A Comprehensive Guide to the Different Types of Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tiles are a versatile and popular choice for flooring, walls, and backsplashes, offering a wide range of styles, colors, and textures. Understanding the different types of ceramic tiles will help you make informed decisions and choose the perfect tile for your specific needs. 

 

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the various types of ceramic tiles available, highlighting their unique characteristics and ideal applications.

 

What Are Ceramic Tiles?

 

Ceramic tiles are made from clay, sand, and other natural materials that are shaped, glazed, and fired at high temperatures. This process creates a durable and versatile product that can be used in various applications throughout your home. 

 

They are a staple in kitchens and bathrooms due to their water resistance and ease of cleaning, but their aesthetic versatility means they're increasingly found throughout other living areas as well.

 

Types of Ceramic Tiles

 

Glazed Ceramic Tiles:

 

• Characteristics: Glazed ceramic tiles feature a protective layer of glaze applied to their surface after firing. This glaze makes them resistant to stains, moisture, and scratches, and provides a vast array of colors, patterns, and finishes (from matte to high gloss). The glaze is essentially a liquid glass that is fused to the tile's body during a second firing.
• Applications: Glazed ceramic tiles are highly versatile and suitable for a wide range of indoor applications, including bathroom and kitchen walls, backsplashes, and light to medium traffic floors. They are commonly seen in residential settings for areas like laundry rooms and even decorative floor accents where heavy wear isn't a primary concern.
• Advantages:
• Extensive variety of colors, designs, and finishes.
• Very easy to clean and maintain due to the smooth, impermeable glaze.
• Excellent resistance to stains and moisture penetration on the surface.
• Generally more affordable than porcelain.
• Disadvantages:
• The glaze can chip or crack under heavy impact or if a very hard object is dropped on it.
• If the glaze chips, the unglazed body underneath may be visible and absorbent.
• Not typically recommended for high-traffic commercial areas or outdoor applications in freeze-thaw climates due to potential water absorption in the body if the glaze is compromised.

 

Unglazed Ceramic Tiles:

 

• Characteristics: Unglazed ceramic tiles do not have a glaze layer. Their color and texture come directly from the natural materials and firing process. They are typically more porous than glazed tiles and often have a more rustic or earthy appearance. To protect them from stains and moisture absorption, they usually require sealing.
• Applications: Unglazed ceramic tiles are suitable for low-traffic floors and walls. They are often used in outdoor areas, patios, and rustic-style interiors where a natural, matte look is desired. Think of a farmhouse kitchen or a Mediterranean-inspired patio.
• Advantages:
• Natural and authentic rustic appearance with inherent color variations.
• Excellent slip resistance due to their unglazed, often textured surface.
• Very durable and long-lasting, as there's no glaze to chip.
• Color goes all the way through, so wear or chips are less noticeable.
• Disadvantages:
• More porous and requires regular sealing to prevent staining and water absorption.
• Limited color and design options compared to glazed tiles, as colors are natural.
• Can be more challenging to clean due to their textured, porous surface.

 

Porcelain Tiles:

 

• Characteristics:Porcelain tiles are a type of ceramic tile made from finer, denser clays and fired at much higher temperatures than standard ceramics. This process results in an extremely dense, hard, and less porous tile with a very low water absorption rate (0.5% or less, making them considered impervious). They are highly resistant to frost, stains, and scratches.
• Applications: Porcelain tiles are highly versatile and suitable for high-traffic floors (both residential and commercial), walls, and outdoor areas in any climate. They are commonly used in kitchens, bathrooms, entryways, commercial lobbies, and patios due to their superior performance. Many now come in large formats or mimic natural wood and stone.
• Advantages:
• Extremely durable and long-lasting, resisting heavy wear and impact.
• Very low water absorption rate makes them highly resistant to moisture, stains, and frost.
• Resistant to scratches, dents, and chemical damage.
• Wide variety of styles, colors, and realistic finishes, including through-body options where the color extends throughout the tile.
• Disadvantages:
• Generally more expensive than standard ceramic tiles.
• More difficult and time-consuming to cut and install due to their density.

 

Quarry Tiles:

 

• Characteristics: Quarry tiles are thick, hard, unglazed ceramic tiles made from natural clay or shale. They are extruded rather than pressed, giving them a dense, robust body. They are known for their high durability, excellent slip resistance, and resistance to chemicals and stains. They typically come in earthy red, brown, or gray tones.
• Applications: Quarry tiles are suitable for heavy-duty applications, such as commercial kitchens, industrial floors, high-traffic commercial spaces, and outdoor areas. Their rugged nature makes them ideal where performance is paramount.
• Advantages:
• Extremely durable and long-lasting, built to withstand severe conditions.
• Excellent natural slip resistance, even when wet.
• Highly resistant to chemicals, acids, and heavy impacts.
• Requires minimal maintenance once installed (though unglazed types may benefit from sealing).
• Disadvantages:
• Limited color and design options, typically in a rustic, earthy palette.
• Can be thick and heavy, requiring a very stable subfloor.
• Can be cold and hard underfoot.

 

Terracotta Tiles:

 

• Characteristics: Terracotta tiles are unglazed ceramic tiles made from natural, iron-rich clay, which gives them their distinctive warm, reddish-brown (terracotta) tones. They are porous and have a rustic, earthy appearance.
• Applications: Terracotta tiles are suitable for floors, walls, and outdoor areas in warmer climates. They are commonly used in Mediterranean, Spanish, and rustic-style interiors and patios, adding a charming, traditional feel.
• Advantages:
• Natural, warm, and rustic appearance.
• Provides good traction when unglazed.
• Durable when properly installed and maintained.
• Excellent thermal mass, absorbing and radiating heat.
• Disadvantages:
• Very porous and absolutely requires sealing to prevent staining and water absorption.
• Can chip or scratch more easily than denser ceramics or porcelain.
• Limited color palette, generally within the red-orange-brown spectrum.
• Can be heavy and challenging to install.

 

Choosing the Right Ceramic Tile

 

1. Consider the Application:
• Floors: Choose durable and slip-resistant tiles for high-traffic areas (e.g., porcelain, quarry).
• Walls: Opt for lighter and more decorative tiles for walls and backsplashes (e.g., glazed ceramic, lighter porcelain).
• Outdoor Areas: Select frost-resistant and durable tiles for outdoor applications (e.g., porcelain, specific unglazed ceramics).
2. Evaluate the Durability:
• PEI Rating: Check the Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) rating to determine the tile's durability and suitability for different applications. PEI 0 is for walls only, PEI 5 for heavy commercial traffic.
3. Assess the Water Absorption:
• Water Absorption Rate: Choose tiles with a low water absorption rate (e.g., porcelain with less than 0.5%) for bathrooms, kitchens, and other wet areas.
4. Select the Style and Finish:
• Color and Design: Choose tiles that complement your décor and personal style.
• Finish: Select a finish that suits your needs, such as glossy (reflective, easy to clean), matte (less glare, better grip), or textured (natural look, slip resistance).

 

Visit Standard Tile & Explore Our Collection of Ceramic Tiles

 

Understanding the different types of ceramic tiles will help you make informed decisions and choose the perfect tile for your home. Whether you need durable flooring for a high-traffic area, water-resistant surfaces for a bathroom, or decorative tiles for a backsplash, there is a ceramic tile that meets your needs.

 

Call or Visit Standard Tile in East Hanover, Edison, Jersey City, Succasunna, Totowa, or Watchung. We are an industry-leading tile retailer with tile stores across New Jersey. We’ve won three Best Of Houzz awards for service and design, and our tile selections will take the interior of your home to the next level. View our galleries here, and visit us at one of our showrooms today for kitchen tile, bathroom tile, porcelain tiles, and ceramic tiles for all of your home’s living areas.