In modern construction, tiles have become one of the essential elements to enhance the overall appearance and functionality. The enhanced appearance and value they offer make homeowners prefer more personalised, valuable, and durable tiles for their houses.
Tiles are used both on vertical and horizontal surfaces, as wall tiles and floor tiles, and their characteristics and functionality vary based on the type. This blog will explore the difference between wall tiles and floor tiles in detail and help you choose the right tiles for your home or commercial space.
Overview of Wall Tile
Wall tiles are designed specifically for vertical walls, such as those in bathrooms, kitchens, and living rooms. They are lighter and thinner than floor tiles and are often made from ceramic, porcelain, glass, or natural stone. Wall tiles are used for decorative and functional purposes, especially in wet areas.
Overview of Floor Tile
Floor tiles are designed for horizontal flooring surfaces and must withstand foot traffic, furniture, and potential heavy impact on the floor. They are thicker, denser, and more durable than wall tiles. Like wall tiles, floor tiles are made of ceramic, porcelain, natural stone, and vinyl flooring. They provide various textures and finishes to enhance safety and comfort.
Wall Tile vs Floor Tile
Thickness
Wall tiles are generally thinner due to their application on vertical surfaces, where they do not need to withstand heavy loads, pressure, or significant wear.
On the other hand, floor tiles are thicker than wall tiles, as they are designed for horizontal surfaces that must endure foot traffic, heavy objects, and general wear and tear. These tiles typically range from 8mm to 12mm thick.
Size
Wall tiles are often smaller and offer a wide variety of sizes, allowing more design flexibility, and making it easier for installation on vertical surfaces. The small-size tiles are ideal for intricate patterns and detailed designs, whereas larger-size tiles offer more modern and minimalistic designs.
On the other hand, floor tiles are typically larger, as they have to cover wide horizontal floor surfaces efficiently to reduce grouting lines. These tiles are available in standard square and rectangular shapes, and both tiles are efficient in delivering a more uniform, clean appearance in open floor spaces.
Installation
Wall tiles are generally easier and quicker to install due to their lightweight and smaller sizes. These tiles are easier to cut and handle due to their thinner material, and the thinner mortar and grouting lines make it easier to dry, resulting in a faster installation.
Installation of floor tiles is often complex due to the larger and heavier tiles, which need careful alignment and level surfaces. These tiles require robust tools to cut tiles, and use thick mortar and grouting lines. The installation process of floor tiles typically consumes more time, slowing down the construction process.
Friction
Wall tiles offer smooth surfaces with little to no friction, as they are applied on vertical surfaces that do not necessarily need friction.
On the other hand, floor tiles are designed with more textures and surfaces to offer good friction to prevent slipping and falling. Tiles that offer more friction are ideal for wet places such as bathrooms, kitchens, or outer spaces, to enhance safe movement.
Durability
Wall tiles are not designed to withstand any form of physical stress, as their primary purpose is to provide good visual appeal and moisture resistance. Although they don’t have to face significant durability challenges, they can last for a long time.
On the other hand, floor tiles are more durable, as they are designed to withstand more physical stress. Their common issues include cracking, dullness and surface scratches but they can last for a long period of time.
Cost
Wall tiles are more affordable and their cost varies based on the types of materials used, size, design and finish, branding, and more.
Floor tiles are more expensive due to their thickness, size, materials, and anti-slip texture. Their physical properties and aesthetics also play a major role in deciding the price point.
Benefits
Wall tiles offer a wide range of colours, patterns, textures, and finishes, offering good aesthetic appeal. They are made to withstand moisture, spills, and water damage, due to their non-porous and water-resisting nature. These tiles are highly durable and require low maintenance.
On the other hand, floor tiles are made to withstand heavy loads, and wear and tear, making them more durable, and requiring low maintenance. These tiles offer slip resistance, to improve safety when exposed to water or moisture. They are available in numerous shapes, sizes, and textures, offering a sleek and aesthetically pleasing look.
Application
| Wall Tiles | Floor Tiles |
| Used in shower walls, splashbacks and decorative accents in bathrooms.Used in backsplashes and feature walls due to its stain-resistant nature.Used as accent walls and TV backdrops in living rooms and bedrooms.Used as protective walls, patios, lobbies and hallways in both interior and exterior vertical surfaces in both residential and commercial buildings. | Used in shower floors and wet areas to provide good grip to avoid slipping and falling.Used in kitchen floors and countertops, as it is easy to clean and maintain.Used for providing durable flooring and underfloor heating in living rooms and bedrooms.Ideal for places of heavy foot traffic and impact, making it suitable for hallways and entrances in commercial buildings.Can be used in outdoor applications such as patios, decks, and outer walks. |
Aesthetics
Wall tiles come with a wide range of colour options, design patterns, textures, and reflective finishes, offering more characteristics to the living space. The main purpose of wall tiles is to provide a good physical appearance, and they effectively provide good aesthetic value.
Floor tiles are often designed for durable and functional purposes, and offer both the the practical and aesthetic needs. They are available in numerous textures and finishes, making it suitable for both modern and traditional flooring.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Tiles
The factors that need to be considered while choosing the right tiles include the purpose and functionality, material, durability, size, shape, colour patterns, cost, maintenance, grouts, climatic conditions, sustainability, and more. Ensure that the tile you choose satisfies all the needs to provide your living space with more functional, stylish, and long-lasting qualities.
Conclusion
In summary, both wall tiles and floor tiles are essential elements of modern construction. Wall tiles are thin and smaller in size, which offers good aesthetic values, moisture resistance, and low maintenance. On the other side, floor tiles are highly durable, offering safety and high resistance against loads and pressure. The combination of both wall tiles and floor tiles, with a matching tone, could enhance the overall appearance of both the living space and commercial spaces.