Materials 101: Choose the Right Tiles for Your Bathroom!

Bathroom tiles are available in a wide variety of finishes, colours and materials; and you can completely be forgiven if you’re finding it hard to make up your mind! Here’s the low down on different tile materials, the pros and cons of each, and how you can make an informed, sensible choice.

Your bathroom tiles should be chosen based on a number of factors. They should match the décor and design sensibilities of your home, but that’s not all. The tiles you choose must be anti-skid, waterproof, and easy to maintain even if you don’t have the time to deep clean on a daily basis. Here are some options you can look at.

Ceramic Tiles

The most popular option, ceramic tiles are available in a wide variety of colours and glossy, textured or matte finishes. While the glossy tiles are good for use on the walls, they can be slippery if used on the floor and hence only textured or matte floors which are anti-skid should be laid on the floor.

On the plus side:

Ceramic tiles are slip resistant, cost-effective and very easy to clean. They are also available in a mind boggling array of colours and finishes.

But watch out for this:

Ceramic tiles are not as durable as you would like. They can crack and chip at the edges. If laid with care, using a good amount of tile grout on the entire surface, this disadvantage can be minimized. Another minus is that the colours can fade over the years, especially in areas that are exposed to the direct sun.

Vitrified Tiles

Vitrified tiles are made of silica, quartz and clay that is factory-compressed under extreme heat and pressure. They are a very popular option for use in any part of the home, including bathrooms and kitchens.

Why they are a great choice:

Vitrified tiles are hard, completely impervious to water, and very durable. They do not crack or chip easily and are scratchproof as well. They can be procured in a wide variety of colours, designs, finishes and sizes; and are even available in natural stone and wood look-alike finishes. Very low on maintenance, they can be cleaned with just water and soap. These tiles never fade and can last a great many years, continuing to look as good as the day they were laid!

But here’s the downside:

Vitrified tiles are more expensive than ceramic tiles, so if you opt for high-end designer tiles, they could put you out of pocket.

Natural Stone Tiles

Natural stones like granite and marble are used in high-end bathrooms and lend a lovely earthy appeal to the décor. No two tiles are ever alike, so the bathroom retains an innovative freshness unlike any other.

Some of the pros:

Natural stones lend a timeless elegance to your décor, with rich aesthetics and lovely, warm finishes. When laid by expert tile layers, they are durable and will only look better over time. These tiles are also easy to keep clean and can be wiped or washed regularly. Avoid using cleaning solutions that contain acid as they will damage the finish of the stone.

Look out for these cons:

It’s important to choose high-quality stone, as otherwise, the durability will suffer. If you are picking a porous stone like marble or Jaisalmer stone, it should be properly sealed. Stone tiles are also much more expensive than factory-made tiles, so you will need to factor in the cost into your budget.

Also, be mindful of the fact that polished granite is very slippery when wet. Always use flamed granite for floors.

Glass Tiles

Glass tiles, available as a strip with tiny, brightly coloured squares of glass, look gorgeous and brighten the appeal of any bathroom. The colours can be chosen to suit your décor, and can be mixed and matched to create a wall mural or any pattern you choose.

We love them because:

Glass tiles are stunning! They look beautiful, and stay that way.

Here’s what we have reservations about:

The cost, which is on the higher side, is not affordable for many. Also, since the glass squares are tiny, the number of joints will be very large. This makes maintenance really hard.

It goes without saying that glass tiles can only be used on the walls.

Bathroom Tile Pro Tips:

• For the floors, always use anti-skid tiles that do not get slippery when wet.
• Bathroom tiles should not be porous. If you plan to use marble or other natural stones that are not water-resistant, get them surface-sealed and repeat the sealing process every couple of years.
• The larger the tiles, the fewer the joints between tiles. This will make the bathroom easier to clean as dirt always tends to settle in the joint grout.
• Vitrified tiles with a paper-joint finish will give a seamless appearance.
• While textured tiles look great at the outset, do remember that unless you have an army of servants cleaning up after you, they will soon lose their looks due to the dirt and grime that accumulates on the surface! Especially if the tiles need to be laid using spacers, they will be very hard to keep clean in the long run.
• Light coloured tiles will show up dirt very easily. So also will dark, glossy tiles. A colour like grey, in a matte finish, will not look dirty even if it is!

So, there you have it—our comprehensive guide to choosing the perfect tiles for your bathroom! Still confused? The HomeLane team of expert designers is just a call away!