First, think about how much water will reach the floor. A few drops from a kettle or a wet umbrella are not the same as water around a shower. Likewise, a floor beside a garden door may get wet often during the year. The UK’s Health and Safety Executive gives advice on slip risks in wet areas. In general, more water means you should pay more attention to slip resistance. You can read the HSE’s guidance on floor safety for more information.

For a wet room or shower floor, an R10 tile such as the Bellagio Ice White Polished R10 Porcelain Tile 30x60cm can be a suitable option. However, if the floor only gets occasional splashes, you can give more attention to the tile finish and overall style.

Wet room → R10 minimum

Next, decide where you will use the tile. Outdoor tiles need to cope with frost, rain, and changing weather. They also need the right slip rating. If you plan to lay tiles on grass, gravel, or pedestals instead of a screeded slab, choose a tile made for this type of use and check that it has a 2cm thickness. The Anti-Slip White Stone Effect Porcelain Tile 100x100cm is designed for this type of exposure. You can also use it indoors to create a smooth floor between the inside and outside areas.

Outdoor or transitional → check thickness and R rating

Foot traffic is another key point to consider. A guest cloakroom does not get the same use as a busy family hallway. For busy areas, a matt or semi-polished finish can help hide dust, small marks, and everyday wear. On the other hand, a room with less foot traffic can work well with a polished finish. As a result, you can choose a brighter look without making cleaning a daily task.

High traffic → matt or semi-polished

Before choosing a large format tile, this white tile buying guide recommends checking the floor underneath it. Large porcelain tiles, especially those measuring 60x120cm or more, need a flat surface. Even small dips can create uneven edges between tiles after fitting. Therefore, if you have not checked or levelled the subfloor, a mid-size option such as the Super White Polished Porcelain Tile 80x80cm may be a safer choice than a 60x120cm tile. The UK’s trade body, the Tile Association, also provides useful advice on tile installation and floor preparation.

Unlevelled subfloor → avoid the largest formats

Room shape can also affect your choice of tile size. Bay windows, chimney breasts, several doorways, and narrow utility rooms can all create extra cuts. In a room with many corners, a large tile may leave more unused pieces. For this reason, the Rectified White Matt Porcelain Tile 600x600mm can be a useful middle option. It gives the room a clean, modern look while making it easier to work around corners, doors, and fittings.

Irregular room → mid-size or 600x600mm format

If you have underfloor heating, check the tile before you order. Porcelain works well with underfloor heating because it transfers heat efficiently. However, the tile, adhesive, and fitting method must suit your heating system. For that reason, check the heating manufacturer’s instructions before you buy the adhesive or start the installation.

Underfloor heating → confirm compatibility before ordering adhesive

Grout colour can change the final look of a tiled floor. As part of this white tile buying guide, it is worth choosing a grout shade that works with the tile’s base colour. Therefore, think about the grout colour before you place the order.

Always match grout tone to the tile base

Finally, work out how many tiles you need before placing the order. A standard allowance is around 10% above the measured floor area. For a diagonal layout or a room with many cuts, 15% may be more suitable. Also, check the batch or shade number on every box. Porcelain can have small colour changes between production runs. Therefore, buying tiles from one batch helps keep the finished floor looking even.

Order +10-15% and confirm a single batch number