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The many types of ceramic tile

 
From wood, stone, geometrics, chevrons, and more, you'll find a virtually unlimited number of tile designs, shapes, and sizes when you walk into the tile stores. Keep in mind, though, they also all have different characteristics that make some better for specific installations than others, and the right or wrong one can impact your remodeling project. Here are some tips on choosing the right one.
 

The best one for tile flooring in busy rooms

 
If you're installing in a room with heavy foot traffic, the best choice would be porcelain. This ceramic type has clay in its composition and sand and glass, making it more serious, denser, and able to withstand wear. Porcelain's clay is also completely nonporous, so it's waterproof whether or not it's glazed and also acceptable for outdoor use.

Porcelain also comes in a wide assortment of colors and patterns and can be made to look like anything, including wood, stone, fabric, and leather. This large-format tile is often preferred for stone because it has fewer seams, giving it a more continuous look like quarried marble, granite, or other rock. It also has through-body color so that chips won't be noticeable.
 
 
 
 
 

Can 4 X 4 ceramic squares be used on floors?

 
Yes, you probably know them from backsplashes and accent walls, but they're also a good choice for moderately heavy foot trafficked rooms indoors. The squares are thinner than porcelain but, when glazed, have a hard shell that's almost impossible to break and are waterproof. Mix and match these highly designed pieces to create your statement.

Mosaics are tiny, sometimes as small as 1 X 1, but they, too, are durable. Usually glass-coated and always highly decorated, mosaics are generally used as accents for tile floors, walls, and backsplash/floor medallions. Terra cotta bricks are ultra-durable, can be used indoors or out, and are also porous and need sealing which will help keep them stain-resistant and clean. Subway tiles, usually seen on backsplashes, can be used on indoor low traffic floors, such as in the bedroom.

Strait Floors has a large inventory of all flooring types, as well as countertops and window coverings. With two decades of experience, our award-winning company will help you sort out all the different types of ceramics so you can find the best ones for your tile flooring. Visit our showrooms in Sequim, Bremerton, or Port Townsend, WA, learn more, get inspired, and receive a free tile flooring quote. We're convenient to Sequim, Bremerton, Port Townsend, and surrounding areas.