It’s rare to hear practicality and bathroom flooring tiles associated together. But focusing on practical design is how you should think when choosing bathroom tiles.
With the annual growth of the bathroom industry and its market value steadily climbing, there’s a lot more variety even with tiles.
However, not all bathroom tiles are the same, even with the availability of diverse flooring materials.
You still need to know the best bathroom flooring material with these practical qualities:
- Long-lasting
- Moisture-resistant
- Slip-resistant
Here are some common types of bathroom tile that are popular and practical.
Ceramic Tile Is Durable and Affordable
Ceramic bathroom floor tiles are a popular option for most homes. The tiles come in a variety of styles, textures and colours and are perfect for humid conditions. Best of all, it’s affordable.
But that’s not all.
Ceramic tiles have a clean modern look and are aesthetically pleasing. They are versatile to be fitted for both the floor and the walls.
As a bonus, the glossy and shiny variety reflects natural light throughout the bathroom.
Porcelain Tile Can Give Your Bathroom a Luxurious Feel
Although porcelain tiles are like ceramic tiles, they have one significant difference: porcelain is sturdier and more expensive.
The reason for this difference stems from the manufacturing process. Porcelain is kiln-dried at a higher temperature, meaning it comes out stronger and more durable.
Aside from this, it also absorbs less water, is more stain and scratch-resistant and is of a higher luxurious quality.
You can also use porcelain tiles for underfloor heating.
Vinyl Tiles are Eco-Friendly
Don’t be fooled by the budget vinyl tiles. They are one of the most popular bathroom flooring types.
Vinyl tiles are easy to install and reusable, making them environmentally friendly. Vinyl tiles also have a wider choice variety.
The only downside is the tiles can’t match in beauty to ceramic and porcelain tiles.
However, the tiles make up for their lack of appearance in other ways.
- They are less prone to cracking and breaking.
- Cost much lower than ceramic tiles.
- Are resilient and waterproof.
- They are easy to install by yourself.
- Floating vinyl is easy to replace.
As with the best material, there also those that are not good at all for bathroom flooring. These are:
- Solid hardwood has no protection against moisture, therefore, even a little water will rot out the wood.
- Carpeting keeps moisture for long and dries slowly, especially in bathrooms, making it a poor choice for flooring.
How Do You Choose a Practical Tile Design for Your Bathroom
Choosing practical bathroom tiles will depend on design, colour, size of the bathroom, texture, and material.
As with any home furnishing investment, you want to balance usefulness and aesthetics. Therefore, follow some of these tips.
- Do your research before shopping. This will inform you of the different bathroom tiles and give you a budget estimation. Your choice should lean towards practicality.
- Have a unique design in shape, colour, pattern and texture. It will put a spotlight on the area in the bathroom you want visible.
- Maximise space by using light coloured tiles or large patterned tiles. Lighter shades of tiles will make your bathroom look bigger. But for smaller bathrooms, opt for mosaic tiles.
- Cleaning and maintenance can be easier or harder depending on the tiles. Embossed or textured tile is slightly harder to clean and maintain.
- Mix to match the floor and wall tiles. One can be a simple design, while the other is a pattern that stands out.
Conclusion
Practicality doesn’t mean boring. There’s a lot of variety in the market. Just make sure it’s durable, water-resistant, and spill-resistant.