Most bathrooms are tiled with ceramic. Some colors, textures and styles can only be manufactured using ceramic tile technology. The most popular type is the glazed ceramic tile. This has a ceramic base with a very shiny coat of glaze on top. One of the most popular styles is the subway tile. This 3″ x 6″ or 4″ x 8″ tile usually is installed in a brick pattern. The biggest advantage of ceramic tile design is that it’s maintenance free. It is not porous, can be easily cleaned and comes in a variety of colors and styles. The disadvantage is that wear and tear may crack or chip the top glaze. This will create a visible mark because the base is a different color than the glaze coat.

Extremely durable, porcelain is made of the same material from top to bottom. Even if the top chips or scratches, the mark is not visible. Porcelain tiles that imitate real stone are very popular. Since tiles vary slightly in shade and texture, it is difficult to tell porcelain from real stone. In addition, porcelain is priced very competitively. Durability, attractive appearance and great pricing make porcelain one of the most widely used tiles today. 

Nothing says sophistication and luxury like natural stone tiles. Materials like limestone, marble, granite, travertine and slate all make a distinct impact on your overall design. Marble’s unique veins make it a sophisticated and beautiful tile for luxury bathrooms and kitchens. Stone tiles come from different regions and quarries have different colors and veining so that the stone tile you install in your home—whether its Brazilian Granite or Italian Marble—are entirely unique. Some stone, like marble, is porous and therefore prone to staining. Because of this propensity for staining, it requires more maintenance than other stones like granite and must be polished every few years or so.

With its veins and texture, marble is unparalleled by any other stone. The popularity of marble, however, has decreased significantly over the years. Marble has been very popular building material for millennia, quarried in mountainous regions around the world. Prized for its beauty, style, and elegance, this material has graced the palaces of kings and queens for centuries, making it an upscale, luxurious option for interiors. When used for floors, marble has some undeniable virtues, but it also comes with some serious drawbacks and concerns that must be understood. The disadvantage is that marble is porous and can stain. It also requires more maintenance than any other tile and must be polished every few years. No flooring material conveys elegance like marble tiles, but marble is a temperamental stone that requires considerable care when installing it and when caring for it afterward. Be aware of its limitations before you spend the money on marble flooring.

Concrete tile is just about impervious to damage, resistant to steam and moisture, and offers an industrial look perfect for urban design. And because concrete is such a versatile material, concrete tiles come in an endless variety of textures and shapes. Pairing a smooth concrete floor tile with a textured concrete wall tile—or even a poured concrete countertop can add drama and contrast to your bathroom or kitchen. Concrete tiles will outlive us. The biggest advantage, hands down. Once you make the investment, you can be sure that they’ll hold up well for the long run.

This has become a big trend in recent years. At one time, it was extremely expensive but now is much more affordable. Glass tile can be used as a border or used to create beautiful mosaics in a great variety of colors and custom blends. The beauty of glass tile is unique because the glass reflects the light, which highlights every tile. Installing glass tile requires a higher level of expertise and some special materials but if you like the look, it’s worth it. As previously mentioned, there are many options available to you if you decide that you are interested in glass tile.  Glass helps to make the interior of a room larger as it reflects light and keeps rooms brighter for extended period of time.  There are a number of great advantages associated with choosing glass tile.