There are thousands of tile options on the market, all varying in type, style, colour, shape, and application. The choice on which would be the best one to buy for your particular space could be a bit daunting. The beauty of design is that it never boils down to only one right answer for every situation, each project is unique and so is the style of design. Narrowing down the search by identifying the best type and size of tile for your space would help in making the decision easier. I may dedicate a future post to going into more detail of each tile type but this one will just be a quick synopsis of the types to choose from and their best uses.

TILE TYPES

There’s a wide variety of tile materials to choose from that have different properties and will work best depending on the various needs for applications.

CERAMIC is the most popular tile material used in homes as it’s the cheaper option and has been around much longer than porcelain. It’s available in a wide variety of styles and sizes and artisans have been known to create unique custom pieces for the right price, which can in some instances be very pricey. Ceramic tile is best used for wall applications in low traffic areas and should only be used in indoor residential spaces. Due to its porous nature, it can easily be stained and may be damaged or hold unpleasant scents when exposed to too much water so its use in a kitchen or bathroom may not fare well in the long term unless proper sealing is completed and maintained. Commercial use is not recommended; however, it could fare well as a decorative wall tile in an area with low traffic.

PORCELAIN is a type of ceramic tile made with a finer grained clay and fired at a higher temperature, making it a denser tile more suitable for a wider range of uses. Porcelain tiles have to pass strict international testing standards that check the tile’s water absorption rate for it to be marketed as a porcelain tile. This testing measure helps to ensure that the tile you’re purchasing will be suitable for use both indoors and outdoors and will stand up to daily use. Always be sure to check the Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) rating of your tile. The PEI rating is based on tests that were conducted to determine the durability of the surface layer of the tile to withstand use in various applications. The PEI rating ranges from 0 to 5 with 0 being unsuitable for foot traffic but fine for wall applications in low traffic areas and 5 being suitable for heavy commercial foot traffic. The downside to using porcelain tiles is that with its higher density, it’s more difficult to cut than ceramic tiles and requires a steady hand and sharp tools.

STONES such as marble, travertine, slate, and granite, are another popular tile choice. Marble is the most commonly used stone tile of the set but it is also the softest and can be scratched and stained very easily. Avoid using marble in locations where it could be exposed to red wine, tomato sauce, curry gravy, or other liquids/materials that can transfer stains. Bonus points may be rewarded for successfully cooking curry goat in a white shirt on a marble countertop without incident, but post videos or it didn’t actually happen. The potential for staining can be lowered if the marble is maintained by sealing them every few months and being sure to clean any spills as soon as they occur. Travertine is one of the oldest building materials in existence and it’s very durable and stylish with long lasting potential. It’s also the most difficult to install as it’s the heaviest tile on the market, so ensure that you have an experienced tiler on the job. Slate tiles are also very durable, considered the most stain-resistant and it’s actually fireproof! They have a very rustic appearance and are limited in colour to earth tones. Granite, while popular as a countertop material is a great tile choice as it’s anti-bacterial and won’t be damaged by water contact. Granite tiles are a great option for bathroom or kitchen use and are available in more unique colours and patterns than marble, travertine, or slate. It’s important to note that all stone tiles MUST be sealed for longevity and exposure to water.

OTHER popular tile materials include glass and metal. These are both excellent for use as an accent or to add an element of luxury to the space. Many mosaic pieces tend to blend metal and glass together on a sheet to combine the luminous qualities of the glass with the reflective properties of metal, creating a stunning look. Glass tiles are quite durable and resistant to breakage in most circumstances but can be scratched easily. Unlike the other tile types, glass and metal tiles are the most difficult to install as imperfections in cutting are more visible and adhesives may show through some tile types. They also have a low coefficient of friction and thus can be hazardous when applied to a floor in a wet area such as the shower.

TILE SIZE

Choosing the best tile size for your space isn’t an exact science, but the size of the tile and how it’s laid can help in making a small space appear larger or when used incorrectly could make large spaces appear cramped. A general rule of thumb is to match the size of the tile with the space. For larger spaces like a large kitchen or an open plan area, a large format tile would work best. A medium sized room/bathroom would do well with a medium sized tile, and a small room/bathroom would benefit from smaller tiles etc. Large format tiles in a small space would need to be cut many times for fit and if not planned properly or with a skilled tiler, could result in very odd angles to fit the space and a greater possibility of the end result being a large tile running down the center with smaller cut tiles along the edges or grout lines in odd locations.

A medium tile for a small room/bathroom or a large tile for a medium sized room/bathroom will work wonders in making the space seem larger than it is by minimizing the appearance of grout lines. Smaller tiles or patterns in a large space would create a busy appearance due to multiple grout lines and could result in the space appearing smaller than it is. Smaller tiles are great in mid-larger rooms as an accent feature in a shower niche or as the backsplash in a kitchen.

Consider also the way the tiles are laid. Rectangular tiles could make a room look wider if they’re laid perpendicular to the longest wall. Vertical grout lines would bring your eyes upwards and make a room appear taller than it is while horizontal lines would help to make the room seem wider.

Don’t shy away from odd shapes, hexagons are a great shape to use for flooring and can even make a room appear larger with their diagonal edges. Laying a tile in a diagonal pattern could also help to make a room appear larger by tricking the eyes into thinking there is more space between opposite walls.

Now that you’re armed and equipped with the basic design guidelines and have determined the best tile type and size for your space, you can walk into your local tile store with confidence and purchase the tile that’s right for you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you’re still uncertain and when using multiple tiles in one space, it helps to do a side by side tile comparison in store. Good luck and happy tile hunting!