Wall Tiles
Wall tile, unlike floor tile, is a free from the burden of bearing weight or withstanding heavy traffic, and so can be thinner, have finer finishes, and, in some cases, be less expensive.
Wall tile layouts tend to have more exposed edges, so manufacturers often offer matching trim and border pieces with finished edges. Wall tile is generally self spacing-individual tiles have small flanges on each edge to help keep the spacing even.
You can use floor tile on walls, but since it is heavier, it tends to slide down during installation. Using battens while installing can help solve this problem. Fewer styles of matching trim tile are available for floor tile, which may make it difficult to conceal unfinished edges.
Wall tile should not be used on floors or countertops, however, because it will not stand up to much weight or sharp impacts. If you have concerns about a tile's suitability, ask your retailer or look for ratings by the American National Standard Institute or the Porcelain Enamel Institute.
Wall tile can be a fairly inconspicuous wall covering or, if used in an elaborate design, it can become the focal point of a room. As with floor tiles, there are styles for every effect from subtle to bold, so envision the effect you want before you head to the tile store or home improvement center. |
