Ceramic Tile in NYC at Closeout Prices
Add personality, color, and texture to your space without breaking the budget. Elegant Floors specializes in securing closeout lots of high-quality ceramic tile, perfect for creating stunning kitchen backsplashes and bathroom walls throughout New York City.
Ceramic vs. Porcelain: Knowing the Difference
While porcelain tile is celebrated for its dense, floor-ready durability, ceramic tile is the undisputed champion of vertical design. Ceramic is fired at a slightly lower temperature, making it less dense and lighter. This lighter weight makes it significantly easier to install on walls, ensuring strong adhesion without risking slippage.
Furthermore, ceramic tiles often feature brilliant, deeply saturated glazes and intricate patterns that are harder to achieve on porcelain. If you are looking to make a design statement, ceramic is your medium.
Where Ceramic Wins: Walls & Backsplashes
Ceramic tile shines in applications where it won’t face heavy foot traffic:
- Kitchen Backsplashes: The classic 3×6 white subway tile is a staple of NYC kitchen design, offering a clean, timeless look that wipes clean from cooking splatters effortlessly. We stock massive quantities of subway tile, plus hexagons, mosaics, and penny rounds.
Bathroom Walls and - Shower Surrounds: Transform a cramped Manhattan bathroom by carrying bright, glossy ceramic tile floor-to-ceiling to reflect light and expand the visual space.
- Low-Traffic Floors: While we prefer porcelain for busy entryways, ceramic can be a beautiful, budget-conscious choice for light-use areas like powder rooms or guest bath floors.
Ready to design your backsplash?
Explore our closeout ceramic tile lots. Request a free estimate and we'll bring our most popular styles to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ceramic tile good for floors?
Ceramic tile is suitable for light to moderate foot traffic floors, such as residential bathrooms or small kitchens. However, for heavy-traffic areas, we usually recommend porcelain.
Why choose ceramic over porcelain for walls?
Ceramic tile is lighter and easier to cut than porcelain, making it the perfect, cost-effective choice for vertical applications like kitchen backsplashes, shower surrounds, and decorative accent walls.
Does ceramic tile need to be sealed?
Glazed ceramic tile does not need to be sealed, as the glaze acts as a protective barrier against moisture and stains. However, the grout lines between the tiles should be sealed to prevent discoloration.
Can I use ceramic tile for a kitchen backsplash?
Absolutely. Ceramic is the most popular choice for kitchen backsplashes in NYC due to its vast array of colors, glazes, and shapes (like classic subway tile).
How do I clean ceramic tile?
Ceramic is incredibly low-maintenance. Regular sweeping and mopping with a mild, pH-neutral tile cleaner or simple soap and water is all that’s required to keep it looking new.