How to Choose the Perfect Tile for Your Remodel

A Guide for Bathrooms, Kitchens, and Beyond

Whether you’re using it for flooring or your walls, there are a lot of benefits to choosing tile. For one, and it may surprise some, but it’s a great choice for increasing the air quality of your home because tile doesn’t absorb bacteria or harbor mold and mildew. Tile is also easy to clean and doesn’t make use of harsh chemicals such as formaldehyde. It’s also free from the carcinogenic toxins that are in materials such as PVC and is good for the environment thanks to the use of recycled materials in the manufacturing process.

What drives most homeowners to drool over tile is that it’s also a very stylish choice. This is the case whether you’re aiming for a minimalist look that’s contemporary, smooth, and simple, or for patterns and contrasts that bring in character and charm. The other cool thing about tile is that it can be used almost anywhere in the house, which is great if you’re looking for a new floor or wall material for your home renovation. But as any tiler will tell you, not all tile materials are equal, and some will be better suited for some applications than others. Certain tile materials will be more at home on your kitchen floor, and others will look just dandy on your bathroom wall. 

Ceramic Tile

Speaking of bathroom walls, ceramic tiles are a classic choice for anyone looking to spruce up their bathroom with some extra color and style. Ceramic’s water, stain, and scratch-resistant qualities make it an excellent choice for any interior space that gets wet or dirty often, such as bathrooms and kitchens. Ceramic tiles are also easy to cut and install, making them the ideal choice for custom powder rooms, wetrooms, and modern kitchens alike. To top it off ceramic tile is quite easy to clean with just a little bit of elbow grease. Thanks to its thinness, ceramic has great heat transfer properties which make it the best material to use with underfloor heating. This makes it a prime choice for homes in colder climes.   

How to Go About Choosing Tile

They can be used for floors, walls, and countertops, with a range of colors available to suit the tastes of any homeowner. If you want the look of wood, stone, concrete, or another material but don’t want the hassle of added maintenance that comes with that look, there are plenty of manufacturers which offer ceramic tiles that replicate these materials. 

Porcelain Tile

Porcelain is a highly resilient tiling material that works in almost any part of your house. It tends to be pricier than some other tile options, but that price premium carries with it some tremendous benefits. You can put porcelain tiling on the walls or floors of your kitchen, bathroom, mudroom. This is thanks to its high resistance to scratches and chipping, as well as its resistance to staining. Because of its high durability and ease of maintenance, porcelain tile is a perfect fit for any space that has high foot traffic and works well in areas with high moisture. It is quite difficult to damage porcelain tiles, and they can be easily replaced in any case. Much like ceramic, porcelain tile can be made to simulate all sorts of materials like wood, stone, marble, and concrete. 

The Pros and Cons of Porcelain Tile

As such, porcelain can be used in all kinds of aesthetics because there are just so many tile designs to choose from. You’ll find them in rooms with an industrial, minimalist, or even traditional feel Because it is a waterproof material, porcelain tiling does not require sealing like some other tile materials, making them an excellent choice for wetrooms. They are easy to clean, as water stains wipe right off without causing any real damage. Unlike ceramic, porcelain is resistant to cracking in extreme cold, and as such can be used as outdoor flooring as well.

For an even more seamless fit, keep an eye out for rectified porcelain tile. This is porcelain tile that has been ground and cut so that it has cleaner edges. Rectification will give porcelain tile a more precise fit as a result. This allows for the use of porcelain tiles bigger than 15 inches and also allows for very small grout lines. Small grout lines mean the tiles sit almost seamlessly next to each other.  

Glass Tile

Glass tile is a good choice for someone looking for a very unique aesthetic. Glass tile comes in many different colors and finishes and is perfect for those looking for something with a look that is clean, contemporary, and thoroughly sophisticated. Translucent glass tile is of course very eye-catching, but they can also come in other finishes which are more shimmery as well. The way it reflects and plays with light allows glass tile to make a room feel open and airy. Thanks to its waterproof and stain-proof properties, it works well in showers, swimming pools, and kitchen backsplashes.    

The Pros and Cons of Glass Tile

You might think that they may not be strong because they are made of glass.. However, glass tiles are very durable and can last forever. Because they are usually made of recyclable materials and are up to 100% recyclable themselves, glass tiles are the perfect choice for the eco-friendly homeowner. In return for the sustainable choice of using glass tiles, you’re rewarded with a material that is both gorgeous and low-maintenance.

Natural Stone Tile

At first glance, natural stone tile may not seem as durable as the tile materials above because it needs to be sealed regularly to maximize its lifespan. However, natural stone is still a very hardy material, and its tiles can last a lifetime if they are maintained well. The heat, stain, and scratch-resistance of natural stone tiles make them excellent for floors, walls, and countertops alike. You never have to worry about natural stone tiles cracking or staining. Natural stone is also a good choice for outdoor flooring that exudes a rustic charm and has a natural beauty that is unmatched by most other tile options. 

Where In Your Home You Might Want to Consider Natural Stone Tiles

Natural stone tile is an exceptionally non-absorbent heavy-duty bathroom flooring, especially apt if you have lots of foot traffic (like kids running all over the place). Its natural durability means that quarry tile can be used outdoors as flooring for patios, walkways, and entrances. Quarry tile is affordably priced as well and requires very little maintenance.  

As it is a natural material, your color options are somewhat more limited with quarry stone, but there's no denying that its natural red hue and rough texture make for a material that looks gorgeous and feels great for bare feet.