Tile, tile, tile! There’s so much to talk about, yet so little time. From interior design inspiration to commercial projects and luxurious residential spaces, we could go on and on. However, we know your time is precious. So, today, let’s focus on a simple but underrated process: selecting the best tile to get the job done.

Before we continue, it is important to note that the consumption of tile has been growing, year over year, for eight years straight. In 2017 it was reported that consumption was up 5.1% from the previous year, which also marked one of the highest rates of all time. That being said, paying more attention to tile tips is a good idea for all designers and builders to consider. 

Now, let’s really talk tile! 

When selecting the best tile for the job, the first thing to think about is where it will be going. Will the tile flooring be installed in a high traffic area? Will it be susceptible to water and dampness? Once you figure that out, here’s a room-by-room breakdown of choosing the right tile. 

For areas with excess moisture

When we say “areas with excess moisture,” we’re referring to spaces that will undoubtedly be exposed to an above average amount of water and dampness. So, think bathrooms, showers, and kitchens. Smaller tiles in matte finish do better for slip-resistance. It’s also good to think about how porous a material is. The less porous, the better when it comes to areas of excess moisture. Consider some of these products for this kind of project:

For areas with high traffic

Most commercial spaces will be considered high traffic areas. Lobbies, office buildings, and restaurant floors all come to mind when we talk about high traffic areas. Heavy traffic calls for heavy duty flooring. Consider the strongest, most durable tiles for these kinds of projects. Here are some products we recommend:

For common areas

This category includes mudrooms, stairways, and the like. These spaces are often overlooked as far as design eyes are concerned, but given the proper attention, they can be the icing on the cake of a successful plan. Common areas can [possibly] be a combination of excess moisture and high traffic, making them a bit unique as far as function is concerned. Browse these products to see if you can find the right aesthetic fit: