How to Choose Floor Tiles

Co-authored by Art Fricke and Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA

Last Updated: March 24, 2023 References

Tiles are a great flooring option that can work for any room. They’re easy to clean, long-lasting, and stylish, but choosing the right floor tiles for your home can feel challenging. Luckily, it’s easy to choose floor tiles if you consider your needs and personal style. You can then select a material, incorporate your own style, and shop for the tiles you want.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Selecting a Material for Your Tiles

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Choose ceramic tiles for an inexpensive, classic option. Ceramic tiles are popular options because they are inexpensive and fit with any decor.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Art Fricke
Home Renovation & Repair Specialist
Expert Interview. 1 July 2020.} You can choose large tiles or small tiles, depending on your preference. They are easy to install on your own, but you’ll need to work harder at keeping them clean, as they are porous and absorb liquids.^{[2]
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- For a classic look, choose un-textured, solid color tiles.
- Show your personal style with fun colors, designs, or textures.
2
Select porcelain tiles for a durable option that’s still budget friendly. Porcelain tiles are one of the most durable on the market, and they’re also water resistant. Another perk is that they're easy to clean. Porcelain tiles have a classic look that is easy to fit into any style.
- These tiles can be more expensive than other options.^{[3]
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  Art Fricke
  Home Renovation & Repair Specialist
  Expert Interview. 1 July 2020.}
- If you choose porcelain tiles, it’s better to get them professionally installed, as they are very difficult to cut.^{[4]
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3
Opt for cork tiles if you want soft, quiet floors. Cork is a recent trend that can be a nice addition to any room, if you like the look. It’s great for people who want a floor that absorbs impact, and it’s also resistant to water and germs, making it a good choice for kitchens and bathrooms.^{[5]
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- You can find natural cork or colored cork.
4
Select bamboo floor tiles for a durable, sustainable option. Bamboo is becoming a popular choice for people who want to use environmentally-friendly materials in their homes. Bamboo tiles look similar to wood flooring, but they’re made of the fast-growing grass. You can find bamboo tiles in strips or planks.^{[6]
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- Bamboo also holds up well in homes with pets.^{[7]
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Choose rubber floor tiles for a modern, industrial look. Rubber tiles are quiet, durable, and easy to maintain. They also come in a variety of colors.^{[8]
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- Rubber tiles might be a great option for homes with active children, as they’re softer and hard to damage.
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Invest in natural tiles if you want a long-lasting option. Natural tiles include materials like slate, limestone, and granite. Although they can be very expensive, they also last the longest, compared to other tiles. Natural tiles look best with traditional, classic, or rustic decor. However, you can make them fit with any style if you choose a neutral color.
- You can also choose from different textures and colors to fit the style of your home.^{[9]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Incorporating Your Own Style

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Select large, irregular, or concrete tiles for a modern look. If a classic look isn’t your style, opt for tiles that are larger and offer contemporary styling. Rectangular or hexagonal tiles are also available.
- Concrete tiles give a cool, chic finish to a room.
- Unusual designs, like faux brick, are available in some specialty stores.
- Large square tiles evoke the lobby of an upscale hotel.^{[10]
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2
Create your own designs by mixing colors and sizes. Since tiles are available in a lot of colors and sizes, it’s easy to create your own design. You can make a pattern with various colors, or you can mix large and small tiles to create a border or design.^{[11]
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- Ask an expert at the tile store to help you locate tiles that will fit together. You could also buy tiles that are the same size.
- A tile cutter can help you trim tiles to fit the design you want. However, it won’t work if you’re using porcelain tiles, as they’re too strong.
3
Choose textured tiles for an earthy feel. Some stones are textured, especially natural stone. For example, stone can have a wavy texture, a smooth texture, or a slightly rounded texture as though the floor is really made of rocks. Some tiles have a faux-wood texture or a faux-brick texture.
- Smooth tiles are easier to fit with any decor.
- The texture of the tiles will depend on the material. You’ll get more options with ceramic, porcelain, or stone.
4
Use large tiles to make a large room feel cozier. Large tiles give the illusion that the space is smaller. If you choose tiles with a pattern, you can add even more warmth. Additionally, they help you fill that space faster when you’re installing the tiles.
5
Lay the tiles diagonally to make the room feel larger. Although it’s more difficult, laying the tiles diagonally rather than horizontally gives the illusion of more space. Lay the tiles point-to-point instead of side-to-side. You will likely need to use your tile cutter to trim the edge tiles.
- You can create this style with both large and small tiles, though smaller tiles will make the room look even bigger. However, they will also take longer to install.
- If you want to install the tiles yourself, it’s a good idea to avoid porcelain tiles, which will be harder to trim.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Shopping for Your Tiles

1
Shop in store or online. If you want to shop in person, you can visit a home improvement store or a flooring store. You can also source your tiles online.
- Shopping in person is a great idea because you can see the tiles in person to verify what the color or design looks like.
- Both options should provide you with samples of the floor tiles you’re considering, so don’t hesitate to ask.
2
Measure your floor so that you can estimate cost. Knowing how many square feet you need to cover will help you narrow down your choices. Use your measurements to see how many of each tile you would need, then add up the costs to make sure they’re within your budget.
- If you’re shopping in the store, an employee can help you determine how many tiles you would need for the space you’re tiling.
3
Bring photos and swatches of your room’s decor when shopping. It’s hard to determine what the tiles will look like in your home, but you can help yourself by bringing items from your home. This could include a photo, a paint swatch, a fabric swatch, or even a piece of your decor that you want to match.
- Compare the items from your home to the tiles to see how they look.
- Bring your partner or a friend for a second opinion.
4
Get samples of the tiles to get an idea of how they’ll look in your home. You can also bring the tiles into your home by getting a sample. These are usually available for free or for a low cost.
- You can request samples from a store or from companies online.
- Getting a sample can save you from buying a tile that doesn’t work in your home.
5
Choose tiles that are rated for use on floors. Tiles are rated for durability using a rating system called the PEI scale. They can be rated from Class 1 through 5. Floor tiles should be at least a Class 2, but it’s a good idea to choose one that is a Class 3 or higher to ensure that the tile won’t be easily damaged by normal use.
- Lower rated tiles are better for use on walls or counters.

Expert Q&A

Question

What should I look for when buying floor tiles?

Art Fricke
Home Renovation & Repair Specialist
Art Fricke is a home renovation and repair specialist and the owner of Art Tile & Renovation based in Austin, Texas. With over 10 years of experience, he specializes in bathroom and kitchen renovations. Art focuses on a single contractor approach to customized renovation work, and performs projects such as installing custom tile showers, fixing tiled shower leaks, replacing cracked tiles, and installing floor and wall tile.

Art Fricke

Home Renovation & Repair Specialist

Expert Answer

When deciding on floor tiles, be sure to look into what type of tools are needed in installing it safely and correctly. This is because different types of tile have their own unique installation needs. Ceramic tile, for instance, can shatter easily if the wrong tools are used in the installation process.
Question

What are some ways I can save money when deciding on floor tiles?

Art Fricke
Home Renovation & Repair Specialist
Art Fricke is a home renovation and repair specialist and the owner of Art Tile & Renovation based in Austin, Texas. With over 10 years of experience, he specializes in bathroom and kitchen renovations. Art focuses on a single contractor approach to customized renovation work, and performs projects such as installing custom tile showers, fixing tiled shower leaks, replacing cracked tiles, and installing floor and wall tile.

Art Fricke

Home Renovation & Repair Specialist

Expert Answer

If something is expensive, consider if you can minimize that expense and still get the same result. For example, if you think you want large format tile, porcelain or marble or natural stone, you can get that same effect with a ceramic tile which will be a third of the cost.