Renovating
How to Choose The Right Tiles for the Right Purpose
There are all sorts of tiles you can use in your home but how do you choose the right one, for the right job?
Tiles come in a wide range of materials, colours, textures and can be relatively affordable. However, how do you choose which type of tile to use for which area?
Glass tiles
Glass tiles are best known for their beautiful colours, transparency and super shiny surfaces, although there are now matte versions too. They are commonly used in swimming pools because of their stunning colours and reflective ability.
While glass tiles don’t stain, they can be tricky to install because of the translucency. As the amount of grout lines increases tremendously with these small tiles, so does the effort required in maintaining them!
Use For: Backsplashes and accent walls in showers
Price: $20 to $130 per square metre depending on the quality and size
Glass tiles are best known for their beautiful colours, transparency and super shiny surfaces, although there are now matte versions too. They are commonly used in swimming pools because of their stunning colours and reflective ability.
While glass tiles don’t stain, they can be tricky to install because of the translucency. As the amount of grout lines increases tremendously with these small tiles, so does the effort required in maintaining them!
Use For: Backsplashes and accent walls in showers
Price: $20 to $130 per square metre depending on the quality and size
Mirror tiles
Mirror tiles are a form of glass tiles that have the same or similar reflective backing on them as mirrors. They are slightly less durable than glass tiles - usually because they’re larger and more likely to break during installation.
Use For: Backsplashes
Price: $10 to over $100 per square metre depending on the size
Mirror tiles are a form of glass tiles that have the same or similar reflective backing on them as mirrors. They are slightly less durable than glass tiles - usually because they’re larger and more likely to break during installation.
Use For: Backsplashes
Price: $10 to over $100 per square metre depending on the size
Natural stone tiles
The choices here are tremendous: marble, granite, limestone, travertine, sandstone, onyx, slate and quartzite. Each one has different characteristics in terms of colour, durability/hardness and functionality/maintenance.
The finish of the stone tile will determine where it can be used. A polished finish is not suitable for bathroom floors but can be used on the walls. Honed and flamed are two other common finishes.
The choices here are tremendous: marble, granite, limestone, travertine, sandstone, onyx, slate and quartzite. Each one has different characteristics in terms of colour, durability/hardness and functionality/maintenance.
The finish of the stone tile will determine where it can be used. A polished finish is not suitable for bathroom floors but can be used on the walls. Honed and flamed are two other common finishes.
Limestone is the softest stone and granite is the hardest; marble is in the middle.
Slate is another kind of natural stone tile that was really popular in the 1980s, but it’s often uneven and is prone to staining unless it’s been finished with a top coat.
Use For: Interior and exterior floor and walls (check porosity and hardness first)
Price: Depending on the type of stone, from $10 to over $200 per square metre
Use For: Interior and exterior floor and walls (check porosity and hardness first)
Price: Depending on the type of stone, from $10 to over $200 per square metre
Encaustic tiles
These patterned and unglazed tiles have been popular in recent years. They are made of two or more coloured clays which are inlaid to form a pattern. Many wrongly call them ‘encaustic cement tiles’. True encaustic tiles have to be sealed to prevent staining or etching from acids/alkalis.
Tile manufacturers now offer ceramic tiles that mimic the patterns of encaustic tiles. Designs range from Moroccan to floral to geometric.
Use for: Any interior floor or wall even wet areas if properly sealed
Price: From $5 per piece
Learn more about encaustic tiles
These patterned and unglazed tiles have been popular in recent years. They are made of two or more coloured clays which are inlaid to form a pattern. Many wrongly call them ‘encaustic cement tiles’. True encaustic tiles have to be sealed to prevent staining or etching from acids/alkalis.
Tile manufacturers now offer ceramic tiles that mimic the patterns of encaustic tiles. Designs range from Moroccan to floral to geometric.
Use for: Any interior floor or wall even wet areas if properly sealed
Price: From $5 per piece
Learn more about encaustic tiles
What are ceramic tiles?
Ceramic tiles are tiles that are made of clay and then fired to harden them. They are extremely versatile and come in such a wide range of designs, colours, textures and sized that they can be used in any room, on the walls or floor and even as a countertop. Ceramic tiles is a broad umbrella under which you’ll find:
Ceramic tiles are tiles that are made of clay and then fired to harden them. They are extremely versatile and come in such a wide range of designs, colours, textures and sized that they can be used in any room, on the walls or floor and even as a countertop. Ceramic tiles is a broad umbrella under which you’ll find:
Terracotta tiles
The name is a translation from Italian meaning ‘baked earth’. These clay-based ceramic tiles have a rustic look and ages well. Expect colour variations but that’s the beauty of these tiles. Being porous, they require sealing.
Use For: Areas where shoes are worn or high-traffic areas like entrances/foyers, balconies and verandahs.
Price: $10 to $48 per square metre depending on the size and if they’re new or reclaimed
The name is a translation from Italian meaning ‘baked earth’. These clay-based ceramic tiles have a rustic look and ages well. Expect colour variations but that’s the beauty of these tiles. Being porous, they require sealing.
Use For: Areas where shoes are worn or high-traffic areas like entrances/foyers, balconies and verandahs.
Price: $10 to $48 per square metre depending on the size and if they’re new or reclaimed
Subway tiles
If you add a glaze to earthenware tiles to make the surface less porous, this is called a glazed ceramic tile and the subway tile is a modern version of this. They’ve been around since 1904 but have been wildly popular in recent years. They are used in kitchens and bathrooms because they fit well into the minimalist or Scandinavian interior style.
Check out other ways to lay subway tiles
If you add a glaze to earthenware tiles to make the surface less porous, this is called a glazed ceramic tile and the subway tile is a modern version of this. They’ve been around since 1904 but have been wildly popular in recent years. They are used in kitchens and bathrooms because they fit well into the minimalist or Scandinavian interior style.
Check out other ways to lay subway tiles
Subway tiles or other sorts of glazed ceramic tiles are hard wearing, affordable, and easy to clean. You’ll mostly find them in white but they are available in other colours; and newer versions come in different proportions (e. g. thiner and longer) and even as squares.
Use For: Kitchen and bathroom walls
Price: From $5 upwards per square metre
Use For: Kitchen and bathroom walls
Price: From $5 upwards per square metre
Base Chiaro
Stoneware tiles
The next level of ceramic tile after the glazed ceramic tile is something called Stoneware, which is usually much stronger and harder because it’s fired at a higher temperature. Although called ‘stoneware’, it is a ceramic with a compact, hard, coloured and non-porous body. Using a different type of clay, these tiles can have a hard, glassy surface in either a matte or shiny finish.
The next level of ceramic tile after the glazed ceramic tile is something called Stoneware, which is usually much stronger and harder because it’s fired at a higher temperature. Although called ‘stoneware’, it is a ceramic with a compact, hard, coloured and non-porous body. Using a different type of clay, these tiles can have a hard, glassy surface in either a matte or shiny finish.
Some versions of Stoneware tiles have been treated to look like timber flooring which makes them a great choice for high traffic areas in your home, particularly if you have kids or pets. These tiles are also affordable, easy to clean and quite durable, and are easy to install too.
Use For: Floors or walls, and also bathrooms and laundry areas
Price: From $10 to $20 per square metre depending on the size and quality
Use For: Floors or walls, and also bathrooms and laundry areas
Price: From $10 to $20 per square metre depending on the size and quality
Stone Wave Dark
Porcelain tiles
The hardest and most-long lasting type of ceramic tile is the porcelain tile. These tiles are made from white clay and good quality tiles can look translucent.
The hardest and most-long lasting type of ceramic tile is the porcelain tile. These tiles are made from white clay and good quality tiles can look translucent.
Porcelain tiles come in a wide variety of sizes, colours, patterns and even textures.
Use For: Walls, backsplashes and wet areas like showers and exteriors
Price: From $15 to $40 per square metre depending on the size and design
9 new porcelain tile finishes about to hit the market
Use For: Walls, backsplashes and wet areas like showers and exteriors
Price: From $15 to $40 per square metre depending on the size and design
9 new porcelain tile finishes about to hit the market
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Have these tips on tiles been helpful? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.