In brief: Choosing the right tiles depends on where they will be used, the level of wear they will endure and your personal style. For floors in heavily used areas such as kitchens, you need durable tiles with high abrasion resistance (PEI IV). In wet areas such as bathrooms, slip-resistant surfaces (R10) are essential. Pay attention to the material, format and the right design.
Tile selection basics: What really matters?
Choosing the right tile is about more than personal taste. It is a technical decision that determines the longevity and functionality of your room. Before you get lost in colours and patterns, answer the key questions: Where will you lay the tiles? Are they for a wall or a floor? Is the area dry, or will it get wet, as in a bathroom? How much use will the surface receive?
The answers to these questions will guide you towards the four key criteria for choosing tiles: material, slip resistance, abrasion resistance and format. Each of these features directly affects how suitable the tile is for your project. A beautiful, glossy ceramic wall tile may be perfect for a kitchen wall, but it would be a disaster on the floor of an entrance hall.
Material is the be-all and end-all of design. It evokes emotions, creates atmosphere and defines the feel of a room.
Take your time when planning. Think about the atmosphere you want to create. Should the room feel warm and cosy, or cool and modern? Do you want an easy-to-maintain floor for a family with children, or an impressive surface for your living area? The right tile meets both aesthetic and functional requirements.
Which material is right for each room?
Not all tiles are the same. The fundamental difference lies in the manufacturing process and the raw materials used. These determine the density, water absorption and durability of the finished product. The three most common ceramic tiles are earthenware, stoneware and porcelain tiles.
Earthenware tiles: The classic wall tile
Earthenware tiles are relatively porous and have higher water absorption. As a result, they are not frost-resistant and are suitable only for indoor use. Their softer structure makes them easy to cut and drill, which simplifies installation on walls. You will often find them as glazed wall tiles in bathrooms and kitchens. They are unsuitable for floors because of their low breaking strength and abrasion resistance.
Stoneware tiles: The all-rounder for floors
Stoneware is fired at higher temperatures than earthenware, making the material denser and more durable. Its water absorption is significantly lower, which means glazed stoneware tiles are often considered frost-resistant. They are an excellent choice for floors throughout the home, from hallways and living rooms to kitchens. Unglazed versions provide good slip resistance and are highly durable.
Porcelain tiles: The most robust solution
Porcelain tiles are the premium class of ceramic tiles. They are pressed under very high pressure and fired at extremely high temperatures. The result is a material with an exceptionally dense structure and water absorption of less than 0.5%. This makes porcelain tiles completely frost-resistant and exceptionally resistant to abrasion, scratches and stains. They are the perfect choice for heavily used areas such as entrance areas, garages and patios in the Garden + Outdoor area. Thanks to modern printing techniques, porcelain tiles can now perfectly imitate natural stone, wood or concrete.
Pro tip
When choosing tiles for a balcony or patio, always check that they are explicitly labelled as “frost-resistant”. Only tiles with very low water absorption, such as porcelain tiles, can withstand repeated exposure to moisture and frost without damage.
How does slip resistance affect safety?
Safety is a crucial factor, especially in bathrooms, kitchens and entrance areas. Wet floors can quickly become a slipping hazard. The so-called slip resistance classes, or R classes, are used to assess whether a tile is suitable for specific areas. This standard classifies slip resistance on a scale from R9 to R13.
The higher the R class, the safer the tile is to walk on. The following classes are relevant for private homes:
- R9: Low coefficient of friction. Suitable for dry areas such as living rooms and bedrooms.
- R10: Normal coefficient of friction. The recommended minimum class for bathrooms, kitchens and entrance areas where moisture is likely.
- R11/R12/R13: High to very high coefficient of friction. These classes are mainly found in commercial areas, but also on outdoor steps or around pools.
For areas that are walked on barefoot and are wet, such as a shower floor, there are also assessment groups A, B and C. A represents low, B medium and C high slip-resistance requirements. For a level-access shower, a class B or C tile is the safe choice.
Important note
Never compromise on safety. A high-gloss polished R9 tile may look elegant in a showroom, but in everyday use in a family bathroom it can become a dangerous slipping hazard. Always choose at least R10 for wet areas.
Abrasion resistance: a measure of durability
How well does a tile withstand the daily wear and tear caused by shoes, chairs and falling objects? The answer lies in its abrasion resistance, which for glazed tiles is divided into PEI classes (according to the Porcelain Enamel Institute) from I to V. This classification helps you assess a tile's durability and choose it for the right application.
- PEI I: Very light wear. Suitable for walls only.
- PEI II: Light wear. Suitable for floors in lightly used rooms such as guest toilets or bedrooms.
- PEI III: Moderate wear. A good choice for the entire living area, except kitchens and hallways.
- PEI IV: Heavy wear. Ideal for busy areas such as kitchens, hallways and entrances.
- PEI V: Very heavy wear. These tiles can withstand even extreme use in public buildings or shops.
Particularly hard porcelain tiles (PEI IV or V) require precise cutting. An electric tile cutter such as the
or the is essential for this. Tools like these are part of the basic equipment, and you can find a selection in our power tools category.
Additional advice
When in doubt, choose a higher abrasion class. A class IV tile in a living room where class III would have been sufficient gives you an additional safety margin and ensures that your floor still looks good years later.
Which tile size is right for my room?
Tile size has a huge impact on how a room looks and feels. Small formats were considered standard for a long time, but large-format tiles now dominate the market. Both have their place and create completely different atmospheres.
Large-format tiles (from 60x60 cm) make a room look bigger and calmer. With fewer grout lines, they create a uniform, seamless surface. This is particularly beneficial in small bathrooms or narrow hallways. Fewer grout lines also mean less cleaning. Bear in mind that large tiles require a perfectly level surface, as unevenness can hardly be compensated for.
Small and medium formats (from mosaics to 30x60 cm) offer greater design freedom. They are ideal for creating patterns or adding accents. Mosaic tiles can adapt well to curves and provide natural slip resistance thanks to the high proportion of grout lines, which makes them popular for shower floors. One disadvantage is the extra cleaning required for the many grout lines.
The trend is clearly towards large formats. They bring an elegant sense of calm to a room and are also easier to care for thanks to the low number of grout lines.
Tile patterns and laying techniques for the perfect look
Alongside the material and format, the laying pattern determines the final character of your tiled floor or wall. With the right technique, you can make rooms appear longer, create a calmer look or add a dynamic touch.
- Grid pattern: The classic option. All grout lines meet at 90-degree angles. It looks calm, orderly and timeless, and works well with square tiles.
- Half bond: Each tile is laid with an offset of half its length. This breaks up the surface and conceals slight dimensional variations in the tiles.
- Third or quarter bond: Similar to a half bond, but with a smaller offset. It creates an even livelier, almost random-looking surface.
- Herringbone pattern: A very elegant and dynamic pattern that looks particularly good with elongated wood-effect tiles. It requires precise work and produces more waste.
- Roman pattern: A pattern made up of tiles in different sizes, laid according to a fixed scheme. It creates a Mediterranean, natural look.
The more complex the pattern, the more waste you need to allow for. Calculate at least 10-15 % extra material. After laying the tiles, proper care is essential to keep the grout looking its best. A good grout brush such as the
helps keep the grout clean. This way, your new bathroom, perhaps fitted with new Quax bathroom furniture, will stay bright and beautiful for a long time.
Frequently asked questions
- Which tile is suitable for the shower?
- Porcelain tiles with high slip resistance are ideal for shower floors. Look for rating group B or C for wet barefoot areas. Mosaic tiles provide extra grip thanks to their high proportion of grout joints and adapt well to sloping surfaces.
- Can I use wall tiles on the floor?
- No, you should not. Wall tiles, usually made of glazed earthenware, are softer and not designed to withstand foot traffic. They would quickly become scratched or break. Floor tiles, on the other hand, can almost always also be installed on walls, but check their weight first.
- How much extra should I allow for tile wastage?
- Always allow extra material for wastage and possible repairs. For a simple straight-lay pattern, 5–10% is usually sufficient. For diagonal layouts or complex patterns such as herringbone, you should allow for 10–15% more material.
- What does "rectified" mean?
- Rectified tiles are mechanically cut to an exact size after firing, giving them sharp 90-degree edges. This allows them to be installed with very narrow grout joints of 1.5 to 2 mm, creating a modern, seamless appearance.
- Which grout colour should I choose?
- The grout colour has a major impact on the overall look. A colour similar to the tile creates a calm, continuous effect. Contrasting colours, such as dark grout with light tiles, strongly emphasise the grid and layout pattern and can look very stylish.
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