Walking right into a tile showroom can be as overwhelming as it is inspiring. The screens are amazing, yet there are so many options, at a lot of rate factors. Before you run to the home facility for a box of plain white metro tile– as well as miss out on the chance to make a vibrant influence in your kitchen— usage Consumer Reports’ tile for floors primer to get the lowdown on this long lasting, gorgeous material. To assist you store, we’ve asked an expert panel of tile suppliers, stores, and installers for their ideal suggestions on the pros and cons of the most typical types of floor tile.
Ceramic
What is it? A mix of clay, minerals, and water, ceramic tiles are fired at heats. Glazed designs are then treated with a fluid glass finishing and fired once more, producing a difficult, discolor- and also scratch-resistant surface area. Unglazed tiles are occasionally referred to as “quarry” floor tiles.
Best for: Ceramic floor tile is commonly economical, sturdy, simple to install and also comes in a nearly countless range of design and colors.
However: Shades can vary from great deal to great deal and ceramic is not optimal for high influence locations. Handmade or “art” ceramic tiles can be extremely costly.
Porcelain
What is it? Porcelain floor tile is a sort of ceramic tile that is fired at a greater temperature level than common ceramic, making it denser and also much less permeable.
Best for: Usage tarnish- and impact-resistant porcelain floor tiles on floors, walls, backsplashes. It’s simple to tidy and also can be found in a wide variety of styles.
But: It requires an unique setup material made to adhere non-porous materials– DIYers often purchase the incorrect one. Get in touch with the manufacturer to be sure you’re utilizing the advised adhesive.
Glass
What is it? Slices of glass offered individually or as a mosaic, occasionally with various other types of ceramic tile, on a mesh backing.
Best for: Colorful, reflective, easy-to-clean glass ceramic tile is best for wall surfaces and also backsplashes. Some glass floor tile is ranked for use on floorings. The wide range of colors offers glass floor tile wonderful “wow” factor.
Yet: It can be costly and also challenging to mount. Due to the fact that the tiles are clear, the adhesive shows up through the ceramic tile. Unless you’re extremely skilled, getting professional-looking outcomes is tough for a DIYer.
Cement
What is it? Handmade of natural products, cement tiles– likewise called encaustic or Cuban ceramic tiles in the U.S.– generally flaunt strong patterns.
Best for: Resilient and also attractive, concrete floor tiles are appropriate for floors, backsplashes and walls.
However: They’re costly as well as not as typical as various other ceramic tiles, so your installer may not be utilized to working with them. Likewise, cement floor tiles are prone to engraving by acid or severe cleaning agents and have to be secured on installment and resealed periodically.
Rock
What is it? Parts of all-natural stone– granite, slate, travertine, marble, onyx, sandstone, to name a few– cut into slim, normal items, stone floor tile has a rich, unique appearance.
Best for: Usage rock on wall surfaces, backsplashes, or floors. Get the appearance of a granite kitchen counter for less by utilizing granite tiles rather than a piece.
Yet: The majority of rock floor tile can be damaged by exposure to water, pigment, or acid, so be planned for added maintenance. Seal on installation as well as reseal every ten years.
Best flooring as well as countertops
Consumer Information tests both tile flooring and ceramic tile countertops. In our flooring tests, only vinyl racked up better.
In our kitchen area counter top examinations, ceramic as well as porcelain ceramic tile fell behind winners quartz as well as granite but at $5.00 a square foot was without a doubt one of the most spending plan friendly. It was only mediocre at withstanding spots yet was a champ at standing up to warmth and also cutting as well as cutting.