ctnfind the ideal flooring material for your entryway, kitchen, shower room and more, including ceramic, slate, mosiac and stone tile options.
In this article:
Stone
Slate
Marble
Ceramic tile
Glazed tile
Unglazed tile
Quarry tile
Mosaic tile
Stone
Description
most frequently used stones for flooring include slate, marble, granite, sandstone and bluestone
available in geometric or irregular shapes
an expensive flooring material with a hard and noisy character
solid and earthy in appearance but can be cold underfoot if the floor below is unheated
installation need to be in a cement bed or on to a concrete subfloor
Uses
because of its expense and weight, stone is used generally in smaller areas of the home such as entrance ways, halls, around fireplaces and in kitchens
when considering stone as a possible flooring material, the floor on which it will rest need to be able to adequately support the load or overstressing of structural frame may result
Maintenance
requires little maintenance, minimal sweeping and mopping
very durable, although any cracks or chips may be tough to repair
Slate
Description
dense, fine-grained stone with a slightly rippled surface
colours: dark grey (most common), purple, green, green-purple, black, blue-black
surface finishes: clear stock (solid colour throughout), ribbon stock (darker bands are predominant)
moderately expensive
Uses
most proper in main living areas or as an accent
take caution, is slippery when wet
not encouraged for bathrooms
Maintenance
highly long lasting and stain resistant
regular sweeping and occasional wet-mopping, joints may require scouring
can scuff in high traffic areas
Marble
Description
smooth and opulent stone that is normally veined
certain marble veining allows for creation of certain patterns (slide slip, end slip, book match, quarter match or diamond match)
available in slabs (up to 40” square) or tiles (1/2” thick and between 8” to 12” square)
available in nearly any colour, a lot of common: black, brown, grey, rose, blue, white
most common types with own certain markings: dolomite, travertine, onyx, serpentine, calcite
surface finishes: polished (glossy, high gloss) and honed (satin, smooth with little or no gloss)
most expensive of all floor coverings
Uses
anywhere a formal or sophisticated character is desired: principal bathrooms, dining rooms, entrance hallways
can be used as an accent with other flooring
only a contractor must install large slabs; tiles can be laid easily, although the tiles themselves are tough to cut
take caution: slippery when wet
Maintenance
regular cleaning and polishing
moderately long lasting but varies depending on type
frequent resealing required to stop staining and scratching
Ceramic tile
Description
once relegated exclusively to shower room use, ceramic tiles are now welcome in all areas of the home
versatile and available in a substantial variety of colours which makes them appealing for use in kitchens, family rooms, dining rooms, utility rooms and entrances
water- and stain-resistant
bring relief from hot weather in the summer
cold to the touch and potentially a source of discomfort in the winter
high gloss and glazed tiles are especially slippery when wet
prices are moderate to expensive with the most costly being those with multi-colour glazes and textured surfaces
Uses
because of their slippery nature, unglazed or non-gloss ceramic tiles with roughened surfaces must be used in high-moisture areas
Maintenance
(see types of ceramic tiles below)
Glazed tile
Description
high-fired, dust-pressed clay available in square, rectangular and hexagonal shapes
most common sizes are 6” by 6” to 10” by 10”
floor tiles are thicker than ceramic wall tiles because they need to stand up to harder wear
surface can be glazed (colour derived from glaze), semi-glazed or matte
tiles with dull or matte finish are a lot of proper for floors as they are less slippery when wet than tiles with glossy finishes
available in a large variety of colours and patterns
are amazing to the touch can be uneasy in colder climates unless floor below is heated
reinforcement to carry weight of tiles may be required when installing on wooden floors
backs of tiles will be brownish owing to extra firing
moderately expensive
Uses
in wet areas where sanitation is important, around showers or bathtubs
choose a product that makes sure appropriate traction for use in wet areas
used in entrances, kitchens, bathrooms, around fireplaces and as an accent
should not be used in bedrooms
Maintenance
sweeping and occasional wet-mopping
resistant to water, heat and a lot of household chemicals
hard wearing and tough to stain
glazed tiles are water resistant, but grout is not and must be sealed
Unglazed tile
Description
colour is mixed into clay to give tile its surface colour
shapes and sizes like glazed tile
finishes are normally dull
Uses
any living area is appropriate
unglazed tiles not proper for areas that will get wet, especially for areas leading to the outdoors
Maintenance
regular damp-mop and occasional scrubbing of grout
more long lasting than glazed tiles, maintains colour longer
unglazed are water permeable and must be sealed to stop water absorption
stain easily and must be sealed
Quarry tile
Description
are unglazed, unpatterned tiles made from natural clay available in earth tones of brown, red or yellow
are hard and dense in duller colours than other ceramic tiles
most economical of all ceramics
usually square or rectangular, but also irregular shapes
usually larger sizes of 6” and 8” squares
noisy and cold
Uses
used generally in country interiors
kitchens, bathrooms, halls anywhere that will receive hard wear
excellent in leading from indoors to outdoors
appropriate for patios
Maintenance
most long lasting of ceramic tiles
easy to clean, generally sweeping
resistant to dirt, moisture, stains, freezing and abrasion
are very porous and may require a stain-resistant sealer
Mosaic tile
Description
small tiles measuring between 1” to 2” for squares and 1” by 2” for rectangles
also available in hexagons
available in glazed or unglazed finishes
available in 12” by 12” sheets for ease of installation
Uses
most frequently used in bathrooms
also in entrances and kitchens
Maintenance
very durable
damp-mopping and scrubbing of grout in sufficient