The latest trends in tile design mean the sky’s the limit when it comes to decorating your floors and walls

Whatever type of tile you’re looking for, there’s a vast choice to be found in a wide range of materials including marble, granite, slate, onyx, quartzite, sand and limestone to name but a few. And these old classics are now being joined by a range of newer products, such as agglomerate stone tiles and tiles made of porcelain, glass, mirror, various metals, rubber, cork, resin-impregnated wood, cement body tiles, ‘art’ tiles and all the many variations on quarry and terracotta.

What’s more, many tile materials have turned chameleon so that porcelain and ceramic tiles can now be made to look – and almost feel – exactly like natural stone and clay varieties with the advantage that they are both cheaper and easier to maintain. You really do have more choice than ever before when choosing tiles.

Fit for purpose
This enormous choice of modern tiles, both homemade and imported from many different countries, can be divided among four different types of installations: floors, walls, counter tops and backs and outdoor terraces and patios. Whatever the chosen design, it’s important to seek advice from the salespeople to ensure it’s the right weight and toughness for where they’re going to be used, both for maximum durability and safety.

Floors, and to a certain extent counters, need heavier, tougher tiles than those used for walls, but there’s no reason why you can’t use floor and counter tiles on walls.

Trims and finishes
However attractive blocks of tiles are in their own right, they are greatly enhanced by matching or contrasting skirtings and thresholds, in the case of floor tiles, and borders and trims, in the case of walls. The latter act like picture frames to define spaces or separate one section of tile from another and finish off the exposed edges of surfaces – unless you want a deliberately rustic appearance, as with terracotta. Even plain mosaic tiles can be purchased in ready-assembled sections to surround more pictorial mosaic perhaps behind a basin or sink. Experiment on plain boards first before you commit your ideas to the walls proper.

Skirting tiles create very serious looking floors. Bulldog tiles – the same colour as the floor tiles – create a handsome, seamless look. Contrasting tiles, on the other hand, add definite definition. Whichever look you want, there is a tile to suit you.

Your Tile Guide

Natural Stone
Newly quarried and reclaimed stone continues to grow in popularity and is a classic choice for hallways, kitchens and conservatories.
The main contenders include slate, which is available in a surprising number of colours and is the least expensive option; limestone, whose pale textured surface can be veined and mottled with fossils; and marble which, when polished, conjures up opulent hotel living.

Finishes vary from rustic surfaces to chic, polished slabs ensuring there is a style and colour to suit every type of house. Although it can be rather expensive and must be laid by a professional, a stone floor will last a lifetime, with the majority of finishes only requiring regular re-sealing to ensure a mop-clean surface. However, stone can be hard underfoot and without underfloor heating, can be cold, too.

Ceramic
These won’t dig deep into your pocket and can be used throughout the home. They come in a range of colours, styles, sizes and faux finishes that’s almost endless. They’re also hardwearing, impervious to water and easy to clean and cater to every budget. As with stone, ceramic can be rather hard and cold underfoot and anything dropped on them is almost guaranteed to break.

Terracotta
These are unglazed and available in a range of shapes and sizes, and are warmer underfoot than ceramic or stone. They can be used to create decorative patterns, and their wide range of natural colours and textures can bring a rustic touch to any room, but are particularly popular in kitchens and conservatories. They can be cut easily with an angle grinder, making them ideal for DIY enthusiasts. They are fairly large and heavy so need a thick-bed adhesive. They are, however, porous and need to be sealed with a linseed oil sealant and waxed for extra protection.

Mosaic
These tiles can be glazed or unglazed and made from porcelain, ceramic, glass or natural stone. They are cold to stand on, but durable and water-resistant. They’re ideal for decoration in bathrooms or splash backs in kitchens.

Concrete
This is seen as an usual choice of tile, but when sealed and polished it can provide a surprisingly attractive effect. But it’s cold to stand on and can sometimes make the room appear unfinished.

Glass
These tiles are available in a rainbow of colours, which can transform bathrooms or kitchens. However, some may not be suitable for use in certain areas, for example, close to heat sources or wet areas. And they can work out expensive, especially if there’s a large area to cover.

They can be bought in many different forms and although mostly used for walls, some of them are quite tough enough for dramatic floors. They’re available almost totally opaque, milky or nearly completely transparent and make great room dividers.

Metallic
Can add a contemporary feel to a simple design. They come in a variety of sizes, including mosaics. Sheets of steel are lightweight, so are ideal for splashbacks behind basins and baths.

Resin-impregnated wood
These come in a range of colours, including wood tones, but also pastels and earthy hues. Most are interestingly mottled or striated and no two tiles are exactly alike. They are strong, stable and better able to withstand moisture than wood parquet tiles.

Agglomerated stone
These tiles are made from inexpensive stone with a jumbled appearance as if various stones had been mashed together, which, in way, they have been, since they are made up from left over stone materials.

Surface print
These are generally vinyl with a photographic pattern of some sort printed into their surface or they are stamped to imitate brick or wood or stone, ceramic tiles or have floral or geometric designs. They mostly have a ‘no wax surface’, which is dirt resistant but when this wears out – as it does – apply a special ‘no wax’ conditioner. Cushioned surface tiles have foam backing, and are best avoided for long-term use, as furniture movement easily damages them.

Metal
These are usually made of copper, stainless steel, brass and even iron. They are expensive, difficult to cut but look great. They are mostly used as accents, because of their price.■

Floor tiles for wet areas
If the area to be tiled is likely to get wet, as you might expect in the bathroom, hall or kitchen, you’ll need tiles that will repel water. Select glazed tiles with a slide-resistant surface or tiles with grainy or bumpy surfaces, or sheets of mosaic tiles, which are slip-resistant because of their many lines of grout or adhesive backing.

Be aware that unglazed tiles, like quarry and terracotta tiles, which are fired at relatively low temperatures, are porous, so water can soak into and, even through, them.

Non-vitreous tiles like terracotta are the most sponge-like. So even though the unglazed surface makes them safer, do not allow any water to sit on them because the longer they remain wet, the greater the likelihood of mildew. Give them a few good coats of sealant to help keep moisture at bay.