05 Apr 2023 | Updated Date: 13 Jun 2025, Read Time : 4 Min

Can wall tiles be used on the floor?

If you have been procrastinating on your remodelling job then consider this to be the sign to get up and get the job done. People tend to procrastinate redoing or redecorating their homes for a variety of reasons, but the most common reason is that they cannot think of ideas and design proper plans. One of the most visible ways to change the look of your house is by changing the tiles. Changing or updating your tiles can surely make a huge difference in your space and can make it look stunning. If you want to know what tiles to use on the floor and which ones on the wall, here are four important pointers to refer to.

What is the Difference Between Floor and Wall Tiles?

A bedroom with a grey tile floor and a bed.

Shop this look here. One of the myths commonly associated with tiles is that small tiles are generally meant for the walls while larger tiles are meant for floors. This is not true - it all depends on your preferences and you can use small tiles on the floor and large tiles on the walls. You will be surprised to know that a lot of wall tiles can actually work on the floor, but it all depends upon the tile in question. Here are some points that will help you find out if the tile can be used on the floor or the wall.

Know the WA Rating for Tiles

A living room with brown and beige walls and furniture.

Shop the look here. A tile’s water absorption or porosity is an important factor in judging where it can be used. This is where the WA (water absorption) rating comes into the picture. The different types of tiles - ceramic wall and floor, Porcelain and Vitrified tiles are given different WA ratings depending on their porosity.

In general wall tiles are 15% more porous than ceramic floor tiles or vitrified floor tiles. Tiles that are meant to be installed in wet areas such as the bathroom, pool etc should have a lower water absorbency. The lowest WA rating is given to wall tiles and the highest is for Vitrified tiles.

Tile Thickness and Strength

An important aspect to be looked into is the strength of the tile. Stronger tiles are to be used on the floor while the weaker ones are meant for the wall. The thickness of the tile alone does not decide its strength. Strength of the tile is derived from the firing temperature at the time of its making - higher the temperature, stronger the tile.

What Are PEI Ratings for Tiles?

Porcelain Enamel Institute or PEI rating is used to give tiles ratings based on the hardness of its glaze. The harder the glaze, the more resistant the tile will be. The scale of hardness is between one to five where one is the least glazed while 5 is the highest and strongest glaze. Use our chart below to understand what tiles you need to be choosing.

What Is the COF Rating for Tiles?

COF, also known as Coefficient of Friction, rating is another important rating that you must consider while buying a floor tile. This rating shows the resistance of a tile to slips. If you use slippery tiles on the floor it can create a slip-and-fall hazard that can prove to be deadly. In simple terms, wall tiles can be used on the floor if they have a high COF rating. With a high COF rating, the tiles have better grip and can be installed on the floor. A rating of 0.5 or higher is good for indoor flooring, while for outdoors you need at least a rating of 0.6. These tiles will be exposed to outdoor elements and it is necessary for them to be resistant to the elements as well as anti-slip.

Can Wall Tiles be Used on the Floor?

The question still remains, can you use wall tiles on the floor? Most wall tiles have low WA, COF, and PEI ratings which means that they are not good enough for use on the floors. However, if you choose premium wall tiles that have higher ratings, it makes them suitable to be used as floor tiles. We’ve listed some important things to keep in mind while installing floor tiles in your home. It takes some time to find the perfect tile for your space that not only matches the decor, but also the overall aura of your home. If you are unaware of what you are looking for you should talk to a professional for better ideas and options. A tiling professional generally has an idea about what kind of tiles are suitable for which area and can help you make the best choice.

Checkout Our Latest Wall and Floor Tile Designs

How Can Orientbell Tiles Help?

With our large collection of tiles, you can be assured that you will find a tile that matches all your requirements, be it in terms of material, colour, design, finish or size. You can browse and purchase from our collection of tiles online or at a store near you. Be sure to use TriaLook to visualise the tiles in your space before making a choice. Need guidance with respect to which tiles will work best for your space? Our tile experts will help you with all the help you need. Contact us today!

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FAQs

Are wall tiles appropriate for use on the floor?

Yes, but only if they are strong enough. Most wall tiles are not made for flooring. However, premium wall tiles with exceptional durability and non-slip properties can benefit certain areas.

What happens if a wall tile is used on the floor?

Wall tiles are too delicate to bear footsteps. They are not a great choice for flooring because they will crack. Instead, it is highly recommended that floor tiles be considered.

Is a wall tile identical to a floor tile?

No! Wall tiles are less thick and constructed for decoration purposes, whereas floor tiles are thicker, tougher, and designed to carry high traffic and load. They appear similar yet specially designed for their specific place.

Which tile cannot be applied on the floor?

The majority of wall tiles have low ratings for WA, COF, and PEI and are thus unsuitable for floor use. However, if top-grade wall tiles with high ratings are utilized, they can also be employed as floor tiles.

Author

Mannika Mitra

Mannika Mitra brings a wealth of experience to her role as Digital Content and Marketing Manager at Orientbell Tiles, having been associated with the company for the past 5 years. With a total of 12 years in the industry, Mannika holds an Arts degree from Delhi University and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication. Her journey has seen her excel as a digital producer at esteemed news agencies like ANI, NDTV, and Hindustan Times.