The range of ceramic tile types is extremely wide.
There are different types, differing substantially from each other both aesthetically and technically.
Tiles may be glazed or unglazed. Glazed tiles have a surface that is covered with a layer of coloured glass. The variety of glazes used makes it possible to obtain a range of colours and decorations, which is practically limitless. On the other hand, unglazed tiles are uniform throughout, with no difference between surface and body.
With porous or compact body. The tile body may be compact or characterized by pores. The porosity is determined by the amount of water absorbed by the tile under particular soaking conditions. Clearly the greater the water absorption, the greater the porosity of the body.
Pressed or extruded. Pressing and extrusion are two shaping techniques that can be used in ceramic tiles. Pressed tiles are obtained by compacting and shaping a powder-based body in a high-pressure press. Extruded tiles are in contrast obtained from a paste which is made to pass through a special hole to give it shape.
With red or white body. Depending on the raw materials used, the body of the tiles may be coloured or whitish.The colour of the body cannot be seen on the work surface of glazed products.
On the contrary, in unglazed products, it determines the tile’s appearance. In some unglazed products it is possible to obtain different colours by adding colouring agents.
Of various shapes and sizes. The most common shapes are the square and the rectangle, but there are others (hexagon, Provençal, Moresque, etc.). Sizes range from sides of a few centimetres, to true slabs of one metre length. Thickness varies from a few millimetres to more than 2-2.5 cm.
For floor and/or wall covering, for indoors and/or outdoors. Another distinctive aspect is the tile’s destination: tiles for floor or wall covering, for interiors or exteriors.
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 | Double fired tile - Majolica
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| Clinker tiles
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| Terracotta (in italian "cotto")
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| Cottoforte
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| Porcelain tile
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| Red stoneware tiles
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| White body single-fired and monoporosa tiles
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| Red body single-fired and monoporosa tiles
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| White body earthenware
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