Shop Ceramic Tile by Room

Ceramic grouped by where it is going — kitchen backsplash, bathroom and shower walls. Ceramic is a wall-first material, so every one of these is a wall answer; check the PEI rating before any of it goes on a floor.

Kitchen

Bathroom

Shower

Ceramic, Room by Room

Ceramic is a wall material first. It is fired at a lower temperature than porcelain, absorbs more water and is softer, which makes it lighter, easier to cut and cheaper — and which is exactly why it has owned backsplashes, bathroom walls and shower surrounds for a century. Some ceramic ranges are rated for residential floors; many are not, and the PEI rating on the product page is what settles it. PEI 3 is the minimum for a floor you walk on every day.

Kitchen

Ceramic kitchen tile means backsplash in almost every case, and it is the single best use of the material. A backsplash takes no foot traffic, so none of ceramic''s limitations apply, while its strengths — colour depth, glaze character, low cost per square foot — all count. A glossy glaze behind a hob wipes down faster than a textured one, and a run of subway or herringbone is the most forgiving layout to fit around outlets and a window.

Bathroom

Ceramic bathroom tile belongs on the walls, where the glaze is impervious and the softer body never matters. Full-height ceramic behind a vanity or around a bath is the cheapest way to get a finished, wipeable room. For the bathroom floor, check the PEI rating carefully or move to porcelain, which is built for it.

Shower

Ceramic shower tile is a wall answer, not a floor one. Glazed ceramic on shower walls has been standard practice for decades: the glaze is impervious, and it is the waterproofing behind the tile, not the tile itself, that keeps water out of the structure. For the shower floor use a rated mosaic — hexagon or penny round — so the sheet follows the fall to the drain and the grout joints supply the grip.

Quick Reference

Kitchen backsplash — any glazed ceramic. Gloss wipes fastest behind a hob.
Bathroom walls — any glazed ceramic, full height.
Shower walls — any glazed ceramic; the waterproofing behind the tile does the sealing.
Any floor — check PEI 3 or above, or choose porcelain instead.

Everything is sold by the box with a per-square-foot calculator on the product page, so you can order the exact coverage plus a cutting allowance.

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Choosing the perfect tiles can be tricky. Speak with our experienced tile experts. We will guide you through selecting the best colors, patterns, and materials to match your style and needs.

FAQs about Ceramic Tiles by Room

Is ceramic tile suitable for a shower?

On the walls, yes - glazed ceramic has been the standard shower wall tile for decades, because the glaze is impervious and the waterproofing membrane behind the tile is what keeps water out of the structure. For the shower floor use a rated mosaic sheet so it follows the fall to the drain and the grout joints supply grip.

Can I use ceramic tile on a bathroom floor?

Only if the range is rated for it. Check the PEI number on the product page and look for 3 or above. Many ceramic ranges are PEI 1 or 2 and are wall-only. Porcelain is the more durable floor material and costs little more.

Why is ceramic used for backsplashes more than floors?

Because a backsplash asks for exactly what ceramic is good at and none of what it is not. There is no foot traffic, no impact and no slip requirement, so the softer body does not matter, while the glaze depth, colour range and lower cost all count in its favour.

Does ceramic tile need sealing?

The tile itself does not - the glaze is already impervious. Cement-based grout does benefit from sealing, particularly in a shower or behind a hob, and unglazed edges or handmade tiles with a porous body may need it. The product page states whether a specific tile is glazed.

What is the difference between ceramic and porcelain for these rooms?

Porcelain is denser, harder and frost-proof, so it covers floors, wet areas and outdoors. Ceramic is lighter, easier to cut and cheaper, and it excels on walls where its glaze range is unmatched. In practice most projects use both: porcelain underfoot, ceramic at eye level.