Popular Types of Tiles at ELTC. If you’ve never taken on a tiling project before, you might be surprised by the many different types of tiles available. Ceramic and porcelain tiles are the most popular, but there are also glass tiles, cement tiles, metal tiles, and stone tiles—to name just a few.

To make it even more confusing, not every type of tile works for every job. And, of course, there’s your budget to consider. It’s hard not to feel a little overwhelmed.

Whether you’re shopping for an immediate project or just planning for the future, we enlisted some experts to guide you through the 3 most common types of floor tiles and wall tiles.

Find out which popular tiles are best for every type of home project to make sure you’ll love your remodel for years to come.

Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile is one of the most common types of tile found in the home because it’s suitable for many applications. “Increased durability makes ceramic tile perfect for any room in the house, like kitchens, bathrooms, or even entryways,” says Tony Castellano, senior merchant for The Home Depot. “It’s easy to install, clean, and comes in hundreds of styles that can fit any design. For a bonus, if you’re looking to renovate on a budget, ceramic offers a great price point.”

When shopping, Castellano recommends checking the lot number for popular ceramic tiles to make sure you have a clean, uniform end result. “Additionally, make sure you understand the difference between glazed and unglazed. While unglazed gives an artistic, rustic finish, glazed ceramic tiles offer more protection for longer lasting floors.”

Porcelain Tile

The other most common type of tile is porcelain, which differs from ceramic tile. “The appeal of porcelain comes from its ability to emulate natural stone, brick, or wood—and without any of the maintenance,” Castellano says. “Additionally, as it’s an all-purpose tile, it comes in a variety of designs, colors, and styles to allow for versatility when designing a space. Porcelain can even be used outdoors, as it will not freeze, fade, or crack.” Other applications for porcelain tile include bath or kitchen tile, high-traffic areas, and kitchen backsplashes.

The biggest drawback with porcelain tile is that installation can be tricky. While you can DIY an install, Castellano says many homeowners forget that you also need an adhesive when laying down this type of flooring. Popular types of tiles should be installed adhering to these guidelines for best results.

“The stain resistance of glass makes it a fantastic choice to natural stone. Red wine and any acidic foods like lemon and vinegar are wiped up with ease without any permanent staining,” says Melissa Morgan, an interior designer and founder of M Interiors in San Antonio, Texas. This type of tile also offers a clean and minimalistic aesthetic.

“A potential drawback is that glass will, of course, chip quite easily along the edges,” Morgan says. For that reason, she recommends not using glass tile in high-traffic areas like kitchen and bathroom floors. Instead, she suggests using them in smaller applications with less traction, for example gently used table tops or desks, around the fireplace, or as a backsplash. Call 01254 57567 for anymore information on popular types of tiles.