You’ve chosen the best tile for your bathroom floor, but it is listed as a wall tile. What exactly does that imply? Is it possible to install wall tiles on the floor? There’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding floor and wall tiles, but we’ll clear up everything right now.
Can you use wall tile on the floor? Wall tiles cannot be used on the floor because they have a high gloss glaze that makes them waterproof. This glaze is too slippery to be used on flooring.
Michael Byrne, an experienced tile contractor and the Executive Director of the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation in Clemson, S.C., states that is best to ensure that you are installing tiles on floors that are approved for flooring. Ornate and slippery wall tiles are not appropriate for use on flooring.
Most tiles for floors have weak WA, PEI ratings. As a result, they are not great for installation on the floor. Nevertheless, if you purchased high-end tiles for your living room project, see what the manufacturer has to say about whether they are appropriate for floor usage.
The weight of floor tiles is too much for ceramic and glass tiles. You’ll end up with a catastrophe if you try it. If you tear up the floor and redo it, you’ll lose a lot of money. While most wall tiles are not appropriate for use on the floor, many beautiful flooring tile patterns can be utilized on walls.
Can you use ceramic wall tile on the floor
Ceramic tile has been around for thousands of years, and it still works. Ceramic tile is still in use today, and there’s a reason for that: It works!
Since its invention as a useful, attractive surface in both residential and commercial areas hundreds of years ago, ceramic tile has outlasted trends and fads. Unlike linoleum or shag carpet, ceramic tile remains a popular choice for flooring because it continues to work effectively over time.
According to Porcelain Superstore, ceramic and porcelain tiles are both available as flooring options. They can also be made from natural stones including marble and travertine.
Wall tiles are usually too delicate to be placed on the floor, they aren’t water-resistant, and they may be even more slippery. In contrast, a floor tile may be utilized as a wall tile as long as the wall can support the tile’s weight.
In most situations, wall tiles cannot be utilized on the floor. They aren’t intended to handle foot traffic pressure.
Even so, some homeowners are hesitant to use ceramic tiles on their floors, even though they know these tiles are long-lasting. They might be aware that ceramic tiles are only meant to be used on walls and other vertical surfaces, that they can’t take constant foot traffic or spills and stains – that they’re fragile and prone to cracking and chipping.
While other materials, such as porcelain tiles, are denser, ceramic tile with a Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) rating certifies that it is both hard and durable, ensuring that it will work well in all residential applications.
Ceramic floor tile, unlike ceramic wall tile, is designed for everyday usage. It’s made of sturdy ceramic and has a slip-resistant texture that makes it the perfect flooring solution. I recommend checking out Valencia ceramic floor tiles on Amazon by clicking here.
Modern ceramic tile may even be fashioned to mimic other well-known materials such as wood, sandstone, marble, and more using cutting-edge technology today.
Here is a video discussing the use of wall tiles on the floor:
What happens if you use wall tile on floor?
Some floor tiles are meant to be attached to the wall and floor. Other floor tiles, on the other hand, would not be appropriate for the wall due to weight restrictions.
The COF, WA, and PEI ratings for most wall tiles are extremely low. As a result, they aren’t suitable for use on the floor. However, if you bought top-of-the-line tiles for your living room project, check with the manufacturer to determine whether they fulfill floor usage standards.
The weight of floor tiles cannot be supported by ceramic or glass tiles. If you utilize them, you’ll end up with a disaster on your hands. Redoing the task and tearing up the floor will set you back a lot of money. While most wall tiles aren’t designed for use on the floor, many flooring tile patterns may be used on walls.
According to Atlas Ceramics, a well-known tile manufacturer, some people believe that small tiles are for walls and big tiles are for floors. However, it’s all about personal choice.
Most floor tiles are made of porcelain, natural stone, or ceramic. When it comes to choosing the right set of tiles, finding the perfect match might take some time and patience. If you’re unsure what you’re searching for, seek assistance from an expert.
When it comes to wall tiles, the difference between them and floor tiles is that wall tiling is thinner. As a result, they should not be used on floors for fear of cracking due to foot activity. However, wall installations, are incredibly durable and simple to maintain.
In most situations, wall tiles are not a good fit for the floor. They may be more slippery or less water-resistant than is required of a floor tile. Glass wall tiles are frequently too delicate to use on the floor. But the good news is that with so many different types of flooring available, you won’t have any trouble finding one that you like and that complements your design preferences.
Is there a difference between wall tile and floor tile?
Floor tiles are typically thicker, more hard-wearing, and less slip-prone than wall tiles. Most have additional texture to minimize the danger of falls. Wall tile is thinner, smoother, and more delicate than floor tile. It’s also much slicker when it’s wet, which is one reason why wall tile should not be walked on.
Ceramic or porcelain wall tiles are either glazed or must be manufactured to absorb a glaze to be waterproof.
Because there is no such thing as wall-walking, uneven surfaces are permissible in wall tiles. They can also be more attractive. With wall tiles, you may play with a wider range of materials (Glass, Metal, Stone that is stackable).
However, in recent years, there have been several advances and scientific breakthroughs that have inspired distinct floor tile designs – including porcelain and ceramic textiles and wood styles. Natural stone floor tiles such as Granite, Marble, and Travertine are also gaining popularity.
According to LivSpace, Floor tiles are made to be durable, sturdy, and pressure-resistant. Wall tiles, on the other hand, are also meant to be robust but don’t have to bear as much weight as floor tiles. As a result, they’re typically softer than floor tiles.
COF ratings are a form of tile that is utilized to distinguish between the wall and floor tiles. All porcelain or ceramic tiles have their own COF rating. Floor tiles must have a certain level of friction so that you do not slip while walking on them.
The Coefficient of Friction (COF) is a measure of how resistant one surface is to being moved over another. Because traction isn’t an issue where traction isn’t a problem, wall tiles can be honed to have the same slippery sheen as glass.
Can You Use Mosaic wall tiles on the floor?
Mosaic tiles are made by attaching ceramic or natural stone fragments to a mesh backing. Because the mosaic tile market has such a wide range of stones, colors, and textures, there is an almost infinite number of options.
Mosaic tiles may be used on both walls and floors, and they’re a great choice for wet locations such as kitchens and baths since the surface does not become slippery. I recommend checking out Hominter Mosaic tiles on Amazon by clicking here.
Before laying mosaic tile, make sure the subflooring is clean and smooth; also see whether it needs to be reinforced. Mosaic tiles, which may be cut with a utility knife, are inserted in thin-set mortar.
Make large cuts with a snap cutter and tiny ones with a nibbling tool if you’re laying individual tiles. After grouting, seal the tiles and then re-grout and reseal them regularly.
According to Hanse Ceramic Tile, the most significant distinction is that interior wall tiles protect the inside surface of the building rather than merely shielding it. The flooring tiles are primarily utilized to decorate the floors and provide a bright and clean living environment.
Although most wall tiles can’t be placed on the floor, most floor tiles can, as long as the tile will support its weight. This is excellent news if you’re searching for a unique design in your décor and want to use huge-format flooring tiles on the wall or both the wall and the floor. There are an infinite number of ways to match floor and wall tiles.
Large floor tiles, although they take up more room in your home, can make it appear larger because there are fewer grout lines to break up the visual field. Large floor tiles may be beautiful and provide a minimalist appearance to your rooms. Tiles that are tiny on the floor add luxury texture and visual interest.
How thick are floor tiles
The material of the tile, as well as the manufacturing procedure, influence its thickness. Although certain floor tiles may be applied to the wall, a decent floor tile should be at least 10mm thick. This will ensure that it is sturdy and appropriate for busy areas with a lot of foot traffic.
The majority of floor tiles are 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch thick, coming in 4-inch by 4-inch squares up to 24-inch by 24-inch rectangles. Other forms include rectangular and subway tile, as well as octagonal and hexagonal geometries.
Mosaic tiles are tiny and may be installed one at a time. Mosaic tile premounted on mesh sheets, on the other hand, is easier for the do-it-yourselfer to install.
Porcelain or stone material that is formed by grinding, mixing, pressing, glazing, and sintering with refractory metal oxide and semi mineral oxide and is resistant to acids and bases. It’s known as ceramic tile for building or decorating purposes. The majority of its components are made of clay, quartz sand, and so on.
According to Donato Pompo, a leading tile and stone forensic expert, the breaking strength of ceramic tile is determined by how thick it is (that is, the less likely it will break). The 5/16″ thick porcelain tile is quite robust and long-lasting, and it’s ideal for most residential and commercial uses.
Polished tiles, rustic tiles, and porcelain tiles are the most common types of ceramic tile. Each type has its specific size parameters. The overall size is approximately 800×800 pixels for polished tiles, about 900×900 for rustic tiles, and about 1000×1000 for porcelain tiles.
The difference in thickness between rustic tile and polished tile isn’t significant. Ceramic tiles should have a thickness of 12 by 12 inches, but small tiles with names such as mosaic on mesh might be as thin as 1/8 inch and go up to 3/8 inch.
Furthermore, because the floor is different for each installation site, as well as the thickness of ceramic tile employed, it’s necessary to select an appropriate tile thickness.
Different floor tile materials and wall colors should be used in the bathroom and kitchen. This should be done depending on the requirements of the bathroom flooring and kitchen floor.
Table indicating the floor tile thickest that homeowners ended up purchasing for their renovation projects:
| The thickness of the Floor Tiles | Percentage of Total Responses |
|---|---|
| When the floor tiles are 8mm thick | 7% |
| The most popular floor tile thickness is 6mm | 29% |
| When the thickness of the floor tiles is 5mm | 21% |
| When the thickness of the floor tiles is 9mm | 7% |
| When the thickness of the floor tiles is 13mm | 36% |
Wall tiles vs floor tiles price
Tile has been utilized for a wide range of applications since ancient times, including flooring and wall covering. The tile is strong and long-lasting, with minimal grout upkeep required before it needs to be replaced completely. The tile industry is huge, diversified, and often perplexing.
Ceramic and porcelain wall tiles are usually quite affordable in comparison to floor tiles.
Basic tile costs less than $1 per square foot, while expert installation of imported designer tiles may cost as much as $50 per square foot. Wall tiles are not as thick than floor tiles, so neutral colors might be somewhat cheaper than comparable floor tiles. However, because there are more patterns and accent tiles for walls, the prices tend to even out.
Tiles for the kitchen floor may cost as little as $1 per square foot. While floor tiles are thick and heavy, there are less treatments for style; costs are roughly similar when comparing floor tiles to wall tiles in terms of a square foot basis.
On a per-square-foot basis, floor tiles and wall tiles are roughly the same.
Tile installation and maintenance are quite easy. Tile may last for up to 75 years if properly installed and maintained. You are more likely to replace tile because you dislike the design than because the substance degrades. Wall tile, on the other hand, may crack fast if it is incorrectly put in a floor application.
Many floor tiles, as heavier, more durable materials, are expected to outlast wall tiles in terms of duration. In actuality, both materials are likely to endure a lifetime.
Daltile has a large selection of tile products in both conventional ceramic and stone-look porcelain. Marazzi Tile is a high-end foreign tile producer with a broad presence in the United States, even at big box home improvement stores. Acme Brick Tile & Stone, formerly known as American Tile, provides an extensive range of various kinds of tile at reasonable pricing.
