About Tile Flooring

Looking for a timeless yet durable floor that compliments your home's design while holding up to your chaotic household? Floor tile is the perfect material thanks to its density, durability, and versatility. It's easy to care for and available in every shape, pattern, and color you can imagine. 

Types of Floor Tile

You might already be familiar with the two main types of floor tiles, porcelain, and ceramic. But did you know that they're so durable, they're often used in outdoor settings? Both are clay tiles that provide impressive support for heavy traffic and have similar installation requirements. Plus, they repel water and are perfect for bathrooms, kitchens, and other high-moisture spaces. 

Whether you're looking for shower floor tile, mosaic tiles for a backsplash, or shower walls, tile can bridge the gap between beauty and practical durability in a bathroom. When it comes to kitchen floors, and tile in other areas of our home, the strong construction of both types of floor tiles leads to years of graceful, worry-free wear. No matter what room you're looking to add a tile floor to, it's important to understand the different types of tile before you choose. Then comes the hardest part - deciding what look you'd like for your interior.  

Explore more about different flooring types in our flooring guide. This will help you understand which tile flooring material will be best for your space.

Tile Appearance

There's more to ceramic and porcelain floor tiles than the neutral-hued basics we commonly see. Both types come in an array of shapes and sizes, from realistic, wood-like planks to hexagons and oversized rectangles. You can also incorporate other types of tile like mosaic tiles or natural stone into your flooring design. It's easy to find a floor tile that meets your design vision, whether that's a solid hue, unique pattern, or replica of a particular wood look or natural stone. That's right, if you love the look of wood floors, you can now get a wood look in spaces where moisture is a concern. Interested in learning more about tile design styles? Check out our blog post - Timeless Versatile Tile Flooring!

Durability and Maintenance

Tile provides a tough, durable surface despite its delicate look. Both porcelain and ceramic tiles are extremely durable options, resisting scratches and the stress of the daily bustle of an active household. Tile performs well in high-traffic areas and provides lasting beauty in our home.

Ceramic and porcelain tiles require properly installed and sealed grout to fully resist water seeping down to the subfloor. Regularly sweep or vacuum your tile floors with a soft brush attachment and occasionally use a mop or sponge for a deeper clean. Since there are so many varieties of tile, be sure to check with the manufacturer for care instructions specific to the floor tiles you install. 

Don't miss our flooring guide for more details on the care and maintenance of tile.

Floor Tile Lifespan

With proper installation and care, porcelain flooring tiles can last decades, as can ceramic tile floors. For both types of tile, well-sealed grouting is imperative for long life, but that's not the only factor. The longevity of your floor tiles will also depend on: 

• How it's installed and the quality of the materials used 
• The amount of wear and tear the tiles receive
• How you care for and maintain the tile
• Whether you follow the manufacturer's guidance

Before you make your final decision, make sure to ask about the warranty provided. High-quality warranty protection will ensure your new investment serves you well as long as possible. 

Choosing the perfect tile can be difficult but choosing a flooring store with professionals to guide you can be a big help. Experienced flooring experts can help you find the best tile materials to achieve the design style you want and stand up to your everyday life.

Need more tips on choosing tile? There's more advice in our flooring guide.

Floor Tile Installation

Tile installation of any kind can be a labor-intensive process. Ceramic and porcelain tile both adhere to the subfloor with glue, and the surrounding joints are filled with grout. Our professional installation team has the skill set, tools, and years of experience to complete the job efficiently and properly. 

One thing to consider when looking at porcelain tiles is their weight. Generally, the weight of porcelain tile requires a sturdy and smooth subfloor, like a plywood underlayment or concrete slab, so it's rarely used in a home's upper levels.

Tile Flooring Cost

The cost of floor tile largely depends on the type of tile you choose, where you're installing it, and who's tackling the installation. Remember that the lowest prices often indicate lower quality tile. Be sure to understand the type of tile you are purchasing and make sure it will stand up to the expected use of the space. Higher-end and larger-sized tile products can cost more than standard floor tiles, but if that's the look you love, they will be worth the investment and last for a long time. The area of the space you're tiling will determine how much product you need and how long the job will take. Professional installers generally base their quote on the square footage, so installing one area of bathroom floors, for instance, will be a lower cost than open-floor plan living and large kitchens. The best way to budget for your tile project is to request a free tile estimate.

Pros and Cons of Flooring Tile

Tile offers clear advantages, including:

• Tile is incredibly durable, lasting for many decades
• There are many affordable tie options
• Tile is easy to clean and maintain
• Tile is beautifully versatile throughout your home. 

On the other hand, tile floors do have some disadvantages:

• Tile can be cumbersome to install since they're heavy and require sturdy support. 
• You may not prefer the cool feeling of tile under your feet.
• Grout can sometimes be frustrating to keep clean.

Porcelain vs. Ceramic Floor Tile

Both porcelain and ceramic floor tiles make perfect flooring options for busy areas in your house. In fact, they're often mistaken for each other since they can look similar and are both made of clay. The main distinction between the two is their construction. Porcelain is made of a finer, purer clay mix that's fired at a high temperature, making them dense. Both can be used in the same applications and locations, including kitchens, bathrooms, and mudrooms, among others. 

Wall Tile

While much of the tile we install goes on the floors, there are many options for tile on the walls too. Tile's water-resistant nature makes it perfect for backsplashes, showers, and other areas of your home that need a durable, waterproof surface that looks beautiful. Ceramic tile is the better option for most wall tile needs. Kitchen backsplashes, accent walls, and bathroom showers can benefit from this less heavy but still waterproof option. Just ensure that the ceramic tile you choose is clearly identified as suitable for water.

Wall tile is easy to clean and long-lasting, which explains its common use in kitchen backsplashes and shower and bath surrounds. There are many tiles, designs, and styles to choose from! A Carpet One expert can help ensure you find a gorgeous tile that meets the needs of your particular installation.

Tile Floor Frequently Asked Questions  

What kind of tile is best for flooring?

The best kind of floor tiles depends on the job at hand. Determine what is most important to you and learn more about the different types of tile before you choose.

Is tile better than vinyl for floors?

Tile and vinyl are two excellent choices for wet areas around your house, like your kitchen, mud room, and bathroom floors. Both flooring options can replicate wood and natural looks, plus they both excel in busy homes with kids, pets, and constant foot traffic. 

Can you use floor tiles on walls?

Floor tiles can be used on walls, but not the other way around —wall tiles shouldn't be used as flooring. Thinner, lighter wall tiles aren't durable enough to handle the weight and pressure of foot traffic. 

What is the best type of tile for a kitchen floor?

You'll find both primary types of tile used as kitchen floor tiles since they're resilient and easy to clean. The strong surface of tile can easily stand up to your culinary experiments, especially if your sous chefs are prone to making a mess. 

What is the best type of tile for a bathroom floor?

Bathroom floor tile is available in both porcelain and ceramic materials, and a flooring expert can help you identify specific products that are best suited for your use. The good news is that whatever tile you choose will be cost-effective, low maintenance, and durable, so you can spend less time mopping up your kid's bathtime and focus more on what matters most: them!

What is the best type of tile for a shower floor?

Porcelain! Shower floors see a lot of moisture, making a waterproof flooring option like porcelain tile the best option. It's not only safer than ceramic thanks to its low absorption rate but it's also a little easier to clean. 

Specific Tile Floor Types

Tile by Color

• Blue Floor Tiles
• Green Floor Tiles
• White Floor Tiles
• Black Floor Tiles
• Beige Floor Tile
• Brown Floor Tile
• Gray Floor Tile
• Red Floor Tile
• White Mosaic Floor Tile
• Yellow Floor Tile

Tile by Room

• Living Room Floor Tiles
• Bathroom Floor Tile
• White Bathroom Floor Tile
• Kitchen Floor Tiles
• Basement Floor Tile
• Gray Bathroom Tile
• Gray Kitchen Tile
• White Kitchen Tile

Tile by Type

• Ceramic Tile
• Porcelain Tile
• Wood Look Tile
• Tile Sale
• Wood Look Tile

Contact Your Local Carpet One Store

Ready to experience the texture & quality of tile in person? Explore diverse flooring options and engage with our experts for personalized assistance. Get in touch with a Carpet One store near you today!