All About Tiles
Does the Tile Material or Finish Matter?
Yes, of course! All of our stunning tiles and stone have different characteristics that can make them more or less suitable for use in different areas. To help select the right type of tile it’s good to have some general understanding of the differences and terminology.
Our technical and design experts have put together the summary below which will answer all your questions and help bring your dream alive. Of course, if you want to chat to someone about tiles you can drop into any of our stores, web chat or call us on 1800 4 TILES.
Tile Material And Finish Explained
It’s really important to the select the right material and finish for job, everything you need to know about materials and finishes is right here.
Click on any topic below and we’ll take you directly to our tips. Come back to this index at any time if you need more information.
| Ceramic tile | Durable, low maintenance, easy installation, generally low cost |
| Semi-vitrified | Ceramic tiles with water absorption 3% to <6% |
| Vitrified |
Ceramic tiles with water absorption 0.5% to <3% |
| Highly vitrified | Ceramic Tiles with water absorption <0.5%, commonly referred to as porcelain tiles |
| Porcelain tile | Durable, harder wearing, very low absorption ceramic tile, highly vitrified. |
| Types of porcelain tile | Glazed, Unglazed (matt), Polished, Semi-Polished (Lappato), Polished Glaze |
| Glazed tile | Colourful, decorative, impervious to water |
| Unglazed tile | Hard-wearing, natural finish |
| Tile edge types | Pressed, cushioned (rounded) and rectified (cut square) |
| Polished tiles | Polished with a high gloss finish (not intended to be mirror-like perfect), polished glaze, polished porcelain |
| Lappato | Semi polished glazed finish |
| Textured tiles | Natural textured finish, unglazed with slip-resistance |
| Microtec | Microtec is an advanced glazing technology that creates a surprisingly smooth surface of slip resistance. |
| Mosaic tiles | Small sizes, mesh-mounted to simplify handling |
| Slabs | Big format porcelain slabs or panels over 800 x 1600mm |
| Marble & stone look tiles | Replicating natural stone with low maintenance and high performance |
| Timber look tiles | Replicating timber and wood with improved performance |
| Concrete look tiles | Replicating concrete with low maintenance and high performance |
| Terrazzo look tiles | Replicating terrazzo with low maintenance and high performance |
| Natural stone | Prized for distinctive beauty that adds value and a sense of luxury |
| Natural Marble | Rich colour palette with rich decorative veins and able to be polished |
| Natural Travertine | Generally honed or tumbled finish, featuring swirls, veins and pitted surface |
| Natural Limestone | Soft, muted tones that are perfect for casual, luxurious living |
| Natural Basalt | Also referred to as bluestone. Suitable for indoor and outdoor paving |
Featured Tiles
Floor Tile: Elegance Timber White
Ceramic Tiles
Pending its rating, Ceramic tiles can be used throughout your home and are best suited to residential and recreational spaces including walls and bedrooms.
Sometime around 4000 years ago – yes, ceramic tiles have been popular for that long! The ancient Egyptians discovered that by firing pieces of clay in a very hot oven, they could create a permanently hard and strong, durable, water-resistant and attractive material. Ceramic tiles have come a long way since then, but they’re still known for their strength, hardiness and great looks.
A great choice for environmentally conscious and budget-conscious homeowners, ceramic tiles are made from abundant natural material – clay and some other natural minerals. They’re free from harmful VOCs and their impressive longevity means they don’t just look great for much longer than other floor materials like carpet or timber, they’re much less wasteful too.
Not all tiles are glazed, but most are, meaning they are covered with a glass-like coating and fired to give the tiles the colour or decoration. This process increases the tiles strength, making them impervious to liquids, easy to clean and resistant to germs.
When looking at ceramic tiles it is important to note factors such as breaking strength, slip resistance and wear ratings. These will determine how strong and hard the tile surface is and if the tile will be slip-resistant. With the correct information, you will be able to determine if a ceramic tile is suitable for use on walls, floors or high traffic areas. Check out The Benefits Of Tiles!
Featured Tiles
Splashback Wall Tile: Devonshire Seamist Gris Gloss
Our Hot Tip: Want to design like Kyal & Kara? Start with finding your unique style with our What's My Style Quiz here.
Semi-Vitrified & Vitrified Tiles
Vitrification refers to the process in which clay becomes glass-like as a result of fusion. A vitrified tile is generally stronger, denser and more resistant to staining than a non-vitrified ceramic tile thanks to its water absorption (how much water a tile holds). The lower water absorption a tile has the more resistant it will be, yet various levels of vitrification exist.
A semi-vitrified ceramic tile has a water absorption between 3% to <6% these tiles are great for areas not prone to changes in temperature and not immersed in water, they are commonly used on walls. Vitrified ceramic tiles have a water absorption between 0.5% to <3% these tiles (pending the wear rating) are fairly resistant to staining and perfect for use in bedrooms or living room spaces.
Fully vitrified ceramic tiles have the lowest water absorption of <0.5% and are commonly referred to as porcelain tiles. With such a low water absorption these tiles are perfect for frosty outdoor applications, bathrooms and are much more resistant to food and beverage stains.
Featured Tiles
Floor Tile: Belga Ivory
Our Hot Tip: Our handy guide makes learning about tiles easy! Click here to download.
Porcelain Tiles
Porcelain tiles are widely used in commercial spaces as well as residential areas such as kitchens, living areas, entryways and bathrooms due to the extraordinary detail and finishes available. Porcelain tiles are also well suited for use in external areas such as patios, pool surrounds, driveways, carports and garages due to their strength. All porcelain tiles are ceramic but not all ceramic is porcelain.
Let us explain that porcelain tiles are a type of ceramic tile made from a mixture of finer clays and are fired at a higher temperature. This is why porcelain tiles cost a little more and are considered to be of a higher quality. The composition and higher firing temperatures make them harder, denser and more durable than traditional ceramic tiles. Technically, a tile must absorb less than 0.5 per cent of its weight in water to be considered a porcelain tile.
Porcelain tiles are one of the most versatile flooring options around thanks to their durability, toughness, resistance to wear, ease of cleaning and (of course) great looks!
Porcelain tiles are not just a popular choice for floors but also walls. They can be glazed or unglazed, polished, semi-polished or natural (meaning an unglazed with a matt finish). They were originally developed for high traffic commercial areas such as shopping centres and airports and will last with less breakage in harder wearing situations than a traditional ceramic tile.
Featured Tiles
Floor Tile: Ice Pietra Charcoal
Our Hot Tip: With so many different finishes and how that impacts the look of the tile, we always recommend you order a sample or come in-store to see the subtle differences in the tile you like.
Types Of Porcelain Tiles
Glazed Porcelain Tiles
Porcelain tiles can be glazed to increase stain resistance further while the advanced digital glaze techniques can produce a tile that looks just like timber, stone, concrete or even fabric but will outperform them all in terms of ease of installation, cleaning and maintenance. Our clever suppliers from around the world can replicate most things on tiles now, the sky is the limit!
Unglazed Porcelain Tiles
Natural unglazed porcelain has the surface colour continuing all the way through the tile with a matt finish. It is also referred to as through-body porcelain. If this type of tile was ever to be chipped, the colour underneath will be the same as on the surface but these tiles are tough! They are used in high traffic areas and can have a textured surface to increase slip resistance in outdoor, sloping or potentially hazardous situations. They are a great all-rounder that will stand the test of time, hello to high heels and parties!
Colour Bodied Porcelain Tiles
We also have what is called a colour bodied porcelain tile which is glazed when fired. The glaze is very close in colour to the body (or biscuit) meaning that if the durable tile were to be chipped or scratched it would be less noticeable.
Because colour bodied porcelain is glazed there are endless choices when it comes to designs making this type of tile suited to a range of flooring applications.
Double Charged Porcelain Tiles
A ‘Double Charged’ porcelain tile is made by fusing two layers of different coloured clays during firing. Around a quarter of the total tile thickness, the top layer is specially selected and often randomly mixed to create the decorative surface finish. They can be polished or unpolished but designs are limited.
Featured Tiles
Floor Tile: Rock Salt Danish Smoke
Our Hot Tip: Did you know our first-grade tiles come with a lifetime guarantee? You can trust that when you choose Beaumonts, you're choosing a quality product, guaranteed.
Glazed Tiles
Glazed tiles have a thin, glass-like layer applied on top of the tile's clay body, usually applied before (but in traditional ceramics after an initial “bisque or biscuit”) firing. The glaze is fired and provides permanent colour or decoration and improves durability while making the tile stain-resistant, providing an impervious barrier to water on the face of the tile as well as making the tile easy to clean. Traditional wall tiles can still be fired twice - once to fire the clay and a second time to fire the glaze. This technique is known as twice-fired or Bicottura and gives a very smooth, glazed finish. The colours can also be quite bright and intense and won’t fade over time or in the sun. These twice fired glossy beauties are generally for wall use only.
Unglazed Tiles
Unglazed tiles are made from a single or double layer of clay that makes up the surface and body of the tile. Unglazed porcelain tiles are very dense so they do not absorb moisture or dirt. The colour tends to be quite uniform and may also exhibit higher slip resistant values than glazed tiles. Other more traditional unglazed tiles such as terracotta feature natural earth through to orange and pink tones and can be used inside or outside. They generally have a slightly rougher surface that is great for outside and have a higher moisture absorption, which may require sealing.
Featured Tiles
Floor Slab: Grand Pandora Polished
Our Hot Tip: With so many different finishes we always recommend you order a sample or come in-store to see the subtle differences in the tile you like.
Pressed, Cushioned, And Rectified Edge Tiles
Pressed or cushioned edge tiles refer to the slightly rounded top edge around the perimeter of a normally pressed tile. The rounded edge allows more variation for lippage or differences in the finished height between adjacent tiles. Many pressed edge tiles are categorised as ceramic rather than porcelain, can be more economical to produce and a bit faster to install than rectified edge tiles.
Rectified tiles are generally porcelain and have the edges trimmed after firing, so each tile's size is uniform. The additional cost of cutting makes rectified tiles slightly more expensive but the more uniform size and square edge more accurately imitate the look of natural stone and enables a narrower grout joint when fixing. Care must be taken to avoid lippage and the use of a tile levelling system during installation is recommended, especially with large, rectified edge tiles. If you love straight lines, rectified is for you.
Featured Tiles
Floor Tile: Sicilian Stone Grey
Our Hot Tip: The edge of your tile makes a big difference to the final look, that’s why we always recommend you order a sample or head in-store to see the subtle differences in the tile you like.
Polished Or Semi-Polished Tiles
Polished Porcelain Tiles
The surface of unglazed porcelain tiles (and some glazed porcelain) can be polished to offer a very glossy and highly reflective finish that is not intended to be mirror-like perfect. As the tile surface is highly reflective a very flat substrate surface is required when laying polished porcelain tiles.
Typically suited for use indoors on walls and floors, polished tiles help create a luxurious indoor space. It is important to note that although hard-wearing, polished porcelain is best suited to spaces that are not subject to water or high traffic. As they are not optimal for wet areas, bathrooms or outdoors, a matching tile in a natural, textured or unpolished matt finish may be available which will help to create a seamless flooring transition throughout your project.
Often rectified, polished porcelain tiles are easy to maintain and the square uniform size provides a super neat look.
Lappato or Semi-Polished Tiles
Taking its name from the Italian word for “semi-polished” or “honed” a lappato finish is exactly that. Lappato tiles undergo the same polishing as classic polished porcelain tiles. The only difference is that these tiles aren't polished for as long, which leads to their softer finish.
If you're looking for the perfect balance between a matt and polished tile, a lappato finish gives you exactly the look you're after making them a great choice for floors even bathrooms.
Semi-polished tiles have a soft polished finish, featuring a higher shine than matt tiles but a gentler finish than a traditional polished porcelain tile. Some tiles combine glossy and semi-gloss polished areas on one tile.
Lappato and semi-polished tiles are suited to an array of internal applications and in most instances are able to be used on the wall and the floor creating a gentle reflection of light and charm.
Featured Tiles
Floor Tile: Homestone Alabaster Microtec 600x600
Floor Tile: Homestone Alabaster Microtec 600x300
Our Hot Tip: If you are looking for a main floor tile, try our BeVisual Live visualiser here to see how your chosen tile looks in your home.
Textured Tiles
Textured tiles are known not only for their seriously good looks but for their durability, hard-wearing nature and incredible water resistance. These characteristics make them a great choice for flooring in wet areas like bathrooms, ensuites, kitchens, outdoors and around pools.
But when there’s water around there’s another important consideration that comes into play: slip resistance. When you have a wet area like a family bathroom it’s important to pick the right tile for the job. If slip-resistance is needed, textured tiles are the best way to go. These are ceramic and porcelain tiles that have especially been made with a higher grip, textured surface that increases their slip-resistance.
When it comes to your safety and the safety of your family, choosing a textured tile with the right amount of slip resistance is important. At Beaumont Tiles, we make it easy to understand our tiles' level of slip resistance by clearly showing several Slip Ratings for each product.
Slip Ratings are a useful tool to help you select the perfect tiles for your renovation. Learn more about using tile ratings here.
Microtec Tiles
Microtec is an advanced glazing technology that creates a surprisingly smooth surface of slip resistance, allowing seamless transitions from indoors to out with the same tile. It is a fine uniform coat of microscopic granules that are applied during the manufacturing process allowing for the same tile to be used through wet, dry and outdoor spaces.
Featured Tiles
Floor Tile: Templar Herald Charcoal Textured
Floor Tile: Templar Charcoal Textured
Our Hot Tip: You'll be inspired by our new and Exclusive Microtec Collection, download our Microtec brochure here.
Mosaic Tiles
Mosaic tiles are small components of ceramic, porcelain, natural stone, glass, metal, wood or resin arranged on a mesh sheet to make handling and installation easier. Mosaics are available in a wide range of shapes, colours and sizes and can be installed just like a ceramic tile with each sheet generally being 300x300mm. Some mosaics interlock so it is important to check the area covered and not just the external dimensions. Mosaic tiles are generally between 3 and 10mm in thickness so it is also important to check if they need to match the thickness of adjacent wall tiles.
Many swimming pools feature glass or glazed porcelain mosaic tiles around the waterline or throughout the pool. When looking at pool mosaics it is important that the mesh and glue used to secure the mosaic to the mesh have been checked for water immersion.
Some other mountings for the mosaic pieces are allowed but according to the Australian Standard AS3958.1-2007, the exposed mosaic surface (glue and mesh free area) must be at least 80 per cent while the minimum required contact coverage of the adhesive to the mosaics must be at least 90 per cent. If you need clarification of this, just drop into one of our stores or contact us any time, we’re here to help!
Featured Tiles
Wall Tile: Kiwi Mix Mosaic
Our Hot Tip: Enter our monthly #ichosebeaumonts competition for your chance to win a voucher to the value of your tiles! Click here to read the T&Cs and enter your reno.
Slabs Or Large Size Panel Tiles
Slabs are incredibly beautiful and huge! Only tiles that are 800x1600mm or bigger are worthy of being called slabs. Anything below that size is referred to as a large format or a standard-size tile.
The last 10 years have seen huge technical advances in the world of tile manufacturing, resulting in bigger and bigger sized tiles. The large porcelain slabs or panels are sometimes referred to overseas as gauged porcelain. The digital glaze decoration recreates the beauty of a natural stone slab with all of the superior technical performance characteristics and ease of cleaning and maintenance of porcelain. They are also thinner and lighter but stronger than natural stone. Yet the designs are not limited to stone looks. All manner of decorative finishes is available.
Slabs tiles or even large panels can be used on walls, benchtops, facades, kitchen splashbacks, bathrooms, living room feature walls, even as dining tables. They come in sizes up to 1 x 3 metres and greater. These are a specialised product, so naturally require skilled installers with specialised handling equipment. Click here to find a tiler in your local area.
If you want to make a statement, a slab is the way to go.
Featured Tiles
Floor & Wall Tile: Grand Portobello
Our Hot Tip: Did you know our first-grade tiles come with a lifetime guarantee? You can trust that when you choose Beaumonts, you're choosing a quality product, guaranteed.
Marble & Stone Look Tiles
The appearance of marble, limestone, or travertine is time-honoured and classical, adding sophisticated elegance to any space. However, if you don't want either the maintenance or cost of natural stone, you can opt for stunning marble or stone look tiles. Technology advancements in the way tiles are now made can make it seriously difficult to see the difference, so you get all the impact with less maintenance and cost.
Most types of marble and natural stone can be perfectly reproduced in modern porcelain tile which makes installation easier, increases the strength and durability of the surface, and removes the need for sealing. Apart from these advantages, the biggest is the reduced risk of staining from everyday use and some household chemicals. The ongoing maintenance is reduced to simply sweeping, wiping with a damp cloth, or a weekly mopping with warm water and the occasional cleaner, you’re on a winner with these perfect reproductions of nature’s beauty.
As in nature, there's a lot of variation in marble and stone look tiles, this means every tile face can be just a little different. We can have up to 20 faces for one tile, so you get the look nature intended. For this reason, we want you to know what Tile Variation actually means. Have a look at this handy guide and then refer to which level of variation your tile has.
When a tile has a high level of variation it is really important that you always see a full-size sample before you commit, it's best to do that in-store.
Featured Tiles
Floor Tile:
Wall Tile:
Our Hot Tip: Book a FREE IN-STORE OR ONLINE DESIGN CONSULTATION and get your creative juices flowing with our experts.
Timber Look Tiles
If your home is Contemporary, Traditional, Vintage, or Wanderlust, our wide selection of timber look tiles in a variety of timber colours and finishes will offer you the perfect solution. Timber look tiles are one of the biggest looks right now for so many reasons.
Our range of porcelain and ceramic timber-look tiles not only looks like real timber but feel just like real wood, without all the hassle and expense that comes with timber. Unlike timber flooring, our wood-look tiles won’t warp, discolour or shrink with temperature changes and are resistant to spills and dents. Tiles will not require the messy and disruptive sanding and odorous recoating every 5-10 years. Timber look tiles are also fireproof while being almost indistinguishable from natural timber when laid.
To emulate nature our timber look tiles can have up to 50 different faces or looks, creating a unique natural look. You must understand what we call ‘variation’ before you buy these tiles. Our team of experts are ready to talk you through it too so BOOK A FREE DESIGN CONSULTATION and chat with the experts.
Our timber look tiles come in several shapes and plank lengths, perfect for taking your tile layout to the next level. Go bold with herringbone, double herringbone tiles or create a striking feature floor – spot on for Coastal and Traditionally styled projects. Or try the staggered offset configuration for a natural, laid-back look in Scandinavian bathrooms or Industrial styled spaces.
Beaumont tiles timber look tile range is really impressive, check it out here!
Featured Tiles
Floor Tiles: Oak Wood Ash
Our Hot Tip: To truly appreciate the look and variations of timber-look tiles, we recommend you order a sample or visit your local store to see the subtle differences in the tile you like.
Concrete Look Tiles
Ceramic and porcelain tiles are extraordinarily tough. They're durable and low maintenance and make for great wall and floor tile options. Pair this with the edgy industrial looks of concrete or cement and you have a match made in heaven.
There’s no denying the powerful impression that concrete look floor tiles make. Over a large main floor or a floor-to-ceiling feature wall (or fireplace!), they're impressive. But these urban style beauties don't stop there. They're also great for taking a bathroom renovation, splashback or laundry feature to another level.
Most styles of concrete including polished or exposed aggregate styles can be accurately reproduced in modern porcelain tile which makes installation simpler and ongoing maintenance easier.
Unlike concrete, ceramic and porcelain tiles do not shrink or develop small cracks in the surface. Porcelain tiles are more hard-wearing than a lot of concrete and never need to be repolished or resurfaced. Concrete look tiles are available in many formats, shades, finishes and sizes including large slabs.
Choose concrete look tiles for a raw, unfinished industrial style – with none of the drawbacks of raw concrete.
Featured Tiles
Floor Tile: Ales Nero
Top Wall Tile: Mod Fingers White Gloss Mosaic
Bottom Wall Tile:
Wall Tile: Vast White Satin
Our Hot Tip: Enter our monthly #ichosebeaumonts competition for your chance to win a voucher for the value of your tiles! Click here to read the T&Cs and enter your reno.
Terrazzo Look Tiles
The long-predicted resurgence has arrived, and terrazzo tiles are proving to be the hottest new but not-so-new global design trend.
The distinctive terrazzo look comes from its fascinating scatter-shot pattern of chips of stones like marble or granite (or sometimes something a little more unusual like coloured glass) that are set in concrete which is polished down to a smooth surface.
Proving themselves popular for decades in commercial spaces, terrazzo tiles are becoming more and more popular in high-end residential spaces and homes all across Australia. However, unlike traditional terrazzo which is often 20mm thick to reduce cracking, the ceramic or porcelain terrazzo look tiles are thinner, lighter weight, lower cost to purchase and install, and have lower water absorption. Traditional terrazzo must be sealed and requires more maintenance.
Featured Tiles
Floor Tile: Napoli Pearl
Our Hot Tip: Not sure of your style? We're here to help! Take our fun 3 minute What's My Style Quiz to get your personalized style advice.
Natural Stone Tiles
Stone makes us feel alive, surrounding us with unique natural beauty that has formed over millions of years. Nothing compares to its elegance, longevity and genuine character. Stone will create a true sense of luxury in any area of the home and has a beauty that transcends the ever-changing landscape of today’s design trends. Its rich textural finishes make it appealing to the eye and wonderful underfoot. It is no wonder that natural stone has proven time and time again to add value to the home. Natural stone is a broad term covering tiles or pavers made from quarried blocks of marble, travertine, limestone, basalt and granite.
Natural Marble Tiles
One of the most highly regarded materials for floor and wall coverings, marble is a highly sought-after choice for adding a touch of luxury to a bathroom, living room, hall or even an entire home.
Because marble tiles contain so much variation in shade, vein and pattern, they provide the perfect way to create interest in a wall, floor or feature surface while maintaining a subtle and sophisticated style.
When you invest in natural marble, you must invest in its upkeep and maintenance as well.
That includes sealing and using the correct non-abrasive cleaning products.
Featured Tiles
Floor & Wall Tile: Bora Carrara Polished
Wall Tile: Spatial White Gloss
Our Hot Tip: When ordering natural stone, talk to our experts who will provide you with a suggested cleaning and maintenance plan and advice on the best products to use.
Natural TravertineTiles
Particularly well-loved by Australian homeowners, travertine can be run throughout the entire home and into the backyard for a seamless living space, but you need to buy the right finish for both spaces, that's where our experts will help you.
The range of travertine tiles and pavers available at Beaumont Tiles is available in several colours and finishes such as honed and filled or tumbled and unfilled.
With its subtle natural variation, travertine lends itself well to a wide variety of laying patterns. Especially in outdoor entertaining areas and for pool tiles, travertine tiles are often seen in patterns like offset, diamond, herringbone and French pattern.
When selecting a natural stone, be sure you are fully advised how this precious material needs to be installed, sealed and maintained.
Natural Limestone Tiles
Limestone is a softer stone in muted tones that transcends all styles and seasons. The luminous streaks in this milky natural stone evoke earth, sand and sea. It offers hardness and density while keeping a luxurious soft-to-touch finish.
When selecting a natural stone, be sure you are fully advised how this precious material needs to be installed, sealed and maintained.
Featured Tiles
Floor Tile: Warm Ash Tumbled Travertine
Our Hot Tip: When ordering natural stone, talk to our experts who will provide you with a suggested cleaning and maintenance plan and advice on the best products to use.
Natural Basalt Tiles
Basalt, which is also commonly referred to as bluestone in Australia, is a fine-grained, volcanic stone that is widely used in both residential and commercial projects. Being volcanic means that the stone formed from lava, rapidly cooling so it is more porous than granite, having consistent pinholes throughout and cannot be polished to the same level. The grey tones range from black to mid-grey and often display subtle surface vein patterning and grouped holes referred to as “cats paws”. It is suited to a wide range of design styles. Basalt can have some brown shading if there is oxidation or iron present and occasionally displays some white calcium traces.
Basalt has been used as tiles, pavers, countertops, building facades and curbstones. Finishes include sawn, honed, hammered and flamed. Like other natural stones, it is recommended to seal basalt with a quality penetrating sealer.
Whether you’re looking for a traditional, minimalist or industrial look, basalt will add a timeless feel to any project.
When selecting a natural stone, be sure you are fully advised how this precious material needs to be installed, sealed and maintained.
Featured Tiles
Floor Tile: Basalt Blue Moon Sawn
Our Hot Tip: When ordering natural stone, talk to our experts who will provide you with a suggested cleaning and maintenance plan and advice on the best products to use.
