Styles and Features of Tile

Size

• manufactured in sizes ranging from 1” to 24” square
• normally boxed and priced by the square foot
• tile size is relative
• referred to by nominal size, not its actual size
• during firing ceramic tile will shrink by about 10% in size
• most popular are larger sized tiles (13” by 13”, 16” by 16” and 18” by 18”)
• determining tile size starts with the size of the room
• small rooms don’t necessarily call for small tile
• incorporating a larger size tile in a smaller room will visually increase the size of the space
• fewer grout lines will help create a cleaner surface appearance
• using a tile size that’s too small creates more grout joints that may make the floor look too busy

Cost-effective alternative

• consumers prefer ceramic tile over stone due to price and maintenance
• tile can also be made to feature heavy textures, chiseled and hammered edges, and resemble tumbled stone
• tile texture is related to its style
• feel of a tumbled stone or slate looking ceramic tile will be irregular and somewhat rough
• tile simulating marble or granite will have a very smooth, polished feel
• textures also vary in degree of shine, ranging from dull to semi-gloss to glass-like

Exterior

• tile is a versatile product
• outdoor tile features non-skid finishes designed for safety
• outdoor tile is resistant to frost
• tile manufactured for outdoor use has very low water absorption, minimizing the cracking, chipping and other effects of expansion when the temperature falls below freezing

Customization

• manufacturers also offer decorative inserts, medallions and mosaics
• tile size 2”x2” and smaller are usually referred to as mosaics
• often used with different colors to create a pattern or decorative inset
• smaller tiles also come in different shapes, such as hexagon
• patterned borders can be made up of different size tiles
• variations in color, shape or size can be patterned within a room, or across adjoining rooms
• “field tile” -the more prominent tile that is throughout the largest areas
• floor and wall tiles may be designed to look similar
• floor tiles are generally thicker and are textured to be safer to walk on

Grout

• impacts the overall look
• type of cement that is used to fill the space and provide support in tile joints
• two types of grout; Portland cement based, and epoxy based
• both may have sand added for additional strength
• Sanded grout is for tile joints 1/8th of an inch and larger
• Unsanded grout is an option used in joints that are smaller than 1/8th of an inch
• can be pigmented to many colors, shades and hues
• pigment is added to the cement at the job site when the grout is mixed
• color and thickness will change the appearance of the floor
• white or a light colored grout highlights the color in tile
• dark grout with a light tile, or light grout with a dark tile, will emphasize the geometric pattern of your layout