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Floor Tiles Buying Guide

Floor Tiles Buying Guide

How to choose the right Floor Tiles for you 

Terrazzo-style bathroom floor tiles with white background and scattered blue, brown, and black chips beside a modern white freestanding bath

Bathroom floors work hard: they deal with puddles, shrug off shampoo spills and endure daily traffic—plus the odd dropped hair dryer. Choosing the right bathroom floor tile means striking a balance between durability, slip-resistance, style, and budget. This stand-alone guide focuses purely on floor tiles, expanding the key points from our all-tile handbook and giving you the detail you need to build a safe, good-looking, long-lasting surface underfoot.

 

Click Below to Jump to a Section

 

For First-Time Bathroom Floor-Tile Buyers

Savvy Shopper: Technical & DIY Tips

 

For First-Time Bathroom Floor-Tile Buyers

 

What Makes a “Bathroom-Grade” Floor Tile?

 

A genuine bathroom floor tile must tick three boxes:

  • Low Water Absorption – Vitreous or impervious (< 0.5 %) so it won’t swell or stain.
  • Adequate Slip Resistance – R10 minimum for family bathrooms; R11-R12 for wet-rooms or if kids/elderly use the space.
  • Sufficient Wear Rating – PEI 3-4 for busy households; PEI 5 if you want commercial-grade toughness.

Tip: If a tile doesn’t list both an R/PTV value and a PEI or floor-rating icon, treat it as wall-only and keep shopping.

 

Understanding Tile Ratings: W.A. and C.O.F.

 

W.A. – Water Absorption


The W.A. (Water Absorption) rating tells you how suitable a tile is for wet environments. Tiles are graded into four groups:

  • Nonvitreous (high absorption)
  • Semivitreous (moderate absorption)
  • Vitreous (low absorption)
  • Impervious (extremely low absorption)

For bathroom floors, stick to vitreous or impervious tiles. Nonvitreous and semivitreous types can absorb water, leading to stains, cracks, or loose tiles over time.

 

C.O.F. – Coefficient of Friction


The C.O.F. rating measures how slippery a tile surface is. It’s calculated by testing how much force is needed to move an object across the tile compared to its weight.

  • The higher the number, the better the grip.
  • For bathroom floors, look for a C.O.F. rating of around 0.50–0.60 or higher to help prevent slips, especially when wet.

 

Bathroom Floor Tile Types – Pros & Cons

Comparison table of bathroom floor tile materials showing pros and cons of porcelain, ceramic, natural stone, wood-effect planks, mosaic sheets, and rigid vinyl.
Table comparing bathroom floor tile finishes, highlighting matt/satin versus textured surfaces with pros and cons for grip, cleaning, and appearance.
Table showing routine and periodic maintenance for porcelain, ceramic, natural stone, and mosaic bathroom floor tiles.
Comparison table of bathroom floor tile materials showing pros and cons of porcelain, ceramic, natural stone, wood-effect planks, mosaic sheets, and rigid vinyl.

Planning & Layout Tips

 

  • Measure twice, buy once: order 10 % extra (15 % for herringbone or hex).
  • Dry-lay a row across the room to dodge tiny cuts.
  • Orient planks length-wise down narrow rooms.
  • Match floor heights at doorways with Schluter/threshold strips.
  • Edge gaps 5–8 mm, then silicone. Never grout wall–floor junctions.

 

Don't Forget the Grout

 

Grout isn’t just a finishing touch—it’s critical to the strength and safety of your bathroom floor. It locks each tile securely in place, stops water sneaking underneath, and absorbs tiny movements from daily use. Most bathroom floor grouts are a mix of cement, fine sand, and additives that boost flexibility and water-resistance.

For the best results:

  • Pick a flexible, waterproof grout rated for bathrooms and wet-rooms.
  • Match or contrast the colour to your tile design: tone-on-tone blends create a seamless look, while dark grouts make mosaics pop.
  • Allow for movement: use silicone sealant at edges and junctions, never grout.

Tip: Invest in a quality grout sealer if you’re using lighter shades—this keeps your floor looking fresher for longer and guards against mould.

 

Slip Ratings (DIN 51130)

  • R10: General family bathrooms
  • R11: Wet-rooms & walk-in showers
  • R12-R13: Hydrotherapy, gyms, or accessible bathrooms requiring extra grip

 

Core Tile Materials

Table showing bathroom floor tile materials, slip-resistance ratings, and PEI wear ratings for porcelain, stone, and mosaic tiles

Bathroom Floor Tiles by Price Range

 

Before you start picking patterns, it helps to know where your budget sits on the tile spectrum. Prices can be as low as a take-away pizza per square metre or rival premium marble slabs. The tiers below break down what you can realistically expect—style, durability, finish range, and after-care—at each price point, so you can spot genuine value.

 

£0 – £20/m²: Budget Basics

Ideal for rental refreshes, cloakrooms or quick weekend projects.

Key Features

  • 300 × 260 mm mosaic sheets; lightweight 4–6 mm thickness.
  • Ceramic bodies or cushioned vinyl – no sealing required.
  • Press-and-turn safety edges, simple score-and-snap fitting.
  • Core finishes: plain gloss, matt black-and-white patterns.

Finance: from ~£9 / month to cover tiles, adhesive & grout for a typical 5 m² bathroom.

 

£20 – £40/m²: Mid-Range Style & Performance

The sweet spot for most family bathrooms—looks good, lasts years.

Key Features

  • 3-in-1 mix of 200 × 200 mm squares, 600 × 600 mm slabs & chevrons.
  • Full-bodied porcelain (PEI 4–5) with digital inks & rectified edges.
  • R10 slip rating; compatible with wet-room formers.
  • Huge palette: brushed nickel-tone greys, brass-warm terracottas, urban copper.

Finance: typically £15 – £25 / month on 12-month 0 % plans for a 5 m² floor.

 

£40 – £60/m²: High-End & Statement Tiles

For cooks of style—or anyone building a Pinterest-worthy spa bathroom.

Key Features

  • 3–4 L vacuum-insulated… — sorry, wrong product! Here you get:
  • Large-format 600 × 1200 mm porcelain & bold geometrics.
  • Electronic anti-slip micro-etch finishes; holiday-mode energy-savvy glazes.
  • Premium PVD or SuperSteel-tone inks; matching wall decors.
  • Optional textured anti-slip R11 surfaces for walk-in showers.

Finance: from ~£30 – £45 / month for a 5 m² luxury makeover.

Prices, finance examples and stock levels are correct as of April 2025 but may change—always check live product pages before ordering.

 

For Savvy Bathroom Floor Tile Shoppers

 

Traffic, PEI Ratings & Real-World Durability

  • PEI 3: Light residential (guest ensuite).
  • PEI 4: Family bathrooms and hallways.
  • PEI 5: Hotels, gyms, high-heel zones—overkill for most homes but bomb-proof.

 

Colour, Finish & Cleaning Practicalities

  • Mid-tone matt greys/beiges hide lint and water spots.
  • Polished porcelain looks luxe but shows streaks — keep a microfibre mop handy.
  • Dark grout camouflages stains on mosaics; colour-matched grout gives large slabs a near-seamless look.

 

Underfloor Heating Compatibility

  • Ceramic, porcelain & stone conduct heat brilliantly.
  • Use flexible S1/S2 adhesives (EN 12004 C2 S1).
  • After tiling, wait 7-10 days, then ramp heat gradually.
  • Embed electric cables in levelling compound to avoid air pockets.

 

Top Bathroom Floor-Tile Brands

 

  • Quick-Step – Alpha Vinyl & Pulse Hybrid rigid tiles: warm underfoot, 100 % waterproof, click-lock DIY install.
  • RAK Ceramics – Rugged porcelain in concrete, terrazzo and marble looks; many R11 structured finishes perfect for wet-rooms.
  • Stonehouse Studio – Boutique British label focusing on stone-effect and encaustic-style porcelain with artisan palettes.
  • Victorian Plumbing – Curated value and mid-range collections; especially strong on patterned encaustic mosaics and budget hexagons.
  • Villeroy & Boch – German precision, ultra-thin 6 mm slabs and classic tones for timeless, grout-minimal floors.

 

Bathroom Floor-Tile FAQs

 

What makes a tile truly suitable for bathroom floor?

A real bathroom floor tile must resist water, wear, and slips. Look for low water absorption (<0.5%), an R10+ slip rating, and a PEI rating of 4 or higher for busy homes. Anything less is likely to underperform over time—especially in steamy, high-traffic bathrooms.

 

Do larger floor tiles make a small bathroom feel bigger?

Yes—fewer grout lines create the illusion of more space. But there’s a catch: your subfloor must be very flat. Large-format tiles are less forgiving of dips or bumps, so poor prep can lead to “lipping” at the edges.

 

Can I use the same tiles on the bathroom floor and shower area?

Yes—just make sure the shower section has extra grip. Many tile ranges offer structured or mosaic versions with a higher R-rating for wet zones, so you can create a seamless look without sacrificing safety.

 

Is underfloor heating compatible with all tile types?

Nearly all ceramic and porcelain tiles work with underfloor heating. Just be sure to use a flexible adhesive and a de-coupling membrane over timber subfloors. Stone tiles also work well and retain heat longer due to their thermal mass.

 

Final Thoughts

 

The perfect bathroom floor tile needs to look great, grip when wet, and stay flawless under years of steam, splashes and stilettos. Focus first on PEI wear class and slip rating, then filter by style, size and budget. Order samples, test them in your lighting, and always keep a spare box tucked away for future patch-ups. Get those fundamentals right and you’ll enjoy a floor that feels as good underfoot on day 1000 as it did on day one.