Tiled walls are great because they can resist moisture, which makes them ideal for humid areas like the kitchen and the bathroom. Plus, they can handle scrubbing much more readily than drywall or other materials.
What's the difference between floor and wall tiles?
Typically, manufacturers categorize tiles as wall or floor tiles. There are certain requirements that differentiates wall from floor tiles. For instance, tiles should meet certain criteria such as PEI and COF rating for them to be qualified as a floor tile.
The Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) sets guidelines that manufacturers can use for their tiles. Ratings range from 1 to 5. Tile floorings with a PEI rating of 1 are so soft that they are not suitable for floor installation. These tiles can only be installed on the wall. On the other hand, tile floorings with a PEI rating of 5 are extremely durable and are ideal for commercial spaces.
Every porcelain or ceramic tile has a COF rating. COF stands for Coefficient of Friction. This defines how slippery a tiles? surface is. This is one of the determining factors that sets floor tiles from that of wall tiles. Tiles should have a COF rating of .50 and above to make them suitable for tile installation. Tiles with a COF rating of .60 and above can be used for outdoor spaces.
Can you install floor tiles on the wall?
Floor and wall tiles aren't the same thing. Floor tiles are more durable and less slippery than wall tiles. So if you're wondering whether or not you can install floor tiles on the wall, the answer is yes.
Yes, you have the option to use floor tiles on any wall in your home. This will give you a very durable wall. But if you do, make sure that you choose smaller tiles. Floor tiles can range up to 18 square. Big tiles may look awkward on the wall. Plus, it can be too heavy for a wall tile.
Wall tiles cannot be installed on the floor. They aren't durable enough to handle foot traffic and are likely to break. If you do install wall tiles on the floor, odds are they won't last. It's just a waste of time, money, and effort.
