Floor Tiles

Types of Floor Tile

There are many types of floor tiles for indoor and outdoor use - we will focus on the types of floor tiles commonly used in homes and commercial properties with the exception of wood.

Natural Stone Floor Tiles

Natural stone tiles originate from many parts of the world and can vary dramatically, even for the same types of material. Common stone tiles include granite, marble, limestone and slate.

Granite Tiles

Granite tiles are great for heavy traffic areas. They are tough and durable and can be easily maintained. Granite tiles are great for indoor kitchens and some outdoor spaces, depending on the type of exposure to the elements.

Marble Tiles

Marble tiles are beautiful, especially if you get a great color and pattern combination. They are, however, very high maintenance. They can stain and scratch easily and will need to be properly coated and maintained on a regular basis, especially if you plan to use them in high traffic areas or areas prone to spills.

Slate Tiles

Slate tiles can be durable and often come with some type of texture, unless they have been treated. They are great for use in kitchens and high traffic areas.

Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tiles are processed and formed from clay and a mixture of materials. The finished product can vary greatly based on the method and materials used during production.

Porcelain (ceramic) Tile

Porcelain ceramic tile is made from clay and about 50% fieldspar - a type of crystal found in rocks. The fieldspar mixes with the rest of the material during processing and creates unique characteristics and appearance in the finished product.

Non-Porcelain (ceramic) Tile

Non porcelain ceramic tiles are made from clay and other minerals but does not contain fieldspar. Both types of ceramic tile (porcelain and non-porcelain) can be finished with a gloss or semi-gloss coating. There are also matte finishes. The process can be quite involved but overall the finished product is quite durable.

Cost for Floor Tiles

Floor tiles can be expensive, especially certain types of marble or granite tiles. In general Ceramic (porcelain or non-porcelain) tiles may be the best value because they are more cost effective and durable, often being finished to be stain resistant and somewhat water resistant. You can expect to pay anywhere from $2 to $10 per square foot - depending on the type of tile and finish.

Choosing the Right Floor Tile

Be careful about your decision on which type of floor tile to use. Using the wrong tile in the wrong place can end up being costly. Stop in our Brooklyn tile showroom and speak to a specialist about your project and let our experts guide you through choosing the right tile at the right price.