Home / Guides / Walls & floors / Tile & stone

Walls & floors guide

Tile & stone: how to choose

Select ceramic, porcelain, glass, and natural-stone surfaces for floors and backsplashes by exposure, traction, maintenance, and installation demands.

Lifespan, DIY and permitsDIY: hard12 brands6 cost linesUpdated Nov 2026

Decide these first

  1. Is the surface a floor, wall, backsplash, shower, or outdoor area?
  2. Will the tile be exposed to standing water, oils, grease, or freeze-thaw conditions?
  3. How much sealing, grout cleaning, and ongoing maintenance are you willing to do?
  4. Can the existing substrate support tile and meet flatness and waterproofing requirements?

Specs that actually matter

TermWhat it meansLook for
Wet DCOFDynamic coefficient of friction is a test measure used to help classify tile for intended floor applications.ANSI A137.1 requires wet DCOF of at least 0.42 for level interiors walked on wet.
Porcelain absorptionPorcelain tile is defined by low water absorption measured using ASTM C373.Look for absorption of 0.5% or less and independent porcelain certification when the distinction matters.
Substrate and waterproofingA sound, flat, compatible base supports tile and helps wet-area assemblies resist water intrusion.Ask for the specified membrane, seams, corners, drain connection, and flood-test plan for showers.
Stone sealingMany natural stones are porous and can stain without appropriate sealing and maintenance.Confirm whether this stone needs sealing and which cleaner and sealer the supplier recommends.

Good, better, best

Good

Ceramic tile offers many looks at a lower entry cost; choose a product rated for its location and exposure.

$12-40/sq ft installed for ceramic floor tile

Better

Porcelain provides low water absorption and a broad range of floor, wall, and stone-look styles.

$15-50/sq ft installed for porcelain floor tile

Best

Natural stone or glass can create a distinctive finish but may require specialized setting, sealing, or careful placement.

$15-100/sq ft installed for natural-stone or glass floor tile

What it costs

ItemUnitTypical US rangeSource
Ceramic floor tile, installed
Total installed cost, materials and labor		sq ft$12 to $40HomeGuide
Porcelain floor tile, installed
Total installed cost, materials and labor		sq ft$15 to $50HomeGuide
Natural-stone floor tile, installed
Total installed cost, materials and labor		sq ft$15 to $50HomeGuide
Glass floor tile, installed
Total installed cost; glass can be slippery and is often used for accents		sq ft$20 to $100HomeGuide
Ceramic backsplash, installed
Installed backsplash cost; layout and project size affect total		sq ft$12 to $30Fixr
Porcelain backsplash, installed
Installed backsplash cost; layout and project size affect total		sq ft$13 to $35Fixr

Calculators

Tile calculator

Tiles, boxes and thinset for a floor, wall or backsplash.

Results

Tile calculatorGrout calculator

Major brands and where to buy

Links go to each manufacturer. Tier is a rough price position, not a quality score.

DaltileCeramic, porcelain, and natural-stone tileValueMSI SurfacesPorcelain, ceramic, mosaics, and stoneValueEmser TileCeramic, porcelain, and natural-stone tileValueArizona TilePorcelain, stone, and countertop surfacesMidCrossvillePorcelain tile and architectural surfacesMidFlorida TileResidential ceramic and porcelain tileMidMarazzi USACeramic and porcelain tile collectionsMidAmerican OleanCeramic, porcelain, and mosaic tileMidBedrosians Tile & StoneTile, slab, and natural-stone surfacesMidAnatolia TilePorcelain, ceramic, and designer tilePremiumStonepeak CeramicsLarge-format porcelain tile and slabsPremiumPorcelanosaPorcelain tile and coordinated interior surfacesPremium

Retailers

Floor & DecorThe Tile ShopThe Home DepotLowe'sBedrosians Tile & Stone

Pitfalls to avoid

  • Choosing polished tile for a wet floor ignores the surface and drainage conditions that affect slip risk.
  • Skipping waterproofing details in a shower can allow water to reach framing and adjacent finishes.
  • Ordering too little tile risks a mismatch if a later repair needs another production lot.
  • Using natural stone without checking sealing and cleaning needs can lead to stains or etching.
  • Leaving subfloor repairs, demolition, layout, and grout out of the estimate creates budget surprises.

Questions to ask a pro

  1. What substrate preparation and waterproofing system are included?
  2. What tile use classification and wet DCOF apply to this exact product?
  3. How much extra tile should I order for cuts, breakage, and future repairs?
  4. Does the estimate include demolition, leveling, trim, grout, sealing, and cleanup?

How long it lasts

Tile and stone can last 50+ years with suitable installation, maintenance, and timely grout or sealant care.

Can you DIY it?

hard: precise cutting, substrate preparation, layout, grouting, and wet-area waterproofing make tile labor intensive.

Permits

Rarely needed for surface replacement; check local rules for structural changes or new plumbing and electrical work.

Ready to hire?

Get up to 3 quotes from licensed, insured local pros.

Trusted resources

From the Journal

Sources

  1. https://homeguide.com/costs/cost-of-tile-flooring-and-installation
  2. https://www.fixr.com/costs/backsplash-installation
  3. https://www.daltile.com/why-daltile/industry-standards/dcof-slip-resistance-testing-reading-test-results
  4. https://tcnatile.com/resource-center/porcelain-tile-certification/
  5. https://www.houzz.com/magazine/2026-u-s-houzz-emerging-summer-trends-report-stsetivw-vs~185266615
  6. https://www.houzz.com/magazine/8-design-trends-emerging-in-2026-stsetivw-vs~185246099
  7. https://www.houzz.com/magazine/whats-new-in-flooring-for-2026-stsetivw-vs~184614910

Get up to 3 quotes from local pros

Free, no obligation. Tell us about the project and we match you with licensed, insured pros.