Tiles are used in many places around the home, particularly the kitchen, and can be made from a wide variety of materials. When shopping for kitchen tile there are almost limitless possibilities available as far as style, color, and even manufacturer. Among the hundreds of tile manufacturers, a few brands stand out as the most popular.
The largest manufacturer of ceramic tile in the U.S.A., as well as one of the largest in the world is Dal-Tile. The company is also one of the oldest, having been created in 1947. Besides ceramic tile, their products also include porcelain and natural stone tile for the kitchen. The company is committed to environmental protection, with several programs and measures in place. American Olean, owned by Dal-Tile, is another one of the most popular brands of kitchen tile. Both of these brands are widely available in retail outlets, including home improvement stores.
A third widely-recognized name in tile is Marazzi, an Italian company. They have manufacturing facilities in several European countries, but comprise a large share of the North American market as well. Marazzi offers ceramic, porcelain, and glass kitchen tile. Their products are also easy to find, and are sold in home improvement retailers.
Two tile brands that are not quite as recognizable but still quite popular are Interceramic and Del Conca. Interceramic first started over 30 years ago in Mexico but has since opened other manufacturing plants across North America. Del Conca is an Italian company, and while it is one of the relatively younger brands, it has been a technological leader in the field.
These five brands are so popular because of the variety of products they offer, as well as the cost, quality, and availability of those products. Although most tile companies do not sell directly to the public, their products are available in direct retailers, several big-name home improvement retail stores, and at countless online retailers.