Tile is a durable flooring option made primarily from fired clay (porcelain and other ceramics), glass, or stone The primary strength of tile is its durability. Tile can last indefinitely even in high-traffic areas, eliminating the waste and expense of replacements. Its longevity requires:

• Selecting tile with the appropriate surface hardness for the expected amount of foot traffic.
• Keeping the tile free of grit and sand via regular sweeping or moist-mopping.
• Appropriate subfloor and proficient installation.

Summary: Tiles

Choosing tile that will last and not require frequent repair or replacement is a critical practical and environmental consideration. Common tile types include unglazed, glazed, and porcelain ceramic; glass; and stone. Each tile type can provide a healthy, lasting floor surface that can lasting for decades to centuries, and may even be reusable in another location. However, tile can only offer such performance if it has the appropriate surface hardness for the location. Hardness is measured on the PEI (Porcelain Enamel Institute) scale of 0 to 5, with 0 indicating a tile should not be used as flooring and 5 signifying a surface designed for very heavy foot traffic and abrasion. Kept relatively free of sand and grit, floor tile can easily last as long as the house it is in.

The impacts of mining, producing and delivering a unit of tile are also important considerations. Tile is a dense material, so selecting tile made locally or in our region reduces the energy use and pollution of transport dramatically.

Ceramic, glass, and stone tiles are odorless, do not burn, will not retain liquids, and do not absorb fumes, odors, or smoke. When installed with low- or zero-VOC thinset, tile can contribute to good indoor air quality. The 650 million of square feet of ceramic tile produced by U.S. factories each year, together with the billions of square feet manufactured throughout the world, requires mining millions of tons of clay and other minerals, and substantial energy to fire material into hardened tile. Beautiful and durable tiles can also be made from up to 100% recycled glass - literally bottles and windshields - reducing energy use and eliminating the need to mine virgin materials. Glass floor tile can offer a non-skid surface appropriate for ADA compliance. (Depending on glass content and production method, tile made with recycled glass can be either ceramic or glass tile.) Stone requires relatively little energy to process, but significant energy to quarry and ship.

Glazing ceramic tile requires a layer of liquid glass solution or enamel. (Tile in low-traffic areas, particularly roofing, may use lower-impact water-based glazes.) Though they can be more slippery, glazed tiles may be practically stain-proof. In addition to their slip-resistance, the integral color and generally greater thickness of unglazed tiles tend make them more durable than glazed tiles. However, unglazed tiles may require a sealant; factory-sealed tiles can help minimize or eliminate a source of indoor VOC emissions.