Glass
Glass tiles have become more and more popular every year. The translucent quality of glass gives it an entirely different look than ceramic tile or stone. The styles range from old world rustic to clean contemporary. It can be used for an entire wall, inserted as an accent row, or inlaid with other tile or stone. Because glass is frost-proof it can also be used for exterior applications such as pools or fountains.
Porcelain
Porcelain tiles are ceramic tiles with a water absorption rate of less than 0.5 % that are used to cover floors and walls. They can be either glazed or unglazed. Large-scale production of porcelain tile is undertaken in many countries with the major producers being China, Italy, Spain, and Turkey. Porcelain tile is very common in tile installation. There are many different styles of porcelain tiles on the market, and they have proved to outperform ceramic tile in durability and looks.
Granite
Granite is a very hard crystalline volcanic rock that can withstand much more abuse than marble. It is appropriate for kitchen counters, floors, bathrooms, and more. The polished surface of the stone can be installed in high use residential counters with minimal upkeep. Like all stones, granite should be sealed after installation to minimize the risk of staining.
Marble
Marble is a natural metamorphic stone. It typically has a highly polished surface. As with most stones, natural color variations are part of its beauty. It is a relatively soft stone and should not be used in applications where it will be in continuous contact with staining agents, such as in a kitchen. Polished marble cannot withstand any exposure to acids such as citric acid from lemon juice. If exposed, it will etch and lose its shine.
Slate
Slate description coming soon….
Travertine
Travertines are very similar to marble, but have open tubular veining in the stone that is typically filled when processed. They also have a more directional veining when cut with the grain. Cross-cut travertines are becoming more and more popular for their non-directional veining. Travertines come either polished or honed (satin finish).