When choosing bathroom tile, factors such as appearance, strength, and cost should be considered. In addition, the bathroom tiles should be water-resistant, non-slip and easy to care for to prevent the growth of bacteria, germs and mold. Here are 6 tile options for the bathroom floor.
Ceramic and porcelain tiles
These are the most popular tile materials to use for bathroom floors because they are affordable, durable, scratch-resistant, maintenance-free, and non-porous. Another benefit is that these tiles come in a wide variety of colors, textures, shapes, surfaces and designs. Both ceramic and porcelain tiles are made from clay. The main difference, however, is that porcelain tiles are made from finer clay and are exposed to higher temperature and pressure. This process makes the porcelain tiles denser, stronger and more preferred than ceramic tiles. These are also available as aseptic tiles that come with an antimicrobial glaze to inhibit the growth of germs and other pathogens.
Ceramic tiles are maintenance-free. Credit: KatarzynaBialasiewicz / Getty Images
Natural stone
Give your bathroom a timeless look with natural stone materials such as limestone, slate and travertine. Natural stone is strong, durable, and has an attractive grain that makes it aesthetically pleasing. These materials are available as stone slabs that are machine cut into rectangular and square tiles. The main disadvantage of using natural stone tiles is that they are very expensive and, due to their high porosity, require regular cleaning, polishing and sealing. Avoid using natural stone materials such as polished marble or granite for the flooring as it becomes slippery when wet.
Terracotta tiles
Give your bathroom a warm, earthy and rustic look with terracotta tiles in shades of red and orange. These are made locally from red or brown clay that is kiln-dried and fired at high temperatures. Terracotta tiles are highly porous and must be sealed regularly to prevent staining and moisture absorption. As these are handmade there may be slight color variations in each tile.
Glass tiles
These give the bathroom a luxurious and spacious look as they have a luminous surface that reflects a lot of light. It is advisable to opt for textured glass as it creates a non-slip surface and the floor will not become slippery when wet. Glass tiles are water-resistant, dirt-repellent, low-maintenance and inhibit the growth of mold and mildew.
Mosaic tiles
These are small and can be made from materials such as glass, ceramic, and natural stone. The best thing about mosaic tiles is that they can be mixed and matched to create beautiful floor and wall patterns. Note that the numerous grout lines created when laying mosaic tiles create a non-slip floor surface.
Cement tiles
Cement tiles are handmade and are also known as encaustic cement tiles. These are strong, durable and have a naturally rough surface that makes them non-slip. These tiles come in bold colors, modern patterns and traditional motifs that give the bathroom an ethnic look. A disadvantage is that they are highly porous and have to be sealed regularly.
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