Choosing floor tiles

An uninformed person researching the tile industry might find themselves confused due to the various design options, and the multiple types and styles of tile.

Firstly tiles are available in different materials, such as marble, porcelain, and ceramic.

Marble is primarily sourced from natural stone, a luxurious finish yet expensive product that in many cases needs to be to be maintained with polish every once in a while. Secondly, there are ceramic tiles, a relatively affordable choice but one that is not as hard wearing and absorbent, which can reduce the longevity of use. Finally porcelain tiles are more durable than ceramic with a reduction in levels of water absorption.

Porcelain tiles, come in a variety of finishes such as sand, stone, concrete, marble, cement, and many more. The most popular finishes create a modern feel such as cement, concrete, and sand tones. In addition, different finishes are available. Matte lappato finishes are currently quite popular as they are quite durable, in that this finish has an increased resistance to scratches. Polished porcelain tiles are also possible however if trying to replicate, for instance the reflectivity of natural finished marble they are likely to give a somewhat blurry reflection in comparison. In general thicker tiles might be considered more robust and longer lasting, here we are talking about somewhere around 11 millimetres.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Ceiling tiles.
• Cladding.
• Comparing porcelain and ceramic tiles.
• Decoration.
• Finishes.
• Furnishings.
• Grout
• Plaster.
• Polished plaster.
• Porcelain.
• Quarry tile.
• Rendering.
• Roof tiles.
• Skirting boards.
• Splashback.
• Tessera.
• Types of tile.
• Types of flooring.
• Vinyl flooring.