Tile is arguably the best ornamental tool you can use for your bathroom. This is because it merges the best of both practicality and aesthetics. Tiles come in various materials, colors, patterns, cuts, and sizes and you can choose from stone, glass, and ceramic tiles among others. Since tiles go through fire in order to harden, they are hypoallergenic and do not release harmful chemical compounds to the air. They are also extremely easy to clean, maintain, and are durable resisting even the harshest of weather conditions. Tile buying however, is serious business just like all other purchases so before you buy bathroom tiles, here are some of the things you need to know.
Have a design vision first
First of all, you need to have a clear idea of what you want your washroom to look like. This vision will play an instrumental role in guiding you to buy the right material, color, and size of tile. For instance, if you want garden themed bathroom, you can get tiles in shades of brown and green. You can also utilize mosaic tiles to create a great design on a basic wall, making your washroom a canvas.
Learn about materials
Several kinds of tiles types exist including natural stone, glass, porcelain, and ceramic. Natural stone tiles come in different kinds like sandstone, travertine, marble, and granite. However, most homeowners go for ceramic tiles because they are cheap and easy to work with. For your bathroom tiles, porcelain would be the perfect material to use because it is water-resistant. Natural stone tiles have beautiful natural patterns and are extremely durable, and can last for even hundreds of years. Aside from that, they bring instant style and elegance to a room.
Play it safe
Generally, washrooms and bathrooms are accident-prone. As such, it is imperative to pick tiles that aside from being attractive are also safe. Tile experts recommend the use of unglazed tiles for bathroom floors since glazed ones tend to be slippery. Tiles like travertine or porcelain have a rougher texture, making them more slip-resistant. They also hold up well against water damage and foot traffic.
Know your size
This is the stage most people get wrong and waste money and time rectifying. One thing you need to keep in mind is that most tile retailers and manufacturers use European units of measure instead of American units. Ensure you measure correctly so as to avoid tile size confusion.
Have a budget
Tiling does not come cheap, especially if you are going for natural stone tiles. You need to ensure that you can afford the project. Consider that you have to buy more tiles than you actually need to cover damaged or broken tiles during installation. If you want to get the best deals, ask as many retailers and manufacturers about their prices. Nevertheless, be careful not to compromise on quality just because you get cheap tiles. You may end up spending much more in the long run.
