Subscribe Feed (RSS)Let’s face it, you’re going to spend a lot of time in your bathroom. That’s why getting the right decor for what many people consider an inner sanctum is important, especially in the area of floor and wall tiling.
The tiling of a bathroom is perhaps the most important decorative aspect of this room, in that it sets the tone for the rest of the bathroom. The colors and styles you choose for the bathroom can say a lot about your preferences and who you are. Solid black tile sends one message, while cooler colors say something else.
Ceramic tiling is a solid choice for your bathroom because it’s tough and rugged, is resistant to damp and it’s easy to maintain and clean. It’s also very cost effective, with many attractive styles selling for relatively cheap.
Made of clay, shale or porcelain and cooked at high temperatures, ceramic bathroom tiles become hard and nearly impermeable, a perfect fit for the bathroom. The tiles are shaped while being fired, and there’s a wide variety of shapes and sizes the manufacturer can come up with to suit your home.
In general, bathroom ceramic tile falls into two categories, glazed and non-glazed. Unglazed tiles are made of baked pieces of clay, in which the clay’s mineral content determines color. These tiles are tough as nails, which is why you often see them in high-traffic public buildings. Unglazed tile is also a lot less likely to make you slip than glazed tile, so there’s another reason why you see so much of it in public buildings. Glazed tile is a little more fragile, and is best used for home projects. It’s major advantage is that it’s less likely to absorb stains than unglazed tile.
When using ceramic tile in your bathroom, you’ll want to make sure the grout compliments your tiles. Believe it or not, the grout you use can have a big impact on how the floor will look.
One drawback to using ceramic bathroom tiles is that they can get very cold in winter. To ensure your comfort, make sure you have adequate floor heating before deciding to use ceramic bathroom tiles.
If you’re using just floor tiles, be sure to paint your bathroom walls a nice, warm color to counteract the perceived coldness of the bathroom tiles.
Also, before you try laying ceramic tile as a DIY project, you should realize that it’s an extremely difficult job. Doing the measurements and keeping everything square requires a lot of mental and physical dexterity, so you may want to consider contracting the work out. If you decide to go this route, make sure you have a firm game plan for how you want things to look and communicate these plans thoroughly to the contractor so he’ll be in full understanding of what you want.
Ceramic bathroom tile is a practical and efficient choice for your floor or wall in your bathroom. Compared to other types of flooring, it’s also pretty cost effective. Homeowners interested in form and function will want to check it out.
Tags: installing floors, patterns design
