Basic Types of Tile Materials
If you've never done a tile project before, you might be surprised by the different types of tiles available. Ceramic and porcelain tiles are the most popular, but there are also glass tiles, cement tiles, metal tiles, and stone tiles, to name just a few.
To make things even more confusing, not all types of tiles will work for every job. And, of course, you have to consider your budget. It's hard not to feel a little overwhelmed.
Tile is one of the favorite design materials for kitchen and bathroom renovations. The tile has been used since Roman times.
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Although excellent man-made materials have become popular in recent years, tiles are still prized for their beauty and cost-saving potential. Tiles can be classified into four main types: ceramic/porcelain, glass, quarry, and stone.
Ceramic and porcelain tiles
Ideal for low-cost coatings with an almost infinite variety of styles, when we talk about inexpensive tiles we are talking about ceramic tiles.
While not all ceramic tile is cheap, you can find inexpensive tiles that can still enhance the beauty of your home.
Ceramic tiles start with clay (slate, plaster, and sand) and are made from a material called the bisque. The soup is molded into tiles and baked in an oven at 2500 F.
The higher the temperature, the stronger the tile.
By its very nature, ceramic tile is porous. Therefore, a glaze must be applied to the tile, and then the tile is baked again to harden the glaze.
Sometimes the glaze is applied before the soup is cooked for the first time.
Therefore, the main value of ceramic tile, in addition to its possible cost savings, is that it can be molded in an infinite variety of colors and shapes because it is manufactured from scratch.
Glass tiles
Best for creating eye-catching, eye-catching, and fun vertical surfaces, glass mosaic, often associated with the design trends of the early 2000s, still stands firm as the tile of choice for limited vertical surfaces that get a lot of attention.
Glass tiles are commonly used for kitchen and bathroom backsplashes. Because it breaks under pressure, a glass mosaic is not suitable for flooring.
Most glass mosaics are attached to net support that allows for installation one square foot at a time. Glass tile has a shiny, shiny beauty that cannot be compared to other types of tile materials.
Quarry tile
Best for interior and exterior floors such as hallways and hallways, in the past, quarry tiles came from quarries. As seen in the old photos of the Vermont quarry, the tile has been cut, polished, and polished.
But now manufacturers use the extrusion method to make a glass clay tile that is almost as hard as natural stone.
Quarry tile has a rough surface, which means it is perfect for paving because it provides a good grip. But it also means that quarry tiles are not good for kitchen countertops because they are too porous.
However, although quarry tiles can be sealed to make them less porous, they are still not suitable for food preparation surfaces.
Natural stone tile
Ideal for kitchens and bathrooms, natural stone is a very durable and visually interesting tile material and has had a high value for many years.
Stone is not without its problems. Although durable, it can easily crack if the wrong item is dropped at an angle.
Natural stone is porous, so it must be periodically sealed and polished. In addition, granite and marble can be scratched and are not always resistant to high temperatures, such as those in hot cooking pots.
However, the varied coloration and texture of natural stone cannot be duplicated with ceramic tiles. Stone is endlessly fascinating and offers unique design details for your home.
So despite the shortcomings of natural stone, it still wins from a design point of view.
Natural stone can cool under bare feet when used in bathrooms. That is why the installation of underfloor heating mats under the stone is highly recommended for bathrooms.
We hope you enjoy watching this video about what you should know about different tile materials:
Source: Bauscher Construction + Remodeling, Inc.
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Last update on 2025-05-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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