Wall tiles protect bathroom and kitchen walls from water and grease and are easy to clean. They are also used on feature walls and building elevations. Because they do not take foot traffic, wall tiles are usually lighter and more porous than floor tiles, but they still need the right body, size and fixing method.
Types and specifications
| Type | Description | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Ceramic wall tiles | Glazed, more porous body (3–7% water absorption) | Bathroom and kitchen walls |
| Porcelain wall tiles | Dense body (<0.5% absorption) | Wet walls, large-format walls, exterior walls |
| Highlighters / decor | Printed or textured tiles matched to a series | Feature bands, niches |
| Borders and listellos | Narrow strips | Bands between tile designs |
| Mosaic sheets | Small pieces on a mesh backing | Shower niches, backsplashes |
| Elevation / cladding tiles | Textured, often thicker | Building fronts, boundary walls |
Water absorption categories from the Material Depot tile specifications guide, which describes 3–7% ceramic as wall-only and not for floors or wet floor areas.
What each is used for
- Bathrooms: ceramic wall tiles are standard; porcelain for a heavier-duty or large-format look.
- Kitchens: wall tiles or backsplash behind counter and hob, chosen to be easy to clean.
- Exteriors: use porcelain or tiles made for exterior use, fixed with a suitable adhesive.
Quality checks on delivery
- Count boxes against the invoice.
- Check the batch (shade) number on every box; one batch per room.
- Match decor and highlighter tiles to the main tile series.
- Open sample boxes: look for chipped glaze, crazing (fine cracks in glaze), warping and size variation.
- Lay a few tiles side by side to check shade and edge straightness.
- Record breakages on the receipt before signing.
How much you need
- Measure each wall's width × height in feet.
- Subtract doors and windows.
- Add wastage for cuts and breakage. A common guide is total area × 1.10, divided by box coverage, rounded up (Material Depot).
- Count decor and border tiles separately by running feet or by number.
Example: a bathroom with four walls of 6 ft and 7 ft, tiled to 8 ft height, has (6 + 7 + 6 + 7) × 8 = 208 sq ft. Subtract a door of about 3 ft × 7 ft (21 sq ft) to get 187 sq ft. Add 10% to get about 206 sq ft, then divide by box coverage.
Bulk-buying tips
- Buy the full series together: base, highlighter and border from one batch.
- Delivery: confirm unloading and carrying charges, and street access.
- Invoice: tile code, size, grade, batch and supplier NTN on the invoice.
- Payment staging: pay the balance after checking the delivery.
- Storage: keep boxes flat and dry; protect glazed faces from scratches.
- Spares: keep a few spare tiles from the same batch for future repairs.
What affects the price
- Body: ceramic or porcelain.
- Size and thickness.
- Grade (first quality or commercial).
- Design: plain, digital print, textured, decor pieces.
- Local or imported.
- Quantity, payment terms and delivery distance.
Wall tiles are usually priced per box or per square foot, with decor pieces priced separately. Get written quotes for the same specification.
FAQs
Can I use floor tiles on walls? Yes, many floor tiles can be used on walls, but they are heavier; your fixer may need a suitable adhesive.
Why are wall tiles cheaper than floor tiles? They are often lighter and more porous because they do not take foot traffic. This varies by product.
What causes fine cracks in wall tile glaze? This is called crazing. Check sample boxes on delivery and reject tiles with crazing.
How high should bathroom walls be tiled? It is a design choice. Many homeowners tile full height in bathrooms for easier cleaning; ask your contractor.
Do decor tiles come from the same batch? Ask the supplier to supply base and decor tiles from matching batches.