Using wall tiles on the floor

[wilder]

Right, so now I have removed the old tiles from the oak floorboards in my bathroom, and want to get some new ones. However, I cannot find any floor tiles that are the same colour as the ones I want to use on the walls.

The tiles I have just taken up from the floor were 1970's wall tiles, and they were still in perfect condition after all this time (just AWFUL and very dated!) The wall tiles I have been looking at are the same thickness as some of the floor tiles I have seen, and the wall tiles aren't shiny or slippery.

So, is it OK to lay wall tiles on the floor? If not, why not, please.

Chris

 

[tpt]

depends on the tile.

some tiles are fine for wall and floor, or are fine for light domestic use (e.g. bathroom) - but i'm referring to good quality porcelain or ceramics. which tiles have you used?

 

[Richard C]

So, is it OK to lay wall tiles on the floor? If not, why not, please.

Well that’s a commandingly direct approach from a lurker but at least you added a please

Generally not a good idea but what type, size & thickness are the tiles you want to use? Does the manufacturer say they are suitable for floors? Generally, floor tiles are thicker & rather more robust than wall tiles; you will be walking (or whatever) on them! With solid floors, it may not be a problem as long as they are suitable & laid in a solid bed cement powder adhesive but you cannot compare old tiles with modern ones. I would need more detail on your tiles, the floor construction & those oak floorboards; but why not sand & expose them? If intent on tiling the floor, take the oak boards up & flog them. I would not advise tiling directly over any sort of floorboards & tiling a suspended timber floor needs special consideration if it’s to last.

 

[wilder]

Thank you for your replies. Apologies for the direct approach, but I thought it would be better than being 'woolly' when pleading for advice.

You have raised several issues that I really cannot answer I'm afraid. We moved to France only recently, and my French is still not good enough to decipher the technical bits about the tiles. Also, the shops here give very little actual information, apart from 'murale' (wall) or 'sol' (floor) and the price! Next time I go to the shop I will try and gain some more information about the thickness and what they are made of.

Sadly the oak floorboards have been stained and pitted by the tile cement previously put on them (not to mention the chunks I have taken out of them trying to get the cement up!). However, it may be possible to sand and stain them - I will have to give it a good look over. The boards are tongue and groove (as are all French floorboards) and laid on oak beams probably about 40 cms apart.

So, I'll do some more research and then I'll be back!

 

[tictic]

tiles are graded in numbers....

1...walls only
two...(number f e c k e d agaIN ON PC).....walls to light traffic floors..
3..walls light/residental floors (small bathrooms etc)..


all the way up to the number ..5...(heavy duty etc)...

so look on the side off the box and see what number is on it....
then work it out from there,if not sure come back on with the "graded number"...