Tile Buying Guide
There's more than meets the eye when it comes to buying tiles. This guide breaks down the key things you need to know so you can pick the right tile for your next project, with confidence.
Key Information
Porcelain is dense, effectively waterproof and the most durable tile material available, suited to floors and walls in any room. Ceramic is lighter and more affordable, and works well on walls and in lower-traffic dry areas. Glass mosaic is waterproof and best used for feature walls and accents. A tile rated for wall use only can't go on floors, but a floor-rated tile can always go on walls.
Select a space below for a brief run-down:
How to Choose the Right Tile (Start Here)
1. How is the space used?
- Is this a busy part of the home?
- How wet will the space get?
- Indoors or outdoors?
2. What properties do you need?
- Slip resistance (P rating) for wet floors
- Waterproofing for the tile and the substrate
- Durability for high-traffic areas
3. What's your budget?
Best value: Ceramic
Great all-rounder: Porcelain
Natural stone character: Stone-look Porcelain
Not sure? Get the practical decisions (room, slip resistance, waterproofing, durability) right first, and the design choices become much easier.
Bathroom
Waterproof · Slip-Resistant · DurableBathroom
Bathrooms require waterproof tiles, for obvious reasons. As a result, you'll need floor tiles that are slip-resistant, durable and easy to clean. We recommend porcelain floor tiles for these reasons, but you can mix and match these with ceramic and glass tiles for your walls.
Floors
- Choose tiles with a textured or matt finish for bathroom floors.
- Porcelain tiles offer the greatest durability and are inherently waterproof.
- Ceramic or glass tiles can be used, but are best for lower-traffic bathrooms as they are more fragile.
Walls
- Porcelain tiles are durable and waterproof, but are heavier and can increase installation costs.
- Ceramic tiles are lighter and easier to install, but may need additional waterproofing or sealing in areas such as the shower.
- Glass mosaic tiles are waterproof and are often used as feature tiles.
Kitchen
Hard-Wearing · Easy to CleanKitchen
Kitchen floors take heavy traffic, spills and the occasional dropped pan. Splashbacks should be easy to clean and can add personality. We recommend porcelain floor tiles for durability underfoot. Ceramic tiles are practical and cost-effective as splashbacks, and glass mosaic tiles create striking features.
Floors
- Choose tiles with a matt or textured finish, where spills are a regular occurrence.
- Porcelain tiles are the most durable option and inherently waterproof.
- Ceramic tiles work well in lower-traffic kitchens but are more susceptible to cracking under heavy impact.
Walls
- Ceramic tiles are the natural splashback choice. They're lighter than porcelain, easy to install, and even easier to wipe down after cooking.
- Glass mosaic tiles are waterproof and can be brilliant for feature splashbacks or accent strips.
- Porcelain tiles are durable and waterproof on walls, but are heavier and may increase installation costs.
Laundry
Wet-Area WorkhorseLaundry
Laundries are consistently hard-working wet spaces that often don't get the attention they deserve. Slip resistance and easy cleaning lead the brief here. We recommend porcelain floor tiles for durability and waterproofing underfoot, and ceramic tiles are a practical, cost-effective choice for walls.
Floors
- Choose a textured or matt finish for laundry floors. They can get slippery.
- Porcelain tiles are inherently waterproof, durable and easy to clean, the practical choice for a hard-working floor.
- A matt finish conceals everyday dirt and is easier to maintain in a consistently used space.
Walls
- Ceramic tiles are lighter than porcelain and easier to install, a cost-effective and practical choice for laundry walls.
- Porcelain tiles give you greater durability and are waterproof, though heavier and slightly more expensive to install.
- Glass mosaic tiles can add a touch of character above the tub or as a feature. They're also waterproof and easy to clean.
Dry Indoor Areas
Living · Hallway · Bedroom · DiningDry Indoor Areas
Living rooms, hallways, bedrooms and dining rooms don't face the same demands as wet areas. Durability and traffic are the main considerations. Slip resistance matters less, which opens up gloss and polished finishes that aren't suitable for wet rooms. Walls here are usually feature decisions rather than functional necessities, so glass mosaic and decorative ceramic tiles come into their own.
Floors
- Traffic level should guide you first. High-traffic areas like hallways need more durable tiles; bedrooms can accommodate softer, more decorative options.
- Porcelain tiles give you the best durability for busy floors; ceramic tiles work well in lower-traffic rooms like bedrooms.
- Gloss and polished finishes are an option here, adding visual depth without the slip risk they'd carry in a wet room.
Walls
- You have more options for feature walls in dry indoor rooms than you do in wet rooms. Glass mosaic tiles work particularly well here.
- Ceramic tiles are practical and cost-effective for all dry indoor areas.
- Porcelain tiles give you durability on walls, useful in higher-traffic areas like hallway feature walls.
Outdoor
Weather & Slip ResistantOutdoor
Outdoor tiles face sun exposure, rain and foot traffic from wet bare feet. Slip resistance is the non-negotiable starting point. We recommend porcelain outdoor tiles for their durability and weather resistance, and in-out tiles for a seamless flow from interior to alfresco. Walls outdoors are typically cladding or feature walls rather than functional surfaces.
Floors
- Look for tiles with a grip finish specifically designed for wet outdoor use. Wet bare feet on alfresco areas and pool surrounds require the highest grip.
- Porcelain tiles are the most suitable outdoor floor tile: dense, inherently waterproof and available with grip finishes designed for outdoor use.
- In-out tiles are specifically designed to work indoors and outdoors, with matching finishes that create a continuous flow from interior to alfresco.
Walls
- Porcelain tiles are the most durable and weather-resistant choice for outdoor walls and cladding.
- Glass mosaic tiles work well as feature accents in sheltered outdoor areas, but check product specifications for outdoor suitability before using in fully exposed locations.
- For a continuous look from inside to out, use the same in-out tile range on exterior walls as you've chosen for interior floors.
Want a Deeper Dive?
Here's everything you need to know.
Intro
Tiles are one of the most permanent decisions in a renovation. They outlast many other finishes and are expensive to change. Getting the practical decisions right before the aesthetic ones makes the whole process easier, and avoids the regret that comes from choosing a beautiful tile that isn't suited to its space.
This guide is organised around your important decisions. First, your room and how it's used, then the tile properties that suit those conditions, then size, style and budget. You'll see that the design choices, colour, texture, laying pattern, become much easier once the practical brief is clear.
Use the bold summary at the top of each section to skim for the key points. Go deeper where it's relevant to your project. And if you'd like to talk it through with someone who knows tiles, a free Design Pro consultation is available at National Tiles stores across Australia.
The Space
The most important variable in choosing a tile is the space it's going into. How wet it gets, how much traffic it sees, and whether it's indoors or outdoors will determine which tile types and finishes are even in the running.
Wet and high-traffic areas
Bathrooms, kitchens, laundries and outdoor areas have the most demanding tile requirements. Higher moisture levels require waterproofing. Heavier foot traffic means you need durable tiles. And wet feet mean slip resistance is essential.
In these spaces, the tile's technical properties, waterproofing, slip resistance, durability, need to lead your decision ahead of style. Grip tiles with a matt or structured finish are usually the right starting point for floors.
One rule worth knowing here: a tile rated for wall use only can't go on floors, but a floor-rated tile can go on walls. Always check the product specifications.
Dry and lower-traffic areas
Living rooms, hallways, bedrooms and dining rooms are more forgiving. Moisture isn't a consideration, and slip resistance matters less on a dry floor. This is where you can consider gloss or polished options.
Traffic is still relevant. A hallway needs a more durable tile than a bedroom. And on walls in dry indoor areas, decorative options that wouldn't suit a wet floor come into their own.
Slip Resistance and Waterproofing
Slip resistance in wet areas is critical for your safety. Waterproofing is about two separate things: the tile itself, and what's underneath it. You need to know about both.
Understanding slip ratings
The Pendulum test measures the friction a floor surface offers when a foot comes into contact with it, in wet, dry and contaminated conditions. The higher the P rating, the lower the slip risk.
| Pendulum Classification | Slip Risk |
|---|---|
| P0 | Very high (least safe in wet areas) |
| P1 | Very high |
| P2 | High |
| P3 | Moderate |
| P4 | Low |
| P5 | Very low (most safe in wet areas) |
For most residential bathrooms, kitchens and laundries, the practical guide to slip resistance is finish rather than P rating. A matt or structured surface grips better underfoot when wet than a gloss or polished one. Some tiles, including certain marble-look and satin-finish options, can work well in residential wet areas even without a formal P rating, as long as the finish provides adequate grip. For outdoor areas, a grip finish with a P4 rating or higher is the right benchmark; outdoor conditions are more demanding.
The tile and what's underneath it
Porcelain is effectively waterproof, with water absorption below 0.5%, so it can be used in any wet area without moisture causing issues to the tiling. Ceramic waterproofness depends on the glaze: a well-glazed ceramic works on walls in wet areas, but unglazed or lower-quality ceramic absorbs moisture and isn't suitable for shower floors or consistently wet surfaces.
One very important distinction: waterproofing the tile is not the same as waterproofing the substrate beneath it. A waterproof tile laid on an unprotected substrate can still fail over time. In wet areas, a tanking membrane under the tile is a separate requirement, and a job for a licensed tiler.
Durability
Tile durability comes down to material density. Porcelain is the most durable tile material available. The key rule: a tile rated for wall use only can't go on floors, but a floor-rated tile can go on walls.
Why porcelain is harder than ceramic
Porcelain is fired at higher temperatures and produced from finer, denser clay than ceramic. The result is a tile that absorbs very little moisture and can withstand higher levels of traffic and impact. Ceramic is lighter, less dense, and absorbs more moisture, making it better suited to walls and lower-traffic dry floors than to busy or wet surfaces. Stone-look porcelain combines porcelain's durability with the visual character of natural stone, without the sealing requirements natural stone demands.
The wall tile and floor tile rule
Tiles are tested and rated for wall use, floor use, or both. A wall-rated tile does not have the structural density to withstand the point loads and traffic a floor receives. Using it on a floor risks cracking and failure. A floor-rated tile, however, can safely go on walls, with careful consideration of weight if it is very large.
Check the product specifications when you browse. If a tile is rated for wall use only, that's where it should stay. Ceramic tiles are often wall-rated; always check before specifying for a floor application.
Maintenance and Cleaning
The finish of your tile determines how much cleaning it will need, more than any other factor. Get the finish right for your room and your habits, and maintenance takes care of itself.
How finish affects day-to-day cleaning
Gloss tiles reflect light and look striking, particularly on walls. But on floors or in busy wet areas, they show water spots, fingerprints and marks more readily than matt surfaces.
Matt tiles conceal everyday marks and dirt, which makes them easier to maintain in high-use or wet areas.
Structured and grip-finish tiles provide the slip resistance wet areas need, but their textured surfaces can trap grime, so they respond better to a firmer clean than a quick wipe.
The right finish is the one that suits the room's conditions and your tolerance for cleaning, not just the one that looks best in the showroom.
Grout and sealing
Grout colour affects how clearly your floor shows dirt over time: light grout in high-traffic or wet areas marks quickly, while a mid-tone or darker grout is more forgiving.
Grout can also be sealed to reduce staining and make cleaning easier, particularly useful in kitchens and bathrooms. Porcelain and glazed ceramic tiles don't require sealing.
Tile Size and Style
Tile size affects the feel of a room and the number of grout lines on your floor. Variation rating affects how consistent, or characterful, your tiles will look once laid. You should understand both before you order.
Size and format
Large-format tiles (600 x 600mm and above) create fewer grout lines and a more seamless, contemporary appearance, and suit larger rooms where the scale of the tile is proportionate to the scale of the space. Small formats (100 x 100mm, 200 x 200mm) and mosaics suit compact spaces, feature walls and areas where you need to work around curves or fixtures.
Laying pattern also affects how a tile feels in a room: stacked, offset or diagonal arrangements each produce a different result.
Variation rating
Natural-look and stone-look tiles carry a variation rating from V1 to V4, describing how much colour and shade variation exists across tiles in the same range. V1 is uniform in appearance, with tiles in the same range looking consistent from tile to tile. V4 is random variation, the highest possible shade variation, where tiles can look quite different from each other in colour and shade. This is a designed feature of natural-look tiles, not a defect: higher variation creates a more authentic, organic appearance, while lower variation creates a more controlled, contemporary look. If you're considering a V3 or V4 tile, order samples first, as variation reads very differently at sample size versus installed across a floor.
Budget
What affects the cost of the tile
Tile cost is driven by material, format, finish and installation complexity, not by room size alone. Material is the biggest single driver: porcelain typically costs more than ceramic, stone-look porcelain sits in the mid-to-upper range, and glass mosaic varies widely by size and finish. Larger format tiles tend to cost more per square metre, as do specialty finishes such as structured grip or in-out.
Installation complexity
The tile itself is one cost, and the installation is another; the two don't always move together. Large-format tiles require a flatter, more precisely prepared substrate, which adds labour time and cost. Diagonal laying patterns require more cuts and a higher skill level, so add extra to your wastage allowance. Wet areas require a waterproofing membrane under the tile before laying begins, a separate material and labour cost, and a job that must be done by a licensed tiler.
Always order 10% above your measured area. Cuts, breakages and future repairs will use more tile than you expect.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Porcelain | Ceramic | Glass Mosaic | Stone-Look Porcelain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Floors and walls, all rooms | Walls, lower-traffic dry floors | Feature walls, wet area accents, some floor-rated | Floors and walls, indoor and outdoor |
| Waterproof | ★★★★★ | Depends on glaze | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Durability | ★★★★★ Very high |
★★★ Medium |
★★★ Medium |
★★★★★ Very high |
| Maintenance | Low | Low-medium | Low | Low |
| Cost | $$ | $ | $$ | $$-$$$ |
Price tier is relative only: $ = lower cost, $$$ = higher cost. For natural stone tiles (marble, travertine, limestone, bluestone), see our stone buying guide.
You're Ready to Choose
Start with your room. Understand what it demands in terms of waterproofing, slip resistance and durability. Then narrow to the tile types and finishes that meet those requirements. The look, colour, format, laying pattern, becomes a much easier and more enjoyable decision once you feel confident about the practical things.
When you're ready to work out quantities, the tile area calculator gives you an accurate figure based on your room dimensions. And if you'd like to talk through your project with someone who knows tiles, book a free Design Pro consultation at National Tiles stores across Australia. We love to help. It's what we do.