Popular Tile Options and the Spaces They Suit Best

Selecting tile for your home projects can be a fun design decision, but it comes with a lot of responsibility. Because tile is expensive to install and difficult to change out, it should not be chosen lightly. Start with your personal style and budget, then choose materials and tile sizes that fit your vision. In this article, we detail the different tile types you’ll encounter, as material and size will influence your project’s final look, cost and maintenance.

Read on for expert-based insights from tile industry pros – Fiorella Cosgrove of Cortina Tile, Elizabeth Legault from Best Tile and Schannon Yodice of That Tile Chick.

Tile Materials

From luxury natural stone to affordable manmade options, tile materials run the gamut in price, installation cost, and maintenance. As for longevity, all properly installed tile, with the exception of very low-quality products, will last for decades. The truth is, most tile goes out of style long before it actually needs to be replaced. Consider timeless tile looks to avoid early rip-outs due to changing trends.

Marble

Marble tile can be used for flooring, countertops, shower walls and backsplashes. However, it’s not low maintenance, requiring careful cleaning and regular sealing to prevent stains. “You can use it anywhere, just know your traffic pattern,” Cosgrove says. “It’s typically used in less trafficked areas like powder rooms, but we sell a lot for backsplashes, entryways and hearths, too.”

Granite

Granite tile is harder and less porous than marble, so it is often used for high-traffic flooring in kitchens, entryways and bathrooms. It’s also used for backsplashes and shower walls. Granite will also need regular sealing, but it resists stains better than marble.

Ceramic

Durable and affordable, ceramic tile works great in high-traffic spaces. “It’s a fired clay with a glazed surface,” Cosgrove explains, so it also pairs nicely with radiant flooring systems, providing even warmth through the tile. Available in a wide variety of sizes, styles and shapes, ceramic tile is versatile and easy to cut and install.

Porcelain

Porcelain is a very hard, manmade tile that’s nearly impervious to water. “It’s made from minerals, so is far less porous,” Cosgrove says, making it a popular choice for outside applications, bathrooms and kitchens. It also holds up very well in high-traffic areas.

Glass

Glass tile works as a feature wall, backsplash or accent, but never for floors. It should also be professionally installed. “Glass tile is a special tile and should be installed by someone skilled with that material, as it takes special blades, cutting techniques and installation techniques,” Yodice says.

Tile Sizes

While technically any size tile could be used in any application, some tiles lend themselves better to certain situations. “What you want the space to look like will depend on the size tile to use,” Cosgrove says. Be aware that a small tile means more grout with more cleaning and maintenance, particularly for floors.

Mosaic tile

Small tiles with connective netting on the back; mosaic tiles are a popular choice for shower floors and accent features. “For showers with a center drain, the floor will need to be pitched,” Legault says. “Mosaic tiles are easier to create this pitch due to their small size.”

Subway tile

Today’s homeowners still use a lot of subway tile, but in larger sizes than the traditional 3×6-inch format. “People are moving to slightly bigger subways, like 3×12’s and  2 ½ x 8’s, but it’s still primarily used for shower walls and backsplashes,” Legault says.

12×12

It may have fallen out of favor in recent years, but 12×12-inch tile is making a comeback, according to Legault. “Checkerboard floors are starting to see a resurgence, and people are using 12x12s to get that look,” she says.

12×24

A very popular choice, 12×24-inch tile is most often used for flooring, but can be used on shower walls as well. “The larger tiles need less grout, which means less maintenance,” Legault says, helping to explain the appeal.

Large format

The biggest trend in tile sizes is large format, which includes anything larger than 12×24-inch. “We’re seeing things larger and larger,” Cosgrove says. “Larger tiles look more modern and sleek – and people don’t like lots of grout.” These oversized tiles can be used on backsplashes, floors and shower walls. However, large-format tiles are more difficult to install and often require professional installation.

FAQ

Can I use the same tile for both my bathroom floor and shower walls?

“Yes, you can use the same tile for bathroom floors and walls if that tile is suitable for that space,” Yodice says. “It depends on the project and use.” For example, wall tile isn’t durable enough to be used on a main bathroom floor that will see a lot of traffic.

What is a PEI rating, and why does it matter?

Established by the Porcelain Enamel Institute, a PEI rating measures a tile’s durability under foot traffic. “PEI ratings are one to five,” Cosgrove says. “One is wall tile, two is light traffic, three is any residential room, four is light commercial use, and five is heavy commercial traffic like bus stations or airports. It’s all about glaze strength.”

About the Experts

• Fiorella Cosgrove is manager of Cortina Tile in West Springfield, Massachusetts, a family-run business.
• Elizabeth Legault is a design consultant at Best Tile in West Springfield, Massachusetts.
• Schannon Yodice is a contractor and host of YouTube’s ThatTIleChick, offering detailed how-to videos for homeowners and DIYers. She also created the Online Tile Academy, an online school to help students learn how to install waterproof showers and set tile.

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