TYPES OF TILES: SIX OPTIONS FOR FLOORS AND WALLS

Before you choose a material for your next home improvement project, find out what makes these common types of tiles different.

What Do Tiles Mean?

Thin pieces of ceramic, glass, or granite, like tiles, can be used to decorate walls, floors, and countertops. Different kinds of tiles are made in a wide range of colours, shapes, sizes, and materials. You can get tiles that match your interior design style or that work as durable, water-resistant floor coverings.

There are six kinds of tiles.

Depending on your needs and preferences, different types of tile will work better for you. For your next DIY project, think about these popular types of floor tiles and wall tiles:

Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tiles are an excellent choice for high-traffic areas of the home because they are made of clay and fired in a kiln. Ceramic tile is made in a kiln that is heated to very high temperatures to get rid of moisture. The second firing in a kiln gives unglazed ceramic tiles a coating of feldspar and liquid glass, making them less likely to get scratched. Some ceramic tiles are easy to clean and good for the environment.

Cement Tiles:

This high-end tile option can give your walls or floors a stark and simple look. Since cement makes a surface that lasts for a long time, these tiles can be a long-lasting material used to highlight or match other decorative parts of your interior design. People often choose cement tiles for outdoor areas, patios, and entryways.

Glass Tiles:

These are a little more expensive than ceramic ones, but they can be used in many different ways, so any homeowner or designer can show off their own style. Glazed tiles are available in various colours, sizes, and designs. You can use mosaic tiles to make a focal point, set the tiles in the grout, or create a DIY subway tile backsplash for the wall behind your kitchen counter.

Granite Tiles:

Many beautiful natural stones or igneous rock tiles will last a long time and make your home more valuable when you want to sell it. Granite and marble tiles are the best stone flooring options for bathrooms, walkways, and walk-in showers. They can also be used on walls and countertops. Granite can look like anything from terrazzo, which has a speckled, shiny surface, to onyx tiles, which have a swirling, colourful design.

Porcelain Tiles:

These tiles are resistant to stains and last a long time in areas where people walk a lot. Clay is baked in a kiln to make porcelain. Unlike ceramic, porcelain needs to be heated at a higher temperature and fired for a longer time, which makes it better. Porcelain tiles can have any design or finish you want. You can replace the wood floor in your living room or bathroom with matte-finished porcelain tiles that look like natural wood grain. Use a sealant to hide any grout lines during tile installation to get the look you want.

Slate Tiles:

This porous bathroom floor tile option is similar to travertine tiles in terms of texture and cost. Slate is one of the most expensive quarry tile materials, but homeowners like it because of how it looks and how well it keeps people from slipping. Because slate is porous, it helps absorb water in areas of the house that get a lot of it. Slate tiles, which look like terracotta tiles, can also be used to roof houses.

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