Understanding Floor and Wall Tiles
If you want to install tiles for your commercial or residential space, there are essential things you should be aware of; they mainly differentiate floor tiles from wall tiles. The first thing to note is that you can use floor tiles on your walls, but you cannot use wall tiles for your floor. Secondly, the two most common materials used for tiles are ceramic and porcelain; you can also come across glass, natural stone (granite and marble) and metal. Get to learn why and more below:
1. COF and PEI
It helps to better understand COF and PEI. COF (Coefficient of Friction) is a rating that indicates whether a particular tile is safe to walk on. The higher the rating, the more the tile is suited for walking on. You can also come across DCOF (Dynamic Coefficient of Friction); this rating indicates friction on a wet level surface. PEI (Porcelain Enamel Institute) is a rating that indicates the durability and strength of the tile. The range starts from one to five, where one is weak and five is strong.
Therefore, when choosing tiles for your wall, a lower or higher COF and PEI is okay. Just weigh the costs of the tiles against your needs and determine whether lower or higher COF and PEI ratings are suitable. On the other hand, when choosing tiles for your floor, you'll need a higher COF and PEI; such tiles might be more expensive.
2. Appearance
Floor tiles may also seem thicker and more texturised than wall tiles. You can interpret this thickness as being a property that makes the tile withstand traffic and loads. The texture is an indication of slip resistance, which means the tile has a high COF or DCOF.
3. Outdoor and Indoor Tiles
You can easily tell the difference between tiles used indoors and those used outdoors. Outdoor tiles won't look delicate, shiny or glazed. The material used is also one that can endure the effects of different environmental and weather conditions. An example of such a material is concrete.
4. Size, Design and Material of the Tiles
When it comes to the size, design and material of the tiles for either wall or floor use, you need the help of an interior designer and tile specialist. Of course, there are some aesthetic and functional features of tiles that you might not know. For example, some wall tiles used in kitchens or bathrooms have the properties of brightening a space or making a room look larger. Therefore, before purchasing tiles, have an interior designer and tile specialist in your corner.
Contact wall tile contractors to learn more.