Whether you’re planning on rejuvenating your bathroom and kitchen with an entirely new set of tiles, or you simply want to replace a few squares that have become cracked and worn, here at Stone Superstore, we know that picking the right tiles for your home renovation project can sometimes be tricky.
Not only do you want to pick a tile style that matches your current home aesthetic, but you also want to be sure that it’s well-suited to the surface you’ll be attaching it to.
So, what do you do if you find a set of floor tiles that you think would also look great on your wall? Will the material be suitable for it, and can you put wall tiles on the floor instead?
To help answer these questions, we’ve gathered all the information you need to know about using wall and floor tiles interchangeably, as well as if they can be used on either surface.
What’s the difference between floor and wall tiles?
While often similar to look at, there are several differences between floor and wall tiles that make each better suited to fulfilling their given roles. Floor tiles tend to be heavier and stronger to withstand weight, whereas wall tiles can be much lighter with potential to be more delicate and brittle.
What materials should you consider when using floor tiles for your wall?
If you are thinking about using floor tiles on your walls, what sort of material should you consider when browsing with us? To help you get a feel for which style might be best for your needs, here are some insights into what each material we provide has to offer:
1. Natural stone tiles
Natural stone is by far one of the most flexible and versatile types of material for use around your home. Not only is it heavy and hardwearing, but its range of colours makes it somewhat of a timeless classic, which is why it makes such a good option for floor tiles.
But that doesn’t mean stone can’t be used as a wall tile. In fact, there are numerous types of softer stone out there that are perfectly suited for this role. A typical example of this is our Argento Silver limestone tiles. We’ve had customers use this type of stone throughout key areas of their homes, both on floors and walls.
2. Polished tiles
The classic bathroom tile, polished tiles give you that sought-after shine that really lends an air of class to whatever room they’re in. Polished marble tiles have been used in people’s homes for centuries, dating back to the Roman period, and while more modern tile materials may offer better grip, their shiny nature means they make ideal wall tiles as well.
3. Honed and natural finish tiles
Generally speaking, there are minimal differences between natural finish tiles and polished tiles. Honed tiles tend to be a non-shiny matt or satin finish, letting them cater to those who want a distinct colour scheme or more muted tones - though they’re still smooth underfoot. Natural finish porcelain tiles have a matt surface, are non-reflective in general and tend to offer more grip when used on floors.
Key things to consider if you plan to use floor tiles on your walls
Last, but not least, if you are set on using floor tiles for your wall, then you’ll need to consider each of the following aspects to ensure they’re fitted properly and don’t damage your wall:
- Wall strength: as floor tiles are often heavier than typical wall tiles, you need to be sure that the wall you’re adhering them to has the structural integrity to support their weight.
- Wall level: a level wall is essential for a smooth tile finish. Be sure that whatever wall you’re choosing to tile is flat so that none of your tiles awkwardly bulge outward.
- Tile weight: as we’ve just mentioned, floor tiles can be much heavier than other tile types, so be sure to pick a lightweight material option so they can adhere properly to the wall.
- Proper adhesive: this should go without saying, but you want to use the right adhesive when attaching floor tiles to your wall so that they remain in place for years to come.
And there you have it; with this information, you should have everything you need to know about using wall and floor tiles on different surfaces. As we’ve already said, we strongly advise against using wall tiles for your floors due to their brittle nature.
Of course, if you’d like more advice on the best tiles to use inside and outside your home, you can reach out to the team at Stone Superstore today. Our experts are happy to lend a hand in bringing your renovation dreams to life so you can have a home to be proud of.
Get in touch to today to find out more and don’t forget to browse our other tile installation advice guides for more insightful pieces.