Redoing a floor is a great way to instantly freshen up a room, and tile is one of the best materials for the job. Tile is durable, cost-effective, water resistant, hypoallergenic, easy to clean, and it comes in a variety of colors and textures. There are many types of tile floors, and they each have their own advantages and disadvantages depending on the room. In order to narrow down your flooring options, it’s important to understand each type of tile and compare them with your own preferences and needs.
Granite
One of the most durable and beautiful types of tile is granite. If maintained properly by using a cordless vacuum for tile floor, granite tiles are durable enough to easily last a lifetime, and it is a popular choice for use in high-traffic areas such as kitchens. There are over 100 different varieties to choose from, and no two cuts of granite are exactly alike, making selecting your tile color and textures for a specific room extremely easy.
Quartzite
Not to be confused with quartz, quartzite is another extremely durable and beautiful tile material. Its appearance is very similar to marble, but it has its own unique style. Quartzite is textured in such a way that makes it virtually non-slip, making it a popular choice for bathrooms and around in-ground pools.
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Marble
Marble tile is highly sought after for its beauty and elegance. While other types of tile may be able to emulate its style, true marble brings a unique and sleek look to nearly any room. Due to the softness of marble and the fact that it’s easier to stain than other types of tile floors, it’s not a good option for high-traffic areas such as the kitchen or living room. However, it’s an incredibly popular option for the bathroom due to its smooth, shiny and bright appearance giving off a very clean aesthetic and matching most bathroom fixtures.
Ceramic
If you’re looking for a more cost-effective and versatile option, a ceramic floor is the best choice. Ceramic comes in a nearly endless amount of colors, patterns and textures, and it can even be molded to perfectly emulate the look of wood, marble and many other materials. Because of its strength and strong resistance to water, ceramic tiles are popular for use in entryways, bathrooms and kitchens.
Slate
Slate tile's natural stony appearance, low maintenance and non-slip texture make it a popular choice for outdoor areas such as walkways, patios and around the pool. If you’re interested in using slate tile in the house, it’s most useful in the bathroom because of its non-slip texture and heat retention, which is particularly useful for homes with radiant heating.
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Sandstone
Depending on the pattern, sandstone can either mimic the appearance of wood flooring or create its own sandy aesthetic. Sandstone's natural earthy look and durability make it a great choice for bedrooms and living rooms. However, it’s a poor choice for kitchens and bathrooms due to its low resistance to water.
