A Comprehensive Guide to Tiles: Designs, Considerations, and More

We lay it all out.

Tiles are a popular material choice in homes, and for good reason. They’re durable, resistant, and come in a variety of designs, making them a good fit in any home regardless of aesthetic.

Whether you’re looking for information on the different types of tiles or on how to choose them, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about tiles before starting your renovation.

Table of Contents

• The different types of tiles
  • Ceramic tiles
  • Porcelain tiles
• Types of tile grout
  • Cement-based grout
  • Epoxy grout
  • Is marble gum grout a type of tile grout?
• Considerations for different rooms
  • Kitchen
  • Bathroom
• Common tile patterns and designs

What are the different types of tiles (materials-wise)?

Tiles come in various shapes and sizes. Before choosing one, get to know these common tile-related terms so you’ll know exactly what you’re buying:

Ceramic tiles

Ceramic tiles are made of a mixture of water, sand, and clay, with a glazed surface layer that provides colours and patterns.

While generally resistant to moisture and heat, they’re less dense and more porous than porcelain tiles. This makes them more affordable, but are less suited for areas with high foot traffic (e.g. the kitchen) or consistently wet areas like your bathroom.

Best for: feature walls and the dry area of your bathrooms.

Porcelain tiles

Made from a harder type of clay, porcelain tiles are harder and more durable than ceramic tiles. This makes them incredibly resistant to elements like heat, moisture, and scratches, which make them ideal choices for just about any area in your home.

There are two types of porcelain tiles:

• Homogenous tiles (or full-bodied porcelain tiles) feature consistent colour and texture throughout the entire tile layer, not just the surface. That makes any chips or scratches less noticeable.
• Glazed porcelain tiles have an additional surface glaze that gives the tile its colour or pattern. This glaze can mimic natural materials like marble, wood, or cement, and come in a wide range of solid colours and finishes.

Best for: floors, kitchens, and bathrooms

What are the different types of tile grout?

Tiles need to have space between one another to allow for expansion and contraction due to temperature changes. And where there’s tiles, there’s grout: the filler between each tile piece. Aesthetics aside, they also play a big role in the durability and overall look of your tile surface.

Here are the most common types of tile grout:

Cement-based grout

Cement-based grout is the most common type of tile grout, and come in two forms:

• Sanded grout: contains fine sand particles. They’re more durable and less prone to shrinkage (and cracking), making them ideal for wider grout lines.
• Unsanded grout: has a finer consistency, but is more prone to cracking. Ideal for narrower grout lines.

Note that these grout types are not waterproof, so they will get stains, fade, and erode over time – which makes it necessary for periodic touch-ups.

Epoxy grout

Made from a combination of resin and hardener, epoxy grout is stain-resistant, waterproof, and highly durable. This makes them suitable for wet areas like bathrooms and kitchens, but are more expensive than cement-based grout.

Is marble gum grout a type of tile grout?

Despite the name, marble gum grout is not a type of grout at all. In fact, it’s a polymer-based compound that is applied like a sealant (and not filled into joints, like traditional grout).

However, they can be used in place of grout to create a seamless surface over your tiled flooring. Read this article below to learn more:

Explore: Marble Gum Grout: What It Is and Why It’s a Wallet-Friendly Floor Hack

Considerations for choosing tiles for different rooms

Not all tiles work the same in every part of your home. While they can generally be used anywhere, your kitchens and bathrooms are where your tile choices matter most – they don’t just see heavy daily use, but also deal with constant exposure to moisture and heat (and more).

Choosing your kitchen tiles

When choosing your kitchen tiles, you’ll want to look out for options that are not only durable, but also easy to clean.

Since the kitchen is a high traffic area that sees frequent exposure to heat, grease, and spills, you’ll want your tiles to handle the daily wear and tear without being difficult to maintain.

Best choices: for your kitchen’s floor tiles, consider matte or lightly-textured tiles that are not only durable, but can prevent you from slipping (which you don’t want to do when you’re holding on to a hot pot of food).

For your backsplash, porcelain tiles are your best friend since any stains or smudges can be wiped off easily.

Choosing your bathroom tiles

Bathrooms are where you shower and do your daily business, so naturally, your bathroom tiles need to be waterproof and slip-resistant.

Best choices: porcelain tiles due to their high resistance and ease of maintenance. For your bathroom floor (especially your shower area), look for anti-slip tiles rated between R10 to R12.

Common tile patterns and designs

Tile patterns

Beyond just colour and finish, the way your tiles are laid out can also dramatically change the way a space looks and feels. Here are the more common tile patterns and designs:

Subway tiles

Originating from New York subway stations (hence the name), subway tiles are rectangular ones that are laid in a staggered brick-bond pattern, creating a clean, timeless look.

Herringbone tiles

Herringbone tiles feature rectangular tiles laid at a 45° angle in a zigzag pattern, which create a sense of movement and visual rhythm.

Chevron tiles

Given the similar angle, it’s easy to mistake chevron tiles as herringbone ones – but unlike herringbone, the tile ends are cut at an angle, creating a sleeker, more uniform look.

Kitkat tiles

Also called finger tiles, kitkat tiles are small, rectangular tiles that are usually arranged vertically. Due to the number of fine lines and texture, they’re a great way to add visual interest without being too overwhelming.

Mermaid tiles

Mermaid tiles (a.k.a. fish scale or scallop tiles) feature a rounded, shell-like shape that lends a sense of movement and softness to the space.

Tile designs that replicate different materials

For those who love the look of natural materials but want the durability and low maintenance of tiles, you’re in luck. Modern tile manufacturing techniques allow for tiles that replicate the look of wood and marble, giving you endless design possibilities without the usual upkeep.

Wood tiles

Designed to mimic the appearance and texture of natural wood, wood-look tiles offer homeowners the warmth of wood as the durability and water resistance of tiles – a win-win option!

Terracotta tiles

The original terracotta tiles are made from natural clay that gives them the iconic reddish-brown colour – but in Singapore, they usually come in the form of porcelain tiles that boast a similar matte look while being more durable and moisture-resistant.

Marble tiles

Being a natural stone, marble can be very expensive – which is where marble-look tiles come in.

Not only do they have the elegant veining and colours of marble, they also offer greater durability and easier maintenance, especially when exposed to things like heat and grease.

Terrazzo tiles

Terrazzo tiles are made by embedding chips of marble, quartz, granite, or glass into a cement or resin base, then polishing the surface smooth. The result? A distinctive speckled look that’s both stylish and striking.