Tile Types

Selecting tile involves more than picking the right color.

One of the most attractive features of tile is the variety of color and texture. However, the first step in your selection should be finding a tile that will stand up to your room use. Porous vs non-porous, glazed vs unglazed and the materials in the tile itself are all critical factors to consider in your tile selection. Kermans design consultants can make recommendations and give advice for all of your tile applications. Our most common tile types:

Porcelain and Ceramic Tile

Porcelain and ceramic tile is made from clay or other minerals. The extruded material is shaped and heat-treated (fired) in a kiln. Clay tiles are then further treated in one of two ways:

  • Glazed: color is added to the tile after firing. The glasslike surface is bonded to the tile.
    Glazing allows brighter colors to be used and adds stain resistance. Because of their slick, glassy surface, glazed tiles are used mostly on walls or countertops. Glazed tile offers more color choices than unglazed.
  • Unglazed: (Also called quarry tiles). The pigment or natural color is present during firing and is part of the tile itself. Unglazed tile needs sealing for stain resistance

Glass

Often made from post-consumer (what you recycle from household use) or post-industrial (what manufacturers recycle) glass, glass tiles are becoming extremely popular because they are eco-friendly and use a substance that used to end up in landfills. Since glass comes in a multitude of colors, recycled glass tile is available in a wide spectrum of shades and can be designed into all types of patterns.

Marble

Marble is a derivative of limestone. It is a metamorphic stone that can be polished. Marble is characteristically soft and easily scratched or etched by acids and should be considered cautiously in most rooms.

Mosaic

Porcelain or ceramic mosaic tiles are two inches square or smaller. They can be installed individually or can be found pre-mounted on mesh or paper sheets. Mosaics may be glazed or unglazed.

Terrazzo

Stone or marble chips embedded in cement make up a terrazzo floor. The polished surface makes a durable floor material.

Natural Stones

Just as the name implies, natural stone tile is made entirely of natural stone mined from the earth. When you walk across a granite, marble, travertine, limestone or slate floor you are walking across one of our most valuable natural resources.

Metals

Metal tiles are becoming a popular way for people to create a distinctly different look and feel in their home. They come in various styles, molds, and colors and make excellent accents or primary centerpieces in any environment. Metal tiles range from copper to stainless steel, patina to bronze and zinc. It is important to know your options when looking to buy metal tiles.

We invite you to visit the Kermans showroom to get a hands-on feel for each tile style. While you are there, our design consultants can talk to you about your specific needs and make recommendations. Once you’ve selected the right tile, the next step is installation.