What Should I Be Considering Before I Tile My Bathroom? -

Not all tiles are created equal, and you should be considering more than color when making tile choices for your upcoming bathroom renovation.

There are many things you will want to think about before you begin, and you may want to talk to a professional to learn more about the various tile options on the market. To start with, here are a handful of features that should be part of your planning.

Durability

Like with any renovation product, you want to make a choice that will last. Nobody wants to intentionally use materials that aren’t up to the task. For the bathroom that gets a lot of rough and tumble use, due to a lot of traffic or just having a few energetic kids, you want a tile that won’t crack or split with a slight knock. All tiles are fairly tough, so there are no materials that you will need to exclude immediately. Natural stone will last the longest and put up with all sort of abuse, with porcelain coming in next.

Ceramic or glass is usually just fine for an average bathroom that doesn’t see harsh use. It’s more likely to chip than porcelain though.

Safety

When it comes to safety, you’re looking at how smooth or slippery a tile can be (particularly when they are wet). For a natural non-slip texture, many kinds of stone tile can be ideal. Slate tile is known for a fine grit to its surface, so never gets slick when wet.

If slate is not to your liking, there are some ceramic or porcelain tiles that have a textured surface or you can apply your own non-slip products (goes on like a coat of paint over the tiles) to create your own slip-resistant flooring. In order to make ceramic tiles waterproof, they must be glazed which is why they are always so slick. It can be difficult to find a tile that is both glazed and rough, so getting your own coating product can be the best solution.

Cost

Of course, you can’t look at the pros and cons of anything without talking about the prices. Vinyl and ceramics are usually your cheapest options, but higher-end brands may rival other materials in terms of the cost. Glass and porcelain come in next, with the most variety of natural stone (slate, granite or marble) being the most expensive choices.

To do a bathroom floor for the cheapest amount, you can go with vinyl stick-on tiles. They won’t last very long but if it’s in a room that is seldom used or you just need it to look good temporarily, they can be your best low-cost option.

Colors

You will have a full rainbow of color and tone available if you choose a man-made tile material like glass or ceramic. Stone tile products are going to be limited to whatever shades nature has given them. For example, if you really wanted a muted rose color for your floor, going with natural slate or limestone is going to be a disappointment. Colored stone just isn’t available.