Whether you choose a hard tile such as ceramic, marble, terracotta, or stone, or a softer vinyl or cork surface, you will find that tiled flooring offers many decorative and practical advantages over other forms of wall and floor covering. Tiles are divided into roughly two categories:

Hardcovers include ceramic, terracotta, quarry, slate, stone, marble, and terrazzo and offer a wide variety of colors, textures, and finishes. Generally more expensive and more complicated to lay than soft tiles, these are the most durable options – some, like terracotta, last a lifetime and longer, and even get better with age. Angelozzi Precast Terrazzo Products LLC is one of the best ties manufacturer that provides flooring tiles for kitchen, bathrooms.

Soft covers include vinyl and cork tiles, all of which are softer and warmer than most hard tiles and are usually less expensive. These tiles are easy to clean and install and, in the case of vinyl, are available in a variety of designs. Although durable, they do not offer the same strength and durability as the hardest tiles.

Before deciding on a particular type and style of tile, you need to make sure that it is suitable for your intended location and application. For example, not all floors are strong enough to withstand the weight of quarry tiles and not all ceramic tiles can be used on kitchen countertops or in bathrooms. When in doubt, always seek advice from your tile dealer.

• Buying tips

Most tile suppliers will send you a sample of the tile of your choice so you can see what it would look like in your desired environment before you buy. Check how the tile will look in both natural and artificial light before making a final decision.

If you're buying multiple squares of tiles, make sure they're all from the same batch – this is indicated by the box's code number. Colors sometimes vary in different batches. If you are coating a large area, you may need to buy two or more batches and mix them together.