Selection Guide

THE INS & OUTS OF TILE

It wasn’t all that long ago when available tile options were limited at best. Homes featured the all too familiar 4x4 glazed tile in the kitchen splashes and the bathroom tub surrounds, and the mosaic quarry pavers in the entries that were later replaced by 8x8 ceramic tiles. Natural stone was limited to a small sampling of marbles, usually reserved for the homeowners with larger budgets.
Oh how times have changed. Tile has become, not only a durable finish material, but a desirable one due to the fact that what we once thought of as “ceramic” now encompasses an overwhelming variety of porcelains, terra cottas, leathers, metals, glass and natural stones including limestones, travertines, slates, marbles and granites. When you add the endless mix of decorative liners, accent pieces and mosaics the design possibilities are un-limited. Virtually any look you can imagine can be realized utilizing tile.
Below are some of the most commonly used tiles and natural stones being used in design today and what you should know when selecting tile for your home.

CERAMIC
Benefits: Huge variety of colors, shapes, sizes, finishes and textures; for use in kitchens, baths, and on the floor; very durable; easy to maintain; affordable.
Cautions: Can feel hard underfoot; can feel cold. Some finishes can prove slippery when wet.
Care & Maintenance: Simply sweep, vacuum and mop as needed. For wall tile, use a gentle cleaning agent and a soft cloth.

PORCELAIN
Benefits: Huge variety of colors, shapes, sizes, finishes and textures. Can be used nearly anywhere in home; extremely durable; easy to care for; can be made to look like natural stone, wood, fabric or metal.
Cautions: Can feel hard and cold underfoot; more expensive than basic ceramic.
Care & Maintenance: Simply sweep, vacuum and mop as needed.

MARBLE
Benefits: Classic look. It’s smooth, polished surface, over time, will develop a soft matte patina. Good for low-traffic areas such as a powder bath.
Cautions: Polished marble can scratch, etch and stain. Dirt and sand will dull the finish over time. Very slippery when wet. Consider a honed or natural finish; must be sealed with a penetrating sealer.
Care & Maintenance: Simply sweep, vacuum and mop with a neutral pH cleaner as needed.

LIMESTONE
Benefits: Range of soft colors for creating soothing environments. Excellent for showers and bathroom flooring as it offers sure footing when wet; develops an attractive patina over time.
Cautions: Soft, porous limestone scratches and stains more easily than the dense varieties. Sealing will help prevent staining, but will not help with scratching; must be sealed with a penetrating sealer; can be pricey.
Care & Maintenance: Simply sweep, vacuum and mop with a neutral pH cleaner as needed.

TRAVERTINE
Benefits: Wide variety of sizes, colors and textures. Styles range from contemporary to Old World. Can be ordered factory-filled or with holes left open; ideal for floors and showers; acquires attractive patina over time; reasonable in cost.
Cautions: Soft, porous travertine scratches and stains more easily than the dense varieties. Sealing will help prevent staining, but will not help with scratching; must be sealed with a penetrating sealer.
Care & Maintenance: Simply sweep, vacuum and mop with a neutral pH cleaner as needed.

SLATE
Benefits: Can look rustic or modern depending upon surrounding design; resists staining; takes a lot of abuse as a flooring material and camouflages dirt well due to its inherent color variations. Provides sure footing when wet; one of the most affordable natural stones.
Cautions: Un-gauged material can be difficult to install on floors. Consider the gauged option; must be sealed with a penetrating sealer.
Care & Maintenance: Simply sweep, vacuum and mop with a neutral pH cleaner as needed.

GRANITE
Benefits: Hard-wearing material ideal for countertops; resists scratching and etching from acids. Can be used indoors or out.
Cautions: When used as flooring, polished granites can be very slippery when wet. Consider a honed or flamed finish for these areas; pricey.
Care & Maintenance: Simply sweep, vacuum and mop with a neutral pH cleaner as needed.

GLASS
Benefits: Huge variety of colors, shapes, sizes, finishes and textures; can be used nearly anywhere in home; extremely durable; easy to care for.
Cautions: Difficult to install and can scratch; expensive.
Care & Maintenance: Use a neutral glass cleaner and buff with a soft dry cloth.

METAL
Benefits: Huge variety of colors, shapes, sizes, finishes and textures; can be used in wet or dry areas. Easy to install and care for.
Cautions: Can scratch; will acquire a patina over time; can be pricey.
Care & Maintenance: Clean with soft dry cloth.

These days, projects that don’t feature tile or stone in one way or another are rare. Couple that with more savvy consumers and their desire for stylish, yet low maintenance building materials, and its no wonder that tile has become such an attractive option. Understanding the characteristics of tile and stone will help you to ensure that your expectations for aesthetics, as well as performance, are met, so that ultimately, you are happy with the environments you create.