The lower the water absorption, the better the quality of ceramic tiles. How to look? Drip water to the back of the ceramic tile to see the diffusion area of the water drop. If the diffusion area is small, it means the water absorption is low.
The top surface of ceramic tiles should be checked for evenness. The top surface must be smooth and even. It should be free from cracks, depressions, holes, specks, spots and cavities. It should be scratch resistant.
A porcelain tile should feel denser than a similar ceramic one and have consistent color throughout the tile. A water penetration test is the best way to tell the difference. If a tile soaked in water absorbs five percent or less of the water, it is most likely porcelain.
Broken or Cracked Tiles – Broken tile must be replaced, especially if there are multiple tiles with obvious breakage. Loose Tiles – Loose tiles can become safety issues as well as allow moisture underneath to cause even more damage. Loose tiles can also be a sign of a structural issue that should be investigated.
Ceramic tile is graded from 1 to 5, with 5 being the longest wearing tiles. Grade 1 tiles are the weakest, with the best application as wall tiles.
Yes, a higher quality tile is usually more expensive. But it could have a high quality appearance, higher quality production standards, or a higher durability rating.
For polished tiles, check the luminosity; for better quality polished tiles, it should be higher than 90% or even 95%. For a polished surface finish, it would be important to choose tiles with a superior glaze and polished finish with no imperfections.
Broken tiles or cracked expansion joints
Sometimes accidents happen, and we drop things on the floor – not exactly ideal when your flooring is tiled. Heavy items can cause floor tiles to break, or at the very least, cause damage to the grout, and another common issue is cracked expansion joints.
Tile. Tile floors have an incredibly long life expectancy – if they're taken care of. Ceramic tile can easily last 75 to 100 years, while natural stone (like marble or granite) can last well over 100.
A properly maintained tile floor can easily last 20 years or more. In fact, unless the tiles are irreparably damaged in some way, a tile floor may last for over 50 years.
What is the most durable floor tile? The most durable flooring is granite, a natural stone. However, glazed porcelain flooring tiles are a great, low maintenance option too as they don't require annual sealing to upkeep their finish, this often means they are more budget friendly too.
The different grades of ceramic tiles – Grade 1 are usually placed on walls, grade 2 are usually for homes flooring; grade 3 is for light to moderate foot traffic; grade 4 is usually for commercial use; grade 5 is for heavy foot traffic.
Tile floors cost an average of $17 per square foot, which means most bathroom floors require $1,100–$3,000 worth of tile work. Vinyl tile installation can cost as low as $2 per square foot, while premium tile can run more than $100.
Durability: The density of porcelain tile makes it more durable than ceramic tile while being less subject to wear and tear. This makes it more suitable for commercial use as well as in the home. Water Resistance: Porcelain tile is almost impervious to water compared to ceramic tile.
Cost of Porcelain vs. Ceramic. While both ceramic and porcelain are less expensive than most renovation materials, their price differences are due to their density differences. Porcelain tiles are therefore more expensive than ceramic tiles.
If you want to use tile in a commercial environment, or in a high traffic location, porcelain tile is likely the better option. This highly dense material is much more difficult to break, and it will withstand heavy use over time well. Porcelain tile can even stand up to heavy furniture better than ceramic tile can.
Porcelain floor tile is hard and dense enough that it can even be used outdoors, though it's mostly recommended for mild climates. Porcelain is even more heat-resistant than other types of ceramic, and it's also less likely to chip or crack over time.
As a rule, floor tile is typically 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch thick.
Tile Sizes & Shapes
The tried-and-true 12” x 12” tiles are still popular, but tiles are tending to be larger and larger. Sizes like 16” x 16”, 12” x 24” and even 24” x 48” are becoming more prevalent. Large-format tiles have fewer grout lines to clean and help a room look bigger, more open and less busy.
If you want a classic look that allows your furniture and decor to take center stage, light floors may be the best pick for you. If you want your floors to make a statement, dark shades can offer the impact you are looking for.
Terrazzo Looks
Terrazzo is both a popular look for tile pavers and an element of another 2023 tile trend, cobbled tile. This versatile style is capable of looking both natural and hyper modern, depending on its colors and scale.