Sizes are dependent on materials and intended uses. For example, glass is a popular material for mosaic tesserae in smaller, 1-inch square sizes. But glass does not work in larger 1-foot or greater sizes. Flooring tends to favor larger format tile, as it is faster to install and provides a smooth, continuous surface. Mosaic tile is most commonly used around the home as wall tile as kitchen or bathroom backsplashes. The most popular materials for mosaic are ceramic, porcelain, and glass, followed by stone and metal. Two-inch square mosaic tile is used in kitchen and bathrooms for backsplashes and walls. In some designs, it is also used for flooring. Two-inch square mosaic tile is found in ceramic, porcelain, glass, stone, and metal materials. This tile is commonly used on walls, most often with kitchen or bathroom backsplashes, or as wall wainscot. This tile comes in a variety of materials: ceramic, porcelain, glass, stone, and metal. Four-inch square tile is found in a host of applications: tiled countertops, backsplashes, showers, tub surrounds. Four-inch square tile is also the smallest tile you find commonly used for floors. Four-inch tile is found in ceramic, porcelain, glass, stone, and metal. Subway tile is used on bathroom walls, kitchen or bathroom backsplashes, showers and tub surrounds. It is rarely if ever, used as floor tile. Subway tile is most often made of ceramic or porcelain, though sometimes it is made of glass or metal. Though used mainly on floors, 12-inch square tile is sometimes found on walls. Twelve-inch square tile is most often made from ceramic, porcelain, and stone. Plank tile is used for flooring. It’s a good substitute for wood flooring where wood cannot be used: chiefly in bathrooms, basements, laundry rooms, and other high-moisture environments. While plank tile flooring is intended only for floors, it is sometimes creatively used for accent walls, wainscot, and backsplashes. Plank tile is only made from ceramic or porcelain, never from stone. Plank tile contains no wood or other organic materials. Tiles of this size are most often used for flooring but can also be used for walls in larger spaces. Materials commonly used in 12-inch by 24-inch tile are ceramic, porcelain, and stone. This tile is almost always used as floor tile. One advantage of these super-large format tiles is that, as an installer, you have fewer tiles to lay. Yet the tiles you lay must be laid with ultimate precision. Large format tiles demand a room large enough to show them. Avoid laying tiles of this size in small or even moderately sized bathrooms. Common materials for 24-inch square tile include ceramic, porcelain, and stone.
