Antique Bougogne Limestone tiles, £346 per sq m, Paris Ceramics
They're hardwearing, suitable for underfloor heating and amazingly versatile.
Natural stone tiles include limestone, marble and slate, or you can opt for man-made varieties, such as porcelain and ceramic. Limestone looks wonderful, is available in large slabs but stains easily; marble is enjoying a resurgence as it's very tough, but can feel cold and is slippery when wet; slate is waterproof and is cheaper than other types of stone. Meanwhile, ceramic tiles are glazed, fired and available in a variety of colours and patterns, but are breakable; porcelain is virtually indestructible, imitates other materials (such as stone) and can be used indoors and out; mosaic tiles are made from tiny pieces of stone or ceramic, and sold in sheets.
Size matters - it's definitely a case of the bigger, the better. Large tiles make a room look more spacious and, if suitable for outdoor use, you can run them right out onto the patio for a seamless join. Using the same tiles on the walls and floors creates a fashionable, streamlined effect in a bathroom or wet room.
Tiles can be used in every room, but check first that the sub floor can take their weight. They can feel cold, so it's a good idea to have underfloor heating installed at the same time. Choose a non-slip, textured surface if the floor is likely to get wet. Porcelain and frost-proof ceramic are the best bets for floors that continue straight out into the garden, as they both have the look of natural stone, but without the hassle.
Stone is porous and needs to be washed with a mild soap solution and sealed regularly to prevent staining. Ceramic and porcelain are often chosen instead as they're virtually maintenance-free.
Ceramic and porcelain are cheaper than natural stone - expect to pay from about £15 per sq m. Slate starts at about £20 per sq m, going up to more than £300 per sq m for reclaimed limestone. With mosaic, the smaller the pieces, the pricier it is, as there's more cutting involved - it starts at about £40 per sq m.
Checkalow
www.checkalow.com
Fired Earth
www.firedearth.com
H&R Johnson
www.johnson-tiles.com
Stone Age
www.estone.co.uk
Paris Ceramics
www.parisceramics.com
Original Style
www.originalstyle.com
World's End Tiles
www.worldsendtiles.co.uk
The Stone & Ceramic Warehouse
www.stoneandceramicwarehouse.co.uk
Smallbone Stone
www.smallbonestone.com
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