Which one is right for you?

In your home, tile can produce dozens of illusions, making rooms seem larger or more intimate, brighter or cozier, grandly formal or uniquely artistic. You may think of tile as primarily for entries, bathrooms and kitchens, but there is no reason to limit its use to those rooms. Living rooms, family rooms, bedrooms -- tile can beautify any room in your house.

This day and age there are sooo many choices out there its hard to find out which one will fit your needs the best. Tile projects are no exception to the rule! Here is a fast how to choose guideline that can help you find the best fit for your situation.

Ceramic Tile -

This product is very versatile and is used in many applications. Ceramic tile can be a less expensive option when it comes to installing it as well. It comes in an incredibly wide variety of sizes, shapes and colors. If you are looking at using ceramic tile for your floors most often people will choose 12x12 tiles and sometimes a corresponding accent tile around the edges.

Many people will choose ceramic tile for walls, showers and even countertops because of its ease of installaton and variety of colors. You can readily find all parts and pieces to finish off edges and around corners in ceramic tile. Most often ceramic tile is something a homeowner can install themselves if they have the correct tools and desire to do so. When looking at having it professionally installed you would be looking at a range from $5-$10+ per square foot. (not including materials) . The tile itself can run anywhere from $1.50 - $30+ per square foot. So as you can see the choice really and truly is yours. Just how fancy do you want to get?

Marble Tile - .

This product is a true natural beauty. It comes in many sizes and colors as well, and you will never find two tiles exactly alike. It is really like creating artwork on your surface.. Marble tile is only right in certain areas of your home. It's unparalleled lasting beauty can enhance any room, but marble is a softer tile than ceramic or granite, so think about where it is you want to put it. How much traffic or use will the surface get? If it is a high traffic area, marble might not be the right choice for you. Marble also can stain fairly easily.  A top quality penetrating sealer and special cleaner are a must.  

Unless you are a very "handy" homeowner, you may want to think about having this job hired out to a professional, as marble tiles are harder to work with than ceramic tile. Many pieces may need to be fabricated on site to finish off edges and go around corners.  Installation of marble tile will typically cost between $9-$15+ per square foot. (not including materials) The tiles themselves range from $3-$40+ per square foot.

Granite Tile -

This type of tile is by far the most durable surface you will encounter. Granite is an incredibly hard stone. It too has natural beauty and will accent any room. It is perfect for using as a landing or entry tile. Many people will choose granite for countertops and backsplashes, as well as around fireplaces. Granite comes in a great variety of colors. When it comes to natural stone, granite is the top choice! It's price will reflect this as it is one of the most expensive tiles you can use. Because of this, many people will choose to use it as an accent in smaller areas of their home. It adds beauty and elegance to a room without costing an arm and a leg!

Granite requires special tools to work with (as you might have guessed) because of its hardness. As with marble tile you won't find finished edges readily available in the market, and many parts and pieces may need to be fabricated on site. Therefore this is another type of tile project best left to the professionals  Unless of course, you are a hard core "Do It Yourselfer". Granite tile installation will cost anywhere from $10-$25+ per square foot to install. (not including materials) Granite tile can cost anywhere from $5 to $50+ per square foot, and the blades and tools required to cut and polish edges can cost you hundreds more. 

Today, tile can be smooth or rough, intricate or simple, very colorful or bland. It provides excellent moisture repellency and added insulation properties to walls and floors. Tile withstands exposure to light and doesn't give off toxic fumes in a fire. What other product can you find that is so versatile?