Tile Material

Large format tiles—typically defined as having at least one edge longer than 15 inches—minimize the number of grout lines in a room. This creates a more seamless, expansive appearance that mimics the look of a solid stone slab. Beyond aesthetics, fewer grout lines mean less surface area for mold, mildew, and staining to occur, making large format porcelain or sintered stone much easier to maintain over the long term.

Most glass tile is designed specifically for wall applications like backsplashes or shower surrounds because it can be slippery when wet and prone to scratching under heavy foot traffic. However, some specialized matte-finish or textured glass mosaics are rated for light residential floor use (such as in a powder room). Always check the PEI (Porcelain Enamel Institute) rating of the specific glass tile to ensure it meets the durability requirements of your project.

Sintered stone, like Dekton or Neolith, is manufactured using “Extreme Sintering Technology,” which subjects minerals to thousands of tons of pressure and intense heat. This creates a surface that is virtually indestructible—it is UV resistant, heat resistant to the point that hot pans won’t damage it, and completely non-porous. While porcelain is highly durable, sintered stone is a “super-material” ideal for outdoor kitchens and heavy-duty commercial surfaces.

Because natural stone is porous, it requires a high-quality impregnating sealer. This sealer doesn’t sit on top of the stone but sinks into the pores to create a barrier against oils and liquids. For high-moisture areas like bathrooms or kitchens, we recommend resealing your stone tile every 6 to 12 months. Using pH-neutral cleaners specifically formulated for stone is also critical to prevent “etching,” which is chemical damage caused by acidic cleaners like vinegar.

Yes, metal tiles made from stainless steel, copper, or aluminum are exceptionally heat-resistant and easy to clean, making them ideal for areas behind a range. They are non-porous and do not absorb grease or odors. However, avoid using abrasive scrubbers (like steel wool) on polished metal tiles, as they can leave fine scratches. A simple microfiber cloth and warm soapy water are usually all that is needed for maintenance.

Standard mosaics are usually made of squares or simple shapes cut with a traditional saw. Water-jet technology uses a high-pressure stream of water mixed with an abrasive to cut stone, glass, or metal into intricate, flowing, and curved patterns. This allows for elegant designs like arabesques, floral motifs, and interlocking circles that would be impossible to achieve with standard cutting tools.

While “tile-over-tile” is technically possible, it is rarely recommended. Installing new tile over old tile adds significant weight to your floor and increases the height, which can create issues with door clearances and transitions to other rooms. Furthermore, if the original tile has any cracks or is pulling away from the subfloor, the new tile will eventually fail as well. A clean, stable subfloor is essential for a professional result.

The grout joint is the space between tiles. For rectified tiles (tiles with perfectly straight, machine-cut edges), you can have very thin joints (1/16″), creating a sleek look. For hand-crafted or non-rectified tiles, a wider joint (1/8″ or 3/16″) is required to hide slight variations in tile size. The color of the grout also matters: matching the grout to the tile creates a seamless look, while a contrasting grout highlights the shape and pattern of the tile.

Recycled glass tile is one of the most eco-friendly options available. It is often made from post-consumer or post-industrial glass that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Beyond sustainability, glass is naturally resistant to mold, mildew, and chemical damage, making it a hygienic and shimmering choice for shower walls and vanity backsplashes.

Trim pieces, like bullnose tiles or metal Schluter strips, are used to finish the raw edges of a tile installation where it meets a wall or another floor. Many modern tile collections do not include matching bullnose pieces; in these cases, we use sleek metal or plastic profiles to create a clean, contemporary transition. Selecting your trim during the design phase is vital for a polished, professional finish.

It is a common design myth that small rooms require small tiles. In fact, using large format tiles in a small bathroom can make the space feel larger by reducing the number of grout lines that “break up” the floor. This creates a cleaner, less cluttered visual field, which can make a compact bathroom feel more like a spacious spa.

A slab backsplash uses a single, continuous piece of stone or quartz that matches your countertop, extending up to the cabinets. It provides a high-end, seamless look with zero grout lines. A tile backsplash allows for more texture, color variation, and pattern (like herringbone or subway). Both have their merits, but slab backsplashes are currently a top trend for those seeking a minimalist, luxury aesthetic.

Yes, porcelain tile is one of the best conductors of heat for radiant floor systems. It retains heat much longer than real hardwood or laminate, making it highly efficient. Wood-look porcelain gives you the warm aesthetic of natural timber with the durability and thermal properties of stone, making it perfect for Midwest winters.

The PEI (Porcelain Enamel Institute) rating measures the abrasion resistance of a tile’s glaze. Ratings range from 1 to 5. A PEI 1 is only for walls, while a PEI 4 or 5 is rated for heavy commercial traffic. When selecting tile for your Hudson home, ensuring your floor tile has a PEI rating of at least 3 is critical for long-term wear resistance.

Subway tile is the ultimate design chameleon because it balances a fixed geometric form with endless stylistic flexibility. While the classic 3×6 rectangular shape is the historical standard, modern subway tile has evolved to include a vast variety of rectangular sizes—ranging from elongated 2×10 “plank” styles to oversized 4×12 formats. This variety allows the tile to adapt to any architectural scale, from historic Stillwater renovations to modern Minneapolis condo designs.

By staying strictly within a rectangular format but varying the scale and orientation, you can completely change the energy of a room. For example, a vertical “stack-bond” layout using a 2×8 tile creates a contemporary, mid-century feel, while a traditional 50% offset using a “handmade” zellige-style texture adds an artisanal, organic warmth. When paired with high-contrast colored grouts, even the most affordable porcelain tile becomes a bold, high-end design statement.

Real encaustic cement tiles are beautiful but very porous and prone to staining and fading. Cement-look porcelain tiles use high-definition digital printing to replicate the matte finish and bold patterns of cement but with the non-porous, stain-resistant benefits of porcelain. They are much easier to maintain, especially in “splash zones” like kitchens and mudrooms.

Tile layout is about more than just sticking tiles to a wall. A professional designer ensures that “slivers” of tile aren’t left in the corners, that patterns are centered on focal points (like the stove or fireplace), and that transitions between different heights and materials are seamless. At Gallery 77, we include this design foresight in every project.

Yes, but you must ensure the slate is “cleft” or “gauged” for outdoor use and properly sealed. Slate is a metamorphic rock that handles temperature changes well, but it can “flake” (spall) over time if water gets into the layers and freezes. Choosing a high-density slate and maintaining the sealer will ensure it lasts for decades in our climate.

DCOF (Dynamic Coefficient of Friction) measures how slippery a tile is when wet. For bathroom floors, entryways, and pool decks, you want a tile with a DCOF rating of 0.42 or higher. This ensures safety for children and seniors and prevents accidents in moisture-prone areas of the home.

3D tiles add incredible visual interest but can collect dust on the ridges. We recommend using a soft-bristle brush attachment on a vacuum for regular dusting and a mild, non-abrasive spray cleaner for deep cleaning. Avoid using heavy waxes or oils on these tiles, as they can build up in the crevices and become difficult to remove.

Antiqued or “tumbled” stone has been processed to have rounded edges and a slightly worn, pitted surface. This gives the tile an “old-world” look immediately. It is excellent for high-traffic areas because it already has a distressed look, meaning new scratches or wear marks will blend right into the existing texture.

Bookmatching is when two or more stone or porcelain surfaces are installed so that their veining mirrors each other, creating a “butterfly” or open-book effect. This is a high-end design technique often used for large bathroom walls or fireplace surrounds to create a dramatic, symmetrical focal point.

Pebble tile is a popular choice for shower floors because it provides excellent natural slip resistance and a “spa-like” feel underfoot. However, it requires significantly more grout than standard tile. It is essential to use a high-quality epoxy grout with pebble tile to prevent the grout from wearing down over time due to constant water exposure.

Reputable manufacturers (like those we partner with at Gallery 77) ensure “dye-lot” consistency and “caliber” (size) control. Lower-quality tiles often have significant variations from one box to the next, which can lead to a “patchy” looking floor or uneven grout lines. High-quality manufacturing ensures that the tile you see in our showroom is exactly what ends up on your floor.