Behind this tile guide

Start with what changes

Our comparisons begin with cleaning effort, joint visibility, exposure, traction considerations and visual scale. We then explain where a material or pattern may help, what it asks of the household and which details require confirmation.

We do not award a universal winner. A low-maintenance wall choice can be inappropriate for a wet floor, while a visually rich stone may suit a homeowner who welcomes patina but frustrate someone who expects an unchanged surface.

Separate three kinds of claim

Appearance: what the tile looks like under particular lighting. Material tendency: how a broad family often behaves. Product evidence: what the exact tile and assembly are documented to do. These categories should not be substituted for one another.

We have not laboratory-tested the products represented by illustrative imagery. Images and diagrams explain concepts; they do not identify a tested product, promise a finished result or serve as construction drawings.

Use standards in context

Useful reference points include ISO 13006 for ceramic tile classification; ISO 10545-3 and ASTM C373 for relevant absorption testing; ANSI A137.1 for ceramic tile specifications; ANSI A108 installation standards; ANSI A326.3 for relevant hard-surface friction assessment; and EN 16165 for pedestrian-surface slip testing. BS 5385 is another relevant series for wall and floor tiling practice in its jurisdiction.

The current edition, scope, local adoption and exact test conditions matter. A citation is not a declaration that a product complies, and different test methods do not automatically produce equivalent results.

• International Organization for Standardization
• ASTM International
• American National Standards Institute
• British Standards Institution
• Tile Council of North America
• Ceramic Tile Education Foundation
• Natural Stone Institute

These organizations are independent of this website. Their mention does not imply affiliation, endorsement or certification.

Make uncertainty useful

Where performance varies by product, we say so. Rather than replace uncertainty with a confident ranking, we identify the next question: which cleaner is permitted, which exposure is approved, how the pattern ends, or what waterproofing system is specified.

If you notice a factual error, use our contact note tool and include the page, the statement and supporting documentation. Please do not send private project documents or sensitive personal information. Prepare a correction or tile query.