With many beautiful and durable ceramic tile options to choose from, you may have discovered quarry tile and wondered how it is different from other ceramic tile options.
What is Quarry Tile?
Different types of ceramic tile collectively make up what is commonly known as the “ceramic tile family”— quarry tile, porcelain tile, pressed floor tile, wall tile, and mosaic tile. Quarry tile has all the benefits of ceramic tile for durability, sustainability, and easy maintenance. The high durability of ceramic tile products make them sought after more than nonceramic materials for the most demanding applications, such as areas exposed to wet conditions, freeze-thaw situations, heat and flame juxtaposition, and areas of heavy use, including the use of large machinery.
The earthy color palette of quarry tile makes it ideal for creating a rustic or natural aesthetic and is a great alternative to similar looking terra cotta, poured epoxy, or stamped concrete, which may not have the same level of water resistance, durability, or versatility as quarry tile. While the name suggests that “quarry” tile might be cut from rock as found in a quarry, quarry tile is made from a mixture of natural ingredients including clay and shale.
Quarry Tile Applications
Many types of ceramic tile are made by pressing the clay into a form. However, quarry tiles are manufactured using extrusion, a process similar to brick-making. They are then kiln-fired at extremely high temperatures. The extrusion process creates a tight/dense unglazed through-body color tile with low water absorption that is highly stain resistant.
Public Spaces
When considering a floor material for spaces with lots of pedestrian traffic, durability, slip resistance, and a long life cycle are necessary. The product must perform well even when people are entering from all kinds of weather. Snow, sleet, rain, dirt, and dust are constants as people move in and out. Public and commercial spaces are built to last for decades and the flooring of these buildings needs to perform for many years.
In a recent life cycle cost analysis study that compared eighteen common flooring types, quarry tile proved to have the lowest life cycle cost when compared to other flooring types. The ceramic tile family all proved to have lower costs over the life of a building compared to nonceramic materials.
Commercial Kitchens
“Back-of-house” refers to the behind-the-scenes areas of a food service or restaurant. These areas, such as the kitchen, storage areas, and office spaces, are exposed to wet and oily conditions. Non-skid footwear alone is never enough in these demanding environments, which is why the choice of flooring for back-of-house areas is so important.
Quarry tile’s ceramic tile performance advantages plus its low price point makes it a popular choice for commercial kitchens and food prep applications. Vinyl, stained concrete, and epoxy floor coverings don’t have that level of protection and performance, especially when quarry tile is combined with commercial-grade epoxy grout.
Fast-Food and Service
Fast-food service can be a demanding workplace — crowded areas, hot foods and liquids, narrow walkways, and hot equipment all mean safety must be prioritized. In addition to slip-resistant options, ceramic tile, such as quarry tile, resists impact and abrasion and won’t melt from heat exposure as might some nonceramic materials. For example, epoxy floors can melt at a lower temperature than the heat generated by ovens and fryers. Hot spills can just be too much for epoxy flooring.
Additionally, epoxy flooring can be easily compromised by wear. Flaking and cracking leaves epoxy flooring vulnerable to mold and bacteria growth. Recommended cleaning for epoxy flooring is to use ammonia, which has various health concerns. Ceramic tile’s low-maintenance benefits make cleaning easy, so you can clean up most messes merely by sweeping, wiping with water, and drying. Harsh chemicals are not required for cleaning ceramic tile.
Automobile Dealerships
Areas with heavy machinery benefit from the strength of quarry tile. Quarry tile is maintenance-friendly even in the extreme conditions found in the varied areas of an auto dealership. Ceramic tile products won’t dent, warp, or buckle under the weight of machinery or furniture as can some nonceramic materials, such as vinyl.
When compared to concrete, ceramic quarry tile outperforms in these areas, too, given that concrete can chip and crack from use and temperature changes. Maintenance for concrete floors includes regularly sealing to avoid staining and bacteria growth, which means additional costs and down time for repairs.
Transportation Hubs
Style and added traction work cooperatively for this quarry tile subway station platform.
Pool Surrounds
In addition to smooth concrete surfaces having slip concerns around areas exposed to wet conditions, concrete can experience cracks and deterioration from temperature changes. However, indoors or outdoors, ceramic tile is an excellent choice for use around swimming pools.
As with all ceramic tile, quarry tile has slip resistant options important for wet conditions. Size and color options can be combined for a unique appearance and a variety of surface treatments are also available unlike nonceramic materials.
Creative Spaces
Whether for hobbyists or professionals, maintaining an inspiring environment is key. A creative space that uses ceramic tile flooring, such as this quarry tile in a pottery studio, is easy to clean and resists damage from equipment and materials better than nonceramic materials.
Steam Rooms
The extreme conditions of a traditional steam room demand a ceramic material, such as quarry tile, that can withstand high moisture and heat. Ceramic tile products are also inhospitable to the growth of bacteria and other microbes, with some antimicrobial options that can suppress and even destroy harmful microorganisms, such as mold, fungi, bacteria, and viruses — very important for shared facilities.
Public/Group Bathroom and Shower Facilities
Durability, easy cleaning protocols, and attractive style such as this quarry tile makes ceramic tile materials a smart choice for group areas.
[Related: Low-Maintenance Benefits of Ceramic and Porcelain Tile]
Hallways and High-Traffic Areas
Hallways and entryways require a durable floor covering, such as ceramic tile. An epoxy flooring is typically only 4mm thick while quarry tile offers ½ inch thick protection for your floors. And, unlike vinyl flooring, there’s not a “wear layer” for quarry tile to be concerned about wearing off. Unglazed quarry tile is “through-body,” meaning the color is throughout the body of the tile.
Patios and Walkways
Ceramic tile patios and walkways take exposure from the elements and outdoor debris to keep looking and functioning beautifully year after year. Quarry tile is a great way to improve the look of an exterior concrete walkway. Natural earth tone colors create a paving brick appearance but there are no worries of weeds growing between the “bricks.”
[Related: 39 Tips for Using Ceramic Tile Outdoors]
Terraces and Balconies
Ceramic tile, such as quarry tile, makes a durable covering for a terrace or balcony that can be exposed to weather and debris and also protects the underlayment construction so as not to allow leaks to areas below.
[Related: Choosing the Best Ceramic Tile for Your Project]
Quarry Tile Design Ideas
Square Grid Pattern
A solid dark gray square grid tile layout pattern creates a balanced canvas for vibrant accents.
Staggered Grid
The staggered tile grid simply takes square tiles and offsets them. While a 50% offset is typical, you can lay your tiles with any offset you choose.
Running Bond Pattern
Quarry tile provides durable flooring for heavy equipment, such as this rectangular quarry tile set in a running bond pattern.
[Related: Case Study—2 Silos Brewing Co.]
Herringbone Pattern
The herringbone pattern used with brick-look quarry tile adds classic casual elegance.
Crosshatch Pattern
Multiple colors accentuate this crosshatch pattern to give this quarry tile flooring a one-of-a-kind look.
Texture
Quarry tile with added texture provides extra slip resistance, especially for areas exposed to wet and oily/greasy conditions.
Accents
Quarry tile for this brewery incorporates a decorative element by simply using a different color to create an accent, which adds style to this industrial setting.
[Related: Case Study—Founders Brewery]
Decorative Pattern
In the hands of an certified tile installer, quarry tile can create beautiful patterns with a variety of shapes and colors.
[Related: 13 Questions to Find the Right Tile Installer]
Border
This bespoke hotel lobby uses quarry tile in running bond and herringbone patterns with a decorative border to compliment the regional style of the area.
Mixed Sizes
This laundry room uses quarry tile in two sizes to form a contemporary vertical crosshatch pattern.
[Related: Your Guide to Laundry Room Tile]
Color Block
Skillful installation of quarry tile in different colors cut to a specific shape gives this public space a unique and durable entryway.
Quarry Tile Colors
The ratio of natural ingredients in quarry tile can determine the color of unglazed quarry tile. Quarry tiles with a base of shale often have a red or brown color similar to the look of terracotta tile. Some homeowners might confuse quarry tiles with terracotta tiles but terracotta does not have the durability, sustainability, and easy maintenance characteristics of ceramic tile.
Quarry tile with a base of clay will likely have a gray or beige color. These warm earth tones and the typically unglazed surface of quarry tiles makes it a popular choice for a rustic or industrial look. Glazing can be added to quarry tile, as well to create additional colors.
Light Gray Quarry Tile
Dark Gray Quarry Tile
Beige Quarry Tile
Red Quarry Tile
Variegated Quarry Tile
Count on Quarry Tile
When the conditions are extreme, when efficiency is critical, and when durability is a must, rely on quarry tile to keep all its promises. This member of the ceramic tile family (with bragging rights of having the lowest life cycle cost) offers options that quite literally do the heavy lifting.
For more examples of quarry tile, visit our Pinterest collection!
