Floor Tile VS. Wall Tile: What’s The Difference???

This is a question many homeowners ask themselves.    And the correct answer is that there a few distinctions, yet these few are extremely important. Here they are:

Floor Tile

While the floor tile functions to decorate a room with its color, pattern, material, or all three, they must first serve another purpose.  And that purpose is to provide a strong and durable surface that can stand up to the daily stresses of life, literally.  Floor tiles are engineered to withstand heavy foot traffic, resist scratches, and bear the weight of furniture and appliances, and even sudden impacts from homeowners dropping things accidentally.  This means that floor tiles are usually heavier and thicker than wall tiles. This can sometimes add to their price.  However, floor tiles can be used on walls and work extremely well on countertops because of their strength and durability, which countertop tiles need to be.

Floor Tile Ratings

All floor tiles should have a rating by the American National Standards Institute or the Porcelain Enamel Institute, however some imported, and handmade tiles do not.  These ratings tell range from grades 1 to 4.  Grade 1 being the weakest and grade 4 being the most durable.  Floor tiles must have a rating of 3 or 4.  If they do not, they should not be used on the floor; tiles with ratings of 1 or 2 will not be able to handle the stress and will easily be damaged.

Wall Tile

While floor tile must be tough, wall tiles don’t have to be. Typically they are used to create a focal point, patterns, or to add color or a particular feel to a space or room. They don’t have to support heavy weight stand up to foot traffic, or worry about being scratched.  This makes them available in: smaller sizes, thinner, more delicate and decorative materials, and with finer finishes which could not otherwise be used on the floor.  This means that while some floor tiles can be used as wall tiles, wall tiles should not be used as floor or counter top tiles.  It’s just not strong enough. 

Wall Tile Ratings

Wall tiles are rated by the same system as floor tiles to give the consumer an accurate assessment of how durable it is.  However, unlike floor tiles which should only be grade 3 or 4, tiles from grades 1 through 4 are all suitable to be used on walls.  Grade 1 tiles would be fragile but that’s fine for decorative use.

Floor and wall tiles can transform our homes and living spaces into places of beauty.  However it’s important to know the difference between them so we can use them correctly and to our advantage.   Make sure you choose a tile with the correct rating for your project at hand and you will save the headache of broken tiles and an empty wallet.

For a good article on how to lay tile click here:http://www.nytimes.com/1989/03/05/nyregion/home-clinic-laying-floor-tiles.html