Types of tiles: exploring options for your home

Are you looking for tiles for your home this Christmas? If you’re planning a renovation project over the festive season and you're looking for tiled flooring, do you know how many types of tiles are available? You've probably found that the list is far longer than you initially assumed, running into thousands of different styles and designs. So, read on to understand the different types of tiles you can have in your home, including their qualities and which rooms or areas they suit more than others.

Understanding the different types of tiles

Our new Fired Earth Darkroom Black Split Shift Three encaustic cement tiles have created a striking feature wall in this monochrome bathroom scheme. Pic credit: Fired Earth in collaboration with Darkroom London, BC Designs, Darren Chung photographer, Alison Adding Style and Origins Living

When it comes to tiles for your home, options are typically split into different categories based on the materials they’re made from. The most popular and common variations are: 

Ceramic: Arguably the most frequently used tiles in UK homes, ceramic tiles are made from a mixture of clay, sand and other minerals and they're lightweight and durable

Porcelain: More dense than ceramic, porcelain tiles are often used to replicate the appearance of real materials, such as wood or natural stone

Natural stone: A luxurious option for your home. Our natural stone tiles come in varieties such as marble, limestone, sandstone, terrazzo and more

Terracotta: A clay-based non-vitreous ceramic, terracotta is in a category of its own. This Italian-inspired tile is made from baked clay, giving it that iconic reddish-brown colour

Our new Fired Earth Neisha Crosland Atlas Star Anise Sahara tiles have been designed with a distinctive pattern on a terracotta base 

Glass: Many homeowners opt for glass tiles as backsplashes or accents in bathrooms and kitchens. They’re affordable, stain-resistant and typically available in a wide range of colours

Cement: We have a range of encaustic otherwise known as cement tiles that are handmade in lots of delightful patterns. These are some of the more unique tiling options for your home is you want to make a statement 

Luxury vinyl: Made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) but designed to replicate more expensive tiles, we have a vast collection, including marble vinyl tiles, which are highly durable  

When buying tiles for your home, these categories above give you some indication on what to expect. Other types include mother-of-pearl for luxury bespoke projects and real terrazzo for a contemporary finish. Your choice will vary based on the aesthetics you’re aiming for, tile practicality required, where you'll position them etc. 

Comparing porcelain vs ceramic tiles

Our new Fired Earth Nina Campbell Rivage Ivory and Blue porcelain tiles feature a beautifully glazed finish. Create your own pattern to add a bespoke style to your kitchen backsplash

Porcelain and ceramic tiles are two of the most widely used types of tiles in the home. However, both tiles have unique features, which set them apart from each other. Here’s a quick summary of how porcelain and ceramic compare for tile options: 

If you're looking for tiles for a high-traffic area where high levels of water and moisture will be present, such as a bathroom, porcelain could be the best choice. If you’d prefer a slightly more affordable option for decorative purposes on your walls, then pick ceramic.

Exploring types of floor tiles for durability

When looking for floor tiles, you'll need to consider durability and slip resistance primarily when compared to wall tiles. Here are some of the best tile types to choose for durability: 

Porcelain: As mentioned, porcelain floor tiles are extremely durable and they tend to be highly water-resistant. They’re perfect for high-traffic areas both indoors and out

Our new Fired Earth Milos Blue 60 x 120cm extra large format porcelain tiles with a honed finish are perfect if you're looking for a striking marble effect in your bathroom at a more affordable price

Luxury vinyl: These tiles are excellent for the floor, thanks to their incredible durability. They also feel softer underfoot if comfort is key. Luxury vinyl tiles are suitable for indoor use only and they tend to be waterproof, which makes them ideal for bathrooms, cloakrooms and kitchens

Natural stone: Different types of natural stone are extremely durable and work beautifully on the floor. Slate tiles are popular and will stand the test of time in high-traffic areas from kitchens to hallways. Terrazzo tiles are also durable but with added style benefits thanks to the unique chip patterns embedded within them

Cement: Opt for patterned encaustic cement floor tiles to create dramatic impact on your floors. Cement is highly durable and this tile type is suitable inside and out 

Unique aesthetic options with glass and stone tiles

As people become more adventurous with interior design in the home, certain tiles give you more opportunities to unleash your creativity for a more bespoke finish. Glass and natural stone are two such examples where you can add your own personal touch to a design.

Our comprehensive collection of glass wall tiles will add something genuinely stylish to any room in your house. The beauty of glass is that it can be stained and coloured in so many different ways. From antique copper glass tiles and mosaic mirror glass tiles to silver glass tiles and glass tiles with swirls, there is a huge selection to choose from. If you want to create an aesthetic which reflects the light, glass tiles could be perfect. 

Real stone tiles automatically add a distinctive finish to a room because each tile pattern is unique. Limestone tiles, for example, will add a bespoke finish to a project and they come in wonderfully neutral hues. I've already mentioned terracotta - with a striking reddish-brown colour, this can work well as an outdoor tile. Slate tiles deliver a crisp, clean look in a dark grey hue, that’s perfect for modern interiors, while terrazzo can add dramatic impact.

Eco-friendly choices: types of recycled tiles

Looking for a more eco-friendly tile option in your home? There are loads of recycled glass tile options available, allowing you to have the aesthetic brilliance of glass with a lower environmental impact. 

Similarly, you’ll find reclaimed terracotta that’s been repurposed and is ready to use again. It’s far more environmentally friendly than normal terracotta, making it a fine choice for more sustainable tiling. 

Our new Fired Earth Reclaimed Terracotta 30 x 15cm tiles are ideal if you prefer an eco-friendly flooring solution. Sourced from Europe, each tile is unique

How to choose the right type of tile for each room

Which tiles or tile types work best in certain rooms? Some are very versatile, though different rooms will require different things. Here are some of the key rooms you'll find them and my expert advice on which tiles work best:

Kitchen & bathroom: Look for tiles, which are water-resistant, as both rooms can experience high levels of moisture. As mentioned, porcelain or luxury vinyl can make great choices for the floor

Hallways: In a high-traffic area, such as this, again durability will be key - you may also want a certain level or water resistance to cater for muddy boots in wet weather 

Bedrooms: If you're looking for a tile with heat-retaining properties, luxury vinyl could be ideal. If not, why not pick porcelain which is suitable for underfloor heating?

Maintenance tips for various types of tiles

All types of tiles should be cleaned regularly by wiping away dust and dirt with a soft, damp cloth. However, when it comes to maintenance, different types will have varying needs - here’s what to expect depending on your tile type: 

• Use baking soda to clean any grout lines for your tiles to prevent dirt from sinking into the grout. Seal your grout every 1-2 years for optimal stain resistance 

• Seal natural stone tiles regularly (check with recommendations according to stone type) to protect against stains and maintain optimal moisture resistance 

• Make sure you use a proper glass cleaner on glass tiles to avoid smears and watermarks 

• Try to avoid mopping cement tiles with too much water, as they are porous. It’s best to use a very damp cloth and a simple cleaner 

• Don’t use abrasive cleaning products on your ceramic or porcelain tiles, as this may scratch away the surface. Pick a soft cloth or mop instead 

Next steps: selecting and purchasing your home tiles

Get in touch with us if you're looking for expert advice on how to choose tiles to enhance your home. We have thousands of tiles available for every taste and project so contact our team at Hyperion Tiles now.