Ceramic or Natural Stone tile can turn an otherwise ordinary room into an elegant living space. Beyond its beauty, tile is also durable; making it an excellent floor covering for high-traffic areas of your home.
To make your selection process easier, it is helpful to divide tile into 2 broad construction-related categories: Natural stone tiles and Ceramic tiles.
Natural Stone Tile
The name natural stone tile reveals the composition of this group of tiles. Marble, granite, and slate are common choices in this category. These natural stones are available in two different surface textures:
- Polished tiles are shiny and sleek-looking, but slippery when wet
- Honed tiles have a dull but less-slippery finish.
Marble and granite can be honed or polished. Slate tiles have a rough-cleft top surface and a smoother back.
Marble Tile
Quarried natural Marble has the elegance and beauty of faraway places. This
timeless stone classic can make any interior space just as exquisite.
Application: Suitable for interior walls, moderate-duty floors and exterior cladding in non-freeze/thaw areas. Not recommended for areas subject to water or grease accumulation.
- Cost: Prices start low but custom orders can be expensive
- Durability: properly installed stone flooring will last virtually forever
- Water absorption: Porous - stains easily
- Maintenance: Dust-mop regularly; damp-mop with mild, pH neutral cleaner made for stone
Granite Tile
Formed by volcanic action, this igneous rock bursts with distinction. Flecks
of quartz, feldspar and mica give Granite its own special character. Choose
from polished, honed or flamed surfaces for an individual look.
Application: Recommended for interior and exterior walls and heavy-duty interior floors. Polished finish not recommended for exterior or interior floors subject to water or grease accumulation.
- Cost: Prices start low but custom orders can be expensive
- Durability: properly installed stone flooring will last virtually forever
- Water absorption: Varies from stone to stone, some types of granite are very dense and stain-resistant.
- Maintenance: Dust-mop regularly; damp-mop with mild, pH neutral cleaner made for stone
Slate Tile
This fine-grained metamorphic rock radiates a subtle, natural beauty. Since
slate resists fading, abrasion and chemicals and is impervious to freeze/thaw
cycles, its beauty will last for years to come. Application: Recommended
for both interior and exterior floor, wall and specialty uses, e.g., Stair
treads, tabletops and cladding. Not recommended for exterior or interior
floors subject to water or grease accumulation
- Cost: Prices start low, at $2/square foot for slate, but custom orders can be expensive
- Durability: properly installed stone flooring will last virtually forever
- Water absorption: Varies from stone to stone
- Maintenance: Dust-mop regularly; damp-mop with mild, pH neutral cleaner made for stone
Ceramic Tile
When choosing ceramic tile it is helpful to understand its properties. Ceramic tile can be vitreous or nonvitreous (able to resist water or not) and glazed or unglazed. Ceramic floor tile is usually larger and thicker than ceramic wall tile to accommodate foot traffic and wear.
Glazed Ceramic Floor Tile
Tiles known as "glazed" are generally machine-made clay tiles, pressed
in a die and fired in a kiln. The glaze – a mixture of frit (ground glass)
and metallic oxides – is kiln-fired on the tile to provide color and
a hard surface. Glazed tiles can be single- or double-fired. Single-fired tiles
are typically stronger and better for floors
- Cost: Prices start at about $1 per square foot, can go up to $20 per square foot
- Durability: Depends on how glaze was applied – some glazes can wear away with heavy traffic, others are guaranteed for up to 15 years. Check with tile manufacturer for warranties
- Water absorption: The glaze is impervious to water, but the tile body is susceptible at the edges. Floor tile should be rated at least semi-vitreous
- Maintenance: can usually be cleaned simply by wiping with a wet cloth or sponge. Commercial tile cleaners will remove tougher stains
Unglazed Quarry Tile
In rust or neutral slate variations, these unglazed pavers bring the simple
good looks of terra cotta into any design scheme. They are naturally stain
and slip resistant, and are available with an abrasive grain for even greater
traction. Don’t overlook this tile when choosing something that combines
durability and beauty. Quarry tiles come in sizes up to about 12 inches wide;
6-inch squares are most common.
- Cost: Depends on size of tile, just over $2 per square foot is typical
- Durability: Very durable, can be installed outdoors in nonfreezing climates
- Water absorption: Water resistant but not waterproof.
- Maintenance: Can stand up to industrial cleaners
Porcelain Tile
Porcelain tiles are versatile – they can be used in any room of the house
and are an excellent choice for outdoor use or in freeze-thaw conditions. They’re
made of highly refined clay and fired at very high temperatures. As a result,
they’re dense and hard, so they won’t wear down quickly, even under
heavy traffic. They are among the most vitreous and water-resistant of all
tiles. For traction in wet areas, choose tiles with a special surface finish.
- Cost: Ranges from about $2 to $4 per square foot
- Durability: One of the most durable tiles
- Water absorption: Rated vitreous – won’t absorb more than 3% water, very wet locations (such as showers) must be waterproofed
- Maintenance: Easy to clean with wet mop or sponge
Terra-Cotta (or Saltillo) Tiles
Terra-cotta is a low-density natural clay tile fired at a low temperature.
The tiles come from Mexico or Europe and may be entirely handmade or machine-formed.
Terra-cottas offer an old-world, handcrafted look with a lot of character.
The trade-off is that they require a little more maintenance. They’re
very porous so you have to apply a sealer every year or so to keep them from
getting stained. They can be used outdoors, but only in nonfreezing climates.
- Cost: From $1 to $2.50 per square foot – European tiles may cost more
- Durability: Varies somewhat, generally one of the least durable tiles
- Water absorption: Varies with how tile is made
- Maintenance: Periodic application of sealer required. Once sealed, you can wet mop and use special cleaners
Mosaic Tile
Mosaic tile is easily identified by its size. Any tile 2 inches square or smaller
is labeled mosaic. These glass or porcelain-based tiles are versatile and
durable both indoors and outdoors. Because of their small size, many mosaic
tiles are sold in "sheets": groups of tiles mounted on plastic,
paper or thread backing. Tile shapes include round, square, hexagonal and
abstract. Application: smooth tiles are great for countertops and walls;
textured tiles provide an anti-slip surface for floors.
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