Ceramic Tile for Kitchens, Bathrooms, Floors and Accent Walls

Shop Ceramic Tile by Type

If you know the format you need,
go directly to the subcategory. If you are still deciding, the overview below
covers what each type is best suited for.

Ceramic Field Tile

Field tile covers the main body
of a wall or backsplash surface. In ceramic, field tile typically comes in 4x4,
2x8 and similar formats as individual loose tiles or in boxes. Square and
near-square formats create a traditional grid pattern. The 2x8 with a
handmade-look surface is one of the most popular kitchen backsplash tiles in
the catalog, particularly in white and cream for farmhouse and transitional
kitchens. Browse the ceramic field
tile collection.

Ceramic Subway Tile

Subway tile is defined by its
elongated rectangular proportion. BELK Tile carries ceramic subway in formats
from 2x8 through 4x16, covering everything from modestly elongated to
dramatically long. Each proportion creates a different visual effect: longer
tiles draw the eye horizontally and read as more contemporary. The 3x12 and
4x16 are the two most distinctly current options. The 2x8 and 3x10 are more
versatile across design styles. Browse the ceramic subway
tile collection.

Ceramic Mosaic Tile

Ceramic mosaic tile comes in
small individual pieces mounted on a 12-inch by 12-inch mesh sheet. The formats
in this catalog include penny rounds, elongated hexagons with crackle-finish
glaze and decorative pattern mosaics. Mosaic tile is particularly practical for
shower floors, where the high grout line coverage provides traction, and for
backsplash feature areas where a more intricate surface is the goal. Browse the
ceramic mosaic
collection.

Tile Edge Trim

Edge trim finishes the exposed
edges of a tile installation. Where a backsplash ends at an open wall, where a
shower niche wraps inward or where a fireplace surround has a visible
perimeter, a bullnose tile or metal trim profile creates a clean, professional
edge. The ceramic bullnose in white coordinates with the Mallorca 2x8 field
tile. Metal profiles in brushed nickel, matte black and brushed gold work with
any tile material. Browse the tile edge trim
collection.

Ceramic Tile vs Porcelain: Which Do You Need

Ceramic and porcelain are both
fired clay tile. The practical differences come down to two things: density and
application range.

Ceramic is fired at lower
temperatures using a less refined clay body. It is more porous than porcelain,
which limits it to wall applications and moderate-traffic dry floors. It is
easier to cut than porcelain, making it the more practical choice for DIY
backsplash installations and for professional work with complex layouts. It is
generally less expensive at comparable sizes. And it is available in a wider
range of surface treatments, including crackle glaze and handmade-look textures
that porcelain tile rarely replicates convincingly.

Porcelain is denser and less
porous, with a water absorption rate below 0.5 percent. That makes it suitable
for floors, outdoor surfaces, pool decks and commercial high-traffic
environments where ceramic would not hold up. If you need tile for a floor that
takes significant foot traffic, an outdoor surface, or a pool application,
porcelain or glass is the correct material. For those applications visit the floor tile
collection or the pool tile
collection. For wall applications including kitchen
backsplashes, bathroom walls, shower walls and accent surfaces, glazed ceramic
performs the same as porcelain in daily use at a lower price point and with
more design range.

Surface Finishes in the Ceramic Tile Catalog

Glossy

Smooth, shiny glaze that
reflects light directly. Makes spaces feel brighter. Wipes clean easily. Shows
water spots more readily than matte. The most common finish for subway tile and
field tile in kitchen and bathroom applications.

Matte

Flat, non-reflective surface.
Softer and warmer than glossy. Less visible water spotting and fingerprints.
Suits contemporary and transitional design directions where visual restraint is
the goal.

Crackle Glaze

A deliberate surface treatment
where fine lines develop in the glaze as the tile cools from the kiln. The
crackle lines are aesthetic and do not affect durability or moisture
resistance. Creates an aged, artisanal quality that suits boho, farmhouse and eclectic
design directions. The crackle mosaic options are in the ceramic mosaic
collection.

Handmade Look

Manufactured tile with a subtly
irregular surface, softly uneven edges and slight glaze variation that mimics
hand-thrown ceramic. Warmer and more organic than smooth-surface tile. Suits
farmhouse, Mediterranean and transitional design directions. For the full
handmade-look tile catalog across all materials, visit the handmade look
collection.

Where Ceramic Tile Works

Kitchen Backsplashes

The glazed ceramic surface
resists grease, steam and splatter without absorbing any of it. Routine
cleaning with soap and water handles everything a kitchen backsplash
encounters. The color range, size options and surface treatments in this
catalog are broader than for glass or stone at comparable price points. For the
full kitchen backsplash tile catalog across all materials, visit the kitchen
backsplash tile collection and the backsplash blog.

Bathroom Walls and Shower Surrounds

Glazed ceramic tile on bathroom
walls and shower surrounds performs well in humid environments. The tile
surface does not require sealing. The grout lines benefit from a sealer applied
after installation and reapplied every one to two years. For shower wall
applications, proper substrate waterproofing is required before the tile goes
on. The tile covers the waterproof surface but does not provide the
waterproofing. For bathroom design content, visit the bathroom blog.

Accent Walls and Fireplace Surrounds

Ceramic tile creates durable,
low-maintenance accent surfaces in living areas, entryways and around fireplace
openings. The handmade-look and crackle-finish options in this catalog are
particularly effective for fireplace surrounds where surface character and
warmth matter more than uniformity. For fireplace tile content, visit the fireplace blog.

Buying Basics

Calculate Square Footage with 10 Percent Waste

Measure the width and height of
your installation area in inches, multiply them together and divide by 144 for
square footage. Subtract cutouts and openings. Add 10 percent for cuts and
waste on a standard installation. Move to 15 percent for diagonal layouts.
Order from the same production run to ensure glaze consistency.

Grout Selection

Use sanded grout for joints
one-eighth of an inch or wider, which covers most field tile and subway tile
installations. Use unsanded grout for joints under one-eighth of an inch, which
covers most mosaic installations. Seal cementitious grout in kitchens and
bathrooms after curing. The tile surface itself does not require sealing.

Edge Finishing

Plan for edge trim at the same
time as the field tile order. Calculate the linear footage of all open edges
and order bullnose or metal profile trim pieces before the installation begins.
For the full trim selection, visit the tile edge trim
collection.

Samples First

Colors read differently on a
screen than in your actual room under your lighting. Handmade-look surfaces
especially have a quality that only becomes apparent in person. Order samples
before committing to a full order. Reach out through our contact page if you
want guidance before ordering.

Why BELK Tile for Ceramic Tile

BELK Tile carries tile and
nothing else. The ceramic tile catalog here covers 180 styles across field
tile, subway tile, mosaic and edge trim, with surface treatments from smooth
glossy to handmade-look to crackle glaze that are not commonly available in a
single catalog. All products are available to homeowners, designers and
contractors at the same pricing. Our team is available Monday through Friday, 9
a.m. to 5 p.m. EST at (614) 543-8334 or through our contact page.