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Kitchen Wall Tiles vs Kitchen Floor Tiles: What to Choose and Why It Matters

Most people who visit a tile showroom have one thing in mind. Which tile looks the best in the kitchen? They dive right into the design phase. In fact, they spend the first ten minutes making decisions on colour, pattern, and finish.

However, they miss a very basic question. Are they selecting tiles for the wall or the floor? These are two different surfaces that come with different requirements. In fact, the right tile for one surface may be the wrong one for the other.

In this blog, we highlight the difference between kitchen wall tiles and kitchen floor tiles, and the most important factors for selecting the right type.

1. The difference: which surface is tougher

The wall and floor of the kitchen experience different things. Walls generally see splashes and some steam, while floors get mucked up with foot traffic, dropped tools, and spillage. Floors also get mopped daily. Because of all this, tiles for the floor need to be strong, dense, and have a high coefficient of friction.

Walls also need to be surfaced in tiles that are strong, dense, and frictionless.

Keep in mind; Floor tiles need to be strong and dense with a high coefficient of friction. Wall tiles need to be smooth and easily wiped clean. Floor tiles don’t belong on the wall, and wall tiles don’t belong on the floor. Making bad design decisions can increase your expenses, or worse, can be a safety hazard.

2. Weight and Thickness

Wall tiles are lighter and thinner because they are meant to be that way, not because they are of lower quality. As tiles get heavier, the burden on the adhesive increases. In Indian homes that use plastered blocks or brick walls, the burden increases the chance of tiles falling off over time. Because they are lighter, wall tiles are easier to install, reduce the burden on walls, and remain stuck for longer.

3. Thickness

Wall kitchen tiles are about 6 to 8 mm thick, while floor kitchen tiles are 8 to 10 mm thick or even more. Tiles that are thicker can withstand more impact and pressure. Thinner tiles are easier to cut and place more accurately.

This is why using wall tiles or floor tiles in place of one another is a performance and a structural issue.

4. Finish

Wall tiles and floor tiles serve different purposes; therefore, the finishes on these tiles are different. For wall tiles, a smooth surface that has a high-gloss or semi-gloss finish can be easily cleaned of oil and residue. In contrast, floor tiles with a glossy finish can be very dangerous after a spill; a matte or textured finish must be employed to avoid slipping.

Here's how you should tile your kitchen:

Wall tiles near the kitchen sink, floor tiles near the kitchen sink, and wall tiles near the stove all have different moisture exposure. Wall tiles near the stove are splashed with moisture. Floor tiles near the sink are submerged in water. Therefore, they are all moisture-resistant, but in different ways.

Indian kitchens are designed with the following standard specifications in mind.
  • Kitchen wall tiles have a water vapour absorption capacity of less than 1%.
  • Kitchen floor tiles have a water absorption capacity of less than 0.5%. Vitrified tiles are preferred.
  • Kitchen wall tiles have a smooth surface for easy maintenance.
Further, the tiles behind the stove should have a glossy finish and should be easy to clean. The tiles under the sink have to be textured and have anti-slip properties.

Considering these aspects, designing Indian kitchens is easy.

5. Size Selection: What Works on Each Surface

The dimension of tiles helps shape the overall perception of the kitchen. It also determines the length of time for the installation and the grout cleaning.

To reduce the number of grout lines on the wall, larger tiles, 300 by 600 mm or 300 by 900 mm, can be used. This helps reduce the amount of grime that will accumulate along the lines, especially in the cooking area. For the floor, mid-format tiles, 600 by 600 mm or 600 by 1200 mm, are used in the majority of Indian kitchens and are easier to lay on.

The following are the size recommendations based on the surface:
  • Wall Tiles: 300 by 600 mm in a vertical orientation
  • Floor Tiles: 600 by 600 mm for compact kitchens and 600 by 1200 mm for open kitchens

Small mosaic tiles should be avoided for kitchen floors. The grout lines will trap cooking oil and will make cleaning difficult.Large format tiles leave less grout lines, but require a more level substrate.

The right size will significantly simplify the maintenance of the kitchen over its lifetime.

6. Common Mistakes in Indian Kitchens

The following are the most common mistakes that occur when selecting tiles for Indian home renovations.
Mistake 1: Same Tile for Walls and Floors

While it may appear seamless, it causes functional issues. The rough texture of the floor tile will be impossible to keep clean when it is on the wall. Conversely, a wall tile will be slippery when it is laid on the floor.

Mistake 2: Selecting Glossy Floor Tiles

Glossy tiles may appear bright, but the shine will reveal every footprint during the never-ending post-cooking cleanup.

Mistake 3: Not Considering the Space Behind the Stove

This is the most prominent wall space in the kitchen. Multiple homeowners cover this space with decorative tiles, often oblivious to the tiles’ heat and grease absorption. The tiles set behind the stove should be even, smooth, and heat-resistant.

Mistake 4: Purchasing Tiles Without Measuring the Actual Space

The overall square footage of the kitchen walls is not equal to the square footage of the kitchen floor. Purchasing the same quantity of tiles for both areas results in excess tiles or insufficient tiles for some areas.

7. Budgeting for Tiles Correctly

The tiles you use on the walls and floors will most likely be of different prices, so the tile budget can be broken up into separate budgets for walls and floors. Start with your wall budget and separate your floor budget.

Walls and floors can be independently measured to establish your tile budget. In the case of the walls, subtract the square footage of any permanent fixtures like cabinets and windows. Add 10% to both of these for potential breakage. After establishing your tile budget, you can select your tile based on wall and floor preferences.

When budgeting for tiles, consider the following:
  • Wall and floor areas are measured separately.
  • Cuts around fixtures and walls
  • Premium pricing for the wall behind the stove
  • Grout colour assessed

If you budget for tiles properly, you won't have to change your plans for tile purchasing and installation during the renovation.

Conclusion

Searching for kitchen wall tiles and kitchen floor tiles are two completely different searches. Wall tiles need to provide a surface that is clean and can be easily wiped, with cooking residue clinging to it throughout the day. As for the kitchen floor tiles, the tiles that are used need to be strong, tough, and have grip to withstand the daily stresses that floor tiles must endure. When both the floor and wall tiles are chosen with the specific purpose in mind, the kitchen will serve its purpose and look great for a long time.

The most common mistake is treating the kitchen as a single surface. It most definitely is not a single surface. The floor is a working surface that can be strong and tough, which can withstand spills. The wall is a cleansing surface that faces steam and vapours. When choosing the tiles, each individual tile is just as important as the aesthetic purpose it provides. Each tile should serve the purpose for which it is designed and not just how they look in the store.