Types of Tile Thickness & Size (mm): Find the Best Fit for Floors

Tile Thickness & Size (mm) Guide: Find the Best Fit for Your Floors

Choosing the right tile thickness and size is more important than you think! The wrong selection can impact durability, aesthetics, and even the functionality of your space. Whether you’re designing a luxury living room, a high-traffic commercial area, or an outdoor patio, understanding tile thickness (7mm to 20mm) and standard sizes can help you make the best decision. In this guide, we’ll break down how thickness affects strength, flexibility, and heat resistance, while also exploring popular tile sizes for different spaces. Get expert insights to pick the perfect tile dimensions for your floors and walls—ensuring long-lasting beauty and performance.

Tile Thickness & Size: Why They Matter More Than You Think

Tile thickness and size play a crucial role in both durability and design. Thicker tiles, such as 12mm or 20mm, offer greater strength, impact resistance, and heat tolerance, making them ideal for high-traffic and outdoor areas. Thinner tiles (7mm–9mm) provide flexibility for walls and low-traffic spaces. Choosing the right tile size also affects how a space feels—large-format tiles create an open, seamless look, while smaller tiles add texture and detail. A common misconception is that thicker tiles are always stronger, but material quality matters just as much. Understanding these factors ensures your tiles not only look stunning but also perform well over time.

Breaking Down Tile Thickness: Which One is Best for Your Floors?

7mm – 9mm Tiles: The Standard for Indoor Flooring

Thin yet durable, 7mm – 9mm tiles are ideal for residential floors, walls, and low-traffic areas. They are lightweight, making installation easier, especially for wall applications. Porcelain tiles at 9mm offer superior strength compared to ceramic tiles of the same thickness, ensuring better longevity and resistance to wear.

10mm – 12mm Tiles: A Versatile Choice for Homes & Businesses

Perfect for moderate-traffic spaces like kitchens, hallways, and living rooms, 10 mm – 12mm tiles provide a balance of strength and flexibility. 12mm tiles, in particular, are gaining popularity for modern interiors, offering a sturdy yet stylish flooring solution.

15mm Tiles: Balancing Strength & Style

For commercial spaces, shopping malls, and industrial areas, 15mm tiles offer enhanced durability. These tiles can handle heavy foot traffic while maintaining an elegant look. Tree Tile’s premium 15mm tiles are specially designed for high-impact flooring, ensuring longevity in demanding environments.

20mm Tiles: The Ultimate Outdoor & Heavy-Duty Choice

When it comes to outdoor patios, driveways, and poolside areas, 20mm tiles are the best option. These heavy-duty tiles can withstand extreme weather, moisture, and heavy loads, making them a reliable choice for outdoor flooring solutions.

Tree Tile Size Guide: How to Pick the Perfect Fit for Your Space

Large-Format Tiles 

Sizes Available: 800×1600 mm, 800×2400 mm, 800×3000 mm, 800×3200 mm, 1200×1200 mm, 1200×1800 mm, 1200×2400 mm, 1200×2800 mm, 1200×3200 mm

Why Designers Love Them: Large-format tiles create a seamless, modern look with minimal grout lines, making spaces appear more expansive and luxurious. They are widely used in high-end residential and commercial projects.

Ideal For:

Expansive floors and walls in luxury homes

Commercial spaces, such as hotels and offices

High-end interior and exterior projects

Benefits:

Fewer grout lines mean less maintenance and a sleeker aesthetic

Visually enlarges a space, making rooms feel bigger

Enhances contemporary and minimalist designs

Thickness Options: 9mm, 15mm, and 20mm, making them durable for both indoor and outdoor applications.

Standard Floor Tile Sizes 

Sizes Available: 600×600 mm, 600×1200 mm, 800×800 mm, 1000×1000 mm

Why These Sizes Work: These tiles have balanced proportions, making them versatile and practical for medium to large spaces. They are neither too small nor too large, offering a timeless appeal.

Ideal For:

Residential floors in homes and apartments

Office spaces that need a professional yet stylish look

Hospitality projects, including hotels, restaurants, and lobbies

Design Advantage:

Provides a mix of practicality and elegance

Works well in classic and contemporary interiors

Offers easy maintenance and durability

Thickness Options: 7mm, 9mm, and 15mm, ensuring suitability for different foot traffic levels.

Small Tile Formats

Sizes Available: 300×600 mm, 400×400 mm

Why Choose Small Tiles? Small tiles are excellent for adding texture, detail, and grip to floors. They are commonly used in traditional and vintage-style spaces where intricate designs enhance the overall look.

Ideal For:

Decorative flooring patterns, such as mosaic and checkerboard designs

Vintage-style floors that need a nostalgic, artisanal touch

Areas needing extra slip resistance, such as wet zones

Design Impact:

Allows for creative layouts and decorative floor patterns

Enhances traction, making them ideal for safety-conscious areas

Works well in both classic and modern designs

Thickness Options: 7mm and 9mm, offering flexibility in design and usability.

Plank-Style Tiles

Sizes Available: 200×1200 mm

Why They’re Trending: Plank-style tiles are designed to mimic the look of real wood, providing a natural and warm aesthetic while offering the durability of porcelain or ceramic.

Ideal For:

Wood-look flooring in homes and commercial spaces

Living rooms and bedrooms where warmth and coziness are desired

Eco-friendly projects that want the look of wood without deforestation

Thickness Options: 9mm and 15mm, ensuring a balance of style, strength, and longevity.

Residential Flooring: Best Tile Thickness & Sizes for Every Room

Living Room & Bedrooms

Recommended Thickness: 9mm – 12mm

Best Tile Sizes: 600×600 mm, 600×1200 mm, 800×800 mm, 1000×1000 mm

Why These Thicknesses Work:

9mm – 12mm tiles provide a balance of durability and aesthetics, making them perfect for medium to high-traffic areas like living rooms and bedrooms.

Porcelain tiles at 9mm or thicker are scratch-resistant and easy to maintain, ideal for homes with pets or kids.

Best Tile Sizes for Different Spaces:

For small living rooms & bedrooms: 600×600 mm tiles help create a cozy, well-balanced look.

For larger spaces: 800×800 mm or 1000×1000 mm tiles reduce grout lines, giving a seamless, expansive feel.

Tree Tile’s Tip: Choose matte or textured finishes to add warmth and prevent slipperiness in bedrooms.

Kitchen & Dining Area

Recommended Thickness: 12mm+ for high durability

Best Tile Sizes: 600×1200 mm, 800×800 mm, 800×1600 mm

Why 12mm+ Tiles Are Best for Kitchens & Dining Areas:

Kitchens are high-traffic zones, exposed to spills, stains, and heavy foot traffic. A 12mm or thicker tile provides extra durability and impact resistance.

Porcelain tiles in this range are heat-resistant, making them ideal for areas near stoves and ovens.

Why Larger Tiles Work for Open-Plan Kitchens:

800×800 mm or 800×1600 mm tiles help create a seamless, modern look, especially in open kitchens that extend into dining areas.

Fewer grout lines make cleaning easier and maintain a sleek aesthetic.

Tree Tile’s Tip: Opt for glazed or polished tiles in kitchens for easy maintenance and stain resistance.

Bathroom & Wet Areas

Recommended Thickness: 7mm – 10mm

Best Tile Sizes: 300×600 mm, 400×400 mm, 600×600 mm

Why Anti-Slip Tiles Are Essential in Wet Areas:

Bathrooms, shower floors, and laundry areas require tiles with slip resistance to prevent accidents.

7mm – 10mm tiles are ideal for walls and floors, ensuring water resistance without excessive weight on vertical surfaces.

How Tree Tile’s Water-Resistant Options Ensure Long-Lasting Performance:

Smaller tiles (300×600 mm, 400×400 mm) provide better grip due to more grout lines, reducing the risk of slipping.

Glazed porcelain tiles offer excellent water resistance, making them perfect for bathrooms.

Tree Tile’s Tip: Choose textured or matte-finish tiles in wet areas for better slip resistance and safety.

Commercial & Industrial Spaces: When to Go for Thicker Tiles

Best for: Hotels, offices, shopping malls, showrooms, and industrial spaces

Recommended Thickness: 15mm – 20mm

Superior Strength for Heavy Foot Traffic

Thicker tiles withstand constant movement of people and equipment without cracking or chipping.

Hotels, retail stores, and corporate offices benefit from 15mm porcelain tiles, which maintain their finish even under heavy use.

20mm outdoor tiles are perfect for commercial patios, driveways, and parking lots, handling extreme weather and heavy loads.

Impact Resistance for Industrial Use

Factories, warehouses, and workshops require highly durable tiles that resist heavy machinery, dropped tools, and forklift traffic.

Tree Tile’s 20mm porcelain tiles offer unmatched impact resistance compared to standard commercial tiles.

Enhanced Soundproofing & Comfort

Thicker tiles help reduce noise transmission, making them ideal for hotels, offices, and multi-story buildings.

They provide better insulation, contributing to a quieter, more comfortable environment.

Tree Tile’s Tip: Use textured or matte-finish tiles in high-traffic commercial spaces to prevent slipping and enhance safety.

Outdoor Flooring: Why 20mm Tiles Are the Best

Best for: Gardens, patios, balconies, rooftops, pool decks, and driveways

Recommended Thickness: 20mm (2cm) for maximum strength and weather resistance

Unmatched Durability & Load Capacity

20mm outdoor tiles are significantly stronger than traditional 9mm – 12mm indoor tiles.

They can handle heavy furniture, foot traffic, and even vehicle loads, making them ideal for driveways and commercial outdoor areas.

Superior Weather Resistance

Designed to withstand extreme temperatures, UV exposure, heavy rain, and frost without cracking or fading.

Tree Tile’s 20mm porcelain tiles are non-porous, meaning they resist water absorption, preventing damage from freeze-thaw cycles.

Enhanced Safety with Slip Resistance

Outdoor tiles need a high slip-resistance rating (R11 or higher) to ensure safety in wet conditions.

Tree Tile offers textured 20mm tiles that provide superior grip, perfect for poolside areas and patios.

Low Maintenance & Easy Installation

Unlike natural stone or wood decking, porcelain outdoor tiles require no sealing, staining, or frequent upkeep.

They can be installed on pedestals, gravel, sand, or traditional adhesive, offering design flexibility for different landscapes.

Tree Tile’s Tip: Use 20mm tiles in earthy tones and stone-look designs for a natural, high-end outdoor aesthetic.

Myths About Tile Thickness & Size (Debunked!)

Myth #1: “Thicker Tiles Are Always Stronger”

Fact: Material quality matters more than thickness!

Many people assume that thicker tiles automatically mean better durability, but the tile’s composition plays a bigger role. For example:

9mm porcelain tiles are often stronger than 12mm ceramic tiles due to their dense structure and superior manufacturing process.

Tip: Don’t judge a tile by its thickness alone—focus on material strength and quality.

Myth #2: “Large Tiles Make a Space Feel Small”

Fact: The opposite is true—large tiles create an open and seamless look!

Some believe that large-format tiles (e.g., 1200×1200mm or 800×1600mm) make rooms feel cramped, but in reality:

Fewer grout lines = A more spacious and modern look.

Large tiles visually expand smaller rooms, making them feel bigger and airier.

Perfect for open-plan living areas, luxury bathrooms, and hotel lobbies.

Tip: Use large tiles in light colors to further enhance space perception.

Myth #3: “All Tiles of the Same Size Are the Same Quality”

Fact: Not all tiles are made equal—manufacturing quality is key!

Just because two tiles have the same dimensions (e.g., 600×600mm) doesn’t mean they have the same durability, finish, or longevity. Factors like:

Raw materials used (premium porcelain vs. lower-grade ceramic)

Firing temperature and production process

Precision cutting for uniform edges

Tip: Always check for quality certifications and manufacturer reputation before choosing tiles.

Choosing the Right Tile Thickness & Size: Expert Tips

Match Tile Thickness to Foot Traffic

Low-traffic areas (bedrooms, walls): 7mm – 9mm tiles are a great fit.

Medium-traffic areas (living rooms, kitchens): 10mm – 12mm tiles offer durability and style.

High-traffic areas (commercial spaces, malls): Opt for 15mm+ tiles for added strength.

Outdoor & heavy-duty areas (patios, driveways): Choose 20mm tiles for ultimate resilience.

Tip: The thicker the tile, the better it resists impact and wear—but material quality also matters!

The 80% Rule: Get the Best Tile Size for Your Space

Not sure what size to choose? Follow the 80% rule:

Select a tile size that covers at least 80% of your floor’s longest wall for a seamless look.

Small rooms: Large tiles (e.g., 800×1600mm or 1200×1200mm) expand the space visually.

Large open areas: Oversized tiles (1200×2400mm or bigger) reduce grout lines for a modern feel.

Narrow spaces (hallways, bathrooms): Plank-style tiles (200×1200mm) create a flowing effect.

Tip: Larger tiles = fewer grout lines = easier maintenance!

Final Checklist Before Buying Tiles

Check the room size & tile size compatibility

The right tile size can dramatically affect the perception of space. Large-format tiles (800×1600 mm and above) make small spaces look bigger by reducing grout lines, while smaller tiles (300×600 mm, 400×400 mm) add texture and detail. Consider the overall layout and aesthetics before choosing.

Pick the right thickness based on usage

Tile thickness impacts durability and performance. 7mm – 9mm tiles are ideal for residential walls and low-traffic floors, while 10mm – 12mm tiles work best in kitchens and hallways. For commercial or outdoor areas, 15mm – 20mm tiles provide extra strength against heavy foot traffic and impact.

Consider slip resistance, heat resistance, and maintenance

Different areas require different tile properties. Bathrooms and wet areas need anti-slip tiles, while outdoor spaces benefit from heat- and moisture-resistant options like 20mm thick porcelain tiles. Also, opt for easy-to-clean finishes to reduce maintenance efforts in high-traffic zones.

Get expert advice from Tree Tile!

Choosing the perfect tile involves multiple factors, from size and thickness to finish and application. Tree Tile’s experts can guide you through the best options based on your space, foot traffic, and design preferences. Consulting professionals ensures you get tiles that balance aesthetics and functionality.

Find Your Perfect Tiles: Shop the Best Thickness & Sizes at Tree Tile Today!

At Tree Tile, we offer a premium selection of ceramic or porcelain tiles in a variety of sizes, ensuring you find the perfect fit for your space. Whether you’re looking for wall tile, mosaic tile, or large format tile, we have everything you need to know about tile thickness and durability. Our collection includes different types of tiles, from subway tile to decorative wall options, all designed to be easy to clean and maintain.

Understanding the thickness of a tile is crucial when selecting the best tile flooring. Our range includes standard tiles with thickness ranges from 7mm – 20 mm thick porcelain tiles, suitable for commercial flooring, outdoor use, and high-traffic areas. 10mm thick and thicker tiles offer better durability, making them ideal for format tiles used in homes and businesses. For walls, small size wall tiles create beautiful wall coverings, while square tiles and rectangular tiles provide a sleek aesthetic.

When it comes to choosing tiles, knowing how thick tiles should be is essential. While wall tile size is typically thinner than floor tiles, thickness of porcelain options like 20 mm thick porcelain ensures durability for outdoor use. Whether you need tiles before laying for your next project or guidance on floor thickness, our experts are here to help!

Browse our featured tiles collection today, including standard thickness options in tiles come in a wide range of styles. If you need assistance selecting the right tiles range, our expert team will guide you through the best tile thickness explained options for your project. Contact us today or explore our collection online to find the best prices with the best quality!

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