Tile Floor Types
You have a variety of different tile options you can choose from to make your home look fancy and stylish. It’s a cost-effective and environment-friendly flooring option that gives a distinct, elegant feel to your home. Tile manufacturing doesn’t necessitate the use of harmful substances, like heavy chemicals, and still make them durable and long-lasting. If that convinces you to get your floor tiled, check out some of the popular tile floor types for your home.
Different Tile Floors for Your Home
You'll find many options in the market that you can use for flooring in your home. However, all of them are made of different materials with various pros and cons. Here are some of my top picks for tile flooring:
Ceramic Tile
Starting with the most commonly used tile flooring material, ceramic tiles are available in many different colors, shapes, and designs. A mixture of clay is heated at a high temperature to make a ceramic tile. The colors come from the glaze that is added after the heating starts. You can use these tiles for interior and exterior floors, swimming pools, and walls.
Pros
- A variety of designs and colors
- Durable
- Glazed tiles don’t absorb water
- Comparatively inexpensive
- Easy to maintain
Cons
- Get too cold in the winters
Porcelain Tile
To be precise, porcelain tile is a type of ceramic tile. However, there are two major differences between these tile materials. Porcelain tiles are heated at a higher temperature and use more condensed clay than ceramic tiles. The material makes these tiles much more resistant to dirt and water. The cost of installation is also higher, due to the additional density and hardness.
Pros
- Highly water resistance
- Numerous color options
- Luxurious appearance
- Extremely durable
Cons
- Slightly expensive
- Heavy in weight
Natural Stone Tiles
If you’re looking for a unique and earthly floor appearance, you should go for natural stone tiles. You can choose from numerous natural stone options for your floor, such as:
Slate
It is one of the toughest natural stone tiles, which is resistant to scratches, cracks and breaks. However, you do have to place apply a seal on the floor to protect it from stains. If maintained properly, slate tiles can last for a long time. They look perfect in almost every room. This type of tile is available in a wide range of shapes and sizes.
Pros
- Durable and sturdy
- A variety of colors and designs
- Easy to replace damaged tiles
Cons
- Get too cold in winters
- Slightly expensive
- Every piece is unique (different patterns makes it difficult to plan)
Granite
Granite tiles are waterproof and naturally anti-bacterial. Therefore, you will mostly find these tiles in bathrooms and kitchen tops. These attractive tiles will surely make your bathroom look beautiful and stylish.
Pros
- Elegant design
- Extremely durable and long-lasting
- Crack resistant
Cons
- Slippery – care must be taken if used as bathroom floors
- Expensive material
Marble
One of the oldest materials used for flooring, most of us have seen marble tiles used in our homes since our childhood. The variation in colors for each piece bring out a unique look, which many homeowners love.
Pros
- Reflective surface allows more light into the room
- Every piece has a different pattern
Cons
- Marbles are expensive natural stones
- Vulnerable to scratches and stains
Limestone
If you want your room to have a natural and beautiful appearance, you should definitely opt for limestone tiles. They are easy-to-maintain and durable, and can last for decades. You don’t have to worry about focusing much on cleaning them because they’re antibacterial and mold resistant.
Pros
- Durable and strong, suitable for long-term use
- Natural look for a unique style
Cons
- Can be damaged with strong cleaning fluids
Mosaic Tiles
If you want to get creative with your bathroom or kitchen, you can use mosaic tiles. They are made of clay compositions or porcelain material. These tiles are a great option for smaller areas, like bathroom walls or kitchen counters. They come in various shapes and colors, but are small in size.
Pros
- Easy-to-clean
- Elegant and stylish design
- Durable material
Cons
- Difficult to install
- Vulnerable to scratches
Final Words
Though there are many tile floor types available in the market, these are the most recommended ones for homes. Using tile floors, you can make your living space look classy and unique. Comparatively cheaper than other flooring options, anyone with a standard budget can afford these tiles. The vast choice of tile floors gives you the freedom to introduce a new pattern in every room.
Did you like this post and find it useful? If you did, do share it with your loved ones, so that they can also find out about different tile options.
Which type of tile material do you think is the best option? Let us know in the comments section below.