Porcelain tiles are also ceramic tiles, but are composed of finer clays and fired at much higher temperatures. That process makes porcelain tile more homogenous (can have a through-body coloration, so scratches or dings are less obvious), much stronger and less prone to moisture and stain absorption. For those reasons, porcelain can be suitable for both indoor and outdoor installations.

Ceramic tile is a mixture of clays and other natural materials that are mined from the earth, shaped and fired at high temperatures. Traditional ceramic tile can be naturally-colored and left unglazed, like terra cotta, or they can feature colored or highly designed surfaces which can be glazed (finished with a glass surface) from matte to high gloss.

Marble: Metamorphic stone formed millions of years ago due to the action of extreme heat and pressure. Marble is simply "changed" limestone that, due to the heat and pressure, has crystallized, melted and re-cooled. Coloring is extremely varied and often accompanied with lots of veining and other mineral deposits.

Natural Stone tiles consist of any product quarried from the earth and can be categorized into Marbles, Granites, Limestones, Travertines, Slates, Quartzites and various other products. Each type of Natural Stone will vary from piece to piece in regards to color, surface texture, edge treatments, durability and maintenance.