Bathroom Tiles

When it comes to wall tiles 4 x 4” tiles is by far the most popular choice, although you can try 4 x 6” or 6 x 8” for a “classier” look and feel.  You could buy designer bathroom tiles if you’re feeling fancy or simply have the installer design a pattern with different colors and cuts. If you’re tiling inside a bathtub or shower it’s really recommended you tile the whole way through (including upper walls and ceiling) the reason for is that it’s much easier to clean, tend to deteriorate much less often.

Thinking about retiling your bathroom? Well it’s not as simple as you might think. Like everything in the 21^st century there is an overwhelming amount of options to choose from, between tile sizes, tile texture and the different tile materials you’ve got some deciding to ahead of you.

We’ll kick off with your bathroom floor. The most common mistake people make here is choosing a smooth tile. While you might find smooth tiles more to your liking you’ll be putting your family at risk. A bare footed leg’s grip on a textured tile is much stronger and more stable. Smooth tiles in your bathroom may cause a serious slipping hazard, especially for small children but also for teenagers who are still growing and tend to have less balance. Tile size is your next priority, the most popular size for bathroom floors is 12 x 12”, however 8 x 8” tiles sell like cupcakes too, it’s a matter of personal choice no wrong answer here. However I wouldn’t recommend going any smaller than 8 x 8”, some people think doing 4 x 4” on their floor is a good idea in an attempt to match their bathroom wall, keep in mind that very small tiles may hurt your bare foot when walking, they’re harder to clean and their tend to wear more often and generally don’t look all that impressive after a few years of “household living”.

Next we’ll take a look at the different materials you can use as your floor tiles. This is all comes down to personal preference, however you should remember that best looking rooms are the one that carry a certain theme throughout, try to match the tile to your other bathroom furniture or the other way around, but keep in mind that in order to have the perfect room, all pieces must be put in place.

1. Porcelain –this tile isn’t glaze coated like some other types of tiles (ceramic for instance) so any chips or dents are much less noticeable. Good choice if you have little damage makers in your house.

2. Ceramic Tile – a very popular choice with lots of different options to choose from.

3. Limestone – made from slabs of Limestone Rock, it’s got a very rocky earthlike feel to it. Limestone needs to be sealed and can also be treated to bring out the natural tones of the rock.

4. Marble – looks absolutely gorgeous! However this type of tile is VERY slick and smooth, and therefore should definitely be avoided as your bathroom floor choice unless you’re willing to take the risk, in that case you’ve definitely chose one the prettiest tiles out there.

5. Granite – is very similar to marble, it has the same advantageous and disadvantageous of marble, the only notable difference is that marble tends to have “veins” running through it while granite stays smooth.

6. Brick Pavers – are used almost exclusively for outdoor patios and walkways, but if you’re feeling adventurous it might an interesting choice. These tiles will definitely be a conversation topic among your friends.

7. Slate – a definite choice if you’re going for that rusty look and feel. Keep in mind that slate is cut from stone so each tile will look a bit different and it’ll need to be sealed.

8. Mexican Saltillo –definitely an acquired taste. You either adore it or you absolutely hate it, no one can stay indifferent to this type of tile. It has a yellow/rust colored look and is made in Mexico. They are made by man and tend to curve a little. They also get the occasional dip or a hump. This is the only tile that chips actually add character and some tiles are even chipped on purpose! Either love it or hate it, your choice.

9. Stone / Glass mosaic – definitely a more artistic approach to tiling.