Tile FlooringEducational information for your flooring needs.
Beginners Guide to Types of Tile Flooring
From types of tile to layout patterns, there is a seemingly endless number of options that can make the process of choosing a tile floor quite overwhelming. If you've decided on tile for your flooring, you have already made a great decision that you should be proud of. Now it's time to make a few more decisions before enjoying your brand new tile floor.
Below are the basics of the different types of tile on the market, how they differ, and why they're popular. While articles like this exist to give you some extra insight, we highly recommend speaking with a professional to get a recommendation specific to your needs, space, and lifestyle.
Natural Stone
Natural stone has been a popular flooring choice for centuries. Natural stones feature variations in color and pattern making stone floor tiles beautiful and completely unique. Natural stone tile is made from materials like marble, granite, limestone, travertine, and slate. With periodic sealing and polishing, natural stone will last forever. Because natural stone is not man-made, it tends to be a more expensive option.
Marble is durable, easy to clean, versatile, and gives your room a look of refined elegance. Although available in a variety of colors, classic marble tile is typically white or off white with gray to black veining.
Granite is a highly durable, hard and dense rock and a good option for countertops and floors. Granite resists scratching when polished. With its unique veining and specks of minerals, granite is a classic and distinctive look and a great choice for kitchens and bathrooms.
Limestone has a luxurious look and feel. Limestone is a soft, porous rock characterized by its earthy appearance and can be polished or textured. Limestone gives your room a look of classic luxury.
Travertine, a type of limestone, is characterized by classic neutral colors and unique natural patterns. Travertine provides a look of soft, natural, earthy tones.
Slate is extremely dense and durable and generally comes in darker tones. Slate is naturally textured, but can be honed to a smooth finish. Slate is a good choice for kitchens and high traffic areas and can also be used in outdoor areas. The richness of slate gives your room a look of classy elegance.
Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tile is durable and because it's man-made, comes in a myriad of styles, colors, and finishes. Ceramic tile is made from clay, molded, and kiln dried at high temperatures. Color glaze is added prior to a second firing to give ceramic tile its color. Ceramic tile is a budget-friendly tile choice. Ceramic tile can be glazed to matte, semi-gloss, or high gloss finishes.
Quarry tile is a sustainable, natural product made from clay and shale. Quarry tile is durable and easy to clean and features red and brown hues. Quarry tile is modestly priced and can be used outdoors as well as indoors.
Porcelain Tile
Porcelain tile is made from a mixture of clay and feldspar fired at a very high temperature, resulting in a highly durable, moisture resistant tile. Porcelain tile is not only a great choice for flooring, but it's also a great choice for walls. Available in numerous colors, sizes, and textures, porcelain tile is a beautiful, durable, long-lasting option.
Please read our Porcelain vs. Ceramic Tile article for more information on the biggest differences between these two popular types of tile.
Contact Weaver Carpets
Whether you need more help deciding or you are sure of your tile choice, the professionals at Weaver Carpets would love to guide you through the tile flooring process. We have two locations on either side of Denver where we would be happy to show you some options and narrow your choices.
Contact Weaver Carpets today to get started!
