Selecting tiles for a bathroom renovation is not as simple as some people may think. When you first walk into a tile showroom there are many tile displays, all of which seem to be almost the same except for perhaps the color, size or pattern.
Unfortunately for the home handy man, or woman, there is a lot more to selecting the right tiles for your application than first meets the eye. Some types of tiles have been designed for specific applications, while other tiles are more versatile and can be used in a number of different areas.
A professional will be able to guide you in the right direction, but you should always enter a showroom with your own ideas and questions about what you specifically desire. When it comes to selecting the tiles for your bathroom, here are some of the factors that you should consider prior to making any purchase.
Gain the knowledge to make your home a better living space for your family and yourself, "Do It Yourself Tips" is a by-weekly newsletter loaded with valuable Home Improvement Tips & Tricks. Simply fill the form & click on "Sign Up!".
Bathroom Ceramic Tile - Tips for Using Ceramic Custom Tile - Bathroom ceramic tile is a good choice because of its durability, resistance to dampness and its ease of cleaning. Bathroom ceramic tile can range from inexpensive to very expensive, and it is a classic choice for a bathroom.
Ceramic tile is formed from clay, shale or porcelain, then fired at very high temperatures until it hardens. The higher the temperature and the more times the tile is fired, the harder and less porous the tile becomes. Tile for bathrooms comes in many shapes, sizes, patterns and textures. Tile shapes can be squares, rectangles, hexagons and octagons. Accent tiles are narrow-shaped and diamond-shaped pieces.
Tile can be glazed or unglazed. Unglazed bathroom ceramic tile is simply baked pieces of clay whose colors are determined by the mineral content of the clay. These tiles are the workhorses of the industry. Generally thicker and denser than glazed tiles, they include products such as quarry tiles and porcelains. The toughness of unglazed tiles make them ideally suited (but not limited to) heavy commercial installations.
Here are tips for using ceramic tile in a bathroom:
1. Consider using unglazed bathroom ceramic tile if you want to have the most slip-resistant surface. The rugged surface texture and matte finish of these tiles give them good slip-resistant qualities for use in wet areas. If you buy and install unglazed tiles for your bathroom floor, they will need to be cleaned frequently because they absorb oil and stains quite easily. Examples of unglazed tiles are quarry tiles, porcelain tiles and terra-cotta tiles which can be handmade or machine-made.
2. If you are using a white or cream ceramic tile for your bathroom, using a different color grout like "blue" will give your bathroom a more dramatic look.
3. Make sure you apply sealers to grout lines in areas of heavy wear, like countertops. Sealers will protect and preserve grout colors.
4. For a floor surface that is virtually stainproof, use glazed bathroom ceramic tile. Glazed bathroom ceramic tile is made the same way as unglazed tile, but it undergoes an additional process. A glass layer is applied, then subjected to tremendous heat in a kiln. This process liquefies the glass and fuses it to the bisque. Glazes offer an unlimited array of beautiful colors, textures and designs and create a surface that is practically stainproof and very wearable. While most glazed tiles are for light residential to medium commercial traffic uses, recent technological advances produce glazed tiles that are hard and durable enough to stand up to the most demanding commercial applications.
5. To make your bathroom floor more exciting, add patterns, floor accents or small splashes of color using ceramic custom tile pieces. Or consider using large rectangular decorative sections placed in the middle of the floor. Custom ceramic tile or art tile can be found with Victorian, Mexican or Moorish styled designs and they can also be used as bathroom backsplashes, tub surrounds and in showers.
6. For countertops and backsplashes, make sure the tiles are glazed and can withstand household cleaners. And backsplashes are a great place to add decorative tile.
7. To tie it all together, pay attention to the available bathroom accessories. Towel bars, ceramic soap dishes, toothbrush/cup holders -- you'll want these to blend in well with your bathroom ceramic tile.
With all the choices that await you today, have fun as you select the styles, colors, patterns and sizes of bathroom ceramic tile and related details for your bathroom. You'll want your bathroom to be a fun, cozy room to spend time in, and bathroom ceramic tile can help create that kind of atmosphere. Bathroom ceramic tile is decorative and lasting -- use it in the ways you want for having the bathroom that you can enjoy every day.
by David Buster
