Return to Flooring Terms Glossary
Ceramic |
| Glass Tiles |
These popular tiles are made from pieces of glass formed into consistent shapes. Glass was used in mosaics as early as 2500 BC, but it took until the 3rd Century BC before innovative artisans in Greece, Persia, and India created glass tiles. |
| Glazed tiles |
| Glazed tiles are available in high-gloss, matte, and abrasive slip-resistant finishes. Hand-painted glazed tiles come in beautifully intricate patterns which will give your tile a distinctive look. |
| Gloss Level |
Refers to the various sheens or levels of gloss—Satin, Semi-gloss, or Gloss |
| Mosaic tile |
Mosaics are made from different types of clay with color pigments added so the color goes all the way through the tile. These tiles are available in glazed or unglazed finishes. They also resist moisture and will not chip easily, according to Hometime.com’s home renovation guide. |
| Porcelain tile |
These tiles are fired at extreme temperatures, making them stronger and harder than other ceramic tiles. They are extremely wear-resistant and absorb less water than other ceramic tiles, making them an excellent choice for high-traffic areas of the home, especially those regularly exposed to moisture. |
| Quarry tile |
Quarry tiles are made from a mixture of unglazed clays in earth tone colors: gray, red, and brown.The color of these tiles comes from the clay as well as the temperature and duration of firing. Quarry tiles are available in squares, rectangles, and hexagons. |