The bathroom is one of the most important areas of your house and most of us spend a considerable part of our daily time in this room. For the purpose that it is used for, a bathroom is exposed to extreme moisture conditions that are just perfect for the deterioration of exposed plaster and paints and growth of harmful unhealthy microorganisms.
To continue to have the fresh look and feel of the bathroom for a couple of years, it is important that the bathroom hardware and accessories are taken care and remain moisture free and dry, when not in use. While there are many types of tiles that can be used in the bathroom, the best choice on top of our list continues to be a ceramic tile. Just consider the benefits and reasons we have compiled for you that will help you zero in for ceramic tiles as your preferred choice of tiles for the bathroom renovation.
Ceramic tile facts
Before you make the final selection of tile type for your bathroom, consider the following facts about ceramic tiles.
1. Water Resistant
A ceramic tile is totally non-porous and waterproof due to its construction. When installed professionally using appropriate methods and installation material a ceramic tile floor or wall will resist water on its surface thereby minimizing moisture and dampness in the area. Use ceramic tiles both on the bathroom walls and on the floor to minimize water retention on the surface.
2. Safety and Durability
Ceramic tiles are fired hardened products and hence extremely tough. These tiles can take a lot of load and footfalls during their life, without cracking or breaking under pressure. Ceramic tiles are also anti-slip and hence provide the necessary friction between the feet and the wet surface of the bathroom. A wide variety of ceramic tiles are now available which offer different grades of anti-slip features.
3. Healthy and Hygienic
Ceramic tiles, both glazed and unglazed, are made of all naturally occurring materials as clay and sand and do not use harmful chemicals that are generally used in some other types of tiles. Ceramic tiles do not use Formaldehyde, VOCs or PVC.
As per WHO prolonged exposure to Formaldehyde may cause allergies, breathing-related discomforts as asthma, nose, throat and eye irritation, headaches and nausea. Long-term effects may vary from person to person but can severely affect the body’s immune system and may cause cancer. Certain kind of tiles emit VOCs as invisible gases that may have both short and long-term health effects on humans and animals. Exposure to PVC often includes exposure to phthalates and chlorine, which are considered to be endocrine disruptors. Prolonged exposure to PVC may impair human productivity or create hormonal imbalances in a body.
Carpets and wooden tiles tend to deteriorate over time and are excellent grounds for fungus, mold, and mildew. Organic growth takes place if the surfaces are not cleaned regularly or not possible to clean at all. In addition, fissures, cracks, and gaps allow these organic growths to stay and expand, thereby creating long-term health issues for humans and animals around. Since ceramic tiles have hard reflective surfaces that are easy to clean, any kind of organic growth cannot survive.
Ceramic tiles can help cut down indoor allergens quite a bit, as these tiles are less porous than some other types of tiles and hence do not retain moisture or liquid. Glazed tiles are extremely easy to clean with simple soap and water, rather than harsh chemicals.
4. Easy and Simple Maintenance
Ceramic tiles are fire-hardened materials that do not chip or erode over years of usage. Since ceramic tiles are both stain and scratch resistant they do not require harsh chemicals to clean their surface. Ceramic tiles can be easily cleaned by using simple soap and water.
5. Best Value for Money
Ceramic tiles have a long life span and are extremely durable for any installation. Once installed correctly, ceramic tiles can remain virtually maintenance free for many years to come and can keep your house looking like new. A house with ceramic tiles installed can also increase the resale value of the house.
6. Versatile Design Choices
Over the years, technological advancements have made it possible to produce ceramic tiles and its accessories in a wide variety of color, design, texture, shape, and size. As a result, ceramic tiles now find use in almost every room, wall, and area of our houses including outdoors.
Ceramic tiles have become add-ons for many other products in our houses thus creating new and unique combinations of creativity and materials. For example, wooden bookracks with ceramic backplanes or wooden plant boxes with ceramic tile works are some new age creative combinations. People are experimenting with ceramic tiles to create pieces of art. It would not be an exaggeration to say that ceramic tiles find an important slot in our house and office décor.
Tile Options for your Bathroom & Other Wet Areas
There are three types of tiles that can go in your bathroom and outdoor wet areas. Coming from the same family of tile types ceramic, porcelain and quarry are quite related.
Porcelain - The porcelain tiles are the hardest type of ceramic tiles since these tiles are pressed and baked at higher furnace temperatures and for a longer duration of time compared to normal ceramic tiles. As a result, these tiles are very dense in composition and extremely water resistant. Because of the dense structure, porcelain tiles are best suited for installation where water absorption levels have to be kept lower than 0.5 percent of less.
Ceramic - Normal ceramic tiles, both glazed and unglazed, are great choices for bathroom wall, floors, showers, and backsplashes. Ceramic tiles are our favorites for the reasons mentioned above but we love them for the availability of a wide range of colors, designs, textures, shapes, and patterns.
Quarry – Coming from the same family of ceramic tiles, this kind of tile is manufactured by a slightly different process. Instead of being pressed under pressure, the soft clay is shaped into tiles, using moulds and then baked in high-temperature furnace. Therefore, the end product is not as dense as the porcelain or the ceramic tiles but still strong and durable enough to bear rough usage and household weights.
Quarry tiles are manufactured in a wide variety of natural color tones as tan, brown, black, and red. These colors work well both indoors and outdoors to create an ambiance that has natural flavors. These tiles can withstand high variation in temperature and are well suited to a minus degree and sub-Sahara temperatures. Some other tiles as terracotta resemble quarry tiles but they are quite different in composition and do not belong to the ceramic family of tiles.
Tile Designs and Shapes for your Bathroom
Ceramic tiles offer some of the best designs for your bathroom. You can try a combination of designs to create an entirely new design, which may even look like a piece of art. Imagination is the key to creativity and the new age ceramic tiles can help you translate your imagination into wonderful designs. We bring you some of the most popular basic designs available in ceramic tiles.
Mosaic
Tiles smaller than nine square inches in any shape are generally known as mosaic tiles. Mosaic tiles, when arranged in a sequence or pattern or combination of both, can create an impression of art. You may easily recall glass mosaic art in famous old churches or even in public murals. These days, small tiles are created in vibrant colors, shades and hues, different material types and almost in every possible shape. As these are small in size, mosaic tiles are available as tile strips or tile mesh for easy installation.
When installed in small areas as shower areas, backsplashes, and insets, these tiles offer a stunning effect with the right kind of lighting. Easy to clean and maintain, mosaic tiles continue to be hot favorites for people having a preference for artistic tastes.
Circles
Also called “penny” tiles, these are small circular or rounded tiles, typically the size of a coin. While these tiles are available in quite a few colors, the bronze or copper colored tile plays out the best effect. Since these are small sized tiles, these are generally used to cover smaller areas of the bathroom and may be used to draw attention to a certain area of the room or corner. Typically used in the shower or an inset area, they may also be used on the wall if it is not too large.
Squares and Rectangles
Square and rectangle ceramic tiles are available in all sizes, colors, and textures and are very well suited to decorate your bathroom. From size as small as two by two square inches to almost two feet by three feet, ceramic tiles provide you the largest possible choice for floors, shower areas, backsplashes, countertops, and even insets.
Remember the classic “subway tiles” ever so popular from the New York subway metro. We find them used in many public areas and especially the hospitals and clinics. Classy white rectangular six-inch tiles have never gone out of fashion and still continue to make a sober statement, wherever installed. Try a combination of classy “subway tiles” with other contrasting modern tiles to create new designs and effects.
Hexagons
Another classy and vintage design is a hexagon that gives the tiles a unique characteristic. Refuses to go out of fashion, hexagonal tiles have evolved to modern tastes of both the urban and rural buyers and are now available in bold new colors, multiple sizes, and quite a few textured finishes.
Installation of hexagonal tiles require professional skills and using professional services can make all the difference for a long lasting décor. Use matching grout to highlight the hexagonal theme.
New Shapes & Illusions
If you wish to go beyond the hexagons, try something even bold in new age designs and illusions that do not follow the conventional shapes or sizes. Manufacturers are introducing futuristic shapes and designs that are appealing to the new generation and are pre-installed in new age constructions as art galleries, hotels, and theme houses. If you wish to try these kinds of tiles out for the first time, select a floor or a wall and see how it plays out.
Just keep in mind the fact that tiles that are installed to create “illusion effect” require special expertise and it would be best to seek professional tile setting services to get the desired effects.
Decorative
Ever wondered if you could install wallpapers in your bathroom? We’d love to but we all know that it would peel off sooner or later, due to the high moisture content in the bathroom. But despair not as very nice options are available in ceramic tiles. Manufacturers are creating decorative tiles which when installed on a wall don the wallpaper effect. Decorative tiles carry the design patterns that are very similar to any other fancy wallpaper and the difference is hard to tell.
Dimensional
Due to the technological advancements, it is now possible for the manufacturers to add different textures, curves and “bumps” to any kind of ceramic tiles. This kind of adds another “dimension” to a normal ceramic tile. Dimensional tiles are another new age products and hot favorites in new construction. Dimensional tiles are available in all possible geometric and unconventional shapes and sizes. If you are planning to renovate your bathroom, decorative tiles could give a very modern and upmarket feel to it.
Wood Textured
While actual wooden tiles in bathrooms are a recipe for decay and a health hazard, ceramic tiles with wooden texture are a healthy and long last solution for bathrooms. Manufacturers have now perfected the technology to produce ceramic tiles in every possible texture, hue, and color of the natural wood. Wood textured tiles are available in all standard sizes starting as small as six by three inches to larger three feet by two feet planks. When installed, these tiles give the perfect impression of a wooden floor, without the perils of an actual wooden floor.
Metallic
Extremely futuristic, metallic tiles are now available from manufacturers that give a very shiny finish. These metallic ceramic tiles are available in steel, copper, bronze and other metal finishes. Available in quite a few sizes and shapes, metallic tiles go well with many ultra modern themes. Metallic tiles require professional skills for tile setting and cost more than average ceramic tiles.
Tile Patterns for your Bathroom
As we have said earlier, creativity has no boundaries and one is limited only by his or her imagination. There is no set rule when it comes to creating a pattern for bathroom floors and walls, yet we present below some of the most common and often used patterns that can get you started.
Grid
One of the simplest an easy to install, the grid is one of the most common patterns that we see all around us. Similar sized, colored and shaped tiles are arranged one after the other, in a straight chessboard pattern. Any kind of ceramic tile, with or without texture, could be used to create the grid pattern. Works very well with tiles with natural stone textures.
Checkerboard
Very similar to the grid pattern, the checkerboard pattern uses similarly shaped and sized tiles but in two different colors. This created the same effect of a checkerboard where alternating tiles are of the same color. This is one of the vintage patterns and can be seen in old buildings and public places. With the advent of ceramic tiles, the checkerboard effect has just become more textured and sophisticated.
Checkerboard floor pattern can be installed either parallel to the walls or at an angle of forty-five degrees. Create the classic black and white monochrome pattern or bring in the new bold lively colors. Experiment with three or four colors instead of just two to create new checkerboard patterns.
Running Bond
Running bond pattern can be created using both square and rectangle tiles. Alternate rows of tiles are placed at an offset such that the next row tile starts somewhere below the midpoint of the previous tile. The offset can be fixed or could vary depending upon the desired pattern. Wood designed and textured ceramic tiles are often used to create the running bond pattern. While there are no set rules, the size of the tiles is determined in proportion to the area of the room, wall, and floor to bring out the intended effect.
Octagon and Dots
Another Victorian era tile pattern uses diamond (eight-sided) tile with dots at four alternate corners. When four tiles are joined together in a two by two pattern, a larger dot is formed at the center where four tiles meet. Ceramic tiles are available in contrasting colors, attractive designs, and dots. Choose vintage styled colors or modern designed dotted tiles to suite to your taste and décor. Try matching or contrasting grout color for side effects.
Herringbone and Chevron
Placing rectangular tiles at ninety degrees in “L” shape and placing them at forty-five in “V” shape creates Herringbone and Chevron patterns respectively. Both patterns are generally created using two sets of tiles in contrasting colors, textures or sizes but you may create your own pattern using three or maybe four sets of tiles. Both patterns contribute to the perception of larger than the actual size of the wall or floor area where installed.
Diamond Rug (Carpet)
Diamond rug tile pattern is a great way to distinguish a particular area from that rest of the room area. For example, in the shower area, a unique tile pattern with outlining border may be created such that the shower wall stands out from the balance walls in the shower area.
Ceramic tiles offer a wide choice of colors, designs, and patterns to create the border of the carpet area as well as the main carpet area.
Accents and Borders
While tiles alone can create wonderful patterns, the effect of the patterns can be enhanced by using simple accessories as borders and accents. Creating a border on the edges of the floor tiles can easily create the carper effect, thereby making the floor pattern look richer.
Similarly, adding accents to the bathroom walls can enrich the wall pattern considerably. Manufacturers have acknowledged this fact and hence they now offer a total “family” of the tile- set, complete with border, inner main tiles, and the accent. Browse through the manufacturers’ website to know which kind of ceramic tiles are available with tiles accessories.
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