If you are thinking about using tile in your home, you are probably wondering exactly what type of tile it is that you want and need. There are so many choices of tile, and some varieties are better used in certain areas of your home and in certain applications than other forms of tile. Knowing what to use and when can be confusing.
While looking at tile, you may have heard a number of different terms, such as penny round, mosaic, textured, etc. What do they all mean? Let us start with the basics of tile to give us a good foundation for getting started.
I’ll go through the main types of tile: glass, ceramic and stone, and give you the pros and cons of each to help you make the right decision for your home.
Ceramic Tile
Ceramic Tile is probably the best known and most used form of tile. There is a good reason for this. Ceramic tile tends to be very durable, and it is available in many different styles, shapes and thicknesses, making it easy to find exactly what you want for your home and application.
There are different types of ceramic tile, and porcelain tile is the most durable of all. It is fired at a higher temperature than standard ceramic tile.
Because of the wide variety of choices with ceramic tile, you will find that the price point varies widely as well. You can pick up tile for as little as $6 a square foot or as much as $35 a square foot, depending on the quality and finish.
The nice thing about ceramic tile is that the glazed surface of it is non-porous. This means that it is completely sealed and will not allow mold or bacteria to enter, making it a good choice for easy cleaning.
Ceramic tile is usually used for walls, but may also be used on the floor, as well. For floor use, you’ll want to choose the most durable tile that you can get within your style and budget. Because ceramic tile can be cold to the touch, many homeowners opt for installing heating elements underneath when it is used in the floor.