If you want to add a bit of style to your home, tile flooring is a great option. It’s versatile and easy to clean.
But what are the main types of tile for flooring? Let’s look at the most common types of tile flooring in 2024.
What Types of Tile Flooring Are There?
Some of the most popular types of tile flooring include:
- Porcelain Tile
- Ceramic Tile
- Glass Tile
- Granite Tile
- Marble Tile
- Other Natural Stone Tiles
Not including installation, they range in price between $1 and $200 per square foot.
5 Types of Tile Flooring You Should Know
As a homeowner, you’ll want to know what each type offers to choose the best option for your home.
Here is a quick rundown of some of the most popular types of tile flooring in 2022.
1. Porcelain Tile Flooring
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Porcelain is a superior type of ceramic tile made from clay. Compared to their red clay ceramic counterparts, porcelain tiles have a longer lifespan because they are made with a higher ratio of silica and quartz and are baked at a higher temperature.
Porcelain tile can be a chameleon-like material due to its versatility in appearance. It comes in many attractive styles, including geometric patterns, naturalistic designs like trees or flowers, and realistic animal shapes like lions or elephants.
The color palette for porcelain tile is relatively broad; you’ll find everything from black through white to shades of blues and greens (which can look great when combined with lighter hues).
Porcelain tiles can be etched, textured, and glazed to look like wood, pricey marble, or even industrial bricks.
Porcelain tile is a harder and denser material than ceramic and requires a specific tool: a diamond-blade wet saw, so keep that in mind if you plan on installing it yourself. Porcelain tiles, including labor, can cost anywhere from $11 to $44 per square foot.
2. Ceramic Tile Flooring
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Ceramic tile is a popular choice for home improvement projects because it can be used for many different purposes. They’re made from clay and other materials, and they come in many different styles and colors.
Ceramic is a hard surface, which means it’s durable and can withstand high-traffic areas like kitchens. However, ceramic tile floors can chip or crack if not handled carefully.
It’s an excellent option because of its affordability and longevity, making it a good fit for high-traffic areas like the foyer, kitchen, and bathroom.
Compared to other flooring options like carpet, wood, or vinyl plank, glazed ceramic tile is more durable and resistant to stains and damage. Ceramic tiles range from $9 to $44 per square foot.
3. Glass Tile Flooring
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When it comes to the tile in your kitchen or bathroom shower, nothing shines quite like glass. Glass tiles are the most stain-resistant option, remaining unscathed even after prolonged contact with red wine or lemon juice.
Despite its many benefits, glass tile is best used on walls since it is so easily damaged when something heavy is dropped on it. Glass tile flooring colors range from clear and light to dark, with various colors.
The most popular colors are white and black, but you can also find green, blue, and red glass tiles. The color of your glass tile will depend on your preferences and what fits with the rest of your décor. Glass-tiled floors can cost anywhere from $28 to $114 per square foot.
4. Granite Tile Flooring
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Granite is a type of stone that has speckles and flecks embedded in it, which makes it a beautiful option for worktops or floors. Granite is a great material for countertops and other wet areas since it is resistant to water and won’t discolor.
Granite usually comes in large slabs, so it’s not a good choice for those who want to save money. Granite tile flooring colors are an excellent choice for any kitchen. This type of tile is highly durable, so it will last through years of use.
Granite tile flooring is available in various colors, including black, white, and brown tones. Natural stone tile installation costs $10 to $200 per square foot, depending on the type of stone used (including marble, granite, sandstone, limestone, and slate).
5. Marble Tile Flooring
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Marble is an extravagant and classy option, despite being one of the most expensive natural stone tile choices. It has an air of sophistication and boldness that is difficult to achieve with other materials.
Marble, formed under intense heat and pressure and thus naturally veined with mineral lines, is incredibly durable and can withstand the rigors of daily living.
When it comes to enhancing the look of a room, maybe no other material can compare to the sophistication and elegance of marble tile. Natural stone is naturally accessible in various colors, including green, gray, beige, white, black, and many more.
It has stunning depth and contrast, presenting a spectacular array of color veining. If you’re shopping for marble tile, it’s essential to look for any rough spots that could need extra sealing to prevent stains owing to the material’s porous nature.
Other Natural Stone Tile Flooring
Many other types of natural stone, besides marble and granite, may be used as tile.
Indoor flooring made of porous stones like slate, limestone, travertine, or sandstone needs frequent sealing to prevent stains and discoloration.
Slate Tile
Slate is a solid, water-resistant material, making it suitable for use in areas that are likely to see a lot of water exposure, like baths, kitchens, and mudrooms.
While slate is a tough flooring material, it is also quite brittle, so the tile is likely to break if something heavy is dropped.
Limestone Tile
One widespread usage for limestone tile is in bathrooms and showers. Limestone comes in many densities, with the higher ones having a lower moisture absorption rate.
A high-quality penetrating, breathable sealer applied and reapplied once a year will make the stone more stain-resistant and low-maintenance.
Travertine Tile
The installation of travertine tile can enhance the aesthetic appeal of a room. You may prevent scratches and cracks with regular care and upkeep. You must reseal it every 3–5 years.
Those living in colder areas may find the stone uncomfortable to walk on because of its chilly underfoot temperature. For a typical installation of travertine tiles, expect to pay between $10 and $44 per square foot.
Sandstone Tile
Outdoor sandstone tiles are long-lasting and may be used for various purposes. They are ideal for use on garden walkways and even outdoor showers.
However, they don’t have quite the same longevity as porcelain because of their porous nature. The bathroom is one place where sandstone may look fantastic, but sandstone tile can become slippery if it gets wet. This is especially problematic in the restroom.
Things to Consider
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If you’re looking at installing tile floors in your home, there are a few things to consider.
Location
You can get modern tile designs for each room in your home. Any floor will do in certain rooms, but others, like bathrooms and mudrooms, have special requirements.
Avoid more porous tiles like stone and travertine if you need a tile that can withstand moisture and water. If installing tile in a bathroom, consider using porcelain or ceramic tiles instead because they are more resistant to moisture damage than other materials.
Durability
If you have pets or children, you should opt for durable tile that can withstand heavy foot traffic and cleaning products.
Maintenance
Polished marble floors will only look their best if they are regularly maintained with polish. You should also consider the time and effort it takes to maintain your tile.
If you don’t have the time or resources to regularly clean and polish marble floors, consider choosing another material.
Style
Choose a tile that complements your home’s interior style, whether traditional, modern, or something in between.
Installation
Granite tile is a beautiful flooring option, but it can be challenging to install. If you’re not experienced with DIY projects, consider hiring a professional contractor to handle the installation.
Price
The cost of tile floors can vary depending on their material and size, so it’s a good idea to know how much you want to spend on your new flooring.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Here are common questions people ask about tile flooring.
What is the most popular floor tile?
Subway tile is the most popular floor tile. It is the most classic and widely used tile style and is often available in various rectangular shapes and hues.
You may “stack” them horizontally or vertically or arrange them in the standard pattern that resembles offset bricks.
Are dark or light floors in style this year?
Darker brown shades have gained popularity since the pandemic, even though lighter floor colors are favored for their ability to provide the illusion of more significant space and light.
The trend toward warmer, more nostalgic interiors continues.
Should tile floors be lighter or darker than cabinets?
No hard-and-fast rule states that floors must be the same color as cabinets or vice versa. If you’re remodeling your kitchen or bathroom, picking the floor color might be challenging.
If you want a space to look larger, use lighter floor tiles and darker cabinetry. Darker tile and cabinets in the middle of the color spectrum make a room feel cozy without making it feel too small.
Combining a dark floor with dark cabinetry creates a dramatic impression. If you’re set on a floor of a neutral tone but don’t want it to seem boring, opt for one with a unique texture or pattern.
What is the most popular flooring in new homes?
Tile is the most common flooring in new homes because it can be used in many ways and lasts for a long time. Tiles are easy to install and come in various colors, sizes, and styles
Whether you’re looking for a sleek and modern look or something more rustic, tile can work with any home style. Tiles that appear like stone or wood are becoming popular in new homes.
Designs in new construction often use classic materials like marble, limestone, and slate. Concrete-like tiles are an excellent option for a modern appearance and feel.
What floor tile is trending right now?
Wood-look tile, which faithfully recreates the look and feel of genuine wood without the inherent weaknesses of wood, remains a fan favorite.
Wood-look tiles are now trendy, especially those with unusual patterns and designs like mosaics and hexagons.
Traditional square tiles in sizes of two, four, or six inches are now on-trend due to their ability to evoke nostalgia and modernity.
This is especially true when set off by contrasting grout. To get a graphic aesthetic evocative of, well, graph paper, use grout with a high contrast to highlight the grid and bring out the tiles.
Should tile floors be lighter or darker than cabinets?
No hard-and-fast rule states that floors must be the same color as cabinets or vice versa. If you’re remodeling your kitchen or bathroom, picking the floor color might be challenging.
If you want a space to look larger, use lighter floor tiles and darker cabinetry. Darker tile and cabinets in the middle of the color spectrum make a room feel cozy without making it feel too small.
Combining a dark floor with dark cabinetry creates a dramatic impression. If you’re set on a floor of a neutral tone but don’t want it to seem boring, opt for one with a unique texture or pattern.
What is the most popular flooring in new homes?
Tile is the most common flooring in new homes because it can be used in many ways and lasts for a long time. Tiles are easy to install and come in various colors, sizes, and styles
Whether you’re looking for a sleek and modern look or something more rustic, tile can work with any home style. Tiles that appear like stone or wood are becoming popular in new homes.
Designs in new construction often use classic materials like marble, limestone, and slate. Concrete-like tiles are an excellent option for a modern appearance and feel.
What floor tile is trending right now?
Wood-look tile, which faithfully recreates the look and feels of genuine wood without the inherent weaknesses of wood, remains a fan favorite. Wood-look tiles are now trendy, especially those with unusual patterns and designs like mosaics and hexagons.
Traditional square tiles in sizes of two, four, or six inches are now on-trend due to their ability to evoke nostalgia and modernity.
This is especially true when set off by contrasting grout. To get a graphic aesthetic evocative of, well, graph paper, use grout with a high contrast to highlight the grid and bring out the tiles.
So, Which Tile Flooring Will You Choose?
There are many types of tile for flooring, including ceramic, porcelain, natural stone, glass, and more.
Each type of tile flooring has its own unique aesthetic and pros and cons.
When choosing the right one for your space, it would be best to consider what kind or style of tile you want for your home and its durability, price point, and ease of maintenance.