Whether you’re looking to completely transform a space or add an extra layer of interest by laying tiles, you’ll be faced with a plethora of choices. Two of the most popular are mosaic tiles and ceramic tiles, each of which brings its own unique benefits to the table. But which should you choose?
Below, we’re going to help make this decision much easier by looking at the key differences between each, focusing on durability, lifespan, maintenance, and more. We’ll also explore the pros and cons of each, guiding you towards finding the perfect tile for your interior design project.
Mosaic vs Ceramic Tiles at a Glance
Let’s start by exploring the difference between each tile across certain criteria in a side-by-side comparison.
How They Are Made
Mosaic Tiles: There is an extremely intricate process with making mosaic tiles, and this involves assembling various materials in individual pieces onto a mesh-backed mould. This is then dried, fired, and glazed to create a single tile with multiple smaller pieces (often referred to as “tesserae”) making up the entire tile.
Ceramic Tiles: By contrast, making ceramic tiles is much simpler, and involves shaping clay, firing it at a high temperature, and glazing to create a waterproof surface.
Durability
Mosaic Tiles: Mosaic tiles are made from various materials, including glass, stone, and porcelain, and this means that they offer a higher level of durability in both strength and stain resistance.
Ceramic Tiles: As ceramic tiles are crafted from clay, they tend to be less durable than mosaic tiles. This doesn’t mean they are weak, but they are prone to cracking and chipping under heavy impact compared to mosaic tiles.
Lifespan
Mosaic Tiles: While you can expect decades of use from both types of tile, mosaic tiles have the upper edge here, and this is simply because they are usually made from more durable materials.
Ceramic Tiles: You can expect to get up to 75 years of use from ceramic tiles despite being a little less durable than mosaics. Of course, this all comes down to proper care, and you’ll need to ensure they are regularly maintained and sealed to keep them performing well.
Cost
Mosaic Tiles: Because of the complexity of their construction, mosaic tiles tend to cost more than ceramic tiles. Likewise, they are also harder to install, and you may need to hire a professional installer, which will increase the cost.
Ceramic Tiles: Ceramic tiles are the cheapest of the two options, making them a very good choice for anyone working with a smaller budget.
Ease of Cutting
Mosaic Tiles: As mosaic tiles are made from lots of small pieces laid out on a mesh backing, they can be very tricky to cut into shape, especially using DIY tools. Cutting mosaic tiles becomes even harder when you’re dealing with irregular shapes and intricate patterns, too, and should really only be done by a professional with the appropriate tools.
Ceramic Tiles: By contrast, ceramic tiles are incredibly easy to cut into shape, and you can achieve straight lines and fit them into awkward spaces using a traditional tile-cutting tool, such as a wet saw.
Water Absorption
Mosaic Tiles: Since mosaic tiles are typically made from materials like glass, stone, and porcelain, they tend to have a higher resistance to water. This makes them a good choice for wet areas, including kitchens, bathrooms, and swimming pools.
Ceramic Tiles: Ceramic tiles have a higher water absorption rate because of their natural clay construction, and they need regular sealing to stop them from getting easily damaged or developing water stains.
Maintenance
Mosaic Tiles: While more durable, mosaic tiles are harder to maintain as they have a lot more grout lines compared to ceramic tiles, which means that they need regular cleaning to stop dirt from building up and ruining their look.
Ceramic Tiles: As ceramic tiles require fewer grout lines, they are easier to maintain and would be a better choice for busy family homes where there isn’t a lot of time free for regular tile cleaning.
Best Used For
Mosaic Tiles: Mosaic tiles are best used for adding an intricate pattern and visual interest to interior spaces. Their small size, paired with their versatility, also makes them ideal for creating decorative backsplashes and feature walls in areas that see regular exposure to water.
Ceramic Tiles: Ceramic tiles are a good choice for anyone looking for an all-purpose, durable tile that doesn’t cost much and is easy to install. They are also an excellent choice if you’re looking for a tile that is easy to clean and maintain.
Pros & Cons of Mosaic Tiles
As you can see, there are some clear differences between mosaic tiles and ceramic tiles. But how does this translate when it comes to the pros and cons? Let’s explore this below, starting with mosaics.