Complete Guide to Buying Ceramic & Porcelain Tile in Northern Michigan
Tile is the only floor that truly loves snow, sand, radiant heat, dogs, kids, and 100-year-old cottages — all at once.
At Kiss Carpet Design Center, we’ve tiled everything from Harbor Springs wine cellars to Mancelona mudrooms to Traverse City lake-house bathrooms since 1986. Here’s exactly what Northern Michigan homeowners need to know in 2025 before they buy tile.
8 Questions We Ask Every Tile Customer (Answer These First)
- Where is the tile going? (kitchen, bath, entry, basement, outdoor porch?)
- Will it get wet daily? (shower vs. living room)
- Radiant floor heat? (we’ll steer you to the right thickness & material)
- Do you want zero maintenance or the warm look of natural stone?
- Budget — $10–$20+ per sq ft installed
- Slip resistance needed? (mudrooms & showers)
- Grout line size preference — tiny 1/16″ or classic 1/4″?
- Who is doing the install? (we only trust our own certified tile crew)
Ceramic vs. Porcelain vs. Natural Stone – 2025 Cheat Sheet
| Type | Waterproof | Best For | Scratch Resistance | Price installed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porcelain (Rectified) | Yes | Everywhere — floors, showers, outdoors | ★★★★★ | $$$–$$$$ |
| Ceramic | Glazed = Yes | Walls, dry-area floors | ★★★★☆ | $$ |
| Natural Stone (travertine, marble, slate) | Needs sealing | Luxury baths & fireplaces | ★★★☆☆ | $$$$ |
| Wood-Look Porcelain | Yes | Main floors instead of hardwood | ★★★★★ | $$$ |
Hottest Tile Looks Right Now in Traverse City & Harbor Springs
- Large-format 12×24 and 24×48 porcelain (fewer grout lines = easier cleaning)
- Matte & textured finishes (no more slippery-when-wet showers)
- Wood-look porcelain planks (warm visuals + waterproof performance)
- Terrazzo-look porcelain (2025 comeback!)
- Hexagon, picket, and arabesque mosaics for showers & backsplashes
- Black, charcoal, and concrete-look tiles (modern Up-North style)
Tile & Allergies / Asthma
Tile is the #1 doctor-recommended floor for severe allergies and asthma:
- Zero fibers → nothing for dust mites or pet dander to hide in
- Just sweep and damp-mop — no chemicals needed
- Most porcelain lines are GREENGUARD Gold certified
Slip Resistance & Safety (Critical in Northern Michigan)
Look for DCOF ≥ 0.42 (wet). We can show you several beautiful tiles that pass — matte, textured, and wood-looks included.
Radiant Heat? We Wrote the Book on It Up Here
We install more radiant-heated tile floors than anyone north of Grand Rapids. Choose thin porcelain (6–8 mm) or specific collections rated for radiant — we’ll show you the right ones.
Installation Makes or Breaks Tile
A $20/sq ft tile installed wrong will crack in the first winter. We use:
- Our trusted long time certified tile setters
- Proper waterproofing (Schluter or Kerdi systems)
- Lifetime workmanship warranty
Care Is Almost Nothing
- Sweep or vacuum
- Mop with warm water or pH-neutral cleaner
- Reseal natural stone every 1–3 years
Ready to see 2025’s best tiles in your own light?
Visit any of our three showrooms in Mancelona, Traverse City, or Harbor Springs, or schedule your free in-home tile consultation today. We’ll bring full-size samples and decades of Northern Michigan experience right to your door.
We treat you like family because, at Kiss Carpet, you are.
– The Roberts Family & the entire Kiss Carpet Team