Tile is everywhere. From the backsplash of your kitchen, the floors of your shower, the walls of your local bar, to the lobby of your favorite hotel – there’s no questioning the fact that tile covers some of our favorite and most intimate spaces.

You may already know that tile dates back to ancient times, as archaeologists continue to excavate bits and pieces from sites around the world. What you may not know about tile though, is that it’s as rugged as it is beautiful, delivers as many health benefits for the occupants of any space as it does timeless design touches, and, thanks to the fact that each piece is hand-laid, it provides customization opportunities simply unattainable through any other surface option.

Simply put, porcelain and ceramic is the secret to safe, stylish and sustainable spaces. Read on as we go in-depth with the #WhyTile campaign about why you’ll love living and working with natural, healthy, and beautiful tile.

1. Tile Helps Create Healthy Spaces

 Eco-friendly tile helps clear the air

If clean air is important to you and your family, tile is the natural choice. Made from natural ingredients and free from toxic chemicals, ceramic and porcelain keeps your home and business healthy by avoiding exposure to harmful contaminants that are found in other surfaces. The hypoallergenic floor, wall, and countertop option contains zero allergens, VOCs, formaldehyde, or PVC that are known to cause a variety of health problems such as allergies, asthma, and sick building syndrome.

Alongside the physical health benefits, ceramic and porcelain tile provides uncompromising safety without sacrificing style. There are a variety of slip-resistant finishes and textures available for tile flooring. Whether it’s being installed in the shower or on the pool deck, your Design Sales Consultant can recommend safe options for peace of mind.

Tile is also non-flammable, meaning it won’t burn or produce smoke in a fire, reduces flame spread, and doesn’t give off toxic fumes, which can occur with simple kitchen accidents. All of this can be especially meaningful in the event of a fire emergency, especially when considering the importance of maintaining clear exit pathways for yourself and your loved ones.

2. There Are Endless Style Options

 From rustic chic to timeless elegance, tile has you covered

Tile has long been the favorite option for kitchens, baths, living rooms, outdoor areas, and commercial projects due to its incredible versatility and the wide range of styles available. It brings style, texture, color and dimension to both interior and exterior designs resulting in virtually limitless opportunities for self-expression.

Thanks to the latest advances in manufacturing technology, colors are now brighter, textures are more elevated and shapes go far beyond the traditional offerings. From soft, handmade looks to electric pops of color, the latest collections allow for an attainable aesthetic beyond just paint and wallpaper. For some of our favorite tile trends so far this year, click here.  

3. Tile Is Easy To Care For

 Perfect for all of life’s messes, tile is super easy to clean

Whether it be on floors, walls, countertops, or beyond, tile provides a low-maintenance solution for homes and businesses. The moisture-resistant, scratch-resistant, and stain-resistant properties make tile the most sensible surfacing option available today. Most times ceramic and porcelain can be easily cleaned with paper towels and some clear water. For stains that require a bit more attention we recommend a neutral cleaner like Fila Neutral Cleaner.

Tile is also water-resistant, and when installed properly, you won’t have to worry about water seeping through and ruining your sub-flooring. Unlike other flooring types, it’s also completely inhospitable to bacteria. That means no mold or mildew, and a healthier home for you.

The scratch resistant properties also allow for a wide range of design options for commercial spaces and areas with heavy foot traffic. To find the perfect flooring solution for your home or business, contact us today.

4. Tile is Sustainable

From unparalleled durability to zero-waste manufacturing, tile is the most eco-friendly surface option available.

It’s no secret that sustainability is important for both people and the planet, and the naturally eco-friendly properties of ceramic and porcelain help bring these initiatives into our homes and businesses. First, tile is energy efficient. Its inherent thermal mass reduces peak heating and cooling, which helps moderate temperature swings. This means less work for your HVAC system and more energy savings for you.

The raw materials used to make tile are also generally found within 500 miles of manufacturing facilities, dramatically reducing the energy and emissions that come from long-distance shipping before the product is even produced. Plus, once installed, it can be enjoyed generation after generation thanks to its long life span and durability. If you’re looking to replace existing tile, old tile can be easily reused or recycled to dramatically decrease waste.

5. A Rich Heritage

Tile has been a medium of expression for thousands of years. What story will it help you tell?

Over the centuries, tile has facilitated many things from creative and artistic expression to the backdrop of our most cherished memories. Each tile carries the DNA of thousands of years of history, connecting any space to a rich cultural heritage. Ceramic and porcelain represent that perfect union of art and architecture. Its beauty adorns our greatest buildings and historical icons from grand hotel lobbies, historic churches, colleges, the New York subway system, or simply just back home to Grandma’s kitchen.

The genesis of tile’s long history is difficult to pinpoint, but throughout the annals of civilization, it has flourished as a decorative medium influenced by social, political, and economic forces, as well as by the technology at hand. These days, technology facilitates design options that are both affordable and effectively limitless. All of today’s varieties are the abundant return on countless hours of research, development, and design, coupled with a love for ceramics in labs and studios around the world.

The secret ingredient that makes tile so technologically superior to other choices can be summarized in one word: people. From the men and women who pour so much effort into developing new and more exciting surfaces, to the professionals who source the product, and to the craftsmanship of the people who install it – all of them are an integral part of tile’s unique heritage.

All written information is courtesy of Why Tile® – a joint initiative of the tile industry, with installers, contractors, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers banded together the common goal of simply providing education and information about tile. Content has been edited for relevancy and clarity. Learn more at https://whytile.com/