Tile selection is the decision most homeowners spend the most time on — and the one that matters least for performance. A beautiful tile installed incorrectly fails. A modest tile installed correctly over a proper waterproofing system performs flawlessly for decades. That said, choosing the right tile for the application does matter — not just aesthetically, but functionally.
“The tile selection conversation I have most often is with a homeowner who’s fallen in love with a polished marble tile for their shower floor. And then I have to explain slip resistance, acid sensitivity, and the sealing regimen that marble requires in a wet environment. The right tile for the application is the first decision. Then you can optimize for appearance within that.”
— Adi from GMT Tile & Reno, founder and tile renovation specialist with over 20 years of experience delivering residential and commercial tile installation and renovation services across Toronto with a focus on precision, quality, and customer satisfaction
The Key Criteria for Tile Selection
1. Application: Where Is It Going?
Wet areas (shower walls): Any tile works on shower walls — the tile itself is not the waterproofing. The waterproofing membrane behind the tile is what keeps water out. Large-format porcelain, ceramic, natural stone, glass — all appropriate if the installation is correct.
Wet areas (shower floors and bathroom floors): Must meet minimum slip resistance standards. The DCOF (Dynamic Coefficient of Friction) for wet floor areas should be ≥ 0.42 per ANSI A137.1. Small mosaic tiles (2″x2″ and smaller) provide more grout joints per square foot — which provides more traction. Large-format smooth tile requires a textured surface finish or a verified DCOF rating for wet applications.
Kitchen floors and mudrooms: High traffic and impact resistance matter more than in bathrooms. PEI 3 or higher for residential; PEI 4+ for heavy use.
Exterior (your region climate): Must be frost-resistant — fully vitrified or porcelain tile. Porous ceramic or natural stone not rated for freeze-thaw cycles will spall in many regions winters.
2. Material: What Is It Made Of?
Porcelain: The most versatile and durable tile material. Dense, low water absorption (<0.5%), hard, frost-resistant. Available in a huge range of finishes, formats, and styles — including realistic stone and wood looks. Appropriate for virtually every application. Harder to cut than ceramic.
Ceramic: Traditional tile material. Higher water absorption than porcelain. Generally not appropriate for exterior applications in cold climates. More affordable than porcelain. Appropriate for interior walls and lighter-traffic floor applications.
Natural stone (marble, travertine, slate, limestone, quartzite):
– Beautiful and unique — every tile is different
– Requires sealing before installation and regularly thereafter
– Acid-sensitive stones (marble, travertine, limestone) are damaged by acid cleaners and acidic foods
– Not all natural stone is appropriate for floors — ask about the stone’s hardness and slip resistance
– Variable maintenance requirements by species
Glass tile:
– Translucent — shows adhesive through the tile, requiring white or color-matched adhesive
– Scratch-resistant but chips easily at edges
– Requires non-sanded grout to avoid scratching
– Requires specific thinset (ANSI A118.15 highly polymer-modified) to accommodate thermal movement
– Primarily used for accent and backsplash applications
Cement tile:
– Artisan-made, pigment-pattern tiles (Moroccan, encaustic)
– Very porous — requires significant sealing and careful maintenance
– Not appropriate for wet areas without extensive sealing
– Beautiful for dry decorative applications where care is acceptable
3. Format: What Size and Shape?
Standard formats (4″x4″ to 12″x12″): The most forgiving installation — minor substrate imperfections are hidden by smaller tiles.
Large-format (15″x15″ to 48″x48″+): Requires flatter substrate (within 1/8″ over 10 feet), larger coverage equipment, tile leveling systems. Creates a seamless look with fewer grout joints. More demanding installation.
Mosaic (under 4″x4″ on mesh sheets): High grout-joint-to-tile ratio provides good traction on floors. More grout to maintain. Can create curved or complex patterns.
Planks (tile in a wood plank format, typically 6″x24″ to 8″x48″): Popular for wood-look porcelain. Can be installed in multiple patterns (straight, offset, herringbone).
4. Finish: Polished, Honed, or Textured?
Polished: High gloss. Sophisticated look. Shows scratches and etching over time (particularly on marble and softer stones). Not appropriate for wet floors — slippery when wet.
Honed: Matte finish, slightly smooth. Less slippery than polished. Hides scratches better. More practical for floors and wet areas.
Textured/Matt: Provides more traction. Best choice for shower floors and other wet floor applications. Hides everyday wear.
Grip ratings: For wet floors, always verify the DCOF rating regardless of the visual texture — some apparently textured tiles have insufficient grip when wet.
Related Questions
- Questions to Ask a Tile Setter Before You Hire One
- Questions to Ask a Tile Setter About Layout and Materials
- How Much Does Tile Installation Cost ?
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