From porcelain and ceramic to marble, travertine, and handmade cement tile, the right tile transforms any room. Whether you're tiling a kitchen floor, a shower wall, or an outdoor patio, this page helps you compare materials, browse styles, and find the best fit for your project at Solidshape.
Tile by Material
Each material has unique characteristics suited to different spaces and styles
Porcelain vs. Ceramic Tile
Porcelain is fired at higher temperatures than ceramic, producing a denser tile with water absorption below 0.5%. That makes it the better choice for bathrooms, outdoor areas, and heavy-traffic floors. Ceramic is easier to cut, lighter, and typically starts around $1 per square foot, roughly half the cost of mid-range porcelain. Installation for either material runs $5 to $15 per square foot depending on layout complexity and your location.
Both come in a wide range of sizes, colors, and finishes. Browse our porcelain and ceramic collections to compare options side by side.
Tile by Style
From classic subway to bold hexagons, find the shape that fits your design
Tile by Color
Browse tile in every shade to match your palette
Tile by Location
Tile recommendations matched to every room and surface
How to Choose the Right Tile
Start with the room. High-moisture spaces like bathrooms and pool surrounds need porcelain tile or sealed natural stone with low water absorption. Kitchen and entryway floors take the most abuse, so prioritize durability and slip resistance. Look for tiles rated PEI Class 4 or 5. Decorative areas like accent walls or fireplace surrounds can use softer, more ornamental options rated PEI Class 3.
Then consider scale: large-format tiles reduce grout lines and make smaller rooms feel more open, while mosaics add texture and detail to niches, shower floors, and curved surfaces.
Tile Buying Guide
Pick the Right Material
Porcelain and ceramic tile are versatile and low-maintenance. Natural stone like marble, travertine, and limestone brings unique veining and character. Glass tile, terrazzo, and encaustic tile offer bold design possibilities.
Match Size & Shape to Space
Large-format options minimize grout lines and make small rooms feel bigger. Mosaic tiles are ideal for shower floors and accent areas. Subway, hexagon, and rectangular plank tiles each create a distinct visual rhythm.
Consider Where It Goes
Bathroom spaces and pool and spa areas need water-resistant tile with slip-resistant finishes. Kitchen floors should handle heavy foot traffic and spills. Outdoor patio installations require frost-proof materials that withstand weather extremes.
Choose Your Finish
Matte and textured finishes hide imperfections and offer better grip for floors. Polished and glossy finishes reflect light and elevate the look of walls and backsplashes but can be slippery when wet. Honed and lappato offer a middle ground.
Measure & Order Smart
Multiply length by width (in feet) to get your square footage. Add 10-15% for waste on straight layouts, or 15-20% for herringbone, chevron, and diagonal patterns. Always order from a single lot to ensure shade consistency.
Plan Grout & Installation
Matching grout creates a seamless look; contrasting grout highlights the pattern. Use epoxy grout in wet areas like showers because it resists mold and doesn't need sealing. Sanded grout works for most floor joints wider than 1/8". Seal standard grout after installation to prevent staining, and reseal natural stone tiles like marble and travertine annually to preserve their appearance. Budget for thinset, spacers, and backer board. Order samples first, since colors and textures look different under your own lighting.
Tile Guides & Articles
Expert advice to help you choose, install, and maintain your tile
Explore the pros, cons, and design considerations of using the same tile across your bathroom floor and shower.
Understand slip resistance ratings and how to choose safe porcelain tile for wet areas.
A complete guide to backsplash materials, patterns, and design tips for your kitchen.
Learn about the different types of marble, their characteristics, and which is best for your space.
Discover the variety of porcelain tile options and find the right type for your project.
Are hexagon tiles a passing trend or a lasting design staple? We break it down.
Introduction to Tile Flooring
Tile flooring handles what other surfaces can't: standing water in bathrooms, heavy foot traffic in entryways, and heat near fireplaces and kitchens. That durability is why tile has been a go-to flooring material for centuries, and why it remains one of the most popular choices for both homes and commercial spaces.
Porcelain is the workhorse: dense, moisture-proof, and available in finishes that replicate wood, stone, and concrete. Ceramic costs less and comes in the widest range of colors and patterns, making it a smart pick for walls, backsplashes, and lighter-use floors. Natural stone (marble, travertine, limestone) adds depth and character that no manufactured tile can fully match, though it does require sealing and more careful maintenance.
The material determines how a tile performs: its water resistance, scratch hardness, maintenance needs, and where it can be installed. Porcelain and ceramic cover most residential projects. Natural stone delivers a premium look but requires sealing. Glass, terrazzo, and cement tile open up bolder design directions for accent walls, backsplashes, and statement floors.
Tile Styles & Shapes
Tile shape affects everything from grout line visibility to how large a room feels. Subway tile remains the most popular format for backsplashes and bathroom walls thanks to its clean, repeatable lines. Large-format tiles minimize grout and create a seamless look on open floors, while mosaics conform to curved surfaces like shower pans and niches.
For more visual movement, herringbone, chevron, and arabesque layouts turn a simple material into a focal point. Plank tiles mimic hardwood flooring in rooms where real wood wouldn't survive, like bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements.
Sometimes you want tile that looks like something else: the veining of marble without the maintenance, the warmth of wood without the water damage, or the texture of natural stone at a fraction of the cost. Look-based collections group tiles by the aesthetic they achieve rather than the material they're made from. Zellige and Spanish tile bring handcrafted, artisanal character with subtle color variation in every piece. Patterned tile makes a statement on floors and accent walls with bold geometric or encaustic designs.
Choosing Tile by Room
Where tile goes matters as much as what it's made of. A bathroom floor needs water resistance and slip grip. A kitchen backsplash should handle grease splatter and frequent wiping. An outdoor patio has to survive freeze-thaw cycles and direct sun. Matching the right tile to the right room prevents premature wear and costly replacements.
Outdoor Tile Options
Outdoor tile faces challenges indoor tile never will: freeze-thaw cycles, UV exposure, standing rainwater, and foot traffic on wet surfaces. Porcelain tile with a textured or matte finish is the most reliable choice for patios, walkways, and pool decks because of its near-zero water absorption and resistance to temperature swings.
Stone tile like slate, granite, and travertine blends naturally with outdoor landscapes but needs proper sealing to prevent staining and weather damage. Encaustic cement tile works well on covered patios and porches where bold patterns make an impact, but reseal it annually. Porcelain pavers are another strong option for outdoor spaces: thicker than standard tile (typically 20mm), they can be installed over gravel, sand, or pedestals without mortar, making them ideal for patios, rooftop decks, and garden paths where drainage and easy replacement matter. For any outdoor installation, prioritize tiles or pavers with a DCOF (Dynamic Coefficient of Friction) rating of 0.60 or higher to ensure safe footing when wet.
DIY Tile Projects
A kitchen backsplash or small bathroom tile floor is the ideal first tiling project. It's contained enough to finish in a weekend and visible enough to make an impact. Start by dry-laying your tiles to plan the pattern and identify where cuts fall. Use a notched trowel for even thinset coverage, tile spacers for consistent grout lines, and a snap cutter or wet saw for clean edges.
Mosaic sheets on mesh backing are the most beginner-friendly option: they conform to slight curves, require minimal cutting, and cover area quickly. For any DIY project, order 10-15% extra tile to account for waste and keep a few spares for future repairs. Solidshape ships samples so you can test colors and textures in your actual space before committing to a full order.
Professional Tile Installation
Some jobs need a pro. Oversized tiles (24" x 48" and up) require back-buttering, a leveling system, and often a two-person lift. Herringbone and chevron patterns demand precise angle cuts and careful layout planning. Marble tile and natural stone tile can crack under improper handling and need white thinset to avoid discoloration through translucent veining.
Professional installers also handle substrate preparation (leveling uneven subfloors, waterproofing shower pans, and installing heated floor systems) that directly affects how long the tile lasts. For exterior spaces, commercial flooring, and any space larger than 200 square feet, professional installation protects both the material and your investment.
Tile and Sustainability
Tile is one of the longest-lasting flooring materials you can install. A well-laid porcelain or stone floor can last 50 years or more, which means fewer replacements and less material heading to landfills over the life of a home. Porcelain tiles and ceramic tiles are made from abundant natural clays and require no chemical treatments after installation. Natural stone tile is quarried rather than manufactured, and responsibly sourced stone carries a lower carbon footprint than many synthetic alternatives.
Solidshape takes sustainability a step further by matching discontinued and remnant tile inventory with active demand, keeping quality materials in circulation instead of in warehouses. When you buy from our marketplace, you're often giving a second life to tile that would otherwise go unused.