Due to its natural beauty and several performance advantages, Ceramic Tile is continuing to grow in popularity among home and business owners. Ceramic Tile is tile made from clay that is baked at a high temperature, giving it a very hard surface. Unlike other tile flooring, Ceramic Tile is used for interior floors, exterior floors, walls and backsplashes.
There are two types of Ceramic Tile, glazed and unglazed. A similar process is used for each, but each has their own style and feel. Glazed Ceramic Tile is not as thick as Unglazed Ceramic Tile, allowing for a wider range of styles and colors. Protected with a non-porous layer of liquid glass, Glazed Ceramic Tile is more resistant to staining. This glass coating is what creates the texture, design and color of glazed tile. If Glazed Ceramic Tile is damaged it can’t be repaired, it must be replaced.
With an unfinished surface, Unglazed Ceramic Tile is a great choice for areas in need of slip resistant surfaces where tile is likely to be exposed to high amounts of moisture. Unglazed Ceramic Tile is recommended for heavy foot traffic areas, both indoor and outdoor, because it is scratch resistant and extremely durable. The color of the body goes all the way through the Unglazed Ceramic Tile from top to bottom. With the color going all the way through the tile, it won’t show wear from scratches like Glazed Ceramic Tile would.
Porcelain Tile, which is made up primarily of finely-ground sand, often gets mistaken for Ceramic Tile. Porcelain Tile and Ceramic Tile have several of the same great qualities, but Porcelain Tile is much stronger due to its makeup of fine porcelain clays and the temperature at which it is baked. Porcelain Tile is created to duplicate materials, such as marble, travertine, slate, fabric, concrete and leather.
There are two types of Porcelain Tile, Color Body Porcelain Tile and Glazed Porcelain Tile. Color Body Porcelain Tile is made up so that the same color goes all the way through the tile from top to bottom. This is the strongest type of tile, and it is not very noticeable if the surface of the tile gets chipped because the same color is visible underneath. The second type of Porcelain Tile, Glazed Porcelain Tile, is also a very durable tile, but the glazed surface of the tile is composed of a separate layer making any damage to the tile a little more noticeable. Both types of Porcelain Tile are suitable for interior and exterior use. 
Glass Tile is a type of tile that is often used to accent Ceramic or Porcelain Tile. Glass Tile is glass that is made into various sized tiles and finishes. Many shapes are available including: Glass Tile Bricks, Glass Tile Ovals, Glass Tile Rounds and Glass Tile Mixed Sizes. The different finishes include: Polished Glass Tile, Glossy Glass Tile, Matte Glass Tile, Rippled Glass Tile, Tumbled Glass Tile and Iridescent Glass Tile. Glass Tile is both frost resistant and stain resistant making it ideal for pools, fountains, kitchen backsplashes, bathroom walls, shower walls and shower floors.
Not only is the popularity of both Ceramic and Porcelain Tile growing, but the options for both are growing as well. A new process has been created that makes each tile completely straight on each side making it a Rectified Tile. With straight edges, the grout joints have the capability of being as narrow as a credit card. Both Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles come in a Rectified Tile. Whichever you choose, both are versatile and great options for your home or business.