Wall and Floor Tile Materials

Tiles are crafted with different materials. Having a clear understanding of said materials means choosing aesthetic and hard-wearing wall and floor coverings. Here are 6 of the most used types of tiles, whether indoors or outdoors. 

What are the different types of tile materials?

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Yanick Dupré, Dupré Carrelage Inc., mentioned that tiles are effectively made using many different types of materials: 

• Aluminum;

• Ceramic;

• Terracotta;

• Glass (enamel and glass paste);

• Natural stone; 

• Cement. 

1. Aluminum tiles

Aluminum is a luminous tile material that reflects light, thus enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the room in question. It’s perfect as a kitchen backsplash or to protect the area right beneath your range hood, said material is increasingly used inside. 

Average cost: $40/sq. ft. 

2. Ceramic tiles 

Tile materials that are best known as “ceramics” are plentiful: 

• Sandstone; 

• Tin-glazed; 

• Natural terracotta. 

These can be added during the manufacturing process: 

• Quartz; 

• Kaolin (China clay); 

• Feldspar. 

Clay is what gives tiles their final shape and volume. Materials such as quartz and feldspar then add strength and uniformity to it.

Essentially, there are two types of ceramic tiles: 

• Red body tiles; 

• White body tiles.

Red body tiles are made up of fibre-rich clay. The latter is both cost-effective and extremely porous. To the extent that, if red clay tiles were to be laid outside, they would shatter at the first frost.

White-body ceramic tiles offer superior quality. Their white clay or kaolin base allows for the manufacturing of high-end tiling. When single-fired (where the body and glaze are fired together at very high temperatures), they become extremely dense, highly non-porous, and particularly shock-resistant, making them perfect for flooring. 

Average cost: $10 - $32/sq. ft. 

So, does this mean that ceramic tiles can't be laid both indoors and outdoors? Actually, no. That's where porcelain stoneware ceramic tiles come in.

Porcelain Stoneware

Among porcelain stoneware, two types can be distinguished: full-body ceramic stoneware and glazed ceramic stoneware. In both cases, the tiles are: 

• Especially resistant to impacts;

• Highly resilient;

• Impervious to chemicals; 

• Abrasion-resistant (wear-resistant); 

• Impervious to cracking when frozen over.

Their main difference lies in the fact that the former is through-body colored (the surface is identical to the core of the tile), making chips virtually invisible, whereas the latter is covered with a decorative layer of glaze.

Finally, "stretched" sandstone tiles consist of stoneware that has been stretched rather than pressed during the manufacturing process. Laying stretched stoneware is generally done directly on the ground, whether indoors or outdoors, provided the porous nature of the product allows it.

3. Terracotta tiles

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Made of clay and sand, it is the natural composition of the earth that gives terracotta tiles their pale yellow to dark brown color. This material is among the most porous options used for tiling.

Consequently, special care must be taken during installation: a temporary protector (pre-grout sealer) must be applied to the surface before grouting to prevent the cement grout from staining the tile. Once the joints are filled and the substrate is completely dry, a water- and oil-repellent treatment (sealer) is applied to provide long-lasting protection against stains and water. 

Terracotta offers very appealing aesthetic and comfort qualities:

• Moisture regulation (it absorbs and releases ambient humidity);

• Warm to the touch (excellent thermal inertia);

• Slip-resistant properties when left unfinished.

On the other hand, it requires more rigorous maintenance than standard ceramic tile to preserve its protective layer. Furthermore, due to its high porosity, traditional terracotta should be avoided outdoors in Quebec, as it cannot withstand our freeze-thaw cycles. Finally, while raw terracotta is primarily installed on floors, its glazed counterpart (often artisanal) is more sensitive to heavy impacts and scratches; it is therefore mainly used on walls (kitchen backsplashes, bathrooms) or in low-traffic residential areas.

Average cost: $15 - $50/sq. ft. 

4. Glass tiles

Glass tiles are made up of two materials: 

• Glass pastes; 

• Enamels. 

Glass pastes are tiny, iridescent, plain or metallic tiles that are glued together to make mosaics. Their main advantage is their total impermeability, heat resistance, and stain-proof nature. Even though they are susceptible to heavy impacts and deep scratches, they stand the test of time without losing their luster.

Unlike terracotta or natural stone, glass mosaics don't require any water or chemical treatments.

Glass tiles are easy to clean and ideal to fit in with the lines and curves of any surface, making them the perfect finishing touch in any kitchen or bathroom.

Another glass medium could be Émaux de Briare tiles, which can be installed indoors and outdoors. They're wear-, shock-, and UV-resistant, fully impervious to chemicals, and waterproof.

By adding a flux to the mixture of calcine, crystalline rock, and sand, the resulting enamel becomes more easily vitrified and tinted during the firing process. Being very thin, they are perfectly suited for renovation projects over well-prepared existing surfaces. It's the exact opposite approach to natural stone tiles, which we’ll now delve into.

Average cost: $15 - $50/sq. ft. 

5. Natural stone tiles 

Smooth or raw, and offering unique shades of white, black, brown, or even blue, natural stone brings unmatched character and charm to any space. Used both indoors and outdoors, it dresses floors and walls alike, offering two major benefits:

• Excellent impact and wear resistance;

• Perfect color retention over time (it does not fade from UV rays).

The primary points of concern with natural stone remain its maintenance and weight.

Installing natural stone tiles requires the application of a penetrating water- and oil-repellent sealer to saturate its natural porosity and protect it against stains and water. This is especially true for sedimentary or limestone rocks (such as travertine), which easily absorb liquids. Regular maintenance with pH-neutral products is also required to preserve their finish.

Heavier than standard ceramic tile, natural stone demands a very rigid floor structure (with no deflection) to prevent the tiles or grout joints from cracking. For interior tiling, the standard thickness of stone tiles generally ranges between 3/8 in and 5/8 in (approximately 10 to 15 mm). Thicknesses of 1 to 2 inches are reserved for outdoor pavers or architectural slabs.

Consequently, if you choose natural stone, you must validate two essential factors:

• That the added thickness will not block doors or create transitions that are too high with adjacent rooms;

• That your subfloor structure can support this load.

Once these checks are complete, you can select the type of stone that matches your style:

• Igneous rocks (granite, basalt, porphyry), which are ultra-resistant;

• Sedimentary rocks (travertine, limestone, sandstone), which are soft and warm;

• Schists (slate), featuring a unique cleft texture;

• Metamorphic rocks (marble), which are noble and elegant.

Average cost: $15 - $55/sq. ft. 

6. Cement tiles

Made of mortar and pigmented marble dust, cement tile is one of those materials making a major comeback. Just like natural stone, cement is porous and must be protected with a triple-action treatment: water-repellent, oil-repellent, and sealing.

Although a wax finish is often added to this treatment to give it its traditional patina, you must never clean your cement tiles with bleach or acidic cleaning products (such as vinegar or lemon). Unlike ceramic tile, acid is cement’s worst enemy: it eats away at the surface and irreversibly dulls its colors. Even for removing grout haze after installation, the use of an acid cleaner is strictly forbidden; instead, perform a mechanical cleaning with water and a pH-neutral cleaner.

A final tip: if you notice that the delivered tiles show slight efflorescence (a whitish haze) from the curing process, simply sand them gently with water to make it disappear. A very fine-grit sandpaper (400-grit or higher) will do the job perfectly without scratching the patterns.

Average cost: $12 - $40/sq. ft.

Best Tile Options

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Choosing the right material depends on the room you want to tile. Tiling materials come in all sizes and styles: 

• Enamelled or glazed ceramic;

• Aged or bumpy material;

• Pearlescent colour;

• Contemporary factor; 

• etc.

Indoor tiles

• Ceramic and stoneware tiles (both porcelain and extruded stoneware);

• Mosaic and glass tiles;

• Terracotta and cement tiles;

• Natural stone;

• Wall tiles / Faience (strictly reserved for walls).

Outdoor tiles

• Porcelain stoneware (particularly 20 mm thick outdoor slabs, which are highly resistant);

• Extruded stoneware (subject to technical datasheet validation);

• Dense natural stone tiles (such as high-quality granite or slate; soft limestones must be avoided).

Tiling Ideas 

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Wall treatment 

Tiles can be laid in several areas throughout a home. However, wall tiling is mainly done in wet areas (bathrooms and kitchens). It protects walls and makes them easy to clean.

However, you can also lay tiles outdoors, notably along your patio, swimming pool, or on walls specially designed to create a lounge area. Don't forget that glass and porcelain mosaics can be used to create stunning, durable outdoor features.

Floor tiles

In a home, certain areas must have easy-to-clean flooring. Notably in the kitchen, in which cooking and food splatters are a daily occurrence (especially if you have young children).

Tiles aren't merely an ally when it comes to cleaning, they're also a durable flooring material, even in high-traffic areas (kitchen, stairs, entryway, basement, etc.). 

For outdoor use, tiles can be laid across your patio or walkway. Even your garage can be finished with the right type of tile, as many materials possess the mechanical strength required to support the weight of a vehicle. Outdoors, tile can be installed on your patio or walkways, provided you choose frost-resistant slabs specifically engineered for our climate.

What’s the best bathroom tile?

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Porcelain stoneware is the perfect material to tile your bathroom since it meets one crucial requirement: it's easy to clean. After all, hygiene is the most important aspect of a bathroom, to prevent germ proliferation and mould growth.

In this respect, porcelain stoneware comes out on top. Not only can it be easily cleaned, but it's also really hard-wearing. And, because it’s available in a wide range of formats and sizes, porcelain stoneware can be adapted to all bathroom sizes. 

What’s the best tile size for a bathroom?

Some industry experts still recommend using small tiles for smaller-sized bathrooms. However, it's simply outdated wisdom. It's merely a preconceived notion that large tiles weigh down smaller bathrooms.

It’s quite the opposite, really. Large tiles convey a feeling of spaciousness that small tile surfaces lack. So, why is this belief that small tiles are best for smaller bathrooms?

This trend can be traced back to long ago when large tiles were first developed. It was customary to lay small tiles in the bathroom, especially as large tiles required specific cuts for the patterns to be aesthetically pleasing.

Large tiles offer a sense of space by reducing the number of grout lines. Feel free to let your creativity run wild for the walls and the main floor of the room. Keep in mind, however, one major technical exception: for the shower floor, small tiles and mosaics remain essential to properly slope the floor toward the drain and guarantee a safe, slip-resistant surface.