First of all, you need to understand the meaning of “Tile”. It is referred commonly to ceramic, porcelain and glass when it comes to bathrooms. The materials come in different shapes and colors and can be laid in rows over a surface. Below is a simple, yet important list of guide that you may need to consider especially when it comes to the tiles used for your bathroom. At the end of the day, the material, cut, and size of the tiles for your bathroom depends on the functionality and practicality usage.
- Check Standards.
The first step in selecting porcelain and ceramic tile is to match the tile to the use. Floor and counter tile must be resistant to spills and stains and most importantly, floor tile should never be slippery. - Find the Class.
PEI (Porcelain Enamel Institute) is a scale used on porcelain and ceramic tile to indicate the areas of use each manufacturer recommends and has designed their tile to fit based on foot traffic. Class 0 meant for areas with no foot traffic and it gradually increases all the way to Class 5 for heavy traffic. For porcelain and ceramic tile for your bathroom, best is to go with Class 2 to 3 meant for light to moderate traffic. - Glazed or Unglazed.
Porcelain and ceramic tile can be either glazed or unglazed. Unglazed tile is solid, with consistent color throughout the tile and will retain color even as a surface wears. It is also available in various finishes, from rough to polished. Glazed tile has a protective coating on top of the dense tile body, which can be produced in a variety of colors or decorative patterns. The glaze can be a shiny or matte finish. - Check Absorbency & Slippage.
Tiles for bathroom or other floors subject to moisture must be non-absorbent so water and other fluids do not penetrate and stain it. Most importantly, make sure that the tiles chosen should be always be certified slip-resistant to avoid slip-and-fall accidents. - Pick the Right Color and Size.
Color and design are obviously important, because porcelain and ceramic tile will last a while and making changes will require replacing tile, which is a lot of work. Both glazed and unglazed tile are available in a variety of colors and glazed tile frequently has decorative designs.Size is also a factor; floor tiles typically are larger, counter tiles smaller and wall tiles can be any size. Porcelain and ceramic tilealso come in various shapes that can be arranged in patterns.