Different Kinds of Tiles & Their Usages | Part-1

This post will help you understand which types of tiles best suit to your demand and requirements.


Glass: 
Glass is a very robust and extremely hard-wearing floor covering and should last a lifetime.

• Need to know: Glass is hygienic and doesn’t require much maintenance. Its light reflective qualities also make it a particularly sought after floor material.
• Usage: Glass mosaic tiles are slip resistant, making them ideal for bathrooms and kitchens. However because glass is a lot colder underfoot than other materials, it’s not recommended for living areas such as bedrooms or high user areas like hallways.
• How to: Glass tiles can scratch and chip if laid incorrectly or if the wrong size thickness and size of glass is used, so it’s always advisable to hire a professional. The tiles must be laid on a smooth bed of adhesive which should be applied with a smooth trowel rather than a notched one, as the lines will show through the glass. It is also vital to ensure that the adhesive has a high polymer content in order for the tiles to stick, since glass is non-porous and the adhesive will not attach to the tiles as easily. Once laid, glass tiles do not require further treatment and can be cleaned easily.
• Cost: Glass tiles can be costly and handmade tiles are even more expensive because of the time and craftsmanship involved. Expect to pay anything from E300 per square metre for clear, sandblasted glass.

Porcelain: 
Porcelain tiles, like ceramic tiles, are man-made but more hard-wearing because they are fired at a higher temperature. They are available glazed or unglazed; glazed tiles have filled in microscopic holes that could be present in the unglazed tile.

• Need to know: Because of the firing process involved, the body of porcelain tiles are vitrified which makes them suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Also, as the body of the tile is made of the same material throughout, any scratches to the surface will not be as noticeable as on a ceramic tile. As with all tiles, it’s recommended that you use a product with a low PH value to clean them. Some cleaning products are very acidic and burn the surface of the tiles, as well as causing the glaze to become dull.
• Usage: Porcelain tiles are suitable for use in all areas of the home and because they’re so dense they can be bought in a variety of tile formats, which can give your rooms a new dimension. If you’re using them outdoors though, make sure that they are slip resistant.
• How to: Porcelain tiles are more difficult to cut than ceramic tiles and specialised cutting equipment is required, including an angle grinder and wet saw. Porcelain tiles are laid in the same way as ceramic tiles, but polished porcelain and light-coloured tiles will need to be sealed in order to protect against dirt and ensure that the polish on the tiles doesn’t dull. They require very little maintenance other than a light mop or clean with a damp cloth.
• Cost: Porcelain tiles can be more expensive than ceramic and the cost to lay them will depend on whether they require sealing or not. It is also possible to buy porcelain imitations of natural stone tiles, which can look very realistic and cost half the price of real stone tiles.

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