Styles of Ceramic & Porcelain Tile

When discussing ceramic and porcelain tile, the first thing that must be done is defining the difference between ceramic and porcelain.

The main difference is that porcelain is fired at a much higher temperature, making porcelain more resistant to moisture, staining, and wear than other tile products.

Ceramic and porcelain tile flooring is offered in a broad range of textures, patterns and sizes, and when combined with a spectrum of grout and glaze options, they offer significant design options for any room in virtually any home style.

Glazed Ceramic
Glazed ceramic tiles are coated with glass-forming minerals and ceramic stains. Typically, they have a matte, semi-gloss or high-gloss finish.

They can offer better stain and moisture resistance than unglazed tile.

Glazed tiles can also have different finishes and you should be aware of them for future considerations. High gloss finishes can be more slippery and scratches can become more visible, while matte or textured finishes help with traction and scratches, and dirt is less visible.

Unglazed Ceramic
Unglazed ceramic tiles are very hard and dense. They come in various surface treatments and textures. Typically, these tiles are installed outside your home as they do not offer much protection against stains compared to glazed ceramic tile.

Unglazed tiles do have good slip resistance , but please note that they do require sealing to help prevent staining.

Porcelain
Porcelain tile usually falls into the ceramic tile category and is the hardest and densest tile available. Porcelain tile also has a water absorption rate of 0.5% or less, making it applicable for interior and exterior use. Porcelain is available in glazed and unglazed.

Because the color in porcelain tile goes all the way through, they are non-porous, resist scratching and can withstand temperature extremes.

Sizes and Shape
Ceramic and porcelain tile is manufactured in sizes ranging from one-inch to twenty-four-inches square - plus rectangles, octagons, and more.

Ceramic tile is normally boxed and priced by the square foot, regardless of the size of the individual tile itself.

You should also know that tile size is relative. Tile is usually referred to by its nominal size, not its actual size. During the firing process, ceramic tile will shrink, on average, by about 10% in size. For example some 12" by 12" floor tile will actually measure 11-7/8 inches square.

Currently, the most popular ceramic floor tile are trending larger. It is not unusual to find 16" X 16" or 18" x 18" and larger sizes in homes today. Often times, people think that small rooms call for small tile. That is not necessarily true. In fact, incorporating a larger size tile in a smaller room will visually increase the visual size of the space. And fewer grout lines will help create a cleaner surface appearance.

Conversely, using a tile size that's too small creates more grout joints that may make the floor look too busy, again depending on the size of the space.

The Many Faces of Ceramic
The look of natural stone is very popular but some consumers prefer ceramic or porcelain over stone due to price and maintenance considerations.

In answer to consumers' demands, ceramic and porcelain manufacturers have created tiles that offer textures, colors and patterns resembling natural stone products, including slate, travertine, and marble, as well as various metals.

To further enhance the natural look, tile can also be made to feature heavy textures, chiseled and hammered edges, and even resemble tumbled stone.

The feel of a tumbled stone or slate looking ceramic tile will be irregular and somewhat rough. A tile simulating marble or granite on the other hand, will have a very smooth, polished feel. In addition to the feel, textures also vary in degree of shine, ranging from dull to semi-gloss to glass-like.

Outdoor
Ceramic tile is a versatile product, with many styles designed for today's popular outdoor living areas.

Outdoor tile typically features non-skid finishes designed for safety when wet, sometimes installed on patios, walkways, or around pools.

Another important characteristic of ceramic tile designed for outdoor applications is its resistance to frost.

Ceramic tile manufactured for outdoor use has very low water absorption, minimizing the cracking, chipping, and other effects of expansion when the temperature falls below freezing. These tiles are specifically marked and identified as frost resistant.

Mosaics
Tile size 2" x 2" and smaller are usually mesh backed and referred to as mosaics. They are often used with larger or plain tiles in different colors to create a pattern. Small square insets are known as insets. Some of these smaller tiles also come in different shapes, such as hexagon, so feel free to let your imagination run free.

Glass mosaics are very popular today and are available in a myriad of gorgeous colors. Glass mosaics are comprised of glass rather than ceramic material and are coated with a layer of colored or transparent glass.

Borders, Accessories, Customization, and More
In addition to ceramic tile styles, manufacturers also offer decorative inserts, medallions, borders, and custom mosaics that are used to create intricate patterns and beautiful borders.

Some ceramic tiles can even have designs that are silk screened, hand painted, embossed or etched for a custom look.

Patterned borders made up of different size tiles or different colors can create beautiful looks.

Simple variations in color, shape or size can be patterned within a room, or across several adjoining rooms.

When creating a pattern with different tiles, you should know that the more prominent tile that is throughout the largest areas is called the "field tile."

Combining styles and patterns of ceramic tile flooring with countertop and wall products can also create beautiful designs, and give your room an aesthetic balance.

Grout
Grout is a type of cement that is used to fill the space and provide support in tile joints.

There are two types of grout commonly used in home installations; Portland cement based, and epoxy based. Epoxy Grout has great stain resistance characteristics.

Both of these grout compounds may have sand added to provide additional strength to the tile joint. Sanded grout is recommended for tile joints 1/8th of an inch and larger. Unsanded grout is typically used in joints that are smaller than 1/8th of an inch.

Grout color and thickness will change the appearance of the floor and room dramatically.

Grout can be pigmented to give a nearly infinite range of colors, shades and hues. Pigment is added to the cement at the job site when the grout is mixed.

Using a white or a light colored grout highlights the color in tile. Choosing a dark grout with a light tile, or light grout with a dark tile will emphasize the geometric pattern of your layout. Most people match the grout to the background of their field tile.