Tiles: Ceramic, stone, glass, porcelain

Tiles are available in a variety of different materials and a multitude of colours, patterns and textures, which can be combined in various ways or used to create mosaics and inserts. The versatility of tiles means they are particularly suitable as flooring in the kitchen, the bathroom, the entrance hall or the sun room. They are also well-suited to any work surface or wall that has to withstand daily wear and tear, and furthermore, they are easy to clean.
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Materials
Models of tile
Tile characteristics
Types of tile and their uses
Installation accessories
Maintenance

Materials

Tiles are made of glass, porcelain, stone or ceramic, each material with its own specific look and characteristics. In fact, the choice is so wide, you are practically assured of finding the right tile for your style of decor.
    Ceramic tile is made of clay, pressed and baked at very high temperatures until it hardens. A glaze is then applied to give the tile a glossy or matte finish, which also determines how water-resistant it is. The durability and resistance of ceramic tiles varies according to their thickness. They are available in a wide range of colours and textures, which makes them a wonderfully versatile material for home decorating and design.
    Porcelain tiles are also made of clay baked at very high temperatures, which makes them highly resistant to chips and scratches as well as being water repellent. Because of this, some types of porcelain tile can be used outside, as well as inside the home. They are easy to clean because they do not absorb liquid.
marble
    Tiles made of natural stone such as marble, granite or slate are now available on the market. These elegant, noble materials add opulence to any decor. Stone is porous and therefore vulnerable to marks and stains. Regular application of a sealer is therefore recommended in order to protect the surfaces and prevent them from absorbing dirt. However, natural stone is highly durable and, if well maintained, can last a lifetime.
    Glass tiles are back in a big way! Bright, reflective and colourful, these tiles are perfect for creating accents and features. The latest trend is to use them on whole portions of walls, such as in the shower or bathroom. Some manufacturers are now making tiles from recycled glass, which are not only very affordable but also ideal for anyone looking to decorate with more eco-friendly materials.

    Glass is more fragile than stone or porcelain, which makes it more difficult to cut. But it is easy to clean and extremely versatile, which is one of the reasons for its popularity. These tiles need to be installed using a special type of glue and white grout, to ensure the colours of the glass stay true.

Models of tile

Tiles have traditionally always been sold in standard 12" x 12" dimensions for large rooms and 8" x 8" for bathrooms, but today they come in a variety of other sizes, varying from 1" x 1" to 14" x 14". So which size should you choose? The tile size should be in proportion to that of the room; in other words, choose large tiles for large areas and vice versa. Tiles of 8" x 8" or less are ideal for walls and counters, while 12" x 12" or 14" x 14" tiles work best on a large floor.

When calculating the number of tiles you will need, plan for a surplus of 5% to cover any loss due to breakages or errors. Keep a few tiles spare to replace any that crack or are damaged over time; these will also come in handy if you want to redecorate at a later stage and are shopping for new accessories or paint colours. Note that manufacturers quote tile sizes according to the final installed dimensions, which include approximately 1/8" of grouting.
Tiles are most commonly square but can also be rectangular, hexagonal or other shapes. Some even resemble small stones and look sensational as inserts or when used to create special effects.
Mosaic tiles are generally square or hexagonal and measure 1" x 1" or 2" x 2". They are often sold as ready-made sheets of tiles affixed to mesh backing or paper and ready to install with mortar and regular grout. You can also create your own designs by mixing different colours and shapes of individual mosaic tiles.

Tile characteristics

Tiles’ resistance to wear depends on their thickness. They are divided accordingly, into six categories, or classes, each designed for a specific usage:

Class 0: No traffic

Unsuitable for floors – for use on walls only.

Class 1: Very light, barefoot traffic

Can be used on floors, but only in areas with very little traffic and no shoes.

Class 2: Light traffic

Can be used in rooms where there is light traffic with soft-soled shoes, such as the bathroom and bedroom.

Class 3: Light to moderate traffic

Suitable for most rooms except the kitchen and entrance (which are subject to constant, heavy traffic).

Class 4: Moderate to heavy traffic

Can be installed on surfaces with fairly heavy traffic or which are likely to be soiled with dust and dirt from outside. Ideal, therefore, for the entrance hall and kitchen floors, as well as countertopping.

Class 5: Extra-heavy traffic

The thickest and most resistant of all tiles. Can be used for indoor and outdoor residential purposes as well as in commercial buildings, where traffic is even heavier.
Pay close attention to the tile’s surface. A glossy finish reflects light well and is easy to clean, but these tiles are also more slippery when wet. Matte or textured tiles reduce the risk of slips and falls, but they are also more porous and tend to absorb dirt more easily, which makes them harder to clean. Medium-gloss tiles are therefore the best bet in kitchens – for backsplashes, under the cabinets, around the stove and on the floor – and they are ideal for the entrance hall too.

There are many tile mouldings available to help you put the final touches to your tiling design and achieve a warmer, more inviting look.

Types of tile and their uses

For floor coverings, use tiles with greater wear resistance. Make sure they are rated for use on floors.
For kitchen walls and backsplashes, use non-porous, chip-resistant materials. Gloss or medium-gloss finishes are ideal as they stand up well to cooking splashes and to bumps and knocks from pots and pans, for example.

Ceramic, stone, glass or porcelain working surfaces are in style even though material and installation costs are higher than are those of laminates. Many will opt for them because they allow for customizing while providing a durable maintenance-free finish.
Are you considering using tiles on the kitchen island and countertops? Smooth, glossy surfaces are the most appropriate types of tile for work tops. If the tiles are slightly porous, you will need to apply a finishing varnish. When installing tiles on a work surface, they can be set into a frame of 1" or 2" wood battens. Alternatively, you can use finer, more discreet moulding to finish the edges or a ceramic border specially designed for the purpose. The final touches are up to you!
In the bathroom, tiles are ideal both for flooring and for walls. They can be used on all or part of the walls, inside the shower unit and around the bathtub. As long as they are installed properly, tiles will protect the structure from dampness and water seepage. Their diversity and versatility make them great decorating options for personalizing the bathroom. Gloss finishes have the advantage of being easy to clean. Porous surfaces such as slate can also be used in the bathroom, but their surface must be well sealed.

Some decorative tiles are painted or textured with patterns, flowers, fruits, animals, etc. They look best when used sparingly, and can look very effective as inserts on walls, backsplashes or around fireplaces. They can also be inserted in floors to create attractive focal points.
Large rooms generally call for large tiles. And there are indeed numerous styles and matching possibilities that can radically transform your environment. Alternating plain and mosaic tiles, arranged with smaller patterned tiles, is among the possibilities.

Odd-dimension tiles, borders, regular and double-curved mouldings can all contribute to more harmonious finishes. For example, a cap moulding that fits perfectly in a right-angle corner can be used to round it off. The double-curved moulding is often used as a baseboard to provide a more attractive joint between wall and floor. Other mouldings, available in various shapes are suitable for different finishes and adapt well to interior and exterior corners.

Installation accessories

Wet saw
The wet saw is a powerful tool that cuts most types of tile with perfectly straight, smooth lines. It is fitted with a pump that wets the tile when cutting to cool the blade and prevent the tile from breaking into fragments.
Tile cutter
A tile cutter looks very much like a glass-cutting tool. Some models have a clamp to hold the tile in place. By pressing down on the lever, the cutter cuts the tile parallel with its edge, following a perfectly straight line.

Mortar or cement glue

Mortar, or cement glue, is spread over the surface to be covered. Mortar is made from a mixture of cement and water. As it dries, it holds the tiles firmly in place.

Grout

Grout is used to fill and seal the gaps between the tiles. You can choose grout in the same colour as that of the tiles, or in a contrasting colour, depending on the effect you want to achieve.

There are several types of grout, each with its own texture and characteristics:
  • The most common type of grout is made from a mixture of cement and additives. It is used for joints of 1/16" or less.

  • Sanded grout is regular cement grout to which sand has been added. It is ideal for joints of 1/16" or more. The size of the joint determines the sand/cement ratio required. This type of grout gives a natural, rustic look.

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  • Epoxy grout is made from epoxy resin and a setting agent. It is well-suited to surfaces that may get hot and is highly resistant to stains.

Trowel

A notched trowel should be used to apply the mortar. It makes grooves that improve adherence and make installation easier.

A masonry trowel or a rubber float is used to work the grout into the joints between the tiles, while avoiding spreading excess grout on the tile surface.
Making a plan of your tiling design is always a good idea, especially if you want to use inserts or mosaics. Make sure the surface to be tiled is solid, stable and perfectly flat; otherwise, over time, the tiles may move or crack.

Always read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully, as installation methods can vary according to the type of tile you are using. For example, glass tiles require special mortar and white grout in order to preserve the true richness of their colour.

For most other materials, you can use regular cement glue and spread it with a notched trowel, then arrange the tiles on top according to your design. You will need spacers to keep even gaps between the lines of tiles – generally ¼ inch wide – for applying the grout. When you have finished the grouting, all you need to do is wait about fifteen minutes and then remove the excess grout with a damp sponge.

The advent of heated floors has contributed to the popularity of ceramic, stone, glass or porcelain tiles. Whether used to heat the floor or the entire room those systems are known for their ability to deliver both comfort and energy savings.

Maintenance

Most glazed tiles are easily cleaned with soapy water; more porous surfaces should be protected by regularly applying a sealer, which improves their resistance to stains.
Incorporating tiles in your decorating projects – be it for walls, counters or floors – opens you up to a world of possibilities. With a good basic knowledge of their various properties, you will be able to make informed choices as to which tiles to use, and enjoy their qualities for many years to come.
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