6 great tile options to style your home

When it comes to selecting tiles, let the imagination run wild! Tessellated, subway, penny round, Turkish, tumble, mosaic, hex, granite, slate, sandstone, travertine, porcelain, marble, mirror... the list goes on and on. Tiles are not only elegant, but they can also be a very cost-effective way to decorate your home, particularly in high-traffic areas and moist environments. See how you can spruce up your home with these tiles. 

What different types of tiles can you use?
Ceramic tiles

Ceramic tile is a common and versatile tile option for home improvement projects. Ceramic is an excellent option for every space in your house, including the bathroom, kitchen, and front entrance, due to its affordability and durability. As compared to wood, carpet, or even vinyl plank flooring glazed ceramic tile provides more stain and damage resistance.

Porcelain Tile

Porcelain ceramic tile is a more refined version of clay ceramic tile. Porcelain tiles are more durable and sometimes more expensive than red clay ceramic tiles since they are made of a higher ratio of silica and quartz and baked or fired at a higher temperature. Porcelain tile is a chameleon in the sense that it comes in a wide range of colours and designs. Porcelain tiles may be glazed, carved, and texturized to look like hardwood planks, costly marble, or industrial bricks.

Glass Tile

Sparkling glass tiles are a glamorous choice for backsplash or shower tile. Compared to other tiles, glass tiles possess the highest level of stain resistance, even impermeable to red wine and acidic lemon juice. Glass tile has relatively easy to chip and crack if an item is dropped on them, so this type of tile works best on your wall.

Marble Tile

Marble, while often considered one of the more expensive natural stone tile materials, is an elegant and bold choice, exuding elegance and panache that is difficult to replicate with other materials. Marble, which is deeply veined with natural mineral lines, is created under immense heat and pressure – and can withstand the heat and pressures of everyday life extremely well. The natural stone has incredible depth and contrast, with a dazzling array of colour veining, and is naturally available in a wide range of colours, including green, grey, beige, white, black, and many more. 

Granite Tile

Granite is another natural rock tile used for both countertops and floors with its naturally appearing coloured spots. Granite is much harder than marble, and thus less susceptible to chips and cracks. Granite is also a great choice for wet areas or countertops being relatively water-resistant, as it does not absorb humidity or stains. Granite usually found in bigger slabs is not a penny-pincher or a cost-conscious material.

How do you style your home with tiles?

1. Tile patterns can fully transform the appearance of a room. The straight lay pattern is probably the most common of all – it's plain, clean, and modern, and it really lets the tiles speak for themselves.
Consider gleaming glass tiles surrounding your new bathroom's big mirror. Reflecting and projecting light around your bathroom is an excellent way to make a small bathroom appear and feel larger!

2. The path leading up to your front door can serve as an extended welcome mat, greeting visitors to your home. Make the path to your door as inviting as possible by incorporating curb appeal with a natural stone tile walkway or a tile-inlaid porch. The finished look is a class act, thanks to the use of off white stone tile in a brick lay pattern. 

3. Many manufacturers of natural stone and ceramic tiles have begun to produce larger size tiles. These large tiles are often heat-resistant and can be used as an alternative to more expensive natural stone slab countertops. If you want the look of custom granite or marble countertops at a fraction of the price, this might be a good choice for you! It has been said that first impressions last, and when your first view of an entryway is granite, that view sticks with you!

4. Don't forget about the grout, either. It simply locks tiles together, holding water out and bonding the tiles together, preventing chipping and cracking at the edges. It assists in the monitoring of tile functionality and durability and plays an important role in day-to-day maintenance and the overall longevity of your tile.

5. Forget about an expensive masonry project for a fireplace facelift; stacked stone tiles will give you the look of a stone fireplace without the expense! These rough-edged rocks add depth and appeal to a fireplace while remaining minimalistic. Porcelain tiles are another excellent choice for a tile fireplace surround.

6. When choosing a tile to cover your pool, look for one that has a slip-resistant, rough or textured top layer or sealant. Creating contrasting designs with natural rock is easy — professional tile installers may apply a seal to the tiles in patterns and designs that are only visible when you’re inside the pool!

No matter what tiles and designs you choose, you will need an expert to help you manage all that. So, obtaining quotes from local tilers will help you determine the total cost of the project. Don’t try to DIY this one!