The One Mistake to Avoid When Shopping for Tile, According to a Pro
When it comes to picking the perfect tiles for a project, not all designs are created equally — or, at least, with long-term durability as flooring in mind. That’s what DIYer Melanie Cooke (@thisismelaniecooke) discovered when she selected thinner tiles meant for walls to create her renovated bathroom’s red checkerboard floors. Now the tiles are shifting, and the grout is cracking.
“The guy in the tile shop warned me,” Cooke shared on Instagram. “I still did it anyway. One thing that hasn’t helped is the floor [underneath]. We didn’t level it; just screwed [the] tile backer board down, which has a bit of bounce in it.”
Since then, Cooke has had to re-install 12 of the tiles (shown below) with wetter adhesive to help prevent further cracking, and eventually she’ll re-grout them. Although in her case it’s fixable, Cooke’s tile mishap presents a teachable lesson when it comes to tile shopping — and the pros confirm it.
You can use floor tile on a wall, but NOT vice versa.
Eli Mechlovitz, the founder of Tilebar, says that a good rule of thumb when it comes to picking tile for a project — whether that’s a kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, wet bar, entryway, or something else — is that you can use floor tile on a wall, but you can’t use wall tile on a floor.
“Floor tiles are designed to handle foot traffic, so they are more durable and slip-resistant,” he says. “However, not all wall tiles are suitable for use on [the] floor, as they may not be durable, slip-resistant, or flat enough for floor use.”
Sometimes it comes down to the material. Glass, mother of pearl, and mirrored tiles work well for backsplashes or bar tile, but these would be too fragile for floor use, for example. Instead, Mechlovitz suggests prioritizing floor tile materials that “blend durability, quality, and style,” as they’ll be long-lasting underfoot.
“We recommend porcelain, which is known for its durability, marble for its timeless look, slate for its natural texture and slip-resistance, and terracotta for a more rustic and handmade feel,” he says.
If you’re still feeling stuck when it comes to picking a tile, check out this guide for translating your personal style into tile. And remember: Floor tile can work on a wall, but wall tile isn’t suitable for a floor.