Floor Tile

Ask The Tile Experts

• What does it cost to tile a floor?

  The selection of materials, difference in room sizes and other options available for floor tile mean that costs vary widely from project to project. While it will sometimes be a larger initial cost, a tile floor lasts longer and wears better than many other flooring types, like carpet or wood, which means it’s a better long-term investment. Tile floors also have a high resale value, which is important to consider if there’s a chance you’ll be moving in the future. The best way to estimate the cost of your project is to schedule a design consultation with an in-store associate that will guide you along the process. Whatever your project goals are, The Tile Shop has a way to achieve them.

• What is floor tile made of?

  The Tile Shop has a large variety of options, each with different properties and styles available.

  • Marble: a high-end, durable tile that comes in almost every color and many finishes
  • Encaustic Cement: usually boldly decorated, these tiles replicate old-world styles with modern colors
  • Wood Look: made of ceramic or porcelain, wood-look tiles are very popular for their look and durability
  • Porcelain: this dense and most durable tile is made from heating refined clay
  • Travertine/Limestone: a type of limestone, travertine has unique patterns depending on the minerals present when it was formed
  • Ceramic: a man-made, clay-and-mineral tile, ceramic come in a large selection of shapes and styles
  • Pebbles & Stone: channel the outdoors with the natural beauty and individuality of pebbles
  • Slate: this richly colored rock tile can be used both indoors and outdoors
  • Quartzite: suited to both commercial and business uses, quartzite is a rock that comes in different colors and textures

• Which floor tile is the best or most durable?

  The best tile is a personal preference based on how much maintenance you want to do, where it’s being used and what style you prefer. Given the right care, all tiles are durable, but you might want different things from yours, like a non-slip surface. The most durable is generally porcelain floor tile because it contains more refined clay heated to a higher temperature, creating a very dense tile.

• What shapes of floor tile are available?

  • Squares
  • Rectangles
  • Planks
  • Cobblestone Look
  • Hexagon Mosaics
  • Woven-Look Mosaics
  • Diamond Mosaics
  • Chevron Mosaics
  • Herringbone Mosaics
  • Hexagons
  • And more!

• What is the best layout or pattern for floor tile?

  Certain tiles have pattern restrictions because of their shape, so first schedule a design consultation at The Tile Shop to talk to a store associate about your specific tile. But generally, you can arrange your tile in any of a variety of patterns. Try playing around with different patterns before you commit to anything to see what you like and how a different arrangement can change the look of your floor. Some shapes, like mosaics, restrict how your tiles can be arranged, but shapes like rectangles have lots of different options. You’d be surprised to see how simply installing your tile at a different angle makes a big difference.

• Can you mix different tile materials for your floor, walls and backsplash?

  Absolutely. There is no rule that wall and backsplash tile need to match what’s on the floor. If you are opting for a statement tile, we recommend choosing that first and then coordinating the others with that tile. But don’t worry—coordinating does not mean it has to match.

• What floor tile goes best with subway tile?

  Subway tile is a popular choice for backsplashes and walls, so this is something many people want to know. There is no one correct answer. This decision is all about whether you want to coordinate or contrast your wall and floor tiles. You can mimic the subway tile’s shape on the floor with large-format rectangular tiles, or you can opt for something completely different, like large squares or tiny hexagons, to contrast with the walls. The same goes for the color of your floor tile. Make the decision to either coordinate or contrast, and you can’t go wrong. If you are struggling with what to pair with your subway tile, make a design consultation at The Tile Shop, and a store associate will be happy to help.

• How do I pick the size of floor tile?

  One thing to consider is the size of your room. Large-format tiles may not look proportional in a small room and vice versa. You may also want to consider the size of the tiles on your wall. Using a different size tile on the floor creates contrast and interest versus having similarly sized tile on both the floors and walls. The number of tiles you’ll need to buy and the ease of placing them around obstacles in the room are also factors.

• Can you use floor tile on walls or in the shower?

  Any floor tile can also be used on walls. Refer to the specifics for each tile to determine if it can be used in the shower. The Tile Shop sells hundreds of shower tiles so there’s no shortage of options.

• What do you clean floor tile with?

  We recommend using a non-acidic, antibacterial cleaner for both man-made and stone tiles. The Tile Shop’s Grout and Tile Neutral Cleaner or Antibacterial Cleaner are both good options for most tiles. If your tile needs deep cleaning, contact your nearest The Tile Shop to learn what cleaners will work best for your needs.

• How do you clean tile grout?

  You should always seal your grout so it does not absorb anything that might be spilled. If you regularly maintain your grout, there should be no problem keeping it clean. The Tile Shop’s Grout and Tile Neutral Cleaner and Antibacterial Cleaner are safe to use on grout for regular cleaning.

• Is there floor tile without grout?

  We don’t recommend tiling without using grout. This can cause tiles to rub against each other and crack or chip, leading to an installation that does not last as long as it should.

• Do I need to seal floor tile and grout?

  We always recommend sealing grout to protect it. Natural stone floor tiles should be sealed, but most ceramic and porcelain tiles do not sealing. Always check with The Tile Shop to be sure before you install.

• Can you install floor tile over vinyl, linoleum or wood flooring?

  The Tile Shop never recommends installing tile over another surface. Always start your tiling project on a clean, empty, level floor.