Five Common Types of Tiles and their Uses

Last Updated on June 12, 2023 by

Tiles are one of those building materials that inspire creativity. Available in endless sizes, shapes, colors, and designs, these different types of tiles provide long-lasting surfaces to both interiors and exteriors of the house. Tiles are sturdy and easy to maintain and thus are ideal for high-traffic areas and moisture-prone rooms.

Interestingly, the use of tiles dates back to Egyptian times where people decorated their houses with tile bricks. As the technology advanced, more patterns and designs got introduced. The versatility in terms of usage also extended to every nook and corner of the house.

Amidst that, homeowners started facing a challenge to make the right choice for their rooms. After all, there were abundant options to explore, and not all of them were born equal. So, finally, I decided to create this guide explaining different types of tiles and their best utility. Keep reading to know.

Ceramic

These are one of the best types of tiles found in residential properties. Ceramic is a material derived from clay and other natural resources and fired at higher temperatures to become stronger and damage resistant. It is even coated with a durable glaze to create the desired color and pattern. However, these are best suited for indoor use and areas where there is light to moderate traffic expected. Walls, backsplashes, and bedroom floors are the ideal locations for ceramic tile installation.

Porcelain

Porcelain is often considered a twin of ceramic tiles, but the general characteristics show them as cousins. Porcelain tiles absorb less than 0.5% of water, while ceramic tiles absorb more. Porcelain is made with white clay, sand, and feldspar and is more hard-wearing. Their sturdiness makes them a perfect choice for floors and commercial properties such as hotels, offices, and retail stores. You can utilize porcelain tiles for both interiors and exteriors.

Glass

As the name suggests, glass tiles are pieces of glass formed and cut into specific shapes. Available in a range of colors and finishes, glass tiles have to be the most elegant, clean, and aesthetically pleasing materials to enhance the personality of your interior space. The translucence character draws the eye and becomes a statement, no matter the size of your room. And because it reflects light, it works great for smaller and compact bathrooms and kitchens.

Mosaic

Mosaic tiles allow your inner creativity to flow and explore with designs. The sky is the limit for the shapes, sizes, and colors that you can get in this tile type. Due to their artistic appearance, these tiles work fantastically in adding an accent feature to your room. These work the best for backsplashes and shower walls and not really for floors due to difficulty with grout cleaning.

Natural Stone

Natural stone tiles have been used by homeowners for a very long time and remain a go-to choice even today. That is because of their commendable ability to withstand bad weather and other forms of wear and tear. The name of these tiles comes from their source, i.e., natural stone, such as granite, marble, slate, and travertine. These are cost-effective and have great longevity and see their applications in kitchens, bathrooms, conservatories, and hallways.

Read More: Can Wooden Flooring Be Laid Over Tiles?

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