How to choose bathroom and floor tiles (porcelain, ceramic, natural stone, marble)

What is the difference between porcelain and ceramic?

Porcelain is fired denser and absorbs less water, so it stands up better to floors, wet rooms and outdoor use, and it is harder to cut. Ceramic is lighter and easier to work with, which makes it a sensible and often cheaper choice for walls that will not take heavy wear.

Is natural stone or marble a good idea in a bathroom?

It can be beautiful, but it behaves differently to porcelain. Stone and marble are porous, so they need sealing and pH-neutral cleaning, they can etch if acidic products are used on them, and shade variation between tiles is part of the material rather than a fault. If you want the look, plan for the upkeep.

What tile size should I choose for a small bathroom?

Large-format tiles mean fewer grout lines and a calmer look, but they need a flat substrate and leave bigger cuts around fittings in a tight room. Medium formats are more forgiving. There is no rule that small rooms need small tiles — it depends on how square the room is and how much detail it contains.

Which finish is best for a bathroom floor?

For floors that get wet, look for a textured or matt finish with a slip rating suitable for the room rather than a high-gloss polished tile. Suppliers publish slip ratings for their floor tiles; ask them to confirm the tile is intended for bathroom or wet-room floors before you buy.

How do I check a tile is right before ordering?

Before you commit to a full order, it is worth checking these with the supplier:

• That the tile is rated for the surface you want — wall only, floor, or wet area.
• The rectification and calibration, which affects how tight the joints can be.
• Shade and batch: order all the tile in one batch, as shades vary between batches.
• Whether the tile needs sealing before grouting, as many stone and some matt tiles do.
• Trims and matching pieces such as skirting, steps or border strips.

How many tiles should I order?

Measure the area and add roughly ten per cent for cuts and breakages. Add more for herringbone, chevron and patterned layouts, and keep a few spare tiles after the job in case one is ever damaged — matching a discontinued tile later is difficult.

Should I ask the tiler before I buy?

Yes, and it costs nothing. Sending us the tile you are considering lets us flag anything that will affect the fit — a very large format on an uneven wall, a stone that needs sealing, a mosaic that will need extra time, or a pattern that will not work with the room's proportions.