A full guide to porcelain tiles
A full guide to porcelain tiles | What buyers should know about porcelain floor and wall tiles
With their durability and aesthetic charm, porcelain tiles are a versatile indoor and outdoor choice, setting them apart from many other tiles. They can be used in a variety of ways and are a great choice no matter the trend. When buying porcelain tiles, both for floors and walls, it is important to consider certain elements, such as colour, size, tile effect, and where the tiles will be used in the home.
This guide summarises all the information in the porcelain tile hub, including buyer’s guides for both floor and wall tiles, and the recommended porcelain tile ranges we have in stock at Fired Earth.
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A buyer’s guide to porcelain floor tiles
Porcelain floor tiles can work well in any room in a home and some ranges are also ideal for outdoor spaces too. The fact they are non-porous means that if you spill liquid on them, it will sit on the surface, allowing you to simply wipe the mess away. This key quality makes them perfect for high-traffic areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, hallways and more.
To choose the most suitable shape and size for your porcelain tiles, you need to consider what will work best with your space and budget. Larger format tiles are great for covering big areas, offer a seamless, continuous feel as there are fewer grout lines, and easy to install. They can, however, work out more expensive compared to smaller formats.
Recommended range:
The porcelain Frammento range provides a terrazzo feel, without the high maintenance. Fired Earth provides both a subtle and a bolder design in our Frammento range.
Browse through the entire Frammento range here.
Find out more about choosing the best porcelain tiles for floors with our expert guide here.
A buyer’s guide to porcelain wall tiles
Porcelain wall tiles are a great choice if you're looking for practical tiles for high-traffic areas, such as a bathroom or a kitchen. Not only does porcelain cope well with heavy usage, but it's also resistant to moisture and offers a low-maintenance solution. Popular areas for porcelain wall tiles include bathrooms (such as wet room and shower walls), kitchens, gardens and outdoor pathways.
When considering porcelain tiles for walls, it's important to think beyond aesthetics and take practical considerations into account. While porcelain tiles can undeniably enhance wall aesthetics, consider the weight of the tiles, which may be affected by their shape and size. Popular shapes include squares, mosaics, and hexagon tiles.
Recommended range:
Kelly Hoppen has collaborated with Fired Earth to produce a range of porcelain wall and floor tiles. These wall tiles are perfect shades to mix and match or use as a feature kitchen splashback.
Browse through the entire Kelly Hoppen range here.
Find out more about choosing the best porcelain tiles for walls with our expert guide here.
If you are uncertain about which colour or design to choose, Fired Earth has a bespoke design service to help visualise how the porcelain wall tiles will look in each space. This service offers ideas you might not have considered and helps you make informed choices that align with your taste and the room's aesthetics.
Find out more about our design service here.
Choosing a porcelain style
One of the main advantages porcelain tiles have over other materials is their versatility and the sheer variety available. That doesn’t just apply to size, shape, and colours, but also to the type of finishes available too. With proper maintenance and cleaning, these finishes and styles retain their aesthetically pleasing appearance and look the same as when installed.
Below in the table are the advantages and disadvantages of different porcelain styles:
Porcelain style |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Recommended product |
|---|---|---|---|
Matt |
Good for a natural and rustic finish. Low maintenance. Non-reflective surface to hide stains and dirt better. |
Not ideal for darker rooms with no natural light. |
 Shop the South Beach Townsend here. |
Polished |
Low maintenance. Simple to clean. Stain resistant. |
Shows dirt more easily. Slippery compared to matt tiles. |
 Shop the Onyx Ivory Polished here. |
Glossy |
Makes smaller rooms appear larger. Easy to clean. |
Scratches can be more visible. Slippery and may not be suitable for bathroom floors. |
 Shop the Volterra Calacatta Gloss tile here. |
Find out more about choosing porcelain styles and finishes with our expert guide here.
Porcelain vs other flooring materials
Choosing the right flooring material can enhance the living space and create a vibrant and practical environment. However, although natural materials possess an aesthetically pleasing look, they may be impractical for certain areas, such as bathrooms.
Instead of using natural flooring, such as wood or stone, consider utilising porcelain tiles, which come in many tile effects to replicate these iconic and stylish looks. Porcelain tile effects include:
These porcelain tile effects are beneficial as they are more suitable for rooms susceptible to water, such as bathrooms. They are also easy to clean, highly durable, and long-lasting; all without sacrificing style.
Find out more about the benefits of porcelain tiles over other flooring materials with our expert guide here.
Pros and cons of porcelain wall and floor tiles
Porcelain tiles have remained a popular choice for homeowners looking to redecorate. They are often used in kitchens and bathrooms, and can create various looks in a space, from relaxing, spa-like spaces through to bold and fun vibrant rooms.
There are many advantages to porcelain tiles, including their versatility, durability, and variety, which includes different tile effects, shapes, sizes, and styles that suit any room. They are also extremely easy to maintain and clean.
Browse the table below to find out more about the advantages and disadvantages of porcelain floor and wall tiles:
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
|
|---|---|---|
| Porcelain wall tiles |
Easy to clean. Aesthetically pleasing. Good as a contrasting element. |
Difficult to install. |
| Porcelain floor tiles |
Resists wear and tear. Good for high-traffic areas, such as kitchens. |
May be more difficult to install. Heavier. |
Top maintenance and cleaning tips for porcelain floor and wall tiles
To make sure your porcelain wall and floor tiles keep looking fresh and damage-free, regular maintenance is essential. Consider the following maintenance tips:
Regular sweeping or vacuuming porcelain floor tiles
Damp mopping with a neutral cleaner
Spot cleaning for stains
Dusting and wiping down porcelain wall tiles
Grout maintenance
Choosing the right cleaning products is crucial to ensure that your porcelain tiles remain beautiful. As porcelain tiles are incredibly water resistant, cleaning them is a breeze. We would recommend using a specialist cleaning product or alternatively using warm water, a microfibre cloth and a lot of elbow grease when cleaning porcelain floor and wall tiles.
Find out more about how to maintain and clean porcelain tiles with our expert guide here.
Fired Earth has been supplying beautiful, usable tiles for more than 40 years and the Fired Earth team is always on hand to help! We are trend-setters and design a variety of tiles in different materials, finishes and colours.
Contact Fired Earth for more information, or visit one of our many showrooms across the UK.
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