Tiles Selection Guide for Pakistani Homes: Types, Rates and Installation

Tiles are one of those finishing decisions you'll live with for years. Unlike paint, which you can redo relatively cheaply, replacing tiles means breaking the old ones, dealing with dust and debris, and re-doing the entire floor. So getting your tile selection right the first time matters — a lot.

At Khokhar Building Material Supplier, I help homeowners in Jhelum choose tiles for their houses every day. The options can be overwhelming — ceramic vs porcelain, matte vs glossy, 12x12 vs 24x24, local vs imported. This guide breaks it all down so you can make confident decisions.

Types of Tiles Available in Pakistan

Ceramic Tiles

Made from clay baked at lower temperatures. Softer, lighter, and more affordable. Good for walls and low-traffic floor areas.

Porcelain Tiles

Made from denser clay baked at higher temperatures. Harder, more durable, and less porous than ceramic. The most popular floor tile in Pakistan now.

Vitrified Tiles

Even denser than porcelain. Very low water absorption, extremely hard. Comes in various finishes including polished, double-charged, and full-body.

Marble (Not Technically Tiles, But Often Compared)

Natural stone cut into slabs. Each piece is unique. Requires polishing and sealing. Popular in Jhelum for premium construction.

Granite

Natural stone, extremely hard, available in various colors. Used for kitchen counters, staircases, and premium floors.

Tile Sizes Commonly Used in Pakistan

For a standard 5 marla house, 24×24 inch porcelain tiles are the most popular choice for living areas and bedrooms. Bathrooms typically use 12×12 or 16×16 for floors and 8×12 or 12×24 for walls.

Tile Finishes

Glossy (Polished)

Shiny, reflective surface. Looks premium and brightens up rooms. But shows scratches and dust easily. Not ideal for bathrooms (slippery when wet).

Matte

Non-reflective, flat finish. Better slip resistance — good for bathrooms and outdoor areas. Hides scratches and dust well. Doesn't look as premium as glossy.

Satin (Semi-Polished)

Between glossy and matte. Has a slight sheen without being fully reflective. Good balance of aesthetics and practicality.

Textured/Rustic

Has physical texture — feels rough or patterned. Used for outdoor areas, anti-skid stairs, and decorative walls. Good for traditional or rustic design themes.

Wood-Look

Porcelain tiles printed to look like wood planks. Popular for bedrooms and living areas. Gives warm wood appearance without wood's maintenance issues.

Tile Brands Available in Jhelum

Here are the main brands you'll find at tile shops in Jhelum:

Recommended Tile Selection by Room

Living Room / Drawing Room

• Type: Porcelain or vitrified
• Size: 24×24 or 32×32
• Finish: Glossy or satin
• Color: Light shades (beige, cream, light grey) make rooms look bigger
• Rate: Rs 200-350 per sq ft
• Estimated cost (200 sq ft room): Rs 40,000-70,000 (tiles only)

Bedrooms

• Type: Porcelain
• Size: 24×24
• Finish: Matte or satin (warmer feel)
• Color: Neutral tones, wood-look popular
• Rate: Rs 150-280 per sq ft
• Estimated cost (150 sq ft room): Rs 22,500-42,000

Kitchen Floor

• Type: Porcelain (needs to be durable)
• Size: 12×12 or 16×16
• Finish: Matte or textured (anti-skid)
• Color: Medium tones that hide stains
• Rate: Rs 120-250 per sq ft

Kitchen Walls (Backsplash)

• Type: Ceramic
• Size: 4×8, 8×12, or 12×24
• Finish: Glossy (easy to clean)
• Color: Contrasting or decorative patterns
• Rate: Rs 80-200 per sq ft

Bathroom Floor

• Type: Porcelain
• Size: 12×12 or 16×16
• Finish: Matte or textured (anti-skid is critical)
• Color: Light to medium tones
• Rate: Rs 100-250 per sq ft

Bathroom Walls

• Type: Ceramic
• Size: 8×12 or 12×24
• Finish: Glossy
• Color: Light colors make small bathrooms feel larger
• Rate: Rs 80-180 per sq ft
• Dado height: 7 feet minimum

Staircase

• Type: Porcelain or granite
• Size: Matching step tiles (available in stair-specific sizes)
• Finish: Anti-skid nosing essential
• Color: Darker tones hide wear marks
• Rate: Rs 150-400 per sq ft (granite higher)

Tile Quantity Calculation

Here's how to calculate how many tiles you need:

Step 1: Calculate Floor/Wall Area

Area (sq ft) = Length (ft) × Width (ft)

Step 2: Add Wastage

Add 10% for cutting and breakage:

Total tiles needed = Area × 1.10

Step 3: Convert to Boxes

Tiles are sold by the box. Each box typically covers:

• 12×12 tiles: 10-11 sq ft per box
• 16×16 tiles: 11-12 sq ft per box
• 24×24 tiles: 15-16 sq ft per box

Example: Living room 12ft × 16ft = 192 sq ft

With 10% wastage: 192 × 1.10 = 211 sq ft
Boxes needed (24×24, 16 sq ft per box): 211 ÷ 16 = 14 boxes (round up)

Tile Installation Rates

Installation cost depends on tile size and complexity:

Additional installation costs:

• Tile adhesive: Rs 15-25 per sq ft (if using instead of cement)
• Grout: Rs 5-10 per sq ft
• Waterproofing under bathroom tiles: Rs 15-25 per sq ft

Total Tile Budget for a 5 Marla House

Here's a complete tile budget for a 2,000 sq ft double-story house:

This is for mid-range quality. Budget approximately Rs 600,000-800,000 for tiles in a 5 marla house at A-class quality.

For context on how this fits your total budget, check our 5 marla construction cost breakdown.

How to Choose Quality Tiles

Visual Inspection

• Color should be uniform across tiles in the same box
• Surface should be flat — check by placing two tiles face to face
• No visible cracks, chips, or glaze defects
• Edges should be straight and sharp

Water Absorption Test

Pour a small amount of water on the back of a tile. If it absorbs quickly, it's porous (lower quality). Quality porcelain and vitrified tiles barely absorb any water.

Scratch Test

Try scratching the surface with a key or coin. Quality tiles won't show scratch marks. This is especially important for floor tiles.

Sound Test

Tap two tiles together. A clear metallic ring indicates dense, well-fired tile. A dull sound suggests lower density.

Tips for Buying Tiles

1. Buy from a proper tile shop or building material supplier — not from random trucks. Buy from an established supplier like Khokhar Building Material Supplier — if anything is damaged or short, it gets sorted out quickly.

2. Buy all tiles at once — different production batches can have slight color variations. If you buy in phases, you may get tiles that don't perfectly match.

3. Order 10% extra — for cutting, breakage, and future repairs. Matching tiles later is nearly impossible.

4. Check boxes for damage — broken tiles in the box mean poor handling. Insist on undamaged boxes.

5. Ask about installation services — some suppliers offer installation. It's often better to use their recommended installers who know how to handle their specific tiles.

Tile Installation Best Practices

Surface Preparation

• Floor must be level — fill any low spots with screed
• Clean surface thoroughly before laying tiles
• For bathrooms, apply waterproofing before tiling

Laying Pattern

• Straight lay (grid): Simple, clean look. Easiest to install.
• Diagonal: Tiles laid at 45° angle. Looks dynamic but creates more waste.
• Brick pattern: Each row offset by half tile. Good for rectangular tiles.
• Herringbone: Zigzag pattern. Premium look but requires skilled labor.

Grouting

• Wait 24 hours after laying before grouting
• Use waterproof grout for bathrooms and kitchens
• Choose grout color similar to tile for a uniform look, or contrasting for defined lines
• Apply sealer over grout after 7 days for stain resistance

Expansion Joints

• Leave 3-5mm gap between tiles for grout
• For large areas (above 400 sq ft continuous), leave expansion joints every 10-12 feet
• These prevent cracking from thermal expansion

Common Tile Problems and Prevention

Hollow Tiles

Problem: Tile sounds hollow when tapped — means poor adhesion underneath Cause: Insufficient cement/adhesive, uneven surface, trapped air Prevention: Use proper notched trowel, apply adhesive evenly, press tile firmly

Cracked Tiles

Problem: Hairline cracks appearing after installation Cause: Uneven subfloor, heavy impact, insufficient adhesive Prevention: Level the floor properly, use tile adhesive for large format tiles

Loose Tiles

Problem: Tiles lifting or moving Cause: Poor bonding, moisture underneath, insufficient curing Prevention: Proper surface preparation, use quality adhesive, allow proper setting time

Stained Grout

Problem: Grout lines turning dark or black Cause: Dirt accumulation, mold in wet areas Prevention: Use epoxy grout in wet areas, apply grout sealer, regular cleaning

Maintenance Tips

1. Sweep daily — dust and sand act as abrasives, scratching tile surface over time
2. Use pH-neutral cleaners — acidic cleaners damage grout and some tile glazes
3. Clean spills immediately — especially on marble, which stains easily
4. Re-seal grout annually — in bathrooms and kitchens
5. Use furniture pads — under heavy furniture to prevent scratching

Final Recommendations

For a 5 marla house in Jhelum, here's what I typically recommend:

• Living areas: 24×24 porcelain, glossy or satin finish, Rs 200-280 per sq ft
• Bedrooms: 24×24 porcelain, matte or wood-look, Rs 150-250 per sq ft
• Kitchen floor: 12×12 or 16×16 porcelain, matte, Rs 120-200 per sq ft
• Kitchen walls: Ceramic 8×12 or 12×24, glossy, Rs 80-150 per sq ft
• Bathrooms: Porcelain floor (matte) + ceramic walls (glossy), Rs 100-200 per sq ft
• Staircase: Anti-skid porcelain or granite, Rs 200-400 per sq ft

Total tile budget: Rs 600,000-800,000 for a complete 5 marla house.

Before you finalize tiles, also consider your paint colors — tiles and paint should complement each other. Check our paint shop guide for choosing paint colors that work with your tile selection.

And if you're buying from a hardware store for fittings like door stoppers and bathroom accessories, check our hardware buying guide — tiles and fittings together define the final look of your home.

Tiles are a long-term investment. Take your time choosing, buy quality that suits your budget, and get them installed by experienced workers. A well-tiled house looks premium, is easy to maintain, and adds real value to your property for decades. ===END===