Buy Floor Tiles in Switzerland: The Complete Guide to Porcelain Flooring
Floor tiles are among the most versatile and long-lasting flooring solutions for private homes, commercial properties and architectural projects. Modern porcelain floor tiles offer excellent durability, easy maintenance and an extensive selection of colours, sizes and designs.
Whether you prefer natural stone, warm wood, elegant marble or contemporary concrete, porcelain tiles can reproduce many materials while offering the practical advantages of ceramic flooring.
At
VITALE TILES, you will find a wide range of high-quality floor tiles from Italian and European manufacturers. Our selection includes classic 30 × 60 cm tiles, popular 60 × 60 cm and 60 × 120 cm formats, and large porcelain slabs for contemporary architecture.
But which floor tiles should you choose? The best option depends on the material, surface finish, slip resistance, room requirements and expected level of wear.
This guide explains how to select the right floor tiles for bathrooms, kitchens, living areas, hallways and outdoor spaces.
Which Tiles Are Best for Flooring?
Not every ceramic tile is suitable for installation on a floor. While wall tiles primarily serve decorative and protective purposes, floor tiles must withstand foot traffic, furniture, moisture, dirt and mechanical loads.
For most residential applications, we recommend porcelain stoneware with a matt or lightly textured finish. It combines durability, low maintenance and a broad choice of designs.
However, the specific technical properties must always match the intended application.
Porcelain Stoneware: Our Preferred Choice
Porcelain stoneware is manufactured using finely processed ceramic materials, high pressure and high firing temperatures.
The result is a dense ceramic material with a water absorption rate of no more than 0.5%.
Depending on the individual product, porcelain floor tiles can be suitable for:
- Bathrooms and guest toilets
- Kitchens and dining areas
- Living rooms and bedrooms
- Hallways, entrances and staircases
- Shops, restaurants and offices
- Outdoor areas when the product is approved for frost exposure
Porcelain stoneware offers good resistance to everyday wear and moisture. It is also available in numerous finishes that reproduce the appearance of natural stone, wood, concrete and marble.
Ceramic Stoneware: An Alternative for Indoor Floors
Conventional ceramic stoneware can also be suitable for flooring, provided the manufacturer approves it for the intended use.
Compared with porcelain, it generally has a higher water absorption rate. Its suitability therefore depends on the product's specific characteristics.
For projects requiring a particularly versatile and moisture-resistant floor covering, porcelain stoneware is usually our preferred recommendation.
Earthenware: Mainly for Walls
Traditional earthenware tiles are generally more porous and are mainly designed for walls.
They are not normally suitable for flooring because they may not provide the mechanical strength required underfoot.
For decorative vertical surfaces, browse our selection of
Wall Tiles.
Which Floor Tiles Are Best for Each Room?
Different rooms place different demands on their flooring. A living room floor primarily needs to offer comfort and visual appeal, while a bathroom floor must also perform under wet conditions.
Bathroom Floor Tiles
Bathrooms require flooring that is moisture-resistant, easy to clean and sufficiently slip-resistant for its intended application.
Matt porcelain tiles in beige, greige, grey and natural stone shades are particularly popular.
For many private bathrooms, R10 can be a useful starting point when assessing slip resistance. However, the appropriate classification must be determined according to the actual conditions and requirements.
Walk-in showers may require additional wet barefoot slip-resistance properties. Products intended for shower floors should therefore be checked for the relevant A, B or C classification.
Smaller tiles and mosaics can simplify the creation of slopes towards a shower drain. Large-format shower floors are also possible but require careful planning and professional installation.
Kitchen Floor Tiles
Kitchen floors are exposed to chairs, shoes, food spills, grease and frequent cleaning.
Porcelain stoneware is particularly suitable because it offers a hard-wearing ceramic surface that is generally easy to maintain.
We recommend matt or lightly textured finishes that combine practical cleaning with suitable slip resistance.
Medium shades such as warm grey, sand, taupe and greige can be particularly practical because they often make everyday dust and small marks less noticeable.
Living Room Floor Tiles
Porcelain tiles are increasingly used in living rooms, dining rooms and open-plan interiors.
Large formats create a calm, spacious appearance by reducing the number of visible grout joints.
Popular choices include 60 × 60 cm, 60 × 120 cm, 80 × 80 cm and 120 × 120 cm.
Using the same flooring throughout the kitchen, dining area and living room can create a visually continuous interior.
If you prefer a warmer residential appearance,
Wooden Look Tiles reproduce natural wood grains and colours without requiring the same maintenance as conventional parquet.
Floor Tiles for Hallways and Entrances
Entrance areas are exposed to dirt, sand, outdoor footwear and moisture.
We generally recommend durable matt porcelain tiles with a surface that offers appropriate grip and remains easy to clean.
Very polished or glossy surfaces may be less practical in busy entrance areas, especially where water is regularly carried inside.
For many private entrances, an R10 classification can be a useful reference, although the required slip resistance depends on actual conditions.
Commercial Floor Tiles and Garages
Commercial spaces may require flooring with increased resistance to abrasion, impact and heavy traffic.
Full-body porcelain stoneware can be an interesting option, particularly where the tile body has a similar colour throughout.
For garages and workshops, additional considerations include vehicle loads, point loads, cleaning chemicals and the floor construction.
Slip-Resistant Floor Tiles: What Do R9, R10 and R11 Mean?
Slip resistance is one of the most important criteria when choosing floor tiles.
The commonly used R classifications indicate slip resistance under defined testing conditions involving footwear.
R9: Lower tested slip resistance, potentially suitable for dry indoor areas where no higher classification is required.
R10: Increased slip resistance, often relevant for kitchens, entrances and selected bathroom floors.
R11: A higher level of slip resistance, often associated with more demanding wet areas and appropriately designed outdoor flooring.
R12 and R13: Higher slip-resistance classifications used for specialised commercial and industrial applications.
A higher R rating does not automatically mean that a tile is the best choice. Very rough surfaces may be more difficult to clean.
What Do Slip Resistance Classes A, B and C Mean?
Wet barefoot areas are assessed separately using classification groups A, B and C.
These classifications are relevant for specific showers, swimming pools and other wet barefoot applications.
A represents a lower tested level of barefoot slip resistance, B a higher level and C the highest level within this classification system.
The required class depends on the installation location and applicable safety requirements.
Always check the manufacturer's technical documentation when choosing tiles for showers or other wet environments.
Matt, Polished or Textured Floor Tiles?
The surface finish affects both the appearance and everyday practicality of a floor.
Matt Floor Tiles
Matt porcelain tiles create a natural and understated appearance.
They are particularly popular in stone, concrete, travertine and wood effects.
For many residential projects, matt finishes offer a good balance between aesthetics and everyday maintenance.
Polished and Glossy Floor Tiles
Polished porcelain tiles reflect more light and can enhance the appearance of marble veining.
They are particularly attractive in elegant living rooms and representative interiors.
However, footprints, watermarks and surface marks may be more visible, and their slip resistance may be less suitable for wet applications.
For bathrooms and entrances, we would generally favour an appropriately slip-resistant matt alternative.
Textured Floor Tiles
Textured surfaces provide a tactile finish and may offer improved grip.
They are particularly interesting for entrance areas, patios and demanding applications.
However, increased texture does not necessarily guarantee a higher tested slip-resistance classification. The technical data must always be checked.
Which Floor Tile Size Should You Choose?
Tile size influences the proportions, visual appearance and installation requirements of a room.
30 × 60 cm Floor Tiles
This classic rectangular format is suitable for bathrooms, kitchens, hallways and smaller rooms.
It offers flexible installation options and is frequently a cost-effective solution.
60 × 60 cm Floor Tiles
The 60 × 60 cm format is one of the most versatile choices for residential flooring.
It creates a balanced layout and works well in both small and large rooms.
60 × 120 cm Floor Tiles
The 60 × 120 cm format is popular in contemporary bathrooms and open-plan living areas.
It creates fewer visible grout joints than smaller tiles and can visually emphasise the length or width of a room.
80 × 80 cm and 120 × 120 cm Floor Tiles
Large square tiles create a particularly calm and spacious appearance.
They work especially well in modern architecture, but they can also be installed in smaller rooms when the layout is carefully planned.
Large-format installation requires a sufficiently flat and properly prepared substrate.
Stone, Wood, Marble, Concrete or Terrazzo Effect?
Stone Look Floor Tiles
Stone Look Tiles reproduce the appearance of limestone, slate, granite, quartzite and other natural stones.
They suit modern, Alpine, Mediterranean and classic interiors.
Natural beige, sand and warm grey tones are particularly versatile.
Wood Effect Floor Tiles
Plank formats such as 20 × 120 cm help reproduce traditional timber flooring.
They are especially useful in kitchens and bathrooms where moisture resistance matters.
Concrete Look Floor Tiles
Grey, greige, anthracite and beige finishes can be combined with wood, glass and metal.
Marble Look Floor Tiles
They offer elegant designs without requiring the same maintenance as many natural marble floors.
Terrazzo Floor Tiles
Terrazzo Tiles combine decorative stone-chip patterns with the practicality of ceramic flooring.
They can add character to bathrooms, kitchens, entrances and contemporary living areas.
Are Porcelain Floor Tiles Suitable for Underfloor Heating?
Yes. Porcelain and ceramic floor tiles are generally excellent choices for underfloor heating.
Ceramic materials conduct heat effectively and help distribute warmth across the floor.
The substrate, heating system, adhesive and movement joints must all be suitable for the installation.
Large porcelain tiles can also be used with underfloor heating when the complete floor system is correctly designed.
Can Porcelain Floor Tiles Be Used Outdoors?
Not every indoor porcelain tile is suitable for outdoor use.
For patios, balconies and garden paths, frost resistance, slip resistance, thickness and installation methods must be considered.
A common solution is 20 mm thick porcelain paving, which can be installed using suitable systems such as pedestal supports, aggregate beds or bonded construction.
Always verify the manufacturer's approval for the intended application.
Many tile collections offer matching indoor and outdoor surfaces, creating a visually continuous transition from the living room to the patio.
Glazed or Full-Body Porcelain Tiles?
Glazed porcelain tiles have a decorative surface layer that offers extensive design possibilities.
They are suitable for many residential applications when their wear resistance and technical properties match the expected traffic.
Full-body porcelain has a more consistent colour or composition throughout the tile body.
This can help make certain edge chips less noticeable and may be advantageous in heavily used spaces.
Both options can be appropriate for residential floors.
What Should You Consider Before Buying Floor Tiles?
Choose the correct material. Porcelain stoneware is usually an excellent starting point for residential floors, but the product must be approved for the intended application.
Check slip resistance. Bathroom floors, entrances and outdoor areas may require different surface properties.
Select the right size. Formats such as 60 × 60 cm and 60 × 120 cm are versatile, while larger slabs create a more continuous appearance.
Consider cleaning and maintenance. Matt and lightly textured finishes are often practical for daily use.
Check wear resistance. For glazed floor tiles, the PEI abrasion rating can provide useful additional information.
Plan sufficient material. Many projects require approximately 5 to 10% additional material for cutting waste, with more needed for complicated layouts.
Order samples. Colours and textures may look very different under actual lighting conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Floor Tiles
What Are the Best Floor Tiles for a Home?
Matt porcelain stoneware is a versatile choice for many residential applications because it combines durability, low maintenance and design flexibility.
Are Porcelain Floor Tiles Scratch-Resistant?
Porcelain is generally highly resistant to everyday wear, but no floor surface is completely scratch-proof.
Which Floor Tiles Are Easiest to Clean?
Matt porcelain tiles with a smooth or lightly textured surface are often practical. Very rough finishes may require more intensive cleaning.
Are Floor Tiles Suitable for Homes With Pets?
Durable porcelain tiles with an appropriately grippy matt finish can be a good choice for households with cats or dogs.
Can Large Floor Tiles Be Installed in Small Bathrooms?
Yes. Large tiles can make small rooms appear more spacious, provided the layout, substrate and drainage requirements are carefully considered.
Are Tiles Better Than Vinyl or Laminate?
Porcelain tiles offer advantages in moisture resistance, heat conductivity and long-term durability. Vinyl and laminate may provide different benefits in comfort, sound and installation.
How Long Do Porcelain Floor Tiles Last?
High-quality porcelain floor tiles can last for several decades when correctly installed and maintained.
Buy Porcelain Floor Tiles Online at VITALE TILES
At VITALE TILES, you will find porcelain floor tiles for new buildings, renovations and individual architectural projects.
Explore floor tiles in stone, wood, concrete, marble and terrazzo effects from established Italian and European ceramic manufacturers.
Use our
Floor Tiles category filters to compare colours, formats, brands, finishes and slip-resistance ratings.
Before placing a larger order, we recommend ordering
Tile Samples or visiting our showroom in Netstal, Switzerland.
Find the right porcelain floor tiles for your home or building project at VITALE TILES.