Last year, I worked on my home for a while when it was time to start making decisions about the floors. I don’t know if you have ever used tile as flooring, but there are so many options out there that it can be hard to decide which one is right or even what size tiles to use.
You wouldn’t want too small of a tile because it would look like a pattern, but you also wouldn’t want too big of a tile because then your feet will get caught in the grout every time they step on the floor.
Can you use wall tiles on the floor? That was exactly the final question that came up in my head back then. How creative is that, utilizing the beautiful wall tiles? However, it’s just a floating iceberg till you discover every bit and piece about this issue.
Let me compose all my knowledge on this topic in this post so you won’t have to look anywhere further!
Table of Contents
Can You Use Wall Tiles On The Floor?
You can’t use wall tiles as flooring because they are too thin and could result in breakage. Floor tiling needs to be thicker, stronger, and able to bear a larger load.
Tiles placed on a floor must have a suitable PEI rating and COF friction. Meanwhile, wall tiles are rated low for these characteristics, particularly a rating of 0 on the PEI scale, indicating that they are too soft for usage in the ground-up installation procedure.
Standard Rating For Floor Tiles
PEI Rating
Most tiles bear the logo of the Porcelain Enamel Institute or PEI for short. The grade reflects how effectively a certain piece resists wear and tear when compared to other sorts of materials. The scale runs from one to five, with lower numbers indicating poor water resistance and higher numbers indicating excellent water resistance.
COF Rating
The Coefficient Of Friction (COF) value reflects how well a specific type of flooring grips when wet, with higher numbers indicating reduced slipperiness.
Indoor floors require a COF of at least 0.5, whereas patios and outdoor patios require at least 0.6. This is because various conditions will necessitate varying degrees of slip resistance.
WA Rating
The WA rating denotes the degree of durability that a certain surface can withstand in wet circumstances inside or outside the house.
The levels of the W-A scale will be as follows:
- Non-vitreous tiles
- Semi-vitreous tiles
- Vitreous tiles
- Impervious tile
We organize the items in increasing order from not being water-resistant, not appropriate for wet settings (both indoor and outdoor), to excellent water-resistant and suitable for use in the bathroom or swimming pool.
The majority of wall tiles have low COF, WA, and PEI values. As a result, they are not suited for usage on the floor.
Pros And Cons Of Using Wall Tiles On The Floor
Pros
- Smaller and lighter, easier to install and cut
- Excellent water-resistance
- High durability and ease of upkeep
- Reduced cost
Cons
- May be more slippery than floor tiles
- Less heat resistant as it is thinner than floor tiles
Are There Any Other Types Of Tile That Can Be Used For Both Walls And Floor?
Floor tiles are used on both walls and floors, as long as they can bear their weight.
If you want to have an interesting design in your home, such as using large format wall tiles or both for decoration, this will work well with any type! When it comes to harmonizing these two surfaces, the possibilities are infinite, making it simple and exciting to discover something just right.
Floor tiles are made from either ceramic, porcelain or stone. Ceramic floors tend to be softer and more receptive, while the other two – a bit denser, but they offer great durability for your home’s needs over time!
How Much Does It Cost To Install These Kinds Of Tiles In Your Home?
This is the price you can refer to, but keep in mind that the selling price may vary from place to place.
- Quarry tile (unglazed ceramic tile): $2 per square foot
- Porcelain tile (glazed or unglazed): $2 to $4 per square foot.
- Terra-cotta (unglazed tile: $1 to $3 per square foot.
- Stone tiles (granite, slate and marble): start at $2 per square foot, based on their natural beauty.
- Professional installation: $5 to $10 per square foot
Installing a tile floor in a 10×15-foot space will cost between $1,050 and $2,100. (150 square feet).
Conclusion
Can you use wall tiles on the floor? Wall tiles are a great way to add color and texture to your home. Yet, is it safe for them to be used on the floor? The answer seems like a resounding no, but there’s more information that needs to be considered before you make any decisions about where wall tiles should go.
For instance, when would this kind of tile work best? What other types of tiles can also function as both walls and floors? If you have any experience regarding this topic, please let us know! We love hearing from our readers!
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