Been looking for a comprehensive guide on all the different types of floor tiles? You came to the right place. We’re giving the lowdown on what material and patterns work the best as living room, kitchen, outdoor, or bathroom tile.
Whether you decide on natural stone, imitation wood, or ceramic tiles, Tilemall will help you ensure that it looks beautiful in person by sending you free samples of your favourite tiles.
Types of Tile
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of each tile type and how they stack up as flooring tiles in different areas of the house.
Ceramic Tiles:
Ceramic tiles are available in many different designs. While both porcelain and ceramic tiles are excellent choices for bathroom floor tiles, ceramic tiles cost much less than porcelain. You may opt to use ceramic across your entire bathroom, for both floors and walls.
Quarry Tiles:
These tiles are extremely durable and water-resistant. This unglazed tile material is suitable for environments that require good traction, such as pathways and kitchens. Because they are freeze-resistant, they're suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
Porcelain Tiles:
Porcelain tiles are the best material for bathroom floor tile, though it is more costly than ceramic tiles. Porcelain tile is heavier, less porous, stronger, and has fewer impurities than ceramic. They're a great investment because their damage-proof properties will last you a lifetime.
Porcelain floor tiles can replicate the appearance of marble, stone, and hardwood tiles while offering scratch resistance. Despite the increase in cost, porcelain tiles are the better option for bathroom flooring. It’s higher in water resistance than ceramic tile and its extended lifespan makes it desirable for high traffic areas, such as bathrooms.
Wood-Like Tiles:
Achieve the visual aesthetics of real wood and the quality materials that provide water and stain resistance at a fraction of the price. Wood-like tiles are made from porcelain materials. These are great for living rooms, as no one will notice that you don't have real hardwood floors and even better is that they're more durable than the real thing.
Mosaic Tiles:
Mosaic tiles are small in size and elaborate in design. They can be made out of a variety of materials and are an excellent way to incorporate colour into your kitchen or bathroom. While these are most common in kitchen backsplashes, they are just as suitable for floors.
You can choose any colour and shape imaginable. They're resistant to chemicals which makes them a great candidate for kitchen and bathroom floors. If you opt for glass mosaic tiles, they'll be easy to clean due to fewer ridges.
Cement Tiles:
This is the tile of choice for exterior floors and driveways. Their strength and durability are unmatched and they provide great traction. Their smooth finish reduces friction even in wet conditions. Cement tiles are another great option suitable for heavy traffic areas.
Natural Stone Tiles:
Natural stones, like granite, limestone, and marble tiles are incredibly durable and timeless. They're a great flooring option for living rooms and bathrooms, especially if you want a more rustic aesthetic.
Marble is a particularly special natural stone because of its versatility. Marble instantly improves the overall appearance and value of your home.
The downside to installing marble floors? They cost an arm and a leg and are difficult to install. That's where marble-like tiles made of porcelain come in. Achieve the elegant aesthetic of marble without the steep price tag.
Conclusion
These tiles are available in a wide variety of designs, from colours to textures and patterns. There are so many other ways to get creative with tile beyond your selection of the tile itself. The way you lay tile offers you more opportunities to express yourself. The same tile can be laid in so many different patterns like Herringbone or Hexagon.
When it comes to choosing the best tile for your flooring, there's no substitute for seeing the real thing. That's why we send you 5 cut samples of your choice of tiles for free. Browse through our floor tile catalogue today and choose which 5 you want us to send you.
