Clearwater, FL -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/23/2013 -- Ceramic tile is versatile, but make sure to choose just the right kind of tile for each home renovation project.

“Saying you want ceramic tile in the house is just the start of a new adventure, with gorgeous tiles that can add a touch of elegance to your home. However, make sure that what you are choosing is the right tile for the job,” urges Dean Dupre, who owns Champion Tile and Marble in Tampa, Florida. “And, if you choose to install it yourself, use the right tools.”

For a first-time shopper, it is wise to keep the available types of tile in mind. Flooring tiles are much thicker and sturdier than wall tiles. Tiles come in ogee and Moorish shapes, as well as squares, octagons, hexagons and rectangles; a homeowner has many options for creating a work of art he or she enjoys. Tiles may have glazed or unglazed finishes. Unglazed tiling is less slippery when wet and wears better than glazed tiles, because it is colored throughout the entire tile, not just on the surface.

“There are five common ceramic tiles on the market to choose from,” outlines Dupre. Homeowners can choose from pavers, quarry tiles, glazed tiles, porcelain tiles and Mexican tile.

Mexican tiles, as one might guess, originate in Mexico. They offer a rustic ambience with their earth-colored presence. These tiles need to be sealed, as they are extremely absorbant and very soft. Mexican art tiles are another choice, and many homeowners use them as accents in a largerproject. Porcelain tiles have hundreds of colors to choose from and do not need to be sealed. Porcelain is very hard and dense, a good choice for washrooms and laundry areas of the home.

“If you like glazed tile, be aware that it is pressed clay. Tiles used on the floor are different than those for a wall. Wall tiles are softer and will not function well as flooring. If you choose flooring tiles, you can expect longer wear and better traction overall,” said Dupre. Traction is also a plus point for quarry tile, made of extruded clay poured into various forms. Quarry tiles come in a variety of colors, with glazed and unglazed surfaces, and are considered to be the toughest, most water-resistent flooring. Pavers, which are pressed, not extruded, and usually unglazed, need to be sealed. However, their wide range of colors and sizes makes them appealing for certain projects.

Pick the right tile for the project at hand, and the results will speak for themselves.

Learn more at http://www.champtile.com/