Ceramic, Brick and Quarry Tiles

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These semi- and nonporous materials offer a wide range of colors, patterns and textures. They can also last indefinitely, but their weight demands appropriate installation and subflooring.

Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile is made of clay and fired at high temperature. It made be made by hand or by machine, with glazed shiny, matte or textured finishes, or an unglazed finish with reddish earth tones throughout. Ceramic tile thicknesses and sizes vary. Rectangles and hexagons are also available, although squares are the most common shape offered. Using tile cement to hold them firmly, tiles can be laid on any smooth and stablesubfloor , and colored grout as decorative space fillers between. Ceramic tile is waterproof, tough and impervious to most household liquids, but it can be cold hard and noisy underfoot.

Brick

Brick has interesting color and texture in addition to its being a durable, nonslip and waterproof material. Glazed brick is as easy to maintain as tile. Unglazed brick can be enhanced with a sealer, but it needs an occasional waxing. It is important to make sure that its recommended for use on floors when choosing brick or any othernonresilient material. If you’re adding a brick floor, unless you use half-brick tiles, it is very likely your subfloor will need to be reinforced.

Quarry Tile

This broad category of nonresilient flooring includes limestone, marble, sandstone, granite, slate and travertine. These materials are very durable and also beautiful, but they are typically very expensive to buy and require professional installation. Smooth-surfaced materials have a tendency to become dangerously slippery under wet feet. And the more porous varieties, like sandstone and limestone, will absorb stains unless sealed.