Choosing floor tiles comes down to three decisions: material, size and finish. Get those right and you'll have flooring that looks the part and lasts for decades. In this guide, Axar Tiles walks you through porcelain floor tiles, ceramic floor tiles and large floor tiles - covering durability, room-by-room recommendations, slip ratings and prices - so you can buy with confidence.
Floor Tile Materials Explained (Porcelain vs Ceramic vs Natural Stone)
Porcelain floor tiles are fired at higher temperatures and pressed harder than ceramic, producing a denser tile with water absorption below 0.5%. This makes them highly resistant to moisture, staining, frost and heavy wear - ideal for floors, wet areas, high-traffic spaces and outdoor use.
Ceramic floor tiles are made from clay fired at moderate temperatures. They're cost-effective, lightweight and easy to cut, making them well-suited to bathroom floors, low-traffic areas and walls. They're slightly more porous than porcelain.
Natural stone (marble, slate, limestone, granite) offers a luxury aesthetic but needs sealing and more ongoing care. Across the Axar Tiles range you'll find porcelain and ceramic options in stone, wood and marble effects to suit every room.
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Porcelain - best for kitchens, hallways, wet rooms, high-traffic and outdoor; tough, stain-resistant and easy to clean
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Ceramic - best for bathrooms, light-traffic floors and budget projects
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Natural stone - best for feature floors where character matters more than maintenance
Porcelain vs Ceramic Floor Tiles - Which Should You Choose?
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Porcelain is denser (pressed up to ~500kg/cm²) vs ceramic (~300kg/cm²)
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Porcelain absorbs under 0.5% water; glazed ceramic absorbs around 3–7%
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Porcelain carries higher PEI wear ratings (Class 4–5) for busy floors
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Both work with underfloor heating
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Rule of thumb: porcelain for floors and wet zones, ceramic for walls and quieter rooms
Floor Tile Sizes - From Standard to Large Format
Standard UK floor tile sizes run from 300x300mm up to 1200x1200mm. Popular formats include:
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300 x 600mm - versatile, easy to handle, suits most rooms
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600 x 600mm - the all-rounder for kitchens and living areas
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600 x 1200mm - contemporary large format with fewer joints
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800 x 800mm / 900 x 900mm - large floor tiles for open-plan spaces
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Plank formats (e.g. 248 x 1000 mm) - for wood-effect floors
Floor Tile Finishes & What They're Best For
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Matt - natural look, good grip, hides marks; ideal for kitchens and bathrooms
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Polished/gloss - reflects up to 30% more light; brightens rooms but can show wear
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Lappato (semi-polished) - soft honed surface that still catches light
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Textured/riven - highest slip resistance for wet areas
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Wood, stone effect, concrete and marble finishes - the look of natural materials without the upkeep
Stone effect floor tiles replicate limestone, slate and travertine with consistent colour and none of the sealing natural stone needs.
Slip Resistance & Safety
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Look for an R rating (R9 dry internal floors, R10–R11 for kitchens, bathrooms and homes with children or elderly users)
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Matt and textured finishes grip better than polished
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Higher grout-to-tile ratio (smaller tiles/mosaics) increases slip resistance
Best Floor Tiles Room by Room
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Kitchen - matt porcelain or wood-effect porcelain for grip and durability
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Bathroom - porcelain or textured tiles with good slip resistance
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Living room - large-format porcelain, 9– 10mm thick, with underfloor heating
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Hallway - hardwearing porcelain that shrugs off muddy boots
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Conservatory - porcelain that won't fade in sun or warp with heat
How Much Do Floor Tiles Cost in the UK?
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Budget ceramic: from around £20 per m²
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Mid-range porcelain: £25–£50 per m²
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Premium Italian/large-format slabs: up to £100 per m²
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Buying online from a specialist like Axar Tiles usually means more competitive prices than the high street, where the same tile can cost nearly double
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Always compare price per m² inc VAT plus delivery, and add a 10% wastage allowance for cuts
Maintenance & Care
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Porcelain and ceramic won't rot, warp or stain easily
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Both are easy to clean - a quick sweep and a wipe with mild detergent keeps floors looking new
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Avoid abrasive cleaners on polished finishes
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Seal grout joints for added protection in wet areas
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Order samples from Axar Tiles before committing to check colour and texture in your own light
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Are porcelain or ceramic floor tiles better?
For floors, porcelain is usually the better choice. It's denser, harder and absorbs less than 0.5% water, making it more resistant to staining, scratching and heavy traffic. Ceramic is a good budget option for bathrooms and low-traffic floors. The Axar Tiles range covers both.
Q2. What size floor tiles should I choose?
For most rooms, 600x600mm is a versatile all-rounder. Choose large floor tiles (600x1200mm and above) for open-plan spaces to reduce grout lines and create a seamless look, and smaller formats for compact or awkward layouts. A 600mm tile suits rooms wider than 2.4m.
Q3. What finish is best for floor tiles?
Matt and textured finishes are best for floors because they provide grip and hide everyday marks, making them ideal for kitchens and bathrooms. Polished and gloss finishes reflect more light to brighten a room but can be more slippery and show wear.
Q4. Can floor tiles be used with underfloor heating?
Yes. Both porcelain and ceramic floor tiles are excellent conductors and are fully compatible with underfloor heating, making them a popular choice for kitchens, bathrooms and open-plan living areas.
Q5. How do I know if a floor tile is slip-resistant?
Check the R rating. R9 suits dry internal floors, while R10–R11 is recommended for kitchens, bathrooms and homes with children or elderly users. Matt and textured surfaces grip better than polished ones.
Q6. Are large floor tiles harder to install?
Large format tiles need a flat, level subfloor, a levelling system and often two people to handle tiles over 25kg. They produce fewer grout lines and a more seamless finish, but professional installation is recommended for the best result.
Q7. How much should I budget for floor tiles?
Floor tiles in the UK range from around £20 per m² for ceramic to £100 per m² for premium large-format porcelain. Always compare prices per m² including VAT and delivery, and add roughly 10% for cutting and wastage.
Q8. Can the same floor tile be used in different rooms?
Yes. Running one porcelain tile across several rooms - and even matching it to a 20mm outdoor version - creates flow and a seamless transition from kitchen to patio through bifold doors.
Q9. Are stone effect floor tiles a good alternative to natural stone?
Yes. Stone effect porcelain floor tiles replicate the look of limestone, slate, marble and travertine using digital printing, but they're denser, easier to clean and need no sealing - giving you the natural aesthetic with far less maintenance and at more competitive prices.
Q10. Where can I buy quality floor tiles in the UK?
You can shop porcelain, ceramic and large-format floor tiles online at Axar Tiles, with free delivery over £500, a 100-day return policy and a price match promise. Order samples first to check the finish in your own space.
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Ready to find your perfect floor? Browse the Axar Tiles Floor Tiles collection — porcelain, ceramic and large-format designs at competitive prices, with free delivery over £500, 100-day returns and a price match promise. Order your samples today.
