The first challenge in the selection process is whittling down the enormous (and still growing) number of materials on the market to determine your style needs. When you choose tile, you make a decision that represents a long-term commitment. The process can be daunting. You know what appeals to you now, but will your passion endure?

Once you’ve identified the material, your next decision is design layouts.

“Green” Design
Recently many eco-friendly alternatives have emerged. The buzz is all about “sustainable design.” For those homeowners who prefer recycled and recyclable materials, stylish choices are available that won’t compromise the Earth’s resources.

Green designers have come up with elegant imitations that marry high fashion with recycling to serve health-conscious, conservation-minded clientele.

Nothing matches concrete for the soft, warm colors that have become so popular with architects and designers. Most natural materials, concrete tile and pavers blend with and complement a variety of home products such as stucco, wood, stone and landscape materials. Concrete can be used inside and out, in climates from Alaska to Arizona.

Concrete surfaces are “living surfaces.” Over the years, concrete tiles and pavers will take on an attractive patina. If you love them today, you’ll find that they only improve with time.

In keeping with retro design, cork is making a comeback. Water-resistant, low-maintenance and eco-friendly, this natural product is a winner in the family home (e.g., kitchen floors, exercise rooms and children’s rooms). The fact that the New York Public Library uses it as flooring is testament to its durability. Available in a variety of sizes, cork is an excellent floor or wall material, and because of its cellular structure it absorbs sound waves. Cork material is a lifetime investment.