For instance, if you want to tile a shower floor, it’s important to use floor tile with a non-slippery surface. If you put a high-gloss wall tile on your shower floor, the tile will crack under your weight and become dangerously slippery when wet.
Here are a few examples of the right tile for the job:
Dry Interior Floors: For kitchen floors, sunroom floors, living area floors, foyer floors, etc... choose a tile rated for floors. It’ll be thicker and more durable than wall tile. Consider the size-larger tiles help create an effect of a larger room in a small space. Consider the layout- diagonal installation also helps the large room effect.
Wet Interior Floors: For bathroom floors and shower floors, surface texture is important for safety. Smaller sized tiles are also easier to pitch to drain than large floor tiles.
Exterior Floors: Outdoor patios and walkways that are exposed to the elements require a tile rated for freeze resistance, and surface texture is vital.
Countertops: The best tile for a kitchen counter is one that can withstand scratches, heat and stains. Granite tile is the perfect choice for kitchen countertops.
Walls: You can put any kind of tile on a kitchen backsplash wall, a shower wall, or a fireplace surround. You can even put large floor tile on walls with a little extra care during installation.
You can find out if a tile is rated for floors, high traffic, freeze etc... by either asking your tile guy or reading the fine print on the tile sample board or tile box.