Shopping Guide

Where to Buy Colored Tiles Online: 10 Best Stores Reviewed

By David Chen, TCAA Certified·Published Mar 2026·Updated June 2026·16 min read

Finding the right place to buy colored tiles is not just about price. Selection breadth, dye lot transparency, sample availability, and customer service quality vary enormously between retailers. This guide evaluates 10 major tile retailers across these dimensions to help you make the right choice for your project.

How We Reviewed These Stores

Our evaluation assessed each store across six criteria: colored tile selection, price competitiveness, dye lot information transparency, sample availability, shipping quality and speed, and customer service responsiveness. We made test purchases, evaluated product information quality, and cross-referenced customer reviews from multiple independent sources.

These stores were selected because they ship colored tiles to US customers and maintain adequate stock for residential projects. Our assessments reflect our genuine editorial judgment — affiliate relationships do not influence rankings.

The 10 Store Reviews

The Tile Shop

Premium selection with expert staff in-store and online

Best Selection

4.7

(2,840 reviews)$$$ — Premium

Pros

✓Enormous selection — over 4,000 tile SKUs
✓Expert staff who can help with color selection
✓Design studio services available
✓Sample ordering available for all products

Cons

−Premium pricing — not the cheapest option
−Shipping can be slow for larger orders

Best for: Homeowners who want expert guidance and a vast selection

Visit The Tile Shop

Floor & Decor

Warehouse pricing on quality tile with same-day availability

Best Value

4.6

(5,120 reviews)$$ — Mid-range

Pros

✓Outstanding value — typically 20–40% cheaper than boutique stores
✓In-store pickup available at 200+ locations
✓Pro services for contractors and designers
✓Consistent stock of popular lines

Cons

−Less curated — can be overwhelming to browse
−Customer service varies by location

Best for: Budget-conscious buyers and contractors who need volume pricing

Visit Floor & Decor

Mission Tile West

Artisan and handmade tiles sourced from around the world

4.8

(890 reviews)$$$$ — Luxury

Pros

✓Genuine handmade and artisan tiles unavailable elsewhere
✓Exceptional quality — made to last generations
✓Expert consultations on unique projects
✓Custom color matching available

Cons

−Premium pricing — the most expensive option here
−Limited availability — not all styles are always in stock

Best for: Design enthusiasts seeking unique, authentic artisan tiles

Visit Mission Tile West

American Tiles

Online-first retailer with fast shipping and wide colored tile range

4.5

(3,200 reviews)$$ — Mid-range

Pros

✓Strong range of colored and patterned tiles
✓Fast nationwide shipping (3–5 days)
✓Free samples on most products
✓Clear dye lot information on product pages

Cons

−No physical showrooms for in-person browsing
−Returns can take time to process

Best for: Online shoppers who know what they want and need fast delivery

Visit American Tiles

BuildDirect

Direct-from-manufacturer pricing on quality tile

Best Price

4.4

(4,100 reviews)$ — Budget-friendly

Pros

✓Factory-direct pricing — often 30–50% below retail
✓Bulk ordering for large projects
✓Good selection of colored porcelain and ceramic
✓Free shipping on qualifying orders

Cons

−Lead times can be 2–4 weeks for some products
−Less high-end selection compared to boutique stores

Best for: Large renovation projects where budget is a primary consideration

Visit BuildDirect

Wayfair

Massive marketplace selection with competitive pricing

4.2

(12,400 reviews)$$ — Mid-range

Pros

✓Huge catalog — thousands of tile options
✓Frequent sales and promotions
✓Fast free shipping on most items
✓Customer review photos help visualize real-world results

Cons

−Quality can vary significantly between suppliers
−Harder to verify dye lot consistency
−Returns on tile can be complicated

Best for: Exploratory shoppers looking for inspiration and competitive prices

Visit Wayfair

Porcelain Superstore

Specialists in large-format and luxury porcelain tile

4.6

(1,650 reviews)$$$ — Premium

Pros

✓Specialists in large-format tiles (24"×48" and larger)
✓Excellent range of colored porcelain
✓Technical support for installation of large-format tile
✓Sample service with quick delivery

Cons

−Narrower range outside porcelain category
−Higher average order minimums

Best for: Modern interior projects using large-format colored porcelain

Visit Porcelain Superstore

Fireclay Tile

Award-winning sustainable handmade tile with custom color options

Most Sustainable

4.9

(720 reviews)$$$$ — Luxury

Pros

✓Made in the USA — sustainable manufacturing
✓Custom color options — choose any Sherwin-Williams color
✓LEED-certified products
✓Industry-leading warranty

Cons

−The most premium pricing on this list
−8–12 week lead times for custom colors

Best for: Sustainability-conscious buyers and custom color matching projects

Visit Fireclay Tile

TilesDirect.net

Competitive online pricing with a focus on colored tile options

4.3

(2,100 reviews)$ — Budget-friendly

Pros

✓Strong inventory of budget-friendly colored tiles
✓Good range of subway and penny tiles
✓Fast sample ordering
✓Price-match guarantee

Cons

−Website UX could be improved
−Limited selection of premium artisan tiles

Best for: Budget-friendly projects needing reliable colored tile options

Visit TilesDirect.net

#10

Ann Sacks

Luxury designer tile for high-end renovations and architects

4.8

(540 reviews)$$$$ — Luxury

Pros

✓Museum-quality artisan and designer tiles
✓Showrooms in major cities for in-person experience
✓Design consultation services
✓Unique collections unavailable anywhere else

Cons

−Extremely high pricing — budget for 3–5× standard retail
−Trade accounts preferred — harder access for DIY buyers

Best for: Luxury renovations, architects, and interior designers

Visit Ann Sacks

Smart Tips for Buying Colored Tiles Online

Whether you choose one of the stores above or another retailer, these principles will help you make a successful online tile purchase:

Always order samples first. No screen accurately reproduces tile color. Order physical samples and place them in the actual room. Most retailers offer samples for $1–$5, often refunded with full purchase.
Check and record the dye lot number on your sample tile. When ordering the full quantity, verify the order will ship from the same dye lot before confirming.
Order 10–15% extra in the same dye lot. Cuts, chips, and future repairs require extras. You cannot always reorder from the same lot.
Download the technical data sheet for your chosen tile. This document has DCOF ratings, water absorption, PEI ratings, and installation guidance — information critical for floor applications.
Calculate total landed cost including freight before comparing prices. Tiles are heavy — shipping can add $50–$200 for a typical order.

5 Things to Avoid When Buying Tiles Online

Ordering without checking dye lot numbers — already covered, but bears repeating.
Using vendor stock photos as your sole color reference — lighting in product photography is carefully controlled and often flattering.
Ordering the exact calculated quantity without waste buffer — you will almost certainly end up short.
Choosing a retailer with vague return policies — understand what happens if tiles arrive damaged before ordering.
Ignoring freight damage — inspect every delivered tile box before signing. Note any damage on the delivery receipt and photograph it immediately.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Most online tile retailers offer sample tiles for $1–$5 each (often refunded with a full purchase). Order at least 3 samples of your shortlisted options. When samples arrive, place them in the actual room, against your existing cabinetry or flooring, and observe them at different times of day. This step takes 1–2 weeks but prevents expensive mistakes.

Local tile showrooms offer the advantage of seeing full tiles (not just samples) in person, with knowledgeable staff. Online retailers offer wider selection, often lower prices, and convenience. For major projects, visit a local showroom first to narrow your options, then price-compare online. For smaller projects where you are confident in your choice, online is practical and often cheaper.

Before ordering: (1) Verify the dye lot number is displayed and that you can order sufficient tiles from the same lot. (2) Check the DCOF rating if ordering floor tiles. (3) Review the return policy for tiles (usually limited to damaged/defective tiles — tile merchants typically do not accept returns on opened boxes). (4) Understand shipping costs — tiles are heavy and freight costs can add significantly to the final price.

Mid-range colored porcelain floor tiles run $3–$8 per square foot for the tile itself. Premium options run $8–$20+. Budget an additional $3–$8/sq ft for materials (adhesive, grout, waterproofing) and $6–$15/sq ft for labor if hiring a professional installer. A typical 100 sq ft bathroom floor in mid-range tile might cost $600–$1,500 in materials and $800–$2,500 installed.

Rectified tiles are machine-cut after firing to precise, consistent dimensions. This allows installation with very narrow grout joints (1/16") and creates a more seamless look. Non-rectified tiles are cut before firing — the firing process causes slight size variation, requiring wider grout joints (1/8"+) to accommodate the inconsistency. For contemporary designs with minimal grout lines, always specify rectified tile.

Know How Much You Need Before You Buy

Use our free Tile Calculator to get an accurate quantity estimate before placing your order.

Try the Tile Calculator Installation Guide

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