Oct 10, 2024
Looking for the best tiles for your bathroom might not be the easiest decision you'll make in your home. Keep in mind bathrooms are high-moisture areas and are often the source of slips and falls. Not only are there a RIDICULOUS amount of choices you can pick from... adding the wrong tile could affect every other decision you'll have to make for years to come.
So... should you choose ceramic tiles? How about using the same tile on the walls and floor? Large tiles or small inside the shower? And what is the most cost effective tile? DD's Restoration and Remodeling has all the answers. Let's walk through this guide to find out.
Function and Purpose
If you're like most people, figuring out where to start is the hardest part. Luckily there are plenty of people out there that can help direct you to that perfect tile. Home improvement professionals handle LOTS of bathrooms over the years. In fact, it's one of the most remodeled room in your house. And this is for a good reason too. Bathrooms have to handle a serious amount of moisture mostly from your shower. So it is important to consider the purpose of the tile when deciding.
Durability and Material
Shower tiles typically come in porcelain, ceramic, marble, and stone. Porcelain and ceramic are often used interchangably since they are both clay tiles. Yet, porcelain tends to be stronger and more water resistant than ceramic tiles. Marble features a high-end look and is significantly stronger than porcelain tiles. But since it is made of rock, it can be stained or etched and need frequent resealing. Stone is pretty and very durable, but let's be honest... it's not always the best choice for inside your home.
You should also consider metal trim or tiles and glass tiles. Both add asthetic appeal to your bathroom and both can provide more durability to your shower or wall. Each have pros and cons as well. For example: metal has a protective coating, but with certain water quality types will corrode. Glass is prone to etching and will need frequent cleaning.
Size and Pattern
Bigger is better... right? This is not always the case with bathroom tile. Larger tile is easier to install and holds up better to damage overall. It also uses less grout which can be a benefit. However, some point out that large tile poses a safety issue if it falls down in the shower. Small tiles have more grout and can be less visually appealing. They can also pose a safety risk when installed on a shower floor but do provide more grip than large tiles.
Along with the size, patterns must also be considered especially in the shower. Smaller tile patterns tend to make a shower look smaller. Larger tile patterns can be heavy and difficult to replace. Non-traditional patterns often are more difficult to clean grout. And brick style patterns or traditional styles can lower the visual appeal of your bathroom. Overall, choose a size and pattern in the latest style and you'll be fine.
Color and Style
Color can play a very important role in deciding the look and feel of your bathroom. Color can add a bit of flavor to a bathroom and brighten it up. But often times color is done in excess. To find the right balance, ask the following questions:
1. Does it overtake the main color of the bathroom?
2. Will it clash with a different color used in the bathroom?
3. Could a different color be used instead?
The best bathrooms are ones that show a unique style, right? Not always. Depending on your reasons (resale or asthetics), you'll want to consider the best style for your bathroom. When choosing a style, focus on smaller details. A fully styled bathroom can often times be too busy and require too much maintenance. And no detail can often appear to be too plain and boring. Not that a bathroom should really be fun...
Budget
Probably the most important option for choosing tile would be budget. The greatest tile is worthless unless you have enough money to buy it. So what is a good price? Most pricing is per square foot on tile and this often won't include installation or taxes. On average, ceramic and porcelain tiles will cost around $8 to $40 per tile. Other high-end tile products like marble will cost around the $25 to $100 per tile. And installation pricing will always depend on the size of the project and amount of materials needed to complete the project. Trust in DD's Restoration and Remodeling to provide you with the BEST pricing in the industry.
With all the options out there, you'll have plenty to think about when restoring or remodeling a bathroom. And if you'd like a professional with DECADES of bathroom restoration and remodeling experience, contact DD's Restoration and Remodeling today!