Every floor tile shop in London sells marble, stone and wood effect porcelain at similar prices per m². The differences show up after fitting: a polished tile that is slippery when wet, a long plank that lips at the joints, or a return policy that won't take back spare boxes. This guide covers the checks that matter for floors. For a general shop checklist, see our guide to tile shops in North London.
Retailers, stockists or suppliers
Floor tile retailers sell to homeowners. Floor tile stockists hold stock in a UK warehouse, so delivery takes days rather than weeks. Floor tile suppliers usually quote trade and project buyers by quantity. Most London shops do all three, so ask the question that matters: is this tile in UK stock now, or made to order? The answer sets your lead time and decides whether you can buy matching boxes from the same batch later. Trade buyers should read our post on tile suppliers in London for architects and designers.
Five spec checks for any floor tile
1. Tile body: porcelain or ceramic tile?
Under EN 14411, porcelain absorbs 0.5% water or less, so it resists staining, frost and heavy wear. A ceramic tile absorbs more and has a softer body. It works well on walls and light-traffic floors but chips more easily in hallways and kitchens. Some tiles sold as "porcelain effect" have a ceramic body, so ask for the water absorption figure.
2. Slip resistance
Slip resistance is shown as an R rating (R9 to R13) or a pendulum test value (PTV) under BS 7976. R10 suits domestic kitchens and bathrooms, and R11 suits showers, wet rooms and outdoor areas. A wet PTV of 36 or more means low slip risk. Finish changes grip more than looks do. Many Axar floor tiles, including Appolo Beige and Alps Satuario Grey, come in matt and polished versions of one design. You can use matt in the kitchen and polished in the living room and keep the same look.
3. Wear rating
The PEI scale rates glazed surfaces from 1 to 5. PEI 3 suits most rooms, while PEI 4 is safer for hallways and open-plan kitchens with constant foot traffic.
4. Size, edges and subfloor
Large formats such as 600 x 600 mm and 600 x 900 mm need a flat subfloor, typically within 3 mm over 2 m, so older London floors often need levelling first. Rectified edges allow 2 to 3 mm grout joints. Wood effect planks, such as our Essence (160 x 1000 mm) and Holt (200 x 1200 mm) ranges, can bow slightly in the kiln, so lay them with no more than a one-third offset to avoid lippage.
5. Wall and floor use
Many of our tiles are rated as wall and floor tiles. That lets you run the same tile from a bathroom floor up the shower wall, or from a kitchen floor to the splashback, with no colour mismatch. Check the usage listed on each product page, because a wall-only ceramic tile won't survive floor traffic.
Compare the true cost
Price the whole floor, not the headline rate. Take a 15 m² kitchen and a tile at £27.40 per m². Add 10% for cuts and you need 16.5 m². Our Appolo Beige Matt (300 x 600 mm porcelain) covers 0.9 m² per box, so that is 19 boxes (17.1 m²), or £468.54. Axar delivers free on orders over £500, so adding adhesive and grout to the same order can remove the delivery charge. On tight London streets, also ask whether delivery is kerbside or into the property.
Check the returns small print
Ask how long you have, whether part orders are accepted, and who pays for return shipping. At Axar Tiles, you can return a complete order within 100 days in sealed, resalable boxes for a full refund. Part orders and leftover tiles can't be returned because batches change, and you arrange the return shipping. Ordering samples first is the simplest way to avoid a return.
Best tile flooring for London homes, room by room
Tile flooring in London homes has to cope with busy hallways, small kitchens and older subfloors. For hallways, choose matt porcelain with PEI 4 in a mid-tone stone effect that hides dirt. For kitchens, choose a matt R10 tile in 300 x 600 or 600 x 600 mm. Living rooms suit polished marble effect or wood effect planks. In small flats, a large, light tile with matching grout makes the room feel bigger.
Where to buy floor tiles in London
The best place to buy porcelain floor tile is one where you can see it at full size in a showroom, take a sample home, then order online. Browse our floor tiles by size and finish, or read best place to buy tiles in the UK for chains vs specialists.
Tile flooring near me: Axar Tiles, Stanmore
Searching for tile flooring near me in North West London? Visit us at Devonshire House, 582 Honeypot Lane, Stanmore, HA7 1JS. Bring your room measurements and a photo of the space, and we'll check size, finish and quantity with you. We offer a Price Match Promise and free UK delivery over £500.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 9am to 1pm Call: 0203 355 1197 | Email: info@axartiles.com
FAQ
How do I compare floor tile prices between shops?
Add 10% to your floor area, round up to whole boxes using each tile's box coverage, then add delivery, adhesive and grout. Compare that total, not the price per m².
What slip resistance do I need for a kitchen or bathroom floor?
R10 is a sensible minimum for domestic kitchens and bathrooms. For showers and wet rooms, choose R11 or a wet PTV of 36 or more.
Is a ceramic tile OK for floors?
Yes, for light-traffic rooms like bedrooms and cloakrooms. For hallways, kitchens and open-plan spaces, porcelain is harder-wearing because it absorbs 0.5% water or less.
Can I use the same tile on walls and floors?
Yes, if it is rated for both. Many Axar tiles are wall and floor tiles, so you can run one design from the floor up the wall.
Do porcelain floor tiles work with underfloor heating?
Yes. Porcelain conducts heat well. Use a flexible S1 adhesive and follow the heating system's warm-up guidance after fitting.
