for bathrooms? ›

Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles

These are the most popular tiling materials that can be used for bathroom flooring as they are affordable, long lasting, scratch resistant, maintenance free and non-porous in nature.

Hard, dense, and solid, porcelain is resistant to most heavy stresses and can even be used in commercial environments. Be aware, though, that the hardness of porcelain can make it slightly more brittle than standard tiles, which means they can be more susceptible to cracking.

Are subway tiles porcelain or ceramic? Subway tiles can be either porcelain or ceramic. Because subway tile is typically installed on walls, it is usually a wall-rated product which is typically ceramic.

Floor tiles and wall tiles can match, but certainly do not have to. Most importantly, floor and wall tiles should create a cohesive look by either combining monochromatic colors, coordinating patterns with colors, or pairing complementary solid colors together for an aesthetically pleasing result.

Matt tiles have better friction than glossy tiles, which makes them non-slippery. Their anti-skid feature makes them the best option for bathrooms and other wet areas. Additionally, they are a great choice for homes with children and pets.

Spaces such as hallways, kitchens and bathrooms will all benefit from matt tiles. Unlike gloss tiles, matt tiles can better conceal smudges, stains and dried water droplets. Matt tiles do not require frequent cleaning, and when you do clean them, there is no need to be as vigilant for water and soap marks.

Look for affordable ceramic and porcelain tiles for as low as $1 per square foot; mosaic tiles start at less than $3 per square foot. Keep in mind that mosaic tiles are an especially great option in terms of safety because the multiple grout lines make mosaic tile bathroom floors slip-resistant.

The good news is that porcelain tiles are naturally very grippy and safe to walk on even when wet; however, it's not as simple as that. There are degrees of difference in the quality and production of porcelain tiles, and some might be better for your patio than others.

Due to its low moisture absorption rate (0.5% or less), porcelain is less likely to crack and is more impervious to stains.

The surface of most ceramic and porcelain tile does not need to be sealed, although some require a light application of a penetrating sealer to fill the micro pores on the surface of the tile. However, the grout joint between the tiles is usually very porous and generally made of a cement-based material.

Is porcelain stronger than ceramic? ›

Both tiles are made from a clay mixture that's fired in a kiln, but porcelain tile is made from more refined clay and it's fired at higher temperatures. This makes it denser and more durable than ceramic tile.

Because they are stronger, tiles with a thicker thickness are less likely to break or crack than tiles with a thinner thickness. Because durability of porcelain floor tile is important in preventing cracks and damage, you may want to choose thicker porcelain tiles for flooring, especially in high-traffic areas.

Ceramic tile is impervious to heat and water, and when properly glazed, it won't stain. Proper sealant helps ensure grout won't discolor or stain, and large-format tiles cover a lot of area with minimal grout lines. Still most popular out west, ceramic tile is a solid option worth a second look.

Whether it's ceramic, porcelain or natural stone tile, this versatile floor and wall covering is available in a variety of colors, sizes and textures. Certain types of tile such as marble are great for creating a luxurious master bath, while others such as slate work better in high-traffic areas.

Subway tile is the most traditional and popular tile pattern, and it typically comes in a rectangular shape of all degrees and colors.

Tiles are manufactured furnishing materials commonly used to cover internal walls, ceilings and floors. They can be simple and functional or decorative and elaborate (such as mosaics). Tiles can be manufactured from a wide range of substances, both hard (e.g. ceramic, porcelain, stone, marble, clay, slate, glass, etc.)

Vitrified Tiles

These are processed in order to make them more durable and resistant to scratches, stains and acid spillage than any other tiles. You will have a range of colours to choose from in this variety of tiles, and they are suitable for the walls as well as the floors of all kinds of spaces.

2. Which tile is the most versatile? Explanation: Slate can be used as roofing shingles, it can be used indoors as well as outdoors, because of its natural looks and range of colours.

For this reason, porcelain tiles are often considered the best tiles for the living room floor. Porcelain tiles are hardwearing, largely slip-resistant and extremely strong.

Gloss tiles reflect natural light, which can help make a room look lighter, in turn creating the impression of increased space.

What is the hardest tile pattern to lay? ›

The Versailles pattern stands out as one of the most complicated and exquisite tile layouts. This puzzle-like design is made up of different sized rectangles and squares. While Versailles is commonly designated for floor designs, don't be afraid to display it across the walls of your home.

STRAIGHT LAY PATTERN

This is the most commonly used tile pattern of all, and the easiest to do. The tiles are simply laid side by side in a straight line, to give an overall even grid pattern. It's a good choice of pattern for rooms where you don't want the tiles to distract from other design features.

Ceramic Tiles

You can experiment with ceramic bedroom tiles to create contemporary or modern looks with a huge variety of designs. They are moisture-resistant so cleaning them is very easy. Another virtue of ceramic tiles is that they naturally stay cool, so they are THE bedroom tiles in hot and humid weather.

Durability: The density of porcelain tile makes it more durable than ceramic tile while being less subject to wear and tear. This makes it more suitable for commercial use as well as in the home. Water Resistance: Porcelain tile is almost impervious to water compared to ceramic tile.

Cons to consider: Although porcelain tile is extremely durable, it does occasionally chip, particularly around the edges. This may not be noticeable with through-body composition, but it is a concern. Porcelain tile is typically more expensive than ceramic and other popular flooring materials.

There is no much more difference between branded and local tiles durability. It's based upon the maintenance of tiles. A small one has branded tiles that have durability up to 10-15 years with good maintenance whereas local tiles are up to 13 years with the best maintenance.