Tile Material
Choosing which type of tile flooring you go with is an important decision. With so many tile material options available we thought it would be helpful to provide facts on the most popular options so you will have more knowledge on why some materials could be better for your home or business in terms of resale value, functionality / durability and overall maintenance.
| Material | Description | Ideal uses | Pros | Cons | General Cost |
| Ceramic | Ceramic tiles are appropriate for areas that will not be subjected to heavy use or harsh conditions. Art mosaics, walls, kitchen backsplashes, and countertops that will only be lightly used or have glass overlays are all areas that can use ceramic tiles. Ceramic tiles should almost always stay indoors, as typical weather conditions such as hot, cold, or rain can cause ceramic tiles to become weak and crack. | Light to medium traffic areas. Walls and backsplashes. | Durable, very easy to maintain, resists everyday scratching and stains very well. | More susceptible to chipping and cracking in cold weather compared to porcelain. Chips or deep scratches will have a different color than the tile surface causing them to standout. | $ |
| Porcelain | Porcelain tiles are generally made by the dust pressed method from porcelain clays which result in a tile that is denser and more durable than ceramic tile. The finish is a finer grained and smoother with sharply formed faces. Glazed porcelain tiles are much harder and are more wear and damage resistant than non-porcelain ceramic tiles. Full body porcelain tiles carry the color and pattern through the entire thickness of the tile making them virtually impervious to wear and are suitable for any application. Porcelain tiles are available in matte, unglazed or a high polished finish. | They are excellent for light and heavy traffic areas and outdoor use. Environments with kids and pet. | Very durable, the easiest to maintain, resists everyday scratching and stains. Chips or deep scratches in a color bodied porcelain tend to be much less noticeable than a ceramic tile. | Slightly more expense than a ceramic tiles. | $$ |
| Marble | Marble is a beautiful natural stone that has graced some of the finest homes and building in the world. Marble is one of the more popular natures stones used in flooring, walls and countertops. The combination of the natural mineral deposits in the stone along with the natural geologic events, produces unique colors and veining with a richness of depth and intensity. | Light to medium traffic areas. | Adds value to your home or business. Timeless appeal. | Needs regular maintenance to keep surface polished and sealed. Much more likely to get stained, chipped and scratched than ceramic or porcelain tiles. | $$$ to $$$$ |
| Limestone | Limestone is a form of marble that's less dense than marble or travertine. Limestone generally varies in earthy colors such as off-white, grey or beige. If the limestone contains the mineral dolomite, it becomes harder in nature and can be polished to a shine much like marble can. Its best uses are for structural walls, entry walls, fireplace surrounds, vanities and shower walls. It's generally not recommended for kitchen countertops and wet bars because fruit juices and alcohol products can stain it and limestone is prone to scratches. | Light traffic areas and walls. | Adds value to your home or business. Timeless appeal. | Softest of the natural stones, needs regular sealing to reduce likelihood of staining. Pets can scratch the surface and chips much easier than ceramic or porcelain tile. | $$$ to $$$$ |
| Glass | Glass tiles are most commonly used in kitchens, spas, and bathrooms walls. Glass tiles are a wonderful solution to add a design, color or character to any area. Glass comes in a variety of sizes and hundreds of colors. | Great for walls, not recommended for traffic areas unless it is a specialized glass tile. | Great way to add additional color to a tiled area. Great for focal point areas (band in shower or above cooktop in kitchen) | Cut edges are not all ways smooth and may require extra tile to make the needed cuts to finish a job. | $$$$ |