When you’re thinking about sprucing up your home, picking out the perfect tile can really make a big difference in how your room looks and feels. Are you looking to liven up a snug corner or give an entire room a fresh new look? You’ll find many tile materials, tile colors, tile dimensions, and tile shapes to choose from! In this guide, we’ll explore different types of tiles, from classic ceramic and porcelain to sleek glass and natural stone. We’re here to help you explore tile’s vibrant colors and intriguing patterns and share tips on choosing tiles that perfectly complement your space’s dimensions and style. Get ready to be inspired and confidently create a space that truly feels like yours.
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In This Tile Guide:
Types of Tile Material
Color Considerations
Tile Sizes and Shapes
Tile Ideas and Inspiration
Before you jump right into picking out tiles, consider a few essential details to ensure you make the best choice for your space:
Location: Consider where you’ll place these tiles and measure the area to get the sizing just right.
Color and patterns: Choose a color and pattern that reflects your taste.
Foot traffic and tile grade: It’s essential to think about practical things like how much foot traffic the area will get and the tile’s durability. This will help you make a more sensible and stronger choice.
Water absorption rate and slip resistance: Ensure the tile's water absorption properties and slip resistance are suitable for your space, especially in wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
Request Samples: Here’s a pro tip—always request samples! This way, you can touch, see, and truly imagine how the tiles will look in your home before making your final decision.
There are many types of tiles available that can transform your space. Each type has its unique vibe and benefits. From types of tile flooring to wall tiles, you’ll find the perfect match that looks fantastic and fits your space and style.
Rembrandt 6x6 Patterned Porcelain Tile
Want to enhance your space with a blend of function and artistry? Porcelain tile is a fantastic choice. Made from refined clay and fired at high temperatures, porcelain tiles are hard and dense and highly resistant to moisture, stains, and wear. This makes them ideal for both busy household floors and elegant wall coverings. With many finishes and designs, porcelain tiles can effortlessly elevate any room, whether you’re aiming for the sleek, luxury feel of large-format porcelain tiles or the look of warm, classic mosaic tiles.
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What’s the difference between ceramic and porcelain tile?
Tranquill 3x12 Glazed Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tiles are a delightful choice for sprucing up your space, available in both glazed and unglazed varieties. Much like their cousin, porcelain tile, ceramic tiles offer impressive durability and water resistance, making them perfect for moisture-prone areas like bathrooms, basements, and laundry rooms. What’s truly exciting about ceramic tile is its versatility. As a manufactured material, it incorporates vibrant dyes, providing an extensive palette of colors and styles. Ceramic tile a great option for walls, ready to complement any decor style you dream up!
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What are the pros and cons of natural stone vs ceramic tile?
Chevron Mosaic Natural Stone
Natural stone tile isn’t just a feast for the eyes. it’s a smart choice for comfort all year-round. Imagine walking across a refreshingly cool floor on a hot summer day—natural stone does just that! When temperatures dip, this versatile material pairs beautifully with radiant heating systems to keep your toes toasty and warm. Whether you're updating your kitchen, bathroom, entryway, or patio, natural stone tile brings a touch of earthy elegance that’s sustainable, practical, and everlasting.
Types of Natural Stone Tile
From the rich, deep hues of granite to the subtle, earthy tones of slate, each type of natural stone tile offers a unique charm and character to any space. Whether you’re drawn to the classic luxury of marble or travertine’s old-world textured appeal, there’s a natural stone to suit every style and preference. Perfect for floors, walls, and countertops, these tiles not only enhance the beauty of your home but also bring a slice of the natural world indoors.
Slate tile brings a touch of organic charm to your space with a darker, naturally textured surface that adds depth and character.
Marble tile elevates your space with its timeless elegance, showcasing luxurious veining and a polished finish that transforms any room into a sophisticated haven.
Limestone tile offers a soft, earthy elegance that creates a warm, inviting atmosphere. It is perfect for adding a touch of natural beauty to your home.
Travertine tile is one of the oldest building materials. Its warm, creamy beiges, rich golds and browns, sleek grays, and bold reds infuse your space with enduring sophistication.
Onyx tile has a touchable, smooth texture, deep, translucent colors, and striking natural patterns. This semi-precious stone offers an exquisite touch that can transform any room with an alluring visual appeal.
Brick tile combines rustic charm with classic style, instantly warming up any space with its timeless appeal.
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Compare the natural stone tile types to choose the best match for your style and project.
Luna Chevron Art Glass Tile in Oyster
Glass tile is a true showstopper, perfect for adding a touch of glamour and sparkle to any room. You won’t find the color and variety in ceramic or porcelain tiles as you will in glass tiles. Its reflective surface bounces light around, brightening up spaces and making them appear larger and more open. Whether accenting a bathroom wall with a mosaic glass tile pattern, creating a dazzling kitchen backsplash, or adding a splash of color to your pool, glass tile offers versatility and beauty that will liven up your home's design.
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Kaleidoscope Polished Metal Marble Mosaic
Metal tile brings an eye-catching, modern edge to any space. Its smooth, shiny surface adds a contemporary spin, perfect for creating a striking backsplash, a stunning bathroom feature, or a bold accent wall. Strong and easy to maintain, metal tile looks impressive and stands up to the rigors of daily life, ensuring your space remains beautiful and functional.
It is ultimately up to you to determine the best tile color for your space and personal taste. However, there are some general “rules for choosing tile colors that you may find helpful:
Lighter colors tend to make spaces appear larger
Darker colors can add warmth
Neutral colors allow you to change the look and feel of a room with accessories
Vibrant colors add character and are often seen as cheerful
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Picking the perfect tile for your kitchen or bathroom feels like a treasure hunt, doesn’t it? With a dazzling array of shapes, patterns, styles, and colors at your fingertips, the possibilities are truly endless. But where do you even begin? Feeling a bit daunted by the sheer variety available is completely normal.
Let's make it fun and easy! By exploring how different types of tile sizes and shapes can transform the look and feel of your space, you'll be better equipped to select the ideal tile that matches your vision and refines your home’s personality. Let’s get ready to find the perfect fit for your space!
New Form Penny Round Mosaic Tile
Meet the penny tile, also known as the round tile. These charming tiles add a touch of whimsy and nostalgia to your home. Its name comes from the cute little circles, which are about the size of a penny. A blast from the past, penny tiles first captured hearts in the early 20th century with their classic black-and-white patterns. Today, they've made a fabulous comeback, available in an array of colors, materials, and finishes to spice up any area.
What's more, penny tiles are a breeze to install. They come neatly arranged and attached to a mesh backing, making installation easy.
While you might find penny tiles in ceramic, they’re often crafted from porcelain. Why porcelain, you ask? It’s tougher and holds color beautifully, giving you a vibrant, long-lasting look. If you're aiming for a floor or wall with a unique, retro vibe that stands out, penny tiles are the go-to choice.
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Tribeca 1" Hex Glossy Mosaic Tile in Jade
Mosaic tiles have a rich history that dates to ancient times, and they’re just as popular in modern homes today. Typically, these tiles are tiny squares, ranging from about 2 inches down to dainty ½ inch pieces. They come in vivid colors and materials, ready to transform any room.
Thanks to their petite size, mosaic tiles offer incredible versatility. Whether crafting intricate borders to define different areas of a room or creating stunning murals that serve as eye-catching focal points, these tiles are perfect for bringing your creative visions to life.
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Caprice Pastel Bowtie Patterned Tile
Square tiles are a popular choice in tiling, and it’s easy to see why! They come in various sizes, from petite to impressively large. While you might encounter unique, non-standard sizes from different manufacturers, the most common dimensions are 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 18, and 24 inches. The larger tiles, starting from 6 inches, are typically the top pick for flooring projects.
One of the best things about square tiles is their simplicity. With their straightforward shape, planning your layout and figuring out how many tiles you'll need is simple. Plus, they're incredibly versatile. Feel free to mix and match them with tiles of other colors or shapes, like combining them with slender, rectangular tiles for a dynamic, eye-catching design. Dreaming up a unique kitchen backsplash pattern or designing a new geometric bathroom floor? Square tiles offer both ease and endless creative potential.
Essence 2.5x10.5 Subway Tile
Did you know that subway tile debuted in the early 20th century, gracing the walls of New York City’s subway stations? Since then, it has become a beloved classic in the tile world, cherished for its clean lines, simple elegance, and incredible adaptability. Subway tiles are part of the rectangular tile family and come in various sizes, typically ranging in widths of 1, 2, 3, and 4 inches and lengths of 4, 6, 8, and 12 inches.
Subway tiles are most seen adorning kitchen and bathroom walls, especially as chic backsplashes that add sophistication. But don’t let that limit your imagination—they’re also fantastic on floors! You can lay them in straightforward, stacked rows for a sleek, modern vibe, opt for a vintage brick pattern, or get creative with an eye-catching herringbone arrangement. No matter how you use them, subway tiles refresh any space with a touch of urban flair.
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Legend 8x48 Wood Plank Tile in Sand
Give your floors a stunning makeover. Wood plank porcelain tiles are a remarkable twist on traditional tiles, gaining popularity Thanks to advancements in tile printing technology. These innovations allow plank tiles to mimic the look of wood or stone so closely that it's often hard to spot the difference! Imagine having the warm, rugged charm of wooden floors or the cool, sophisticated elegance of stone without the upkeep or cost associated with these natural materials.
Here's a look at the most common tile sizes for wood plank porcelain tiles:
6 inches x 24 inches, 36 inches, and 48 inches
7 inches x 20 inches
8 inches x 32 inches, 36 inches, and 38 inches
9 inches x 36 inches
The magic really happens with the longer planks. The greater the length, the more seamless and realistic the floor will appear, especially if you select a grout color that closely matches the darkest tone in the tile. This creates a continuous, flowing appearance that enhances any room. For a touch of creativity, shorter plank tiles can be arranged in engaging patterns like herringbone, adding delightful texture and visual interest. This technique works wonders in large and medium-sized spaces, making them feel more dynamic and upscale.
Incorporating wood plank porcelain tiles into your home boosts its aesthetic appeal and offers a sturdy and resilient flooring solution that stands the test of time. Whether you're renovating your kitchen, bathroom, or living area, wood plank porcelain tiles provide a gorgeous, maintenance-free foundation that perks up your home's overall look.
Hexagon 2" Matte Mosaic Tile in White
Like to think outside the box? Hexagon tiles, or hex tiles, are exceptional choices for anyone who wants to step outside the typical rectangle and round shapes. These six-sided stunners are incredibly versatile and excellent for both floors and walls. Whether revamping a bathroom floor or giving some pizazz to a kitchen backsplash, hex tiles can handle almost any job.
Hex tiles are famous for their mosaic designs. They now come in larger sizes and can be used outdoors, making them even more appealing. Commonly found in 4, 6, and 8 inch dimensions, these tiles offer a fresh take on standard tile sizes. With their distinct shape and pattern possibilities, they can transform any area into a visually captivating space.
Octagon-shaped tiles are an unforgettable and understated option for bathroom flooring that can add a touch of classic charm. With their eight sides, these tiles are frequently combined with contrasting colors, such as sleek black and white, producing a stunning visual impact. This style, known as “octagon dot,” isn't just for floors—it also makes for a sophisticated and classy backsplash in your kitchen or bathroom.
The enduring popularity of octagon tiles shows no signs of waning. They continue to be trendy for those looking to infuse their spaces with a blend of traditional appeal and contemporary flair.
Triangle tiles are an outstanding pick for anyone craving a creative spin on the classic square tile. These playful pieces can be paired to form a perfect square, offering endless color combinations and design ideas. Imagine the fun you can have mixing and matching to create a vibrant mosaic or a subtle, elegant pattern that perfectly suits your style.
Choose larger floor tiles! The trick lies in having fewer grout lines, which helps create a seamless, more continuous look across your floor. Choose a grout color that closely matches your tiles to enhance this effect even further. This simple trick can visually expand your space. However, if your room is extra tiny, tiles larger than 18 inches might overwhelm the space. Stick to the sweet spot in tile size for the perfect balance, and watch your room open up!
Use small mosaic tiles to give your floors an enticing character. They bring delightful texture to your space, and their versatility shines as they effortlessly curve around fixtures like toilets, sinks, and bathtubs. And yes, while they have more grout lines, they actually contribute to a smooth, cohesive flow throughout the room.
Do you have a long, narrow room that you wish looked a bit broader? Here’s a neat trick: lay rectangular or plank-shaped tiles horizontally across the floor. This simple change in orientation works wonders, creating the illusion of a wider, more inviting space. It’s like a quick visual expansion, making your room feel more spacious than it really is.
Try this tip: Use smaller tiles to create a chic border around the edge of your room and lay larger tiles in the middle. This pleasing contrast adds visual interest and frames your space, making it feel more intimate and welcoming. It's a simple touch that can make a big difference in how your room feels.
Make your space uniquely yours with texture. Choose tiles in the same color and finish, but mix up the sizes using squares and rectangles. Lay them out randomly to create a visually attractive, textured look. It’s a simple tweak that adds more character to your room.
Now that we’ve explored all these exciting options together, why not see the tiles for yourself? Swing by any of our locations to check out these fabulous tile shapes in person. We can’t wait to help you find the perfect match for your space. See you soon!
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You can find ceramic wall tile for as little as $1.99 per square foot. On the other hand, porcelain tile can go up to $50 per square foot. We mainly focus on porcelain tile flooring at Avalon Flooring because it offers superior quality to ceramic tile flooring. The price varies based on a few key factors, like the materials used, as well as the size and shape of the tiles. Smaller, more intricate tiles like mosaics usually cost more due to the detailed cutting involved. Also, thickness plays a significant role in pricing. For instance, porcelain pavers are about twice as thick as standard porcelain tiles, which makes them nearly double the price. But don't worry. We're here to help you navigate these options and find the perfect fit for your space!
Many factors go into tile floor installation, including the size of your room, the tile material, the tile pattern and layout, subfloor prep, and finishing. When planning your budget, it's important to remember that tile installation is one of the more labor-intensive options, but it's also one of the most durable and long-lasting choices you can make. From the initial stages to the final touches like grouting, tile work usually takes 2-3 times longer than installing other types of flooring. Think of a quality tile installation as an investment in your space that pays off in beauty and longevity. We're here to guide you every step of the way, making sure your investment is well worth it!
While ceramic and porcelain tiles are champions at resisting water, making them perfect for splash zones like bathrooms and kitchens, they aren't entirely waterproof. Water can sneak through the unglazed parts or seep along the grout lines. Properly sealed grout plays a crucial role in preventing water from seeping beneath the tiles, which can lead to damage over time.
If you're eyeing natural stone tiles, remember that some are a bit like sponges—they love absorbing water. Regular sealing is the secret to maintaining their beauty and functionality in moist environments.
Allow us to help you ensure your tile choice looks great and stands up to the splish-splash of everyday life!
Tiles have unique characteristics, with porcelain being the least porous and ceramic a bit more absorbent. But here's the cool part: both porcelain and ceramic tiles are treated with a special glaze that makes them totally impervious to water. No extra coatings are needed—how awesome is that?
Porcelain tile is a real hero in wet areas. Thanks to its super low absorption rate, it's perfect for bathrooms and kitchens where spills and splashes are part of the daily routine. So, if you're looking for a tile that can handle all the hustle and bustle of a busy, wet environment, porcelain is your best bet. It keeps moisture out and style in, ensuring your spaces look great and perform even better!
Overall, porcelain tile is the most durable tile due to its density, strength, and resistance to stains, chipping, and scratches.
Types of shower tiles can include subway tiles, large format, mosaics, and many other styles. Overall, porcelain is the best type of bathroom tile for shower walls and floors, and glass tile is also ideal for bathroom shower walls. Both porcelain and glass tiles are impervious to water.
Indoor and outdoor tiles are crafted with distinct differences to suit their environments. Indoor tiles offer a broader range of styles and materials, including modern, easy-to-install options like porcelain. In contrast, outdoor tiles mimic natural outdoor elements such as pavement or stone. They are built thicker and tougher to withstand harsh weather, heavy usage, and UV exposure, ensuring durability and color preservation. Additionally, outdoor tiles feature a textured surface to prevent slips and provide traction, making them safer and more practical for exterior settings. Whether for style or functionality, choosing the right tile for each setting is key to optimizing aesthetics and performance.
We can't emphasize enough the importance of taking your time when choosing tiles. Explore your options, get samples, play around with ideas, and really get to know what you love before deciding. This way, you will surely end up with a finished project you're absolutely thrilled with. Happy tile hunting!
When remodeling a kitchen or bathroom, a very important element when choosing your materials is what kind of tile to use. There are endless amounts of types, colors, finishes, and applications of tile that the choices can be quite overwhelming. Thanks to a great relationship with our tile supplier, DalTile, we are able to give you the ultimate guide to picking out tile and what to expect from each type.
Let’s begin with the many different materials that can make up different types of tile. Some of these are more commonly known/used than others.
Porcelain – probably the most popular choice in tile today, porcelain is great because it’s the most durable material out there for the price. Porcelain tile is made of fine porcelain clays and comes in many different looks and colors to satisfy any kitchen or bathroom design. It won’t fade over time and is extremely water-resistant, making it an ideal choice in high-moisture areas.
Ceramic – Ceramic is on the lower end of the price spectrum, but that doesn’t make it lower quality. Ceramic tiles are also made of clays and other natural materials mined from the earth. Ceramic is very common because it is lower in price, but it does not have the same variety of color or style options that porcelain does. Like porcelain, it is great for high-moisture areas.
Glass – Glass tile is a great choice for areas such as kitchen backsplashes and showers, because it comes in beautiful colors and blends that can complement any style of space. The glass gives off a shine that sparkles in the light, giving it a very luxurious look.
Marble – Marble tile is on the higher end of the price spectrum, as it is a natural stone that must be refined and processed to become usable tile. It comes in many shapes and sizes and you can choose between polished or honed marble…polished being more shiny and honed being more matte in look and feel.
Metal/Metallic – Metal or metallic tile is usually only used as accent tile in either a shower or a kitchen backsplash. If you like a more industrial look, metallic tile is great because it brings the look of shiny, polished metal into the space.
Now that we’ve covered the different materials tiles can be made from, we can explore the different designs of tile that are available.
Mosaic – mosaic designs are created from several small pieces of tile that blend together to make a pattern or work of art. Oftentimes mosaics are made from glass tiles, but they can be created from all kinds of materials as well. Mosaics look great as kitchen backsplashes or accent strips in a bathroom.
Hexagon – hexagon tile has a certain sophistication about it that sets it apart from other designs. It looks great as a bathroom floor, especially if the tile is marble. Marble hexagon tile has been used in hotels and high-end homes for decades because of its clean, timeless, yet unique look.
Subway – subway tile is the term used for standard 3×6 solid color ceramic tiles, but lately there have been many new variations on this classic look. Subway tile is very popular among homeowners due to its simplicity and timelessness. It will work in any space, with any design, and in any color.
Wood-Look– wood look tile has been increasingly gaining popularity over the last few years because it provides the beauty of hardwood flooring without the maintenance or the cost. Most wood-look designs are created on porcelain tile, which we mentioned is the most durable tile available today and the least difficult to maintain. Tile companies have perfected the art of making wood-look porcelain tile nearly indistinguishable from the real thing, making it the perfect choice for a homeowner that wants the look of hardwood at a cheaper price.
Marble-Look – just like wood-look tile, marble-look tile has also gained popularity recently, and for similar reasons. Porcelain tile that has the look of marble is less expensive and easier to maintain than marble itself.
Once you have chosen the type and design that you like best, you can choose how you want to apply the tile in your home. There are several different applications for tile, and we have some recommendations for each one as follows:
At Archway, we specialize in helping you choose the perfect tile for your kitchen remodeling or bathroom remodeling project. To learn more about our remodeling service or to schedule your complimentary design consultation, please give us a call!
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