Tile is an excellent addition to any home. Durable as flooring, easy to keep clean as a kitchen backsplash, and does not require much maintenance when used in your bathroom. It's a super versatile material and has many benefits in the home. However, there are many different types of tiles to choose from, making it challenging to figure out the right tile to install in your space. Depending on your budget, needs, and preferences, certain kinds of tiles will work better for your project than others. The tiles we will discuss are porcelain tile, floating porcelain tile, ceramic tile, ledger stone, wall tile, and mosaics. If you are feeling overwhelmed with tile choices, read on to learn more about different types of tiles, their benefits, and which option will work the best for your space.
The Benefits of Tile
Tile is a popular flooring material and backsplash, and for a good reason. It has been used throughout history as a durable and natural building material. It has many benefits for homeowners and is a stylish, elegant, and timeless flooring and decor choice. If you are looking for an option that will be long-lasting, easily cleaned and maintained, and can handle heavy foot traffic, then tile flooring and wall tile will fit nicely into your home. There are so many different styles, colors, shapes, patterns, and textures available that you'll be able to let your creativity loose and create a space that truly reflects your personal style. So whether you're looking for an intricate and colorful pattern for the tile floor in your bathroom or would like a classic and modern backsplash in your kitchen that will fit your clean aesthetic, you'll be able to find a look to complement the rest of your room.
Costs vary dramatically depending on which type of tile you choose and the size of the project. If you are looking for a kitchen backsplash, ceramic tile is a budget-friendly option that won't drain your bank account but will still provide you with a durable and stylish tile option.
Easy-to-Clean
Unlike carpet, tile flooring is easy to clean, making it the superior choice in places like the kitchen and bathroom, where there are food stains and water spills. It's also a great flooring option if you have small children or pets, as messes are the norm and not the exception. Cleaning can be a pain with carpet and hardwood flooring, but cleaning up tile is easy, as you can use soapy water or sanitize your floor after a mess. So when your toddler spills their juice all over the kitchen floor, the only thing you'll need is soapy water to clean up the mess. Tile is also more resistant to scratches than hardwood flooring, so it's a great option for those who are tired of their pet's nail scratches on their hardwood floors.
Durable
Tile is a durable material that can handle years of high-traffic wear, water, and messes. Your kids can walk in with their muddy rain boots on every spring, and all it takes is a bit of soapy water to have it looking as good as new. It's great for entryways as it can handle moisture and hard shoes well. Hardwood floors and carpets tend to be less durable than tile when it comes to moisture exposure and stains. So for rooms like the kitchen, bathroom, and entryway where moisture is pretty much inevitable, it's wise to stick with a flooring choice that is durable and able to withstand spills, water, and messes.
Little to No Maintenance
When you use high-quality materials and the correct application, tile flooring generally doesn't require much maintenance throughout the years. Sometimes cracks or broken tiles happen, but replacing them is easy and won't cost much if you keep a few of the same tiles on hand. Simply replace the broken tiles with the replacement, and it will look great again.
Porcelain Tile
One of the most common tile types is porcelain tile. It's often confused with ceramic tiles, but it is more durable. Thanks to its durability, it is one the most versatile tile options and can be used in the bathroom, as a kitchen backsplash, and even outside. While natural stone options need upkeep and maintenance to prevent wear and cracks, porcelain tile is able to emulate the look of natural stone without any of the maintenance issues. If you're looking for a tile that is durable and will hold up in places like your entryway, patio, or front porch, then this porcelain tile with a brick appearance will be able to withstand a lot of foot traffic and weather any water or moisture that comes into contact with it.
However, because the material is so dense and strong, installing porcelain tile can be difficult to do by yourself. If you don't have previous experience installing porcelain tile, it may be best to let a professional install this kind of tile in your home. Porcelain tile is not the flooring option you want to use when trying your first DIY home improvement project. The application can be tricky with porcelain tiles, as you will also need an adhesive when laying down this kind of tile. You'll also need special tools to cut the tile, as it's such a strong material.
Floating Porcelain Tile
Floating porcelain tile offers the same appearance as regular porcelain tiles. However, the application of these tiles is a bit different. Instead of gluing tiles in place to the subfloor, floating porcelain tiles interlock together. While regular tiles use a mortar base to stabilize the tiles, floating tiles use a rubber base that interlocks with each other. This makes the application of floating porcelain tile much easier than regular porcelain tile. If you're looking for a DIY tile project, this is an easy option compared to other tile floors.
Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tile is a popular choice for home improvement projects due to its versatility, slip resistance, and durability. It's commonly used in bathrooms, entryways, and kitchens but can also be used anywhere in the home, thanks to its ability to fit many different designs. It comes in many different colors, styles, and budget-friendly options making this a popular home improvement project. Glazed ceramic tile offers longer protection from stains and wear. Unglazed ceramic tile has a rustic appearance that many people find appealing. However, it doesn't offer the same kind of protection as glazed tiles. If you are looking for ceramic floor tile with a glazed finish, then this light-colored option will work great in your bathroom or kitchen as it's easy to clean, will resist moisture, and won't collect stains.
Ceramic tile can be installed by a professional or done as a DIY project. The first step in laying ceramic tile is to put down a cement board; this will act as a sturdy base for the tiles. You'll then apply the mortar evenly across the cement board. After this, you'll carefully lay your tiles, placing tile spacers to ensure your spacing is uniform. You'll then grout the tile to ensure moisture doesn't seep down between the cracks of your tiles. The final finishing touches include removing excess grout and applying a sealant to the grout. Though this process includes many steps and involves a certain amount of knowledge and skill, when done correctly, the end result will be long-lasting and durable flooring.
Ledger Stone
Ledger stone is a popular natural stone for walls, fireplaces, and borders. People often use this material in their homes due to its appearance. Its stacked stone look offers a rugged and natural elegance to any room. It's comprised of many different shapes and sizes of stones, giving it a unique texture. This kind of stone tile is not easy to clean, so it doesn't work well as flooring due to its unevenness. It can also be hard to clean if you use it in your bathroom due to the different levels. Expect extra work if you use ledger stone in your bathroom and like to keep things clean. If you're looking for an eye-catching rugged stone for your fireplace or kitchen backsplash, then this blue and gray ledger stone will look great.
Installation of ledger stone isn't an easy DIY project for most people. Because it's a natural stone, it is quite heavy and requires special tools. Especially in the bathroom, if you will need to install fixtures on top of the ledge stone, you should avoid installing the stone yourself, as the fixtures can easily become damaged. It's best to let a professional install ledger stone because when it is done correctly, it will look beautiful and last a long time.
Mosaics
Mosaic tiles are perfect for flexing your style and creativity in small areas, like a backsplash in your kitchen, shower walls or floor, or a decorative border. This type of tile is known for its eye-catching designs and colors that can transform a drab space into an interesting room. Many people want to add a touch of vibrancy to their spaces. Adding mixed color palette tiles to your space will give the room dimension. If you're looking for a colorful accent in your kitchen or bathroom, then a mosaic tile will be the perfect choice for your tiling project. This mosaic tile is a durable choice that can be used anywhere in your home, including as a shower floor.
Mosaics are easy to install and much less messy than other tile options. Mosaics typically come on a mesh backing. On this sheet are various tiles pieces in different sizes, colors, and finishes. Because the tile pieces are all on one sheet, it makes for a less messy application than other tiling methods.
Wall Tile
Wall tiles are less durable than other types of tiles and cannot handle weight the way floor tiles can. They are perfect as decorative pieces that can tie a room together, prevent splashes from staining or damaging walls, and add texture to your space. Popular wall tiles include materials like porcelain, ceramic, and mosaic. This elegant and durable porcelain wall tile is perfect for the bathroom, as it resists moisture damage and is easy to clean and maintain.
Wall tile tends to be a bit trickier to install than floor tile. Though the process is not more complicated than tile flooring, wall tiles are easier to mess up. Because the stones are heavy, it's harder to install them vertically than it is to lay them on the ground. But with patience and meticulous planning, installing wall tiles can be done on your own. If you're looking for the highest quality and appearance, though, hiring a professional to install your wall tile is a good idea.
Whether you are looking for a subtle and durable flooring option for a bathroom or would like to find a colorful mosaic as a stylish accent in your kitchen, tile is a great choice for elevating any room. When there are so many different types of tiles, it can be challenging to narrow down your focus for your project. It's important to understand the benefits and differences between tile types so you pick out the option that's perfect for your space. Some kinds of tiles aren't easy to install on your own for the first time, as they may require special tools and in-depth knowledge. If you aren't confident in your DIY skills, it's always best to hire a professional to install your tile, as it can often save you from making costly mistakes or having an undesirable appearance. Get in touch with our team if you'd like to get started on your tiling project.
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