Choosing The Best Bathroom Tiles

The bathroom is a place for recluse and needs to de designed for a relaxing time in there. Apart from the basic fittings and the accessories and the importance to details one of the foremost important aspects in the bathroom design is the tiling. Choosing the tiles for a bathroom seems to be a very easy thing to do!! Just see what colour and design you like and get the tiling done!! But on further use it becomes quite apparent that you made the wrong choice.

So before buying the bathroom tiles get some basic knowledge about the various types of tiles, the various styles designs and the individual pros and cons of the specific tile (any item that you choose to buy).

Ceramic bathroom tiles:
The ceramic tiles are the best when they are used for bathrooms flooring. Though sometimes the sizes of these tiles are uneven they are easy to clean and they do not harbour any germs. The ceramic tiles look good and are highly versatile, they are extremely durable, easy to install; and cheap as compared to the counterparts.

Mosaic bathroom tiles:
The mosaic bathroom tiles look extremely beautiful and provide you with a lot of options and design variety. Setting up a mosaic design in the bathroom is nothing less than an art and you will need an expert to do the job for you thus prove to be costly. Moreover with mosaics in your bathroom it will become difficult to maintain them. It is however good if the mosaics are used in certain areas mixed with other tiles for a great look and appeal.

Stone bathroom tiles:
There are various types of stone tile available and hence a great variety and plethora of designs to choose from. The stone tiles are good to use and do not look so worn out easy, they can take a lot of wear and look fantastic for a long time. The stone bathroom tiles are available in various types of stone (natural as well as manmade) and also in various types of textures, finishes and surfaces. Some good quality stone can be a bit expensive and once laid it is also hard and cold to the feet. The stone tiles are also generally heavy and need similarly strong construction and subfloor to hold on tightly and look great.

Porcelain bathroom tiles:
The porcelain bathroom tiles are the cousin of the ceramic tile. You can find a great variety in these tiles and it leaves a great choice for the designer to choose from. They are extremely tough and durable. The porcelain tiles are very popular in homes as well as commercial set ups. These tiles however care not as easy to install as the ceramic tiles and require an expert. You cannot do a DIY for them.

Laminate flooring:
Laminate flooring is very easy to install and has a very durable quality. The laminate surface is easy to clean and has a wear layer above a design layer beneath. The wear layer protects the layer beneath from any wear thus keeping the design and styling intact for a long time. It has a great finishing and looks very neat and modern in the bathrooms.

Strip border tiles- these are rectangular tiles that have great designs and can be used in contrast as well as matching colours to create decorative borders in your bathroom.

Single highlight tile- A single highlight tile is one single bigger or same sized tile that has a distinct design – kind of an artwork that is fitting at a prime location in the bathroom amongst the tiles. It works just like a photo frame on the wall and becomes an element of accent in the bathroom and attracts attention.

Decorative mosaic pieces to be inset amongst the regular tiling- a great decorative mosaic at the foot space under the sink or any such prominent place used creatively gives a very decorative highlight to the bathroom.

Insert wall tile- An insert wall tile are small tiles that are inserted in the tiling. They make the otherwise monotonous design look appealing.

The installation of bathroom tiles is the most important. It should be done properly by an expert. The levelling has to be even and any errors in levelling will lead to accumulation of water in certain areas and you will never be able to have a completely dry bathroom.

Choose the bathroom tiles considering where you want to use them, for the flooring, walls or the shower and the bath. Choose colours and sizes to mix match such that they make a good combination that is in sync with the bathroom design. You might use different types and designs of tiles at each of these places in the bathroom but they must be well coordinated, either to create a great matching or an attractive contrast. The pieces should look like a part of the same puzzle. Choose the tiles that require minimum grouting. The grout gets dirty easily so it should be sealed immediately before it accumulates any dirt or dust.

If there are any elders or disabled people in the house it is advisable to have textured tiles that give some friction and a good grip to avoid slipping. The textured surfaces will also add on to the look of the bathroom and give it a distinct and unique look.

Many people have the habit of scrubbing hard to clean various surfaces. Scrubbing too much or very forcefully can erode the tile finishing very quickly and they will soon loose lustre and look dull and worn out. It is also not very advisable to use bleach on the bathroom tiles as the bleach will reduce the shine and the tiles will soon start to look worn off.

Vinegar is one of the best options to clean the bathroom tiles. You can use it once in a while and the Vinegar will lift any of the mold formation and clean instantly without causing any abuse to the tiles. Pour vinegar in areas that have gathered mold, otherwise soak a sponge or cloth in undiluted distilled white vinegar and wipe the floor. Then wash clean with water. For daily cleaning mild detergents and a soft sponge to scrub will be sufficient. Daily cleaning will reduce the mold built up and keep the bathroom tiles looking new for a very long time.
Avoid dropping heavy object or shifting heavy furniture or vanity units by dragging them, this will leave irreversible and non repairable scratches on the floor tiles.