Types of Tiles, their Uses, Advantages & Limitations.

By, Civil Guru Izhar.

Now a day’s people do not just want a home but a beautiful home to live in. For this they search for a reasonable wall and flooring solution. and hence, tiles play an important role in this.

There are many types of tiles available in the market these days. They all have their own advantages and limitations.

Here, in this blog we will see and compare them one by one.

1.        Ceramic Tiles

These are the most natural tiles and are made from clay. These are a mixture of clays and other natural materials, such as sand, quartz and water.

Ceramic tiles are among the most used tiles in the market and hence are very popular in the market. 

Advantages of Ceramic Tiles: 

• they have Long & Durable Service Life
• Larger adaptability
• Scratch-free finishing
• Versatile  to fit any needs
• Long-lasting shine, vibrant colors & flexible shapes & sizes

 

Limitations of Ceramic Tiles: 

• they are generally not suitable for outdoors
• Susceptible to lower temperatures
• Absorbs high amount of water due to clay based nature

 

Usage of these tiles includes-

• Flooring:

 The most popular & advisable usage of ceramic tiles is in flooring.

The little expense, simplicity of utilization, and a larger range of shades, shapes, and sizes available make them ideal for this reason.

 

• Walls: 

Ceramic tiles can likewise be used on walls, both in the house & outside the house.

On inside walls, they can be used to make designs or change the shading & lighting in the room. 

While on outside walls they can be used to give a cooling impact since they don't retain heat. This is particularly valuable for hot tropical areas like India.

 

Types of ceramic tiles:

 

• Glazed Ceramic Tiles 

Glazed tiles are covered with a protective coating after quarrying & preparation;

This coating can be matte or glossy, depending on customer’s choice.

Matte coating are ideal for regular stone patterns and popular for various applications. 

Glossy coatings are stylish by wrap up, offering a highly cleaned & lustrous look to your space.

Glossy coatings are suggested for wall establishments.

 

• Unglazed Ceramic Tiles:

Unglazed tiles neither have a coating nor a glass-like surface covering.

These types of tiles accomplish their surface quality through frequent polishing. 

By and large, they are slip-resistant tiles; famous for their natural-stone-like look!

 

2.   Porcelain Tiles:

Due to the fine line of difference, porcelain tiles are much of the time named a sort of ceramic tile.

Porcelain tiles are made from denser clay material and are treated at a lot higher temperatures than non-porcelain ceramic tiles. 

The resultant material is, in this way, significantly more strong and impervious to harm. 

As opposed to standard ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles can be used outside without worry. 

This is made possible due to their intangible porosity and better protection from cold and outrageous temperatures.

 

Advantages of Porcelain Tiles 

• They have High resistance to Wear & Scratch
• They Need Less Maintenance
• they are Appropriate for high-traffic regions
• Profoundly Durable
• Improved dampness obstruction
• Easy To Clean
• Gives Slate Like Effects

 

Limitations of Porcelain Tiles 

• they are Difficult to cut or shape
• Significant cost
• they are generally Weighty, fragile, and slippery
•  Tough installation

 

Uses of Porcelain Tiles

 

• Stairways 

Many of us don't know that porcelain tile can come in varieties and models that look like natural wood. 

This makes it extremely well known for high-traffic areas where your favorite wood flooring can be damaged due to high wear & tear! 

 Porcelain tiles on flights of stairs can give the texture you need while giving better strength & durability.

 

• Washroom

Most washrooms highlight tile-based flooring, and porcelain is the best choice. 

Porcelain tile is low-upkeep and durable due to resistance to water and other outer variables that are normal in restroom settings. 

Therefore, it gives numerous choices with regard to variety, examples, shapes, and sizes to make that delightful restroom configuration you need.

 

3.   Vitrified Tiles

Vitrified tiles are ceramic tiles with very low porosity & great water and frost-resistant qualities. 

the main ingredients used to make vitrified tiles are Silica, clay, quartz, and feldspar.

 

Advantages of Vitrified Tiles 

• They have Consistency in grain, texture, and design.
• Easy installation procedure
• Impervious against stains and scratches.
• Really strong.
• Simple to maintain
• Superior aesthetics
• Negligible water absorption

 

Limitations of Vitrified Tiles

• They have Slippery surface
• Not environmentally-friendly choice
• Costly installation
• Repairs are not possible

 

Uses of Vitrified Tiles

 

• Flooring:

Vitrified tiles are a wonderful option for such uses and can be used as flooring in the living room, bedroom, and dining area.

The furniture in these areas of the room is frequently very heavy, therefore the tiles must be particularly sturdy to handle the pressure. 

That's exactly what vitrified tiles provide.

In addition, the flooring is certain to become dirty in these locations because we move around so much. 

The use of vitrified tiles in this situation makes cleaning less time- and labor-intensive. 

The kitchen can also employ vitrified tiles.

 

• Wall coverings:

Since there are so many different designs of vitrified tiles, one may match the wall covering to the overall theme of the space you're utilizing them in. 

The resilience and long-lasting quality of vitrified tiles ensure that you won't need to replace them any time soon, allowing you to decorate the space as guys see fit.

 

4.   Glass Tiles

Glass tiles are small, flat tiles that are used to line or cover surfaces. 

Glass tiles can be combined with other materials like stainless steel and available in a wide range of forms, transparency, and colours.

They can be applied to enhance the strength or water resistance of a surface or to decorate it.

 

Advantages of Glass Tiles

• They have Beautiful & endless color varieties
• Brings the appearance of brightness & largeness.
• It is Easy to maintain & clean
• They are Impervious to water
• Recyclable & eco-friendly

 

Limitations of Glass Tiles

• More costly
• Installation is costly & tough

 

Applications of Glass Tiles

 

• Kitchen 

Glass tile is marginally translucent and mirrors light. 

In that capacity, glass tile causes your kitchen to seem bigger & brighter.

Being less permeable than other clay-based tiles, glass tile opposes stains as well as form and mold.

 

• Showers 

Glass tile is a characteristic decision for shower walls since it's water-safe and is accessible in a significant scope of tastefully satisfying tones and models.

 Also, glass tile magnifies the light, so your shower will seem bigger.

Glass tile is accessible in numerous sizes which are great for shower floors. 

For much more foothold, you can decide on a glass tile that is slip-safe.

 

Types of Glass Tiles

 

• Fused Tile 

In the fused technique, flat glass is cut into tile shapes and gone through firing into the furnace.

Fused glass tiles are much of the time clear tiles, with a layer of dim variety noticeable through the tile. 

Fused tiles come with etching or other covering, for stylish reasons, or to build protection from the wear.

Fused tiles can come in practically any size ranging from mosaics to enormous configurations.

 

• Cast Tile 

Cast tile is made by embedding pieces of glass into a form.

Here, the tile mold is warmed until the pieces soften into one another and become a lucid mass; giving you a layered look. 

Most reusable glass tile items are made utilizing this strategy.

 

• Coated Glass Tiles

Coated glass tiles are produced using sheet glass with altering qualities due to low-temperature heating. 

These tiles will have various coatings applied to the rear of the transplant glass, which highlight the shades of the back coating.

 

5.   Stone Tiles

Natural stone tiles have been used for inside plan purposes for quite a while and used to be the material of decision for castles, towers, and other old designs. 

These tiles stay well known today because of their capacity to endure mileage while holding their style. 

Regular stone can be tracked down in numerous families across the world and offers a particular vibe, as each tile is novel, and can be feasible.

 

Advantages of Stone Tiles 

• Sturdiness
• Brilliant warming
• Uniqueness
• Doesn't hold dirt; hygienic
• Low support

 

Limitations of Stone Tiles: 

• Varied porosities
• Higher price
• More fragile and prone to chipping
• Gets easily scratched

 

Applications of Stone Tiles: 

Some of the most normal purposes of sections and tiles of natural stones are as per the following:

 

1.  Wall Cladding:

 A few kinds of natural stones can be used for cladding the outside and inside walls of private and business places.

 

2. Stone Paving/Laying: 

One can imaginatively utilize a wide assortment of rocks, cobbles, sandstone, and limestone to create hypnotizing ways through the nurseries or yards.

Natural stone tiles can be used to make lovely impacts without stressing over their strength or life span.

 

6.   Mosaic Tiles

 Mosaic Tiles is any blend of tile sizes, varieties, shapes, or potentially materials, set in a sheet for simple establishment. 

They can be ceramic, porcelain, glass, regular stone, metal, or mirror, put haphazardly or in an example, and typically on a lattice-mounted sheet.

 

Advantages of mosaic tiles: 

• Aesthetically Vibrant
• High Strength & Easy Maintenance
• Design Adaptability
• Offers Uniqueness.
• Simple to Clean.

 

Limitations of mosaic tiles:

• Significant price
• Bit cumbersome installation

 

Applications of Mosaic Tiles 

 

• Walls

This is one of the most well-known utilization of mosaic tiles in home stylistic layout.

The incredible thing about utilizing mosaic tiles to plan your walls is that they don't peel or chip, and they can endure water and kitchen heat with no issue.

 

• Flooring. 

These tiles are impervious to severe weather and foot activity without suffering significant damage.

The aesthetic adaptability of mosaic tiles, as opposed to other flooring enables it to replicate attractive designs while yet being simple to clean.

  

7.   Vinyl Tiles 

Vinyl tiles are exceptionally solid.

Whenever introduced and kept up with accurately, it can endure upwards of 10-20 years. 

All things considered, vinyl is an extraordinary decision for the rooms in your home that get the most people strolling through.

Moreover, most vinyl flooring has a wear layer on the surface that opposes scratches and stains.

  

Advantages of Vinyl Tiles 

• Tough material.
• Water-safe and exceptionally low upkeep.
• Reasonable and simple establishment. 

Limitations of Vinyl Tiles

• Can't be restored.

 

Applications of Vinyl Tiles 

Vinyl flooring is one of the most popular choices with regards to enduring quality and moderateness. 

Vinyl flooring is the most ideal choice for washroom and kitchen flooring, specifically.

The prevalence of introducing vinyl flooring is developing continuously.

The best thing is that vinyl floors arrive in different plans, tones, and types.   

8.   Carpet Tiles

Carpet tiling is a simple method for adding warmth, surface, and tone to any business or living space.

How you decide to introduce the floor covering is subject to your space, spending plan, and style.

The most conventional strategy for fitting carpet is called 'broadloom covering.

In this method, carpet is cut from huge sheets and introduced from one wall to another.

 

Advantages of Carpet Tiles

• Simple to Install.
• Good Adaptability
• Financially savvy
• Low Maintenance.
• Reusable and Sustainable

 

Limitations of Carpet Tiles

• Non-uniform appearance
• Fraying of loose fiber can occur

   

Applications of Carpet Tiles

Most importantly, a carpeted floor is a more secure floor.

The delicate surface and padded under-cushioning lessen the effect of a fall as well as the probability of it occurring in any case.

The carpet is intrinsically slip-safe, meaning it's harder to slip and fall.

9. Wooden Tiles 

 Wooden tiles are a lovely choice that gives you hardwood looks with many extra advantages. 

In recent years, homeowners have started to favor  it more and more.

Advantages of Wooden Tiles 

• Durable.
• Simple to maintain and clean.
• Less harmful to the environment
• Budget-friendly.
• Stylish.

 

Limitations of Wooden Tiles 

• Feels tougher and colder than usual.
• Polished tiles are slick to walk on when wet.
•  A bit tough to install

 

Applications of Wooden Tiles 

Tiles are generally used for decks in kitchens, restrooms, parking areas, and housetops and are likewise used as table tops for lounge areas. 

We can involve tiles for any enriching style, as they are accessible in various sizes, shapes, varieties, and surfaces.

10. Cement Tiles 

Among building supplies, cement is well-known.

Although permeable until treated and prone to moss and other growths, it is strong and withstands the elements effectively. 

Although cement tiles are quite challenging to install, they may be repaired rather than replaced if they are damaged, unlike porcelain and ceramic tiles. 

They are available in a surprisingly wide variety of hues and designs, and since they deteriorate with time, they sometimes appear even better years after installation than they did at the time of installation.

 

Advantages of cement tiles:

• Wide variety of patterns.
• Extremely durable.
• Environmentally friendly.

 

Limitations of cement tiles:

• Proper installation Needed
• A bit more costly than ceramic tiles
• Needs Sealing

 

Applications of Cement Tiles 

These tiles can be used in a real sense in any space, whether it be private or business, open-air or indoor. 

A portion of the areas where they can be used are workplaces, rooms, kitchens, height regions, terraces, and overhangs.

 

11. Terracotta Tiles 

Natural terracotta has been employed for a variety of purposes throughout history, including ceramics and construction. 

Terracotta tiles have a stunning tone that is warm and natural due to the reddish-brown clay that was used in its creation. 

The tiles may have a matte or glossy coating on them or may be left unpainted. 

Terracotta tiles can be used in a variety of homes and offer a room a distinct personality.

 

Advantages of Terracotta Tiles

• Strong and enduring
• Naturally resistant to germs and mold.
• Both indoor and outdoor use is good
• Gives your property a rustic and earthy appearance.

  Limitations of Terracotta Tiles

• Its hue could differ a little bit.
• Extremely porous and quick to absorb fluids
• Need some more upkeep
• very susceptible to stains and damage

 

Applications of Terracotta Tiles

 

• Kitchen: 

Terracotta blends beautifully with brick wall accents and wooden ceiling beams to produce a cozy atmosphere.

• Porches:

Terracotta tiles have all the practical properties to survive the expected levels of foot traffic on porches, which serve as a transitional area between the exterior and interior of your home.  

12. Quarry Tiles 

Quarry Tiles are made from materials like clay, shale, and feldspar that are ground together and shaped into tiles. 

These minerals together bring about a harder deck tile with low porosity that can be used both interior and outside.

 

Advantages of Quarry Tile

• One of the Most Affordable Tiles
• Requires no coating on the top layer
• Truly solid.
• Extremely thick and won't chip or break
• Ideal for heavy traffic areas

 

Limitations of Quarry Tile

• Famous for being stained.
• Bit Difficult Installation

 

Applications of Quarry Tile 

Because of its special surface and variety of attributes, you can utilize quarry tiles in these kinds of regions:

 

• Interior floor Areas: 

A few examples of principal interiors where quarry tiles are generally used are lounges, lounge areas, and kitchens. 

You can use floor coverings to give a soft finish to tiles and mellow sounds inside the room.

 

• Inside or outside walkways and doorways: 

As a result of the quarry tile's serious level of slip obstruction, it functions admirably in any area where individuals need to stroll without slipping. 

It's additionally entirely sturdy and combats traffic well.

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