Tile & Flooring

Ceramic tile is durable and suitable for many applications. Kitchens, bathrooms, or entryways. It’s easy to install, and clean and is relatively inexpensive. It also comes in lots of styles and colors and either glazed or unglazed. Glazed tile gives a more polished look and can last longer than unglazed which create a more rustic finish.

Porcelain can also be used in high traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms as it is an all-purpose tile. It can look like natural stone, brick, or wood, without the maintenance! It comes in a variety of designs, colors, and styles to please many tastes. It is not as easy to install as ceramic, so you may want to call a professional.

This type of tile can offer a clean and minimalistic look and is stain resistant. But it is not to be used on floors because it can chip. Please limit to use in areas where the potential for damage is minimal, such as a backsplash or around a fireplace.

Mosaic tile comes in many different shapes, sizes, colors, styles, and even materials.  Some designers believe these tiles make the best impact when used on a wall and in a small quantity.

While the beauty of real marble tile can add elegance to any room, it is costly and requires a lot of maintenance.  Its natural beauty has texture and depth in each unique piece. But it can scratch, stain and be difficult to clean. It’s better used for shower floors and backsplashes and try to avoid it for countertops.

Granite is a natural stone that has a similar look and feel to marble because of its natural flecks, though there are some notable differences. “Granite has been overused and tends to look like a cheaper alternative,” Morgan says. That’s partly because it actually often is the cheaper alternative, which is nothing to balk at if you’re on a budget. Morgan recommends using granite tiles in a laundry room or other secondary space where performance and lower cost are your top priority.

Like limestone, travertine tile offers a natural, one-of-a-kind aesthetic. “Its soft, subdued palette provides beautiful neutral tones,” Castellano says. “From gray to tan and beige, its swirling surface produces an elegant and unique statement.”

Just like other natural stone tile types, it’s easily impacted by water, stains, and traction. For that reason, travertine tile requires extra maintenance and a once-a-decade resealing. “It’s best to use travertine tiles in low-traffic areas of the home. Also, to avoid scratches, etching, or stains, many designers and DIYers will apply these tiles to walls instead of floors,” he says. “If you are applying it to floors, make sure you know what type of sealant to use and what cleaning products to use.”

Quarry tile is made with ground materials in a process that’s very similar to brick (though technically stronger). This tile type’s name implies that it comes from a quarry, but that’s not actually the case. Quarry tile is made from ground minerals, like feldspar, clay, and shale, that are ground together then baked at over 2000 degrees.

“They get their name from where the ground minerals come from: a quarry,” Boylen says. “Since these tiles are fired at extremely high temperatures, they are naturally dense, nonporous, and water-resistant with an extremely low water absorption rate. They can be glazed or left in the natural finish. Another benefit is that they do not have to be sealed.”

Though durable, quarry tiles are susceptible to staining, so they shouldn’t be used in the kitchen. Boylen recommends them for high-traffic areas since they offer a sense of purposeful design and are naturally slip-resistant.

 “Although the cost for this type of tile is usually similar in pricing to natural stone, it will certainly withstand the test of time in both look and in function.”

A primary consideration with metal tile is that it tends to scratch almost as soon as it’s installed. Some people prefer this naturally occurring patina, which can soften the overall effect. If that’s not your preferred finish, then metal probably isn’t an ideal tile type for you. “Metal works great on any work surface, such as a kitchen, bar, or utility room,” Morgan says. “I would not recommend it for baths or, depending on the climate, outdoor use.”