Tile Types & Materials

Ceramic tiles

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This is one of the most common types of tile found in the home because it’s suitability in many uses around the home. Increased durability makes ceramic tiles perfect for any room in the house, such as kitchens, bathrooms, or even entryways. It’s easy to install, clean, and comes in hundreds of styles that can fit any design. For a bonus, if you’re looking to renovate on a budget, ceramic tiles normally offer a great price. It has a high abrasion resistance and can come glazed or unglazed. While unglazed gives an artistic, rustic finish, glazed ceramic tiles provide more protection for longer lasting floors.

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Porcelain

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Porcelain is a hard ceramic tile, non-porous and completely waterproof. The appeal of porcelain comes from its ability to emulate natural stone, brick, or wood—and without any of the maintenance. You can get the same elegant finish without any of the upkeep or weathering. In addition, as it’s an all-purpose tile, it comes in a variety of designs, colours, and styles to suit anyone's tastes when designing your space. Porcelain can even be used outdoors, as it will not freeze, fade, or crack. Other applications for porcelain tile include bath or kitchen tile, high-traffic areas, and kitchen backsplashes. 

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Cement Tile

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Cement tiles have been around since the 19th century and they’re currently experiencing a bit of a comeback in modern interior design. Cement tiles are extremely versatile and can provide you with amazing patterns and colours. Since the tiles are extremely porous, a patina can develop over time to enhance the pattern. They can also be sanded and resealed like wood floors if they get discoloured over time.

 

Mosaic Tile

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Mosaic is a type of tile made from small pieces of glass, clay, stone or other materials to assemble into an image or to cover surfaces (swimming pools, bathrooms, kitchens). Patterns with different colours and material are placed on a sheet to simplify laying.

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Quarry Tile

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Quarry tiles are made with ground materials, like feldspar, clay, and shale that are ground together then baked at over 2000 degrees. In a process that’s very similar to making bricks (though technically stronger). Since these tiles are fired at extremely high temperatures, they are naturally dense, nonporous, and water-resistant with an extremely low water absorption rate. They can be glazed or left in the natural finish.

 

Terracotta

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Terracotta is a clay-based earthenware with a porous body that can be glazed or unglazed. Warm, organic and rustic in feel terracotta not only speaks of ancient worlds both east and west, but has also been used as a means of creating contrast within contemporary interior settings often being used as a base colour.  This timeless and exquisite tile leans well to the farmhouse style. It is also common as a central feature to Edwardian, Tudor and Victorian architecture.

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Glass Brick

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Glass bricks are mostly produced for wall application but they can also be used for small sections of floor. Glass bricks provide a visual obscuration while emitting artificial or natural lights. The stain resistance of glass makes it a fantastic alternative to natural stone. Red wine and any acidic foods like lemon and vinegar are wiped up with ease without any permanent staining. This type of tile also offers a clean and minimalistic aesthetic. A potential drawback is that glass will, of course, chip quite easily along the edges this is a good reason not to use glass tiles in high-traffic areas like kitchen and bathroom floors.

 

Natural Stone

 

Natural stone tiles are used for interior and outdoor design. It is a very hard stone which can support heavy loads. It is resistant to any condition ,which is why it makes one of the most popular stone to use indoor or outdoor. We highly recommend contacting MC Slates 'World of Stone' for advice, information and sales.

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Natural stone tile types include:

 

Granite Tile

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Granite is a combination of different natural stones melted by magma and its slow cooling process forms large crystals. It is a very hard and durable stone similar to marble. It is easy to clean and scratch resistant. It has a similar look and feel to marble because of its natural flecks, though it can be a cheaper alternative.

 

Limestone Tile

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Limestone is another type of natural stone tile. Limestone will achieve a truly rustic style filled with natural tones, shades, and variation. It delivers a natural appearance that’s almost reminiscent of ancient architecture and design. The rich appearance and variety of colours and size make it a great option for really any space. A truly classic look.

 

Travertine Tile

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Like limestone, travertine tiles offer a natural, one-of-a-kind aesthetic. It’s soft, subdued palette provides beautiful neutral tones, from gray to tan, red to beige, its swirling surface produces an elegant and unique statement in any room. As a porous stone it is absorbent but when grouted and sealed it becomes smooth and a suitable tile for any floor.

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Sandstone

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Sandstone is a natural choice when it comes to flooring. It has shades that are similar to the beach and desert sands, with colours that range from brown and tan to gold and red. Due to its durability, many homeowners choose this type of tile, especially in high-trafficked areas. The subtlety of texture found in sandstone sets it apart from the pitted surface of many travertines, and the more clean cut, smooth finish of certain limestone’s. Small grains and layering are visible in its surface giving it a uniquely tactile, natural texture.

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Slate

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Slate is one of the most affordable types of stone flooring, making this timeless classic a suitable choice if on a budget. Slate tiles are popular around the home, from traditional kitchens and hallways to the utility and bathroom.

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Marble

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Marble is a type of limestone, crystallised by pressure and heat. It can be Polished Marble, which is going to have a finishing glass-like shine and touch or it can be tumbled marble, with a surface that has been roughened through abrasion. Though costly, marble tiles add an instant touch of elegance and refinement to any room. If you’re looking to add beauty to any kitchen or bathroom, laying down marble tiles immediately upgrades the space, and delivers texture and depth.

As it’s either patterned or veined you’ll have a unique tile every time.

In addition to being quite costly, marble requires a lot of upkeep to keep it looking pristine. It is difficult to clean and is susceptible to scratches and stains. 

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Materials

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Cement Board

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Cement boards or tile boards are sheets made of cement and fibres containing cellulose. The primary purpose of cement boards are to serve as backing for tiles, it is superior to paper-covered gypsum, plaster board, at this task because of its resistance to water. Cement board is used anywhere tiles are installed to add strength to the supporting structure. It can be applied to an existing wood floor to make way for new tiles, on top of cabinets to create counter tops, or installed on a wall to create a sound surface on which to tile on. It can be used both on exteriors or interiors and can be attached to both wood and steel studs.

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Tile Matting

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Tile matting is designed to be used in a wide range of applications as a decoupling layer, on floor tile installations. From absorbing lateral movement from substrates and to bridge stress / shrinkage cracking in substrates, to preventing such movement being transferred to the finished tiles.

The matting can be used when installing a large variety of tiles including ceramic, porcelain and natural stone. It can also be used to tile over timber floors.

It is ideal for domestic and commercial applications in light, medium and heavy duty environments. Tiling matting can also be used on a problem cracked floor or on green screed. As in many cases, cracks emanating from a concrete bed or screed will migrate to the surface resulting in an unsightly floor and one in need of a potentially costly repair.

 

Tile Adhesive

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Tile adhesive or mortar is used in the first step to laying new tiles. It is basically the “glue” that gets the tiles to stay in place. There are three main types of mortar: thinset, mastic, and epoxy.

Thinset mortar is perhaps the most common type. Traditionally, it is cement-based and comes in powdered form. When mixed, it has a smooth, sticky consistency and creates a strong bond between the tile and the surface, making it a popular choice.

Tile mastic is a sticky adhesive that comes in a pre-mixed tub. It is essentially water-based acrylic glue. It  has a long shelf-life, meaning it can be stored longer than other types of adhesives before it’s used

Epoxy mortar is the strongest type of tile adhesive. It’s resin-based and typically comes with three components – resin, hardener and powder. The product sets very quickly and provides a strong bond to the surface. It is waterproof, chemical and grease-resistant making it a preferred choice for industrial floors. Its drawbacks are that it is more expensive than the other types and it has a strong smell.

 

Grout

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Tile grout is, most commonly, a cement-based mortar that fills the space between tiles. This provides a clean finished look and acts as a preventative measure against mould and bacteria build-up. The range of colours it comes in, means that you can match it to your tiles and create a uniform look.

The main types of grout are sanded, unsanded and epoxy.

Sanded grout is a mortar compound that has fine sand mixed into it for better durability. It is mostly used for filling in wider spaces starting from 3mm. Its added strength makes it a good choice for grouting floors. The material is ideal for stone, marble and granite, as well as for tiles which are on the heavier side.

Unsanded grout does not contain any sand, although other additives can be mixed into it. It is best used to fill in thin grout lines, up to 3mm, as the lack of sand makes it easier for the compound to get into the tighter space..

Epoxy grout is the most durable and most difficult to work with. It is however, waterproof and chemical resistant, making it perfect for bathrooms and showers. It is best for ceramic, porcelain and vitrified glass tiles.

 

Tile Sealer

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Tile sealer is a liquid coat applied to the porous surface of the tile. It protects tiles from oxidation, natural deterioration and day-to-day wear. Typically speaking, sealers protect unglazed tiles and grouts from absorbing stains.