With so many types of tile flooring, it’s easy to get lost in the sea of options.
Each option has a unique look and feel from the other. Consider durability and maintenance when choosing floor tiles for longevity, as each type offers a distinct aesthetic. Unless it’s for a showroom, prioritize tiles that will withstand the test of time.
The selection process can be overwhelming, but once you understand the types of tile for floors and their properties, you can choose the best one for your home.
By the end of this guide, you’ll understand the different types of tiles, factors to consider, and where each tile flooring type might be ideal.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Best Type of Tile for Flooring?
- 7 Types of Tile Floors and Ideal Scenarios for Their Usage
- Factors To Consider When Choosing the Best Type of Floor Tile
- Tile Flooring Trends in 2025
- Interior Motives Flooring: The Experts on Various Types of Floor Tiles for Your Space
What Is the Best Type of Tile for Flooring?
Different types of floor tiles will work better than others in some areas.
For example, a durable porcelain tile may work well in an entryway. Still, a floor tile with a more slip-resistant surface, like cement or travertine tiles, may be best for more lived-in rooms.
So before you choose your tile flooring, you should consider a few important factors, including:
- What room will it be used in?
- Is it a high-traffic or low-traffic area?
- Is the area susceptible to moisture or spills?
- What is your budget?
- Do you prefer certain colors, styles, patterns, or textures?
Understanding these factors will help you survey the durability and maintenance that fits your needs and prevent you from deciding based on budget or appearance alone.
Still not sure which types of tile flooring are best for you?
At Interior Motives Flooring, you’ll find an extensive selection of tile flooring to choose from. Our specialists are ready to help you select the type of tile flooring for your space and lifestyle. Schedule a consultation or book a free estimate today.
7 Types of Tile Floors and Ideal Scenarios for Their Usage
#1: Porcelain Tile
One of the more popular options for its versatility and durability, porcelain tile can be used indoors and outdoors. It can withstand cold winter temperatures and is resistant to water, stains, scratches, and UV exposure.
Porcelain tile is made from fine clay and minerals and fired at an extremely high temperature. This high heat allows the clay body to fully vitrify, meaning the silica and alumina compounds fuse to create a dense, non-porous, glass-like structure.
The high heat is also what gives porcelain its characteristic bright white color. However, porcelain tiles can emulate many natural materials, including stone, brick, and wood.
Ranging from $3 to $30 per square foot, porcelain tile is considered a more affordable option for flooring.
When You Might Use Porcelain Tile
With durability at such an affordable price point, porcelain tile is an ideal option for heavy-traffic areas like:
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Entryways; and
- Outdoor patios
Porcelain’s density and water resistance make it ideal for wet areas, though it can be slippery.
If you love to host, you may opt for porcelain tile flooring in your living room, or in any room you may want a natural stone look for less.
Porcelain tile is also allergy-friendly, so it may be a good choice if you’re a pet owner.
#2: Ceramic Tile
Like porcelain, ceramic tile is also made from clay and natural materials but fired at a lower temperature.
The most popular type of ceramic tile is terra-cotta, which can be glazed or unglazed.
Ceramic tile is less dense and water-resistant than porcelain and is often glazed to repel moisture. A matte finish and texturized style can be added to help minimize slipping.
Otherwise, ceramic tile is slightly more cost-effective than porcelain and just as easy to maintain.
Ceramic tiles come in many colors, sizes, shapes, styles, and textures.
When You Might Use Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tile flooring can mimic the look of natural stone and wood without the worry of scratching.
Durability and no-fuss maintenance make ceramic tile flooring a good choice for high-traffic areas like kitchens, entryways, and mudrooms.
Ceramic tile flooring can work well in virtually almost any room in the home, though it’s not recommended for outdoor use.
#3: Stone Tile
Natural stone tile types range from limestone and marble to granite, slate, or travertine and come in a variety of colors and textures.
Natural stone can offer your space a unique character, as no two tiles are alike. You can select a natural stone tile that complements a wide range of styles from rustic to contemporary.
Natural stone tile flooring requires specialized maintenance based on the type of stone. Cleaning agents should have a neutral concentrated potential of hydrogen (pH) that will not affect tile sealants or coatings.
Despite not being as easy to maintain as the other types of floor tile material, stone tile floors are the easiest to resurface to hide damage.
When You Might Use Stone Tile
The cost, availability, and durability can vary depending on your choice of natural stone tile and determine where you might choose to use your stone tile.
For example, marble stone tiles are a popular choice for natural stone and its natural elegance makes it a perfect complement for master bathrooms.
On the other hand, the durability of slate tile and its variations of colors lend well to an entryway or kitchen.
Natural stone tile flooring can add elegance and distinction to your style while adding to your home’s value.
#4: Vinyl Tile
Vinyl tile flooring is a versatile and cost-effective solution with a range of options based on your preference and lifestyle.
For a slightly higher, but still affordable price point, luxury vinyl tile flooring can emulate the look and feel of natural materials like wood and stone tiles, providing a high-end appearance without the associated costs and maintenance.
While known for easy click-and-lock installation, vinyl floor tiles can be less durable and more susceptible to scratching than stone, porcelain, or ceramic tiles.
When You Might Use Vinyl Tile
Vinyl tile flooring is highly water-resistant, which makes it great for moisture-prone spaces like bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and mud rooms.
With a large assortment of vinyl tile types ranging from waterproof wood-look vinyl planks to rigid cover vinyl tiles, Interior Motives Flooring carries a vinyl option for all tastes and budgets. Simply fill out our free consultation form, and we’ll help guide you through the process from material selection to expert installation.
#5: Mosaic Tile
Mosaic tiles are crafted from a combination of glass, ceramic, and stone, adding an unexpected artistic element to home design. There’s a mosaic tile to fit every design style.
Mosaic tiles can be installed to inspire even more creativity, arranging them into geometric shapes or a classic checkerboard style; the design possibilities are endless.
Most mosaic tiles come with multiple pieces of varying sizes, finishes, and materials on one sheet with a mesh backing. The mesh backing makes installation easier with less mess and allows tiles to be separated, adding to style and flexibility.
When You Might Use Mosaic Tile
Depending on the type of stone used, mosaic tile flooring can be more or less moisture-absorbent.
Mosaic tiles are also known to be smaller, increasing the number of grout lines and making mosaic tile flooring more slip-resistant.
Mosaic tiles are often found as an eye-catching accent to flooring in bathrooms and kitchens.
#6: Cement Tile
Cement tile flooring is made of blended cement, sand, and pigment, providing a stylish and bold flooring choice.
With diversity in design choices and patterns ranging from geometric to industrial, cement tile flooring has grown popular as homeowners infuse their spaces with more character in unexpected ways.
Though cement tile flooring is eco-friendly, it can be more costly than other options. Cement tiles may also require periodic sealing and a pH-neutral cleaner to maintain their integrity and appearance.
When You Might Use Cement Tile
Cement tiles are exceptionally durable and resistant to moisture, making them suitable for kitchens and bathrooms.
Additionally, the versatility and aesthetic of cement tiles can complement just about any space in a modern-style home.
#7: Terrazzo Tile
Like mosaic tiles, terrazzo tiles are a mixture of marble, granite, glass, and other materials. The mixture is then poured into molds, ground, and polished to create a smooth surface.
The remarkable manufacturing process yields endless design possibilities for any style.
Due to the incorporation of recycled materials, terrazzo tile floors are sustainable, exceptionally durable, and stain-resistant.
When You Might Use Terrazzo Tile
The durability and versatility of terrazzo tiles can bring a timeless elegance to any space in your home.
If you want to get the most out of the beautiful design of terrazzo tiles, hire professionals like the experts at Interior Motives Flooring. Interior Motives Flooring has served Auburn and the surrounding area for over three decades with meticulous, award-winning tile flooring installation. Contact us for your next tile flooring installation.
Factors To Consider When Choosing the Best Type of Floor Tile
Durability and Traffic Level
When choosing the right type of tile flooring for your home, durability and the expected foot traffic of the area are critical factors to consider. Not all tiles are created equal—some are designed for light residential use, while others are built to withstand heavy commercial wear.
The Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) rating is a helpful guide, ranking tiles on a scale from 1 to 5 based on their resistance to abrasion. For example:
- PEI 1 or 2 tiles are best for walls or low-traffic areas like guest bathrooms, while PEI 4 or 5 tiles are ideal for kitchens, hallways, and commercial spaces.
- Porcelain tiles are among the most durable, offering exceptional hardness and moisture resistance, whereas ceramic tiles are slightly softer and more prone to chipping under heavy use.
Considering the traffic level in each room will help you choose a tile that complements your design and stands up to daily wear and tear.
Finishes and Textures
Tile finishes and textures not only influence the appearance of your flooring but also affect functionality, maintenance, and safety.
Common finishes include glossy, which reflects light and gives a polished, modern look—ideal for walls or low-traffic areas—and matte, which provides a softer, more natural feel with better slip resistance, making it suitable for bathrooms and entryways.
Textured tiles, such as those with a stone-like surface or wood grain patterns, add depth and tactile interest while improving grip in wet or high-traffic areas.
For outdoor or commercial settings, anti-slip or grip-finish tiles offer extra safety. Choosing the right combination of finish and texture helps balance design preferences with the specific needs of each space in your home.
Sizes and Layout Patterns
The size and layout of tile flooring can dramatically impact the look, feel, and perception of space in a room.
- Large-format tiles (such as 12″x24″ or even 24″x48″) are increasingly popular for their sleek appearance and ability to make small rooms feel more open by reducing the number of grout lines.
- Smaller tiles, like mosaics, work well for intricate designs, backsplashes, or areas requiring more grip, such as showers or bathroom floors.
Beyond size, the layout pattern can enhance or alter the room’s design. Classic patterns like straight lay and diagonal are timeless and clean, while more dynamic options like herringbone, chevron, or brick patterns add movement and visual interest.
The choice of tile size and layout should consider both aesthetics and practical concerns, such as room dimensions and installation complexity.
Aesthetic and Style Preferences
When selecting tile flooring, aesthetics play a crucial role in creating the desired ambiance of a space.
Tile comes in various colors, patterns, textures, and finishes, allowing homeowners to match virtually any interior design style—from rustic farmhouse to sleek modern minimalism.
Natural stone tiles like marble and slate offer a timeless, organic look with unique veining and color variations. In contrast, ceramic and porcelain tiles can mimic the appearance of wood, concrete, or even fabric. Glossy finishes can make a room feel brighter and more polished, while matte or textured finishes add warmth and grip.
Choosing the right tile isn’t just about function—it’s also about how the floor contributes to the overall character and flow of your home.
Budget and Installation Costs
Budget is often one of the most influential factors when selecting tile flooring, and costs can vary widely depending on the material, size, and complexity of installation. For example:
- Ceramic tile is generally the most affordable option, offering a good balance between cost, durability, and style.
- Porcelain tile tends to be more expensive due to its density and durability, but it’s a long-term investment, especially for high-traffic or moisture-prone areas.
- Natural stone tiles like marble, slate, or travertine are premium choices that add luxury and value to a home but come with higher material and labor costs, often requiring sealing and specialized installation.
Installation costs can also fluctuate based on factors such as tile size, layout pattern, and whether your project requires floor leveling or subfloor preparation. Understanding the upfront and long-term costs will ensure you choose a tile solution that aligns with your design goals and financial plan.
Tile Flooring Trends in 2025
In 2025, tile flooring trends are embracing a balance of style, sustainability, and innovation. When choosing the best type of tile flooring for your home, consider these current, yet classic trends:
- Large-format tiles continue to gain popularity for their seamless, modern look, while natural textures that mimic stone and wood bring a calming, organic feel to interiors.
- Matte finishes are favored over glossy ones for their subtle elegance and practicality.
- Warm, earthy tones like terracotta and taupe are making a comeback, creating inviting and grounded spaces.
- Textured and 3D tiles are adding visual depth and tactile interest, especially in high-traffic areas.
- Bold patterns and geometric designs are also trending, offering homeowners a chance to make artistic statements.
- Eco-conscious choices such as recycled materials and sustainable manufacturing practices are increasingly important, reflecting a growing demand for environmentally friendly flooring solutions.
Interior Motives Flooring: The Experts on Various Types of Floor Tiles for Your Space
Selecting the perfect flooring from the many types of floor tiles doesn’t have to be daunting. Choose the right flooring, and it’ll be a source of joy for years to come. Choose the wrong flooring and you’ll regret it whenever you walk into the room.
Don’t go it alone.
Interior Motives Flooring is family-owned tile flooring company in Auburn, WA, and has been helping homeowners select and install the perfect tile flooring since 1989.
With so many types of tile flooring in varying shades and styles, we provide the care you’d expect from a small-town company with big-box store pricing.
Interior Motives Flooring, we’re the experts you can trust. Book a free estimate today.
