Are wall tiles and floor tiles the same?

Well, no! Wall tiles are different from floor tiles as they are not designed to be load bearing. The tiles you use for flooring should be able to withstand heavy foot traffic. Wall tiles, on the other hand, are primarily used for decoration purposes. They are often thinner and lighter than floor tiles.

Types of Wall Tiles

Tiles are made from several materials like porcelain, ceramic, stone, clay, and even metal and glass. Here are some of the popular materials used in the manufacture of tiles.

Porcelain or Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic and porcelain are the most common materials used in the manufacture of tiles. The primary difference between these two materials is the rate of water absorption.

Sizes of Wall Tiles

Once you have decided the type of tile, the next biggest decision you’ll have to make is – the tile size. The tile size plays a crucial role in determining the overall appearance of your walls. Here are a few tips to keep in mind while choosing wall tile sizes:

• Larger tiles have fewer grout lines giving a more streamlined look.

• Large tiles make a small room appear bigger.

• But, the drawback with large tiles is that they need more adhesives for installation.

• Smaller tiles on the other hand are easy to install but have more grout lines.

• Here are the standard wall tile sizes:

• Square Mosaic – These are typically 1-inch by 1-inch squares. They are also available as 2-inches by 2-inches squares.

• Blend Tiles – Their aspect ratio is 1:2, where the width of the tile is twice that of the height. It’s typically used for kitchen and bathroom backsplashes.

• Subway Tiles – Their aspect ratio is 1:2 (height: width). Generally, subway tiles are 3” high and 6” wide. They are used for bathroom backsplashes, tub surrounds, bathroom walls, kitchen backsplashes, shower enclosures, etc.

• Square Tile – It’s normally 4” square tile, used for kitchen countertops and sometimes even on floors.

• Plank Tile – They are normally in the shape of a plank – 4” wide and 24” long. They are primarily used for flooring, accent walls, wainscoting and backsplashes.