14/07/2020
There are an unlimited variety of tiles which you can use for your upcoming home renovation project. The choices are unlimited, and there are tiles made of every kind of material you can think of, from standard to exotic; porcelain, ceramic, glass, metal, natural stone, resin, leather, wood clay, concrete, mother of pearl, fossils and more. In addition to the many materials, tiles are available in a variety of different sizes, shapes, and thicknesses. Accessories, such as accent tiles, are also available to enhance your tile design. There are countless patterns to choose from, or you can customize your space with a creative, unique pattern that is all your own. Here's a summary of the most common types of tiles:
Ceramic tiles can be glazed or unglazed. Glazed tiles are available plain or decorated and can be used on walls and floors. The biggest advantage of ceramic tile design is that it's maintenance free. It is not porous, can be easily cleaned and comes in a variety of colours and styles. The disadvantage is that wear and tear may crack or chip the top glaze. This will create a visible mark because the base is a different colour than the glaze coat.
Unglazed ceramic floor tiles are more suited to commercial and industrial settings, but can be used in laundries and utility rooms. They are available with a non-slip profile.
Glass tile: This has become a big trend in recent years. At one time, it was extremely expensive but now is much more affordable. Glass tile can be used as a border or used to create beautiful mosaics in a great variety of colours and custom blends. The beauty of glass tile is unique because the glass reflects the light, which highlights every tile. Installing glass tile requires a higher level of expertise and some special materials but if you like the look, it's worth it.
Quarry tiles are a traditional product made in the UK for hundreds of year. They are made from natural clay, squeezed through an extruding machine, and then fired. They are mostly available in terracotta, black and white colours.
Terracotta tiles are also made from local clays. Terracotta means "cooked earth" and these products tend to be very absorbent, so need sealing when used on the floor.
Porcelain tiles are ceramic tiles, but with a very low absorbency. They are usually made from kaolin clays, feldspar, silica and colouring oxides and are fired at about 1200 degrees C. Extremely durable, porcelain is made of the same material from top to bottom. Even if the top chips or scratches, the mark is not visible. Porcelain tiles that imitate real stone are very popular. Since tiles vary slightly in shade and texture, it is difficult to tell porcelain from real stone. In addition, porcelain is priced very competitively. Durability, attractive appearance and great pricing make porcelain one of the most widely used tiles today.
Mosaics are very small tiles, usually less than 35cm2. Mosaics can be glazed or unglazed and made from porcelain, ceramic, glass or natural stone.
Natural stone products; limestone, marble, granite and slate are quarried from the earth. Some are extremely hard, and some quite soft. Some may need sealing.
