Whether you are installing a tile floor or a shower wall, you'll want to consider how much wear and tear it will face on a daily basis. Apart from selecting the materials that are best suited for your application, you may also wish to take into account the following.
Tile size required for application
Installation method - grout, floating, glue-down or peel-and-stick
Ceramic tiles are made from clay and fired at high temperatures until they solidify. As these tiles are moderately stain and wear-resistant, they are ideal for light to medium traffic applications.
Porcelain Tile
12"x12" Cityscape Plaza Porcelain Tile, Brown In-store only
Both full-body and glazed porcelain tiles are extremely hard and impermeable, making them highly resistant to moisture, staining and wear. Porcelain tiles can withstand temperature extremes, and may be used in exterior applications.
Full-body porcelain tile has a colour pigment mixed with the clay body powder, giving the finished tile a consistent colour throughout the body of the tile.
Glazed porcelain tile has a coloured glaze added to the surface of the tile.
Natural Stone Tile
Natural stone tiles such as granite, slate, marble and tumbled marble are cut from large blocks of stone mined from quarries. Most stones are porous and readily absorb liquids and moisture. Tiles made from natural stone may vary greatly in colour and veining.
12"x12" Veneziano Granite Tile, Green In-store only through Special Order
Granite is extremely durable and features flecks of quartz, feldspar and mica for unique character; it is ideal for interior and exterior walls and heavy-duty floors.
Marble has a smooth high-polish surface and tumbled marble bears a weathered and distressed surface to capture the look from centuries past. They are suitable for interior walls and moderate-duty floors.
Glass Tile
5/8"x5/8" Vetro Glass Tile on 12"x12" Sheet In-store only
Mosaic tiles are small tiles, generally 2"x2" or smaller, and always less than six square inches in area. Mosaic tiles may be made from porcelain, tumbled marble, glass or metal. These tiles are most often mounted on paper, mesh or dot-mounted sheets to facilitate easier handling and installation.
Our hardwood tiles are pre-finished and coated with UV cured polyurethane for wearability. These self-adhesive acoustic tiles are made from genuine wood and are easy to install.
High-quality laminate tiles are embossed and micro-bevelled to provide a realistic look and feel of wood or stone. They are durable, easy to install and will not fade over time.
Vinyl Tile
Trafficmaster Allure Vinyl Plank, Chocolate In-store only
Vinyl tiles are economical and highly resilient; it provides cushion comfort then springs right back into form. Modern vinyl designs can mimic stone, ceramic and even metallic tiles. Vinyl offers versatile installation options; it is available in sheets (glue-down installation), planks (floating installation - where the planks attach to one another) and tiles (peel-and-stick installation).
transition to tile
Explore the beauty of ceramic, porcelain, glass and natural stone tiles. Browse our wide selection, discover your style and learn what you need to know to start your next tile project.
Do-It-Yourself Projects
Check out our step-by-step DIY instructions on removing old flooring and installing and grouting new tile flooring.
The True Comfort floor warming system is installed under the floor's surface and is compatible with most flooring. Its ability to distribute heat evenly and reduce in-home allergens earns this product The Home Depot Eco Options designation.
Helpful Hints
Ensure that all of the tiles you purchase are from the same dye lot. Dye lots determine the colour and size in ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone tiles and the colour and pattern in vinyl tiles. The average allowable size difference for ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone tiles within the same dye lot is 1/16th of an inch; the size difference between dye lots may be greater.
Coefficient of friction (COF) refers to the smoothness of the tile. It is rated on a scale of 0 to 1 with higher numbers, 0.6 and up, representing more slip resistant surfaces.
Glazed floor tiles should not be used where there is a consistent presence of water, oil, or grease unless the COF exceeds 0.60.
Ramped surfaces, irrespective of the slant of the incline, require a more slip resistant surface. It is recommended that a tile with a minimum of 0.80 COF be installed on these surfaces.
Proper maintenance is critical. Improper maintenance and improper maintenance products can result in a contaminant build-up on the surface of the tile causing the tile to be slippery.
PEI (Porcelain Enamel Institute) Wear Rating is the tile's resistance to abrasion:
I and II - not suitable for floors (walls only)
III - all residential
IV - residential and light commercial
IV+ - commercial and heavy traffic
Water absorption is measured in proportion by weight:
Non-vitreous - more than 7 percent
Semi-vitreous - 3 to 7 percent
Vitreous - 0.5 - 3 percent
Only vitreous and impervious tiles should be used outdoors or in wet locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
To be used outdoors, the tile must be frost-proof and unglazed for floor use. Make sure the absorption rate is 0.5% or less; this will more likely be porcelain tile.
It is not recommended. Structurally it would be sound however the gloss glaze would eventually show scratches. Consider using natural stone tiles for increased durability and elegance.
Although both are made from clay, porcelain is made from a denser clay dust and baked at higher temperatures than ceramic. Porcelain is much more durable and has a lower water absorption rate.
Stone tiles should be rinsed weekly with warm water and a non-abrasive, clear, non-acidic soap. For polished marble and granite, periodic application of a commercial polish is recommended.
Wood tiles can be installed in patterns with unlimited design possibilities. They are real hardwood products with a self-adhesive backing that are easy to install.
