Everything you need to know to make the right tile choices for your home
Choosing the right tile for your home can make all the difference in style, durability, and maintenance. Use our comprehensive guide to help you understand your range of tile options so you can make an informed choice.
Ceramic tile
Porcelain tile is known for its durability and versatility, with design options that mimic natural materials like wood or marble. This tile resists stains, scratches, and moisture, making it perfect for high-traffic areas. Available in glazed or through-body forms, porcelain’s durability and beauty offer the best of both worlds for homeowners.
- Pros: Extremely durable, low-maintenance, available in a range of high-end looks.
- Cons: Higher cost than ceramic.
- Best for: High-traffic areas, bathrooms, kitchens, and floors.
Porcelain tile
Porcelain tile is known for its durability and versatility, with design options that mimic natural materials like wood or marble. This tile resists stains, scratches, and moisture, making it perfect for high-traffic areas. Available in glazed or through-body forms, porcelain’s durability and beauty offer the best of both worlds for homeowners.
- Pros: Extremely durable, low-maintenance, available in a range of high-end looks.
- Cons: Higher cost than ceramic.
- Best for: High-traffic areas, bathrooms, kitchens, and floors.
Marble tile
Marble tile is a high-end choice, prized for its natural veining and luxurious feel. Each piece of marble is unique, allowing homeowners to create spaces that feel both timeless and upscale. While it demands careful maintenance and sealing, marble’s elegance and beauty make it a worthy investment for many.
- Pros: Luxurious, unique look with varied veining.
- Cons: Expensive, requires regular maintenance.
- Best for: Statement areas like bathrooms and foyers.
Natural stone tile
Natural stone tile, including slate, river rock, and marble, offers a one-of-a-kind aesthetic with textures and patterns created by nature. Known for its authentic, luxurious look, natural stone requires careful installation and maintenance but rewards homeowners with a timeless, artistic finish. Regular sealing is needed to protect the stone’s beauty and durability.
- Pros: Unique, artistic appearance with natural textures.
- Cons: High cost, requires regular maintenance.
- Best for: High-end installations where natural beauty is prioritized.
Glass tile
Glass tile offers a clean, reflective aesthetic, perfect for adding visual interest to accent walls and backsplashes. This material is available in a wide range of colors and patterns, though it requires skilled handling due to its fragility during installation. Once installed, it’s durable and easy to clean, making it ideal for decorative touches.
- Pros: Visually striking, easy to clean.
- Cons: Fragile during installation, high cost.
- Best for: Backsplashes, accent walls, and limited flooring applications.
Handmade tile
Handmade tile brings a unique, artisan quality to spaces, with each tile varying slightly in size and shape. This tile style is ideal for homeowners seeking one-of-a-kind designs that enhance the character of their home. Handmade tile is pricier due to its craftsmanship and the extra care needed for installation.
- Pros: Unique, artisan appeal.
- Cons: Expensive, requires careful installation.
- Best for: Custom spaces needing a personalized touch.
Large format porcelain panels
Large format porcelain panels offer a sleek, modern look with minimal grout lines, perfect for homeowners who prefer a seamless aesthetic. These tiles come in large sizes, reducing grout maintenance and allowing for stunning design options like book-matched patterns. Due to their size and weight, they require special installation techniques.
- Pros: Minimal grout, low maintenance, modern look.
- Cons: Expensive, requires specialized installation.
- Best for: Walls, floors, and shower areas.
Solid surface tile
Solid surface tile is a non-porous material often used in kitchens and bathrooms. Known for its durability and seamless look, it’s a popular choice for shower benches and shower niches. Solid surface materials are easy to clean and require minimal maintenance, with fewer grout lines to worry about.
- Pros: Durable, low-maintenance, seamless look with fewer grout lines.
- Cons: Limited design options compared to natural stone or tile.
- Best for: Shower benches and custom niches.
Tile comparison at-a-glance
|
Tile Type |
Cost |
Durability |
Maintenance |
Best Use |
|
Ceramic |
$ |
Moderate |
Low |
Low-traffic areas |
|
Porcelain |
$$ |
High |
Very low |
High-traffic areas |
|
Natural stone |
$$$ |
High (if sealed) |
High (requires resealing) |
Any space with proper support |
|
Glass |
$$$ |
Moderate |
Low |
Backsplashes, accent walls, shower floors |
|
Handmade |
$$$$ |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Unique spaces needing custom designs |
|
Marble |
$$$$ |
High |
High (requres resealing) |
Statement areas (e.g., bathrooms) |
|
Large format panels |
$$$$ |
High |
Very low |
Walls, showers, floors |
|
Solid surface |
$$ |
High |
Very low |
Shower benches and niches |
Maintenance plans
For all tile types, but especially for marble and other natural stone options, we offer custom maintenance plans to ensure your tile stays protected. Every three years, we return to clean, reseal, and maintain your tile, preserving its beauty for years to come. Inquire about our maintenance plans today.
Ready to bring your tile vision to life?
At Glen’s Diamond Tile, there’s an option to fit every budget and aesthetic. Contact us today for a consultation and let us help you choose the perfect tile to match your vision.
