Terrazzo, Ceramic, Porcelain & Marble Tiles

When it comes to durability in flooring, terrazzo is the leader.  Terrazzo is one of the most aesthetically versatile products on the market and it is perfect for incorporating custom logos and designs into your flooring. Although it’s incredibly durable and carries a low lifetime cost, its high upfront material and installation costs make it less desirable for smaller, lower budget projects. Terrazzo is best-suited for large, high-traffic areas such as airports or showrooms where the designer is aiming for a chic look. For upscale applications, this LEED-friendly flooring is about as durable as it gets.

The industry standard for commercial kitchens is Quarry Tile. This tile has proven to withstand spills, foot traffic and grease buildup. While porcelain tile works in terms of function for heavy-duty applications, quarry tile is much cheaper and offers the same functionality and durability benefits as porcelain. Quarry tiles durability will remain, provided its installed properly and maintained properly throughout the lifetime of the flooring system. It’s important to use the right materials during installation. Epoxy grout and thin-set adhesives are highly recommended. Although there are cheaper alternatives to epoxy grout, they’re not designed for high-traffic, hot water spills or grease buildup and will break down prematurely. To extend the usable life of your quarry tile system, ongoing maintenance and cleaning are key. Clean the floor daily and replace sections of flooring as they wear out.

Although it’s cost-effective, durable and easy to maintain, quarry tile doesn’t offer much design versatility. It’s typically laid in straight lines and comes in a limited range of colors.

Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles are such a versatile type of flooring. They are available in endless designs and there are even tiles that look like hardwood floors. Ceramic tiles are best known for its durability and comes in a variety of aesthetically pleasing colours and sizes.  Ceramic tile is a great option for kitchens, washrooms and retail spaces because it’s easy to clean and does not harbor germs.  Tile maintenance is simple, and if one tile happens to crack, it can easily be replaced

• Glazed and Unglazed Tiles

The glaze refers to the glass coating which is fired onto the surface of some ceramic tiles. This is a protective layer, which ensures that the tile is impervious to stains and water damage. However, some people prefer unglazed materials as they tend to look more natural. Unglazed ceramic floors will need to be sealed periodically to protect them from stains.

• Terra Cotta

This is a type of ceramic made from red clay bisque which is fired at a relatively low temperature, producing a fragile tile that has a very distinct, natural appearance.

• Porcelain

A clay tile baked at very high temperatures, porcelain is extremely strong and durable. However, it is also harder to cut, and shape, than other ceramic materials. Because it has an absorption rate less than .5%, porcelain can also be installed in some exterior locations and will be able to handle frost and freezing conditions.

However, ceramic and porcelain tiles cannot be installed everywhere. Some tiles work in water-prone bathrooms, while other tiles are best left “dry and high” as wall tile. Some can be walked on, others cannot. There is one easy and simple way to determine which tile goes where; The Porcelain Enamel Institute Rating System.

Ceramic and Porcelain tiles are thin slabs of clay or other inorganic materials, hardened by oven firing and usually coated with some kind of glaze.  Classed by their hardness, the Porcelain Enamel Institute uses a 1 to 5 rating scale with 5 being the hardest and most durable.  Check out the rating based on type and application.

It is recommended to go with a tile that is rated either a 4 or 5 on the PEI chart for use it in a high-traffic commercial or industrial setting.

The only negatives about going with tile are that it can be rather pricey.  However, if you do opt for tiles, you will get flooring that is beautiful, resilient, and long-lasting.