12 Different Types of Tiles, Explained by Home Design Experts

The type of tile you choose can make or break your remodel.

If you’ve never taken on a tiling project before, you might be surprised by the many different types of tiles available. Ceramic and porcelain tiles are the most commonly used, but there are also glass tiles, cement tiles, metal tiles, and stone tiles—to name just a few. To make it even more complicated, not every type of tile works for every job, and of course, there’s your tile budget to consider.

It’s hard not to feel a little overwhelmed, which is why we did the hard work for you. Whether you’re shopping for an immediate project or just planning for the future, we enlisted some experts to guide you through the most common types of floor tiles and wall tiles. Find out which tiles are best for every type of home project to ensure you’ll love your remodel for years to come.

  • Tony Castellano, senior merchant for The Home Depot
  • Melissa Morgan, interior designer and the founder of M Interiors in San Antonio, Texas
  • Docia Boylen, franchise owner of Handyman Connection, a home remodeling and repair service based in Lakewood, Colorado
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Ceramic Tile

Pros

  • Good for high traffic areas
  • Easy to clean
  • Affordable
Cons

  • Require more maintenance
  • Surface is less forgiving than some other tiles

Ceramic tile is one of the most common types of tile found in the home because it’s suitable for many applications. “Increased durability makes ceramic tile perfect for any room in the house, such as kitchens, bathrooms, or even entryways,” says Tony Castellano.

“It’s easy to install, clean, and comes in hundreds of styles that can fit any design. For a bonus, if you’re looking to renovate on a budget, ceramic offers a great price point.”

When shopping, Castellano recommends checking the ceramic tile lot number to ensure you have a clean, uniform end result. “Additionally, make sure you understand the difference between glazed and unglazed. While unglazed gives an artistic, rustic finish, glazed ceramic tiles provide more protection for longer lasting floors.”

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Porcelain Tile

Pros

  • Durable
  • Suitable for many rooms and outdoors
  • Low maintenance
  • Affordable
Cons

  • Heavy
  • Not waterproof, water resistant

The other most common type of tile is porcelain, which differs from ceramic tile. “The appeal of porcelain comes from its ability to emulate natural stone, brick, or wood—and without any of the maintenance,” Castellano says.

“You get the same elegant finish without any of the upkeep or weathering. In addition, as it’s an all-purpose tile, it comes in a variety of designs, colors, and styles to allow for versatility when designing a space. Porcelain can even be used outdoors, as it will not freeze, fade, or crack.” Other applications for porcelain tile include bath or kitchen tile, high-traffic areas, and kitchen backsplashes.

The biggest drawback with porcelain tile is that installation can be tricky. While you can DIY an install, Castellano says many homeowners forget that you also need an adhesive when laying down this type of flooring.

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Glass Tile

Pros

  • Clean look
  • Stain resistant
Cons

  • Chips easily
  • Not good for high-traffic areas

Glass tile offers a clean and minimalistic aesthetic to any project. Interior designer Melissa Morgan says, “The stain resistance of glass makes it a fantastic alternative to natural stone. Red wine and any acidic foods like lemon and vinegar are wiped up with ease without any permanent staining”.

“A potential drawback is that glass will, of course, chip quite easily along the edges,” Morgan says. For that reason, she recommends not using glass tile in high-traffic areas like kitchen and bathroom floors. Instead, she suggests using them in smaller applications with less traction, such as gently used tabletops or desks, around the fireplace, or as a backsplash.

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Cement Tile

Pros

  • Versatile and available in lots of colors and styles
  • Good for indoor and outdoor use
  • Eco-friendly
Cons

  • Expensive
  • Difficult to lay
  • Must be resealed monthly

“Cement tiles have been around since the 19th century and they’re currently experiencing a bit of a boon in modern interior design”, says Docia Boylen, franchise owner of Handyman Connection.

“Cement tiles are extremely versatile and can provide you with amazing patterns and colors,” Boylen says. “Since the tiles are extremely porous, a patina can develop over time to enhance the pattern. They can also be sanded and resealed, like wood floors, if they get discolored over time.”

The biggest drawback to cement tiles is that they’re a beast to lay. Additionally, cement tile must be resealed once a month to maintain its beauty. Cement is best used in low-traffic areas and in small quantities.

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Marble Tile

Pros

  • Elegant look
  • Good for use in decorative features
Cons

  • Expensive
  • Requires lots of upkeep
  • Susceptible to scratches and stains

Though costly, marble tiles add an instant touch of elegance and refinement to any room. “If you’re looking to add beauty to any kitchen or bath, laying down marble tiles immediately upgrades the space,” Castellano says. “It also delivers texture and depth, as it’s either patterned or veined. You’ll never have the same piece.”

Marble requires a lot of upkeep to keep it looking pristine. And like any stone, marble tile is susceptible to scratches and stains in addition to being difficult to clean. “Due to marble’s predisposition to scratches, etching, and stains, it’s best used in low-traffic areas unless a sealant is applied,” Castellano says.

“Many homeowners avoid using marble in countertops and instead add marble in decorative features, such as shower floors, columns, and backsplashes.” By using it in smaller applications, you’ll also give your budget a breather.

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Mosaic Tile

Pros

  • Stain resistant
  • Do not chip easily
  • Easy to clean
Cons

  • Can look dated quickly

Mosaic tiles give you a chance to flex your creative interior design muscles because it comes in so many different shapes, sizes, colors, styles, and even materials. “Mosaic tiles work best on wall applications when an accent is needed. I recommend using them sparingly,” Morgan says.

She also notes that, depending on the type of tile you choose, mosaic tiles can look dated quickly. Keep that in mind as you select not just the tile, but the space where it will be installed.

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Granite Tile

Pros

  • Natural stone
  • Less expensive than marble
Cons

  • Can look cheap
  • Best in a secondary space

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 (like how you clean it). “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.

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Limestone Tile

Pros

  • Natural appearance that mimics old architecture
  • Rich appearance
  • Wide variety of color and appearance options
Cons

  • Porous and must be sealed properly or will crack
  • Must use neutral pH cleaning solutions

Limestone is another type of natural stone tile. “To achieve a truly rustic style filled with natural tones, shades, and variation, lay down limestone tile,” Castellano says. “It delivers a natural appearance that’s almost reminiscent of ancient architecture and design. Durable but soft, limestone is also easy to shape and cut for specific patterns and placements.”

One thing to keep in mind about limestone tile is that it’s a porous rock. In order to ensure it lasts for a long time, it must be sealed properly; otherwise, it will crack and etch easily. Also, cleaning limestone can be a pain.

“To avoid ruining the stone, homeowners need to use neutral pH cleaning agents and avoid citrus and vinegar-based products,” says Castellano. “That said, the rich appearance and variety of colors or size make it a great option for really any space, especially outdoors. I recommend using limestone outdoors in a patio space to give the perfect final look.”

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Travertine Tile

Pros

  • Natural stone
  • Soft, subdued, neutral palette
Cons

  • Easily damaged by water, stains, traction
  • Can require extra maintenance

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, the 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 occasional 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.”

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Quarry Tile

Pros

  • Water-resistant and nonporous
  • Can be glazed or left natural
  • Do not require sealing
  • Slip resistant
Cons

  • Stain easily

Quarry tile is made with ground materials in a process that’s very similar to brick (though technically stronger). Quarry tile is made from ground minerals, like feldspar, clay, and shale, that are ground together and 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 other high-traffic areas since they offer a sense of purposeful design and are naturally slip-resistant.

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Metal Tile

Pros

  • Durable and modern
  • Develops a patina
Cons

  • Not suitable for flooring
  • Scratches and dents easily
  • Can be expensive

“Metal countertops offer superior durability and a chic and modern kitchen aesthetic,” Morgan says. “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 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.”

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Resin Tile

Pros

  • Combines styles
  • Water resistant
  • Make your own tile patterns
Cons

  • Chip easily
  • Yellow over time

“Resin tiles are a great solution to combine styles you want,” Boylen says. “These tiles look great and are water-resistant. Plus, they are perfect for the DIYer since you can make your own tile patterns. The 3D patterns are also popular with resin and it can imitate the look of water and stones.”

Resin tile drawbacks include a propensity to chip, and yellow over time, especially when exposed to the sun. “I recommend resin flooring for water areas, like the bathroom and mudrooms. They also make great backsplashes and accent pieces,” Boylen says.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is a tile rating or grade?

    Two crucial numbers are associated with picking tile: rating and grading. The rating and grading of a tile come from the Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI), an organization that assesses the quality of enamel products throughout North America.1

    PEI assigns tiles a hardness rating, which evaluates how much and what type of foot traffic they can handle. PEI ratings range from 0 to 5, with 0 being the most delicate and 5 being the most robust.

    Grading assesses a tile’s quality. Grade 1 tiles have very few flaws; grade 2 tiles have some flaws and imperfections; grade 3 tiles are thin and made for wall use.

  • How thick are tiles?

    Tiles also come in a variety of thicknesses. Floor tiles are the thickest, measuring 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. Wall tiles are thinner, between 1/4 and 3/8 inch thick, and usually only available in three- to six-inch squares. Mosaic tiles are a category of their own, coming in two-inch pieces at a thickness of about 1/8 inch.

  • Should I go for light or dark tiles?

    The color of your tile can set the mood for the entire area or room. Looking to lighten up? Lighter tiles are the way to go. Need to warm everything up? Darker tiles can help with that. As you might expect, lighter tiles show debris and scuffs more easily and will likely need to be cleaned more frequently than dark tiles.

    Bold patterns or bright tiles can add interest to a boring bathroom or brighten up a kitchen. But choose wisely—you’ll be with the design for a long time, so picking something trendy could be risky. You don’t want to get sick of the pattern and have to redo the tiling again!

     

    For this and related articles, please visit RealSimple.com

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