What Are The 5 Best Tile Materials For Bathroom | For Buyer’s Understanding

Have you been tired of looking at the old design of your bathroom? Perhaps you are asking yourself whether you can try different design patterns to make your bathroom more beautiful and luxurious. Or maybe you don’t know what materials, tiles, and resources are required for this complex job. You can select any of the styles by checking online, but what will happen when you really don’t know what factors impact the performance according to the season, weather, and your own preferences?

Preparation is key to an easy tiling bathroom experience; ensure the surface is clean and even before starting. Maybe you find a specific design, but it has a slippery surface, and you don’t like that after the installation, or maybe you prefer something else that really does not fit with the aesthetic of your bathroom. If you are not well aware of different bathroom tiles, you have landed in the right place.

You will find relevant questions addressed accordingly in this blog, such as what are the best materials and tiles that you can use for your bathroom. It will take you only a few minutes to analyse all the details you are looking for, rather than searching through different search results online, as you will find everything organised here.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Bathroom Tiles

For an easy tiling bathroom project, select the right materials that suit your style and budget. Choosing the proper bathroom tiles does not only mean they look great so that you can use them; you have to consider different factors for the best use in daily life. You realise that you consider many factors when choosing the design for your bathroom remodel. Let’s explore each of these:

Moisture and Water Resistance

Water is also a significant factor on the floor of a bathroom. When you have decided to go for a certain type of tile and bathroom, ceramic and porcelain tiles are excellent because they don’t allow water to penetrate them. If you are selecting the material for fitting bathroom floor tiles, then do one thing: check whether there is a leakage or not because sometimes moisture harms the floor and the wall.

Slip Resistance

Bathrooms are always slippery owing to water and soap, which can lead to falls and resultant injuries. It might prove very dangerous if you are living with, for instance, a grandmother or any other aged person. To avoid slipping, look at the slip resistance when selecting tiles. To minimise the chances of slipperiness, one must look for tiles with some determined roughness, such as ceramic tile & bathrooms, which are relatively used and very reliable for anti-slip floors.

Cost and Budget Considerations

Cost and budget considerations must be considered because the material can be costly if you are planning for a complete bathroom remodelling. Porcelain tiles are a bit more expensive but provide many advantages, making them a good option for both floors and walls. Do your research and check whether you can find a better option. Also, consult with your contractor so that they can help you decide which is the perfect solution for you, considering the average bathroom remodel cost.

Aesthetic Appeal and Style

The right tiles and bathrooms can transform your space into a stylish oasis. A bathroom should feel luxurious when you enter. For a classic or modern look, many use different tile materials for personalised preferences. If you have installed mirrors, proper lighting, and shiny surfaces, it can enhance the appeal and style of your bathroom. You can add glass tiles for more style and reflection. There are different patterns you can use, such as white terracotta, and it depends on your intention to enhance the overall aesthetic architecture.

Durability and Maintenance

Porcelain tiles are very durable and easy to maintain. They require frequent cleaning due to daily usage. Porcelain and ceramic solutions have less chance of cracking or getting damaged, which reduces upkeep in the long run.

Comparing Tile Materials: Which One is Right for You?

Tips While Choosing Materials for Bathrooms

Following these tips will help you in choosing the suitable materials and tiles for your bathroom.

• Consider Water Resistance: When choosing tiles, make sure to choose tiles that are waterproof; these can include ceramic or porcelain tiles. They don’t get as so soaked and, therefore, don’t cause as much harm as their fully porous counterparts.
• Dont use DIY Method for Fitting: Properly fitting bathroom floor tiles ensures longevity and a flawless finish.
• Placing Tiles with Bath Tub: Pair your tiles with a stunning Victorian bathtub for a timeless and elegant look. 
• Prioritise Slip Resistance: It is recommended to install tiles with a rough surface in order to avoid slips, especially in areas with splashing water, such as showers or around bathtubs.
• Think About Durability: You should go for a hard-wearing surface material like porcelain or natural stone when doing the flooring so as to last long.
• Maintenance Matters: Think about how simple it is to wash those tiles. In regard to this, ceramic tiles are less demanding as compared to natural stones, which may be a little tricky to maintain.
• Choose the Right Style: Finally, choose the tile that you think will best fit in the rest of the bathroom decor. Consider those colours, patterns, and finishes that will give you the ambience you need.
• Budget Wisely: Try to set a reasonable budget and do not spend a dime more than that. You also have to include the cost of installation and other materials, such as grout and sealer.
• Mix and Thisatchdone: This is done to integrate one or the other different tile types. For instance, apply ceramic tile on the floor and glass tile for appearance purposes.
• Consider the Size: On the other hand, large tiles make a small bathroom look even larger, and small tiles provide the details to a surface.
• Check Local Availability: Choose tiles that are readily available locally, as this would mean that the transport costs would be low, and if there is a need to replace some of them, then this would not be a challenge.
• Get Samples: Before making your final order get samples to check how they appear in the bathroom in terms of lighting in relation to the other material used.

How Does Tile Style and Appearance Impact Bathroom Design?

The nature of the tiles themselves can make the bathroom look contemporary or traditional, classic or old-world. That is why one has to be cautious of patterns, colours, and finishes that one uses in the room, as they can either open up the space or make it look more lavish. Specifically, the correct type of tile can enhance other parts of the bathroom, such as fixtures or built-in cabinets.

What Should You Know About the Installation Process?

Installation works differ by the tile category; some need additional groundwork, such as sealing or a subfloor. It is key to prepare the surfaces correctly to ensure that the final finish will last long, especially in places where they are exposed to water. Hiring professional services can help get a proper installation done because doing it with a DIY approach results in some wrongdoings.

Best Tile Materials for Bathrooms

Find out the best tile materials for bathrooms based on their features. Ceramics and porcelain are commonly used because of their rich features and ease of installation and handling. Checkout their details below:

Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tiles are made of clay and a mixture of naturally occurring stones. They are heated at high pressure and prepared using complex and risky methods. They come in various colours and patterns, providing different shapes. They have water resistance and work very well against moisture. Many homeowners prefer ceramic tile & bathrooms for their durability and easy maintenance. On slippery surfaces, it is advised that you wear anti-slip rubber-made slippers to walk on these ceramic tiles so that the chances of slipping are minimised.

They have been used for thousands of years, but modern furnishing began in today’s contemporary designs.

Where They Are Mostly Used:

The best use of ceramic tiles is in bathrooms and on slippery surfaces. They are mostly used in kitchens and bathrooms and can be applied on floors and walls. They perform well in seasonal temperature changes and are not significantly affected by them.

Pros:

• Cost-effective and widely available.
• Easy to clean and maintain.
• Comes in a variety of styles, colours, and finishes and is not

Cons:

• It is not as durable as pit porcelain; it can chip or crack with impact.
• It can be slippery when wet if not treated with a slip-resistant finish

Porcelain Tiles

Porcelain tiles are made with refined clay and are heated at a temperature of 1400 degrees Celsius. Their surface is hard and has great water resistance. You can use these where moisture and water are prevalent, providing anti-absorption properties in the walls and floors. When laying vinyl tiles, use a roller to press them firmly into place and remove any air bubbles. They offer good all-season performance and aren’t affected by changing seasons. The surface is dense and durable, providing different shapes, colours, and designs, and it also mimics the appearance of wood and stone designs.

Where They Are Mostly Used:

Porcelain tiles are suitable for bathroom floors, walls, shower enclosures, and outdoor patios. Most people prefer their use in commercial spaces due to their durability.

Pros:

• Highly durable and resistant to wear.
• Excellent water resistance, suitable for wet areas.
• Mimics the look of other materials like wood or stone.

Cons:

• More expensive than standard ceramic tiles.
• Heavier and harder to cut, making installation more challenging.

Natural Stone Tiles (Marble, Granite, Slate, etc.)

Natural stones are naturally produced and found under rocks. They are extracted and polished in various factories before becoming usable for bathroom and kitchen installations. As a tile material, they offer different patterns, textures, designs, and colours. Different kinds of stones used in these tiles have varying properties; they are excellent for design and layout, but their features must be thoroughly studied before installation. Natural stones have been used for centuries in architectural design and remain a significant part of construction architecture.

Where They Are Mostly Used:

Natural stone tiles suit bathroom floors, countertops, and shower walls. They are commonly used in high-end projects due to their luxurious appeal.

Pros:

• Adds a luxurious and natural look to any space.
• Very durable (especially granite and slate).
• Naturally slip-resistant (particularly slate).

Cons:

• Requires regular sealing to prevent stains and water damage.
• More expensive and heavy, making installation more complex.
• Marble can scratch and etch easily.

Glass Tiles

These are manufactured from very thin glass, usually shiny and glossy on the outside. They come in different forms, such as small mosaics or decorative ornaments. You can choose these in many different colours, and they may appear either semi-translucent or completely clear. Glass tiles can also give a room a lighter and larger appearance since they bounce light. They are mainly constructed from recycled glass and are, therefore, environmentally friendly. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing LVT flooring to ensure a proper fit and finish.

Where They Are Mostly Used:

They are recommended for use on bathroom walls, shower shelves, and the decorative sides of baths, but not on the floor, as they can be slippery.

Pros:

• Non-porous, making them easy to clean and very difficult to spot stains on.
• Provides illumination; enhances a room through the use of colours.
• Environmentally friendly and also available in recycled materials.

Cons:

• They are very slippery when wet and are not normally cold.
• It may crack if exposed to a hard strike.
• The installation is slightly more complex because of the transparency of the tiles.

Cement Tiles

Cement tiles are mostly manually produced and are essentially made of cement, sand and coloured materials. These tiles are easily available in the market and are also available in the local markets. These have been used, and traces go back to the medieval period.

Where They Are Mostly Used:

As versatile, natural, and aesthetically pleasing, cement tiles are perfect for use in baths, rooms, and both flooring and walls in stylish environments. They are popular in the Mediterranean or themed bathrooms because of their distinctive designs.

Pros:

• Sturdy and can be customised with various designs.
• Offer the charm of a handcrafted, artisanal look.
• Non-slip surface due to their textured finish.

Cons:

• Require frequent sealing to prevent stains.
• Heavier and more challenging to install than other tile options.
• More expensive than standard ceramic or vinyl tiles.

Natural Stone Use in Wet Areas?

Some factors need to be considered when using natural stone tiles in wet areas. Stone such as granite and slate is less water-resistant and hence fits well for installing bathroom tile floors and shower walls. 

Despite the beauty, elegance, and warmth natural stone brings to an interior, it’s often associated with higher maintenance requirements than other tiles and bathrooms. Selecting a textured stone like slate can also make it a lot safer to walk on in wet regions, especially next to a Victorian bathtub.

What Should You Consider About Budget?:

The price of tiles also differs a lot; thus, the choice has to be made considering the financial possibility of the purchaser. Standard ceramic tile & bathrooms are cheaper than natural stone and porcelain tiles due to the quality and the procedure of installing these last ones.

Do not omit from the budget the cost of your average bathroom rem, the prices of materials such as grout and sealant, and the charges that come with the services of professional contractors. In case your budget is limited, combining expensive tiles for the accents and cheaper materials such as vinyl can also offer the required results without having to pay too much for a bathroom remodel cost.

How Can You Prevent Slipping on Bathroom Tiles?

To prevent slipping, choose bathroom easy tiles with a textured surface or those specifically designed for wet areas, like anti-slip ceramic solutions or textured stone tiles. Installing smaller tiles or those with grout lines can help add grip and reduce the risk of slips. Easy bathroom easy tiles that offer slip resistance and water resistance for safety.

You can also consider laying vinyl tile flooring, which provides extra grip. Adding anti-slip treatments or mats in areas prone to water accumulation, such as near the shower or laying vinyl floor tiles, can offer additional safety.

Which Tile Options Provide the Best Aesthetic Flexibility?

Ceramic and porcelain tiles offer the greatest aesthetic flexibility with a variety of colours, patterns, and textures. These options mimic materials like white terracotta, allowing for different design styles without the higher cost. Glass tiles add brightness and create a visually spacious effect.

Cement tiles offer a handcrafted appeal, making them perfect for design-oriented settings. When considering how to install tile on the floor, an Amtico room visualiser can be helpful for visualising different patterns and styles.

Conclusion

Choosing the best style and material for your bathroom renovation is important because it’s a one-time job, and you cannot change it over and over again.  In this blog, we have introduced you to the different types of materials available in the market. Each product has its specifications; some are excellent for water resistance, while others are very budget-friendly.

We have outlined various factors that should be in our minds when choosing the style and design of tiles for our bathrooms. While you can use DIY methods, they may not achieve the professional finish needed for renovation projects. It’s essential to consult a contractor for an inspection of the project and discuss the right materials for your bathroom. 

Buon Construction is a renowned and established service company in your area, providing services such as kitchen remodeling, plastering, plumbing, electrical work, and other services. This allows you to get a comprehensive package for home renovation all in one place. Just type “bathroom remodel near me” to get a complete inspection and home renovation service for your home.

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