Tiles can increase the value of any home. Ceramic tiles, mosaic tile, floor tile all add an extra quality to your home. Tile can be found throughout a home from the kitchen, bathrooms, and even the flooring. Tiles are widely available in most home improvement stores and also in specialty stores throughout the company. Finding the right tile for a home with the right color, design, and even pattern can seem overwhelming. But, the results of this project can be beneficial for years to come.

Brick
Brick tiles are a good floor choice for informal or rustic décor. Available in several earth tone colors, bricks tiles should be treated with a stain resistant sealer. Floor brick is normally used in outdoor settings (such as patios) and can be arranged in interesting geometric patterns.
 

Ceramic
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 — (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.

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.

Pavers
Pavers resemble brick, but are thinner. Shale based pavers are used for patios as well as interior floors. Like quarry tile, pavers needs sealing for moisture and stain proofing

Porcelain
The material is fired at a very high temperature, making a dense tile. The denser tile makes porcelain tile more resistant to moisture.

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Saltillo
Saltillo or Mexican tile is air dried rather than kiln dried. Drying outdoors in the sun makes this tile a little softer and less durable. The exposure to the elements also gives the tile a look that is unique. When used indoors a sealer is required.

Terra cotta
Terra cotta is the same material in construction and appearance as clay garden pots. Tiles are absorbent and need to be treated for indoor use.

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

Tile Ratings
All tile feels hard, but some types of tile are actually harder than others. Tile is rated by a series of standardized tests. The tests evaluate a tile's relative hardness (the Moh scale), its ability to stand up to wear and the percentage of water absorbed.
The Porcelain Enamel Institute hardness ratings are:
Group I - Light Traffic: residential bathroom floors where bare or stocking feet are the norm.
Group II - Medium Traffic: home interiors where little abrasion occurs. Don't use in kitchens or entries.
Group III - Medium-Heavy Traffic: any home interior.
Group IV - Heavy Traffic: homes or light to medium commercial areas.
Group V- Extra Heavy Traffic: use it anywhere.