Virginia Tile
Consumers displays & sells Virginia Tile’s full line of wall & floor tile
Virginia Tile — Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Virginia Tile products available at Consumers Supply in Chicago
Q
Where can I see and buy Virginia Tile in Chicago?
Consumers Supply Company at 1110 W. Lake St. in Chicago has a full Virginia Tile display on the showroom floor. Homeowners, designers, and contractors are welcome to walk in and browse the collection in person — no appointment required. Virginia Tile products are ordered to your specifications with quick availability. Call (312) 666-6080 to discuss your project before stopping in.
Q
What is Virginia Tile?
Virginia Tile is a leading tile distributor headquartered in Michigan with a strong presence throughout the Midwest. The company curates and distributes a broad range of premium tile products sourced from top manufacturers in Italy, Spain, the United States, and beyond. Virginia Tile is known among designers, architects, and contractors for offering a sophisticated, design-forward selection that goes well beyond what is typically available at home improvement stores — covering everything from large-format porcelain and natural stone to handcrafted ceramics and decorative mosaics.
Q
What types of tile does Virginia Tile offer?
Virginia Tile’s catalog covers a wide range of tile types and materials including porcelain tile in standard and large-format sizes, ceramic wall and floor tile, natural stone including marble, travertine, slate, and limestone, glass tile and mosaics, encaustic and cement-look tile, wood-look and concrete-look porcelain, and decorative accent and trim pieces. The selection spans a broad range of aesthetics from classic and traditional to bold contemporary — suitable for bathroom floors and walls, kitchen backsplashes, shower surrounds, and living area floors.
Q
Can I see Virginia Tile samples in person at Consumers Supply?
Yes. Consumers Supply has a full Virginia Tile display at the store at 1110 W. Lake St. in Chicago. Seeing tile in person is essential for making a confident selection — color, texture, finish, and scale all read very differently in a showroom environment compared to a screen or a small sample chip. You can browse the full display at your own pace, or the staff can help you narrow down options based on your project’s style, space, and budget. No appointment is needed — just stop by or call (312) 666-6080 ahead of your visit.
Q
Is Virginia Tile stocked at Consumers Supply or is it ordered?
Virginia Tile products at Consumers Supply are ordered to your specifications rather than kept in stock on the shelf — this is standard for design-grade tile, which is sold by the square foot to match the exact requirements of each project. The good news is that Virginia Tile offers quick availability on its stocked lines, so turnaround from order to delivery is typically fast. The team at Consumers Supply can give you an accurate lead time estimate when you select your tile. Call (312) 666-6080 to discuss your project and timeline.
Q
Who is Virginia Tile best suited for?
Virginia Tile is well-suited for anyone looking for tile with genuine design quality — beyond the commodity options at big box stores. In Chicago, the brand is frequently specified by interior designers and architects on kitchen and bathroom renovation projects, by homeowners who want a distinctive result and are willing to invest in better materials, and by contractors working on higher-end residential and commercial projects. If you are renovating a bathroom in a Lincoln Park greystone, finishing a kitchen in a Gold Coast condo, or tiling a restaurant, Virginia Tile’s selection has the range and quality to deliver a result worth noticing.
Q
How do I figure out how much tile I need for my project?
The starting point is measuring the square footage of the area to be tiled — length times width for floors, and height times width for walls and shower surrounds. It’s standard practice to add 10–15% to your square footage calculation to account for cuts, waste, and future replacement needs. For more complex layouts involving diagonal patterns, herringbone, or intricate cuts around fixtures, a slightly higher overage is advisable. When you visit Consumers Supply with your measurements, the team can help you calculate the quantity needed and advise on ordering the right amount. Call (312) 666-6080 with your measurements and we can assist before your visit.
Q
What is the difference between porcelain and ceramic tile?
Both porcelain and ceramic are fired clay products, but porcelain is made from a denser, more refined clay and fired at higher temperatures, making it harder, less porous, and more durable. Porcelain is the preferred choice for floors, wet areas like showers, and any application where moisture resistance and durability are priorities. Ceramic tile is somewhat softer and more porous, making it easier to cut and install, and is commonly used for wall applications and backsplashes where it won’t be subjected to heavy foot traffic. Virginia Tile offers both, and much of its premium lineup is large-format porcelain — a dominant trend in contemporary kitchen and bathroom design.
Q
Can Virginia Tile be used for both floors and walls?
Most porcelain and stone tiles from Virginia Tile are suitable for both floor and wall applications, though it’s important to confirm that a specific tile is rated for floor use before specifying it as a floor tile — some decorative wall tiles are not designed to handle foot traffic. The tile’s PEI (Porcelain Enamel Institute) rating indicates its floor durability. When browsing the display at Consumers Supply, the staff can confirm which tiles are appropriate for your specific application. Call (312) 666-6080 to discuss your project before your visit.
Q
Does Consumers Supply sell Virginia Tile directly to homeowners?
Yes. Consumers Supply is open to the public — homeowners can walk in, browse the full Virginia Tile display, select their tile, and place an order directly, no designer or contractor required. Many homeowners doing bathroom or kitchen renovations purchase tile directly and supply it to their tile installer, which gives them full control over the product selection. Stop by at 1110 W. Lake St. in Chicago or call (312) 666-6080 to get started.