Tile materials explained

If you’re thinking about refreshing your bathroom tiling or need new tiles for your kitchen, hallway or elsewhere in the house, then there are lots of options to choose from. What tile material is best, however, will depend on whether you’re going for wall tiles or flooring, what they’re used for and whether they’ll be located in high-traffic areas.

If you’re unsure about which is the best tile type for your interior, then we’re here to help. Read the full blog below to get the lowdown on the main tile materials you’re likely to come across on your search – and which might be the right ones for your project.

There are various options when it comes to choosing tile materials for your home.

Porcelain tiles

One of the most popular tiles for bathrooms is the porcelain tile, renowned for its non-porous properties and hard-wearing nature. Made from clay and then baked or kiln-fired at high temperatures, porcelain tiles are ideal for using in showers and in bathrooms generally, as they work well in high humidity areas.

Although they can be more expensive than other materials, the pay-off comes in their robustness and easy-to-clean surface – being less porous means they don’t trap dirt and can easily be wiped clean. Meanwhile they’re also more moisture-resistant, although regular cleaning is obviously still recommended, to keep them in tip-top condition.

Due to their increased density, porcelain tiles are suitable for use on both walls and floors, making them very versatile material and ideal for high-traffic areas. Again, this makes them a great choice for bathrooms, as well as hallways, kitchens and other busy rooms within your home.

Porcelain tiles can be either glazed or unglazed, with unglazed finishes being more slip-resistant. Glazed porcelain tiles, on the other hand, are finished off with a glass coating which can then have a gloss, matt or satin finish.

Key benefits of porcelain tiles:

• Water-resistant.
• Less porous so easy to clean.
• Stain-resistant.
• Dense material, so more durable.
• Ideal for use on both walls and floors.
• Can be used indoors and outdoors.
• Available in a range of finishes.
• Anti-slip properties (especially with unglazed porcelain tiles).

The Marmori Carrara Luster Porcelain Rectified Tile is a large-format porcelain tile which can be used on walls and floors. This robust tile has a white base tone with grey marble-effect veining detail which adds texture and depth, as well as giving it that luxury marble look.

With rectified edges, this means the tiles can be laid closely together, resulting in minimal grout lines and a more seamless aesthetic.

The Marmori Carrara Luster Porcelain Rectified Tile is suitable for walls and floors.

NB Porcelain tiles can be more expensive than other materials, due to their durability and associated benefits. They can also be trickier to lay by yourself, however, if you’re attempting DIY.

Ceramic tiling

Another tile material which is commonly used in bathrooms and other interiors is ceramic, which follows closely on the heels of porcelain in terms of core properties. This is also a robust material, although not quite as dense as porcelain, so it can be a more affordable option, especially if you’re on a budget.

With anti-slip properties and resistant to scratches and stains, ceramic is also water-resistant, making it ideal for using in bathrooms and kitchens. It’s also hard-wearing so is good for high-traffic areas in the home as well, being suitable for use on both floors and walls.

Key benefits of ceramic tiles:

• Water-resistant.
• Slip-resistant, so great for floors.
• Hard-wearing.
• Available in an array of colours and finishes.
• More affordable than porcelain tiles.
• Easy to clean.
• Scratch and stain-resistant.

The Aqua Flat White Metro Tile is a ceramic tile in the popular metro or subway style and has a gloss white finish which will add a classic elegance to your interior.

The Aqua Flat White Metro Tile is made from hard-wearing ceramic.

A high-quality Spanish tile, the Aqua Flat White Metro Tile will complement a wide range of décor and can therefore be easily incorporated into any interior.

Glass tiles

With great reflective properties and a robust composition, glass tiles are often used for mosaic tiling and are another good choice for bathrooms and kitchens. Best suited to walls, as they may chip easily if used for flooring in high-traffic areas, glass tiles can often be seen in showers and as splash-backs.

Key benefits of glass tiles:

• Easy to clean.
• Good light-reflecting properties.
• Resistant to damp and stains.

NB Glass tiles can be more prone to chipping and scratches.

The Penny Natureglass Turquoise Matte Non-slip Mosaic Sheet.

The Penny Natureglass Turquoise Matte Non-slip Mosaic Sheet is a designer glass tile which is ideal for feature walls or splash-backs.

With a striking turquoise tone and visually interesting hexagonal shape, the Penny Natureglass Tiles are great for splash-backs and will immediately draw the eye.

The glass surface is also easy to clean while the matt finish of these tiles gives them a modern aesthetic.

Metallic tiling

Our final tile material example is metallic, an increasingly popular choice for many homeowners. Ideal if you want to add texture and depth to your bathroom, along with extra visual interest, metallic tiles will bring warmth and modern luxury style to any space.

Metal as a material is also very durable and resistant to water, making it ideal for bathroom use. It’s often used as an accent material within another tile, for example, in mosaic tiling like the Delta Copper Mosaic Sheet, which has copper tiles interspersed throughout the main gold tiles. The mixed metallics have a subtle sheen and will add opulence to any space.

The Even Metallic Wall Tile, meanwhile, has a full-blown metallic look which will add instant drama to your room and is ideal for creating feature walls.

Further texture and interest come via the 3D design of the tiles, which gives it a defined contemporary aesthetic.

The Delta Copper Mosaic Sheet incorporates metallic effects.

The Even Metallic Wall Tile has a distinctive look with a 3D design.

Key benefits of metallic tiles:

• Water-resistant.
• Durable.
• Add drama, texture and a luxury look.

Find quality tiles at Tileshack

With a wide range of tiles to chose from, you can create the perfect look in your bathroom and find the best materials to suit your needs at Tileshack. With a great selection of styles, finishes and colours, we have something to suit all tastes and can advise you further on tile materials and how to match them to your rooms and décor, as required.

To see our full range of tiles visit tileshack.com online. Alternatively, email us at info@bathshack.com, call (028) 9077 0188 or use our online chat if you need any assistance.