What are the differences between tile types (wall, floor & outdoor tiles)?

What are the differences between tile types?

Differences in tile is basically porcelain versus ceramic. We get a lot of people that ask us “What are the differences between tile for kitchen & bathroom walls, indoor floor tile & outdoor patio tile. We can answer that for you! The differences in wall, floor & outdoor tiles ultimately come down to durability. You NEVER want to use a wall rated tile on a floor! Though wall tiles can cost you less, so it might be possible to save money if you have a lot of wall space to cover in your tile kitchen or tile bathroom.

Porcelain Tile vs. Ceramic Tile

Porcelain is a more dense material so its stronger. Tile manufacturers use a rating process which many people don’t know about. For example: a rating of 3 & below is basically rated for wall tiles only. A tile rating of 4 is high residential & a rating of 5 is typically for commercial use because of its “strength”. This factors into the cost of production & therefore the price of the tile product.

Click here for the K&S Wholesale Tile FAQ page about the industry Tile Rating System.

What are the differences between tile for the wall & floor?

Tile manufacturers use a rating system of 1 through 5. Tile rating at 1, 2 or 3 are generally for use on walls, where tile rated at 4 or 5 are for use on floors & commercial applications. Floors tiles CAN be used on walls, but typically cost more. Depending on the intended use of the tile you want, it may be more cost effective to cover your walls with tile rated at 3 or less. We can help you decide what works best for your application & budget. Our showroom is fancy & all, but at K&S Wholesale Tile we are here to help save you buckets of cash on your tile needs.