Distinguishing Between Floor and Wall Tiles: What Sets Them Apart?
Tiles have long been a staple building material for home renovations and construction projects. They provide a durable and attractive finish suitable for any area of your home or office. Whether you want to update your flooring or enhance your walls, tiles offer various options in terms of size, thickness, design, and composition. But are there specific differences between floor and wall tiles? Let's delve into their key distinctions in this article.
What Is the Difference Between Wall and Floor Tiles?
While both wall and floor tiles serve as decorative and functional elements in your home or business, they have distinct characteristics that make them suitable for specific applications.
Tile Appearance and Physical Characteristics
Wall tiles are typically lighter in weight and have a smoother finish than floor tiles. They also come in smaller sizes with specifications, such as 75x150mm and 200x300mm. In contrast, floor tiles have a thicker, denser composition and textured surface for better traction. They are commonly available in larger sizes, such as 600x600mm, 800x800mm, and 1200x2400mm.
Strength and Durability
Another important factor when comparing floor tiles and wall tiles is the Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) rating, which measures how much wear and tear a tile can withstand without chipping or cracking. The PEI rating system consists of five categories, which are as follows:
- Class 0 (Wall Tiles Only): These tiles are installed at a higher elevation, such as in shower surrounds, to prevent scratching or marking.
- Class 1 (Light Footfall): These tiles are suitable for flooring in areas with very minimal traffic, such as ensuite bathrooms and kitchen backsplashes.
- Class 2 (Moderate Footfall): These tiles are best suited to residential areas with light foot traffic, like bathrooms, and can also be applied to walls in commercial settings.
- Class 3 (Regular Footfall): This type of tile has an all-purpose grade and can be installed on countertops, walls, and floors in most residential rooms.
- Class 4 (Intense Footfall): These tiles work best on residential floors with heavy to moderate foot traffic, such as the kitchen or hallway.
- Class 5 (Heavy Footfall): These tiles are engineered for the highest foot traffic areas, such as hospitals, shopping centers, hotels, airports, and even outdoors.
Generally, floor tiles have a higher PEI rating than wall tiles since they can withstand significant weight and pressure.
Slippery
Each type of tile has its own coefficient of friction (COF) rating that determines its grip or slip resistance. Floor tiles usually boast higher COF ratings, making them easier and safer to walk on and less likely to cause slips and falls. However, wall tiles feature lower COFs since they are not subject to the same foot traffic and weight loads as floor tiles.
Resistance
Floor tiles are made with specialized coatings or glazes, which give them higher moisture resistance and a longer lifespan. On the other hand, wall tiles do not absorb as much heat and moisture as floor tiles, making them ideal for damp environments, such as bathrooms.
Grouting and Sealing
Floor tiles have wider grout lines with a layer of sand and sealing coats to minimize cracking and shrinkage and withstand heavy foot traffic. Conversely, wall tile grout lines are narrower and have a finer consistency. They also do not require sealing unless applied to high-moisture areas.
Read More: Selecting the Ideal Bathroom Tiles
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use floor tiles for walls?
While it is technically possible to use floor tiles on walls, it is generally not advisable. Floor tiles are typically thicker and more resilient to endure heavy foot traffic and weight, which is unnecessary for wall applications. Most tile suppliers recommend tiles with a PEI rating of 0 (wall tile only) for wall installation.
Can you use wall tiles for floors?
Using wall tiles as floor tiles is strongly discouraged, as they lack the necessary durability, slip resistance, and load-bearing capacity. Over time, floor tiles can crack, chip, and become slippery, posing potential safety hazards. Tile experts typically recommend tiles with a higher PEI rating and COFs for floor installations.
What are the disadvantages of wall tiles and floor tiles?
Wall tiles tend to be more prone to breakage and fragile than floor tiles due to moisture, resulting in massive cracks or chips. They also have limited applications, especially in areas with high moisture levels.
While porcelain flooring tiles are lauded for durability and density, the installation process can be more complex and labor-intensive. They also require more maintenance and care to prevent staining and damage.
Final Words
Remember, before installing either wall or floor tiles, it is important to have a good understanding of their differences in terms of appearance, durability, and resistance to various elements. By doing so, you can ensure that the type of tiles you choose will perfectly match your area layout and meet all the requirements of your project.
If you’re looking for the best tile shop to help you find the perfect wall or floor tile, you’ve come to the right place. Robins Design Gallery is a premier tile supplier in the Philippines that offers a wide range of affordable and high-quality wall tiles and floor tiles sourced from trusted tile brands. We are committed to helping customers get the ideal tile solution that not only withstands the test of time but also gives your space a sense of style and sophistication.
For expert advice on choosing the best tiles, feel free to contact us or visit our showrooms:
Mandaue, Cebu:
+63 917 623 7257 | +63 917 114 7903
Cebu:
+63 917 631 3902 | +63 917 636 9053
Iloilo:
+6333 323 4750 | +63 917 551 0049
Cagayan De Oro:
+6388 852 1874 | +63 917 623 5602
Davao:
+6382 287 8241 | +63 917 551 1362