By Coobuildgroup | Updated November 4, 2026
To choose the right flooring for different spaces, start with water exposure, daily traffic, cleaning habits and the condition of the subfloor. Then compare appearance and the full installed cost. A beautiful showroom sample is only useful if the exact product suits the room where you plan to install it.
For overseas homeowners sourcing building materials from China, there is another decision: how to confirm the specification, finish and delivery scope before shipping. This guide connects room-by-room flooring choices with the purchasing checks that help prevent expensive surprises.
Use this table to create a shortlist, then ask your supplier and local installer to confirm suitability for the exact product and site.
| Space | Materials to compare | Check before ordering |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance and hallway | Porcelain floor tiles or suitable natural stone | Tracked-in grit, wet shoes, cleaning needs and the tested finish |
| Living and dining rooms | Porcelain, natural stone or wood flooring | Comfort, furniture use, sunlight, maintenance and transitions to adjoining rooms |
| Kitchen | Porcelain or another product approved for the intended kitchen use | Spills, cleaning chemicals, appliance clearances and finished floor height |
| Bathroom and shower | Floor tiles specifically approved for the wet area | Slip-resistance information, drainage falls, waterproofing and grout layout |
| Bedroom | Wood, suitable resilient flooring or porcelain with rugs | Underfoot feel, acoustic needs, humidity and furniture movement |
| Patio and outdoor steps | Products explicitly approved for the exterior location | Wet-use suitability, drainage, local weather and freeze-thaw exposure where relevant |
Large-format porcelain floor tiles can create a continuous appearance across an open-plan living area. Before choosing the largest size, ask the installer about subfloor preparation, handling access, joint layout and installation cost. A larger tile is not automatically a better fit for an uneven renovation floor.
Natural stone offers individual variation. If you prefer a more consistent pattern, compare several porcelain faces rather than judging a single sample. For a fuller material comparison, read natural stone vs. porcelain tiles.
Wood can suit bedrooms and living rooms when its specification matches site conditions. The National Wood Flooring Association explains that humidity changes can make wood expand or shrink. Ask your installer to assess moisture conditions and follow the chosen manufacturer's installation instructions, including any acclimation requirements.
Kitchen flooring needs to work around cooking, chairs, appliances and regular cleaning. Compare the selected surface's care instructions with the products you actually use at home. If you are considering laminate or vinyl, obtain the exact model's water-exposure limits, installation instructions and warranty conditions; the material name alone does not establish suitability.
Coordinate flooring with cabinet plinths, appliance openings, island services and door clearances before finalizing thickness. A change made after the cabinetry has been measured can affect several trades. Our whole-house customization planning guide explains how connected specifications can be reviewed together.
For bathroom flooring, ask for documented suitability for the intended wet area, including the shower if applicable. A matte finish or textured appearance is not enough evidence of slip performance. Request the test method, result and manufacturer's area-of-use guidance for the exact finish.
Low water absorption in a tile does not make the whole bathroom floor waterproof. Schluter's waterproofing guidance explains why tile and grout need an appropriate waterproofing system beneath them. Have a qualified local installer confirm the substrate, drainage, membrane and installation details for your project.
Do not extend an indoor tile onto a terrace simply because the colour matches. Ask for a product approved for the outdoor location and conditions. Review wet-use performance, exposure, drainage, edge details and the installation system. In places subject to freezing weather, obtain the manufacturer's freeze-thaw suitability information.
For a connected indoor-outdoor look, compare coordinated products with finishes specified for each area. Take samples into daylight: the same colour can look different beside glass doors, exterior walls or shaded patios.
Photos help narrow a shortlist, but they cannot reliably establish surface texture or exact colour. Before you buy porcelain tiles from China, request labelled physical samples and several face-pattern images. Review them under the lighting planned for your home, beside cabinet doors, worktops and wall finishes.
Identify the product: record model, size, thickness, finish, edge type and intended use.
Agree the reference: confirm which approved sample or sample range will be used for the order.
Check batch details: ask how shade and size-calibre codes will be recorded and whether the supply can come from a consistent production batch.
Plan quantities: have your installer calculate net areas, cuts, pattern layout and spare stock. Allowance depends on the project rather than one fixed percentage.
Define inspection: agree which dimensions, visible defects, labels and quantities will be checked, by whom, and what evidence you will receive.
A video review can help show the selected finish and packaging, but it does not replace an agreed physical reference or product-specific inspection scope.
A low price per square metre is only one part of the budget. To compare flooring quotations fairly, request the same specification, quantity and named delivery point from each supplier.
Materials, trims, skirting and any special cuts
Sample charges, packing, inland transport and inspection if included
Freight, insurance terms and destination handling
Import clearance, applicable taxes and final delivery
Local storage, unloading, subfloor preparation and installation
Ask what is included, excluded and payable locally. Tiles from China shipping cost depends on shipment weight and volume, route, timing and delivery terms; it should be quoted for your actual order. Confirm destination requirements with your local broker and installer before approving the specification.
Agree the packing method, receiving procedure and damage-claim process before dispatch. Clarify who arranges insurance, what evidence is required, the reporting deadline and how replacement freight would be handled. On arrival, document the shipment and labels before disposal of packaging, and follow the agreed inspection procedure before installation.
Keep spare material identified by product and batch where possible. A replacement bought later may not match the original shade, and international replacement delivery can affect the installation schedule.
You can coordinate the appearance across rooms, but each area still needs a suitable specification. Wet rooms, outdoor areas and steps may require different finishes or products even when the design looks continuous.
No. Check the exact product's documented water-exposure limits and installation conditions. A water-resistant surface is not proof that joints, edges or the entire floor assembly will withstand every type of water exposure.
Start with a room schedule and shortlist, then request labelled samples, product documents and a written quotation. Agree how the order will be checked against the approved reference. Your local installer should review the specification before you place the order.
Send your floor plan, room areas, indoor or outdoor use, preferred sizes and finishes, destination city and required installation date. Include site photos and any installer requirements so exclusions and open questions can be identified early.
Coobuildgroup is a Foshan-based building materials sourcing business. Explore our tile and ceramic collection and stone collection, then share your room schedule to discuss suitable options and a project-specific quotation.
Send your floor plan and destination to Coobuildgroup on WhatsApp. Ask for sample options, the written product specification and a clear breakdown of the proposed supply and delivery scope.
Understand the costs of importing building materials from China, from product specifications and packing to freight and destination charges. Request an itemized project quote.
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