Types of bathroom tiles: making a choice for a unique interior

Despite the variety of materials for tiling wet rooms, the main types of bathroom tiles are ceramic (tile), porcelain stoneware and glass. In some cases, plastic or polyvinyl chloride tiles are used.

Requirements for bathroom cladding

In a room with high humidity conditions, tiles should:

• Be resistant to significant temperature changes.
• Have reduced porosity - do not absorb water and steam.

[note]In particular, wood-effect tiles in the bathroom are an excellent replacement for floors made of solid boards, parquet, laminate, and wood paneling. [/note]

• Be resistant to aggressive chemicals (detergents).
• Be resistant to fading.
• Have a quality glaze.
• Water should not seep between the fragments - seamless bathroom tiles have proven themselves well in this regard.
• The minimum thickness of wall tiles is 6 mm, floor tiles – 9 mm.

There are special requirements for bathroom floor tiles:

• Ability to withstand high impact loads.
• A somewhat rough surface, since in a bathroom on a wet, smooth floor there is a risk of falling due to slipping and injury.
• Resistance to abrasive substances and abrasion.

Selecting tiles based on functionality and characteristics

The functional purpose of the tile is indicated on its packaging.

The ability to resist destruction from moisture is indicated by the letter “A” - their number indicates how high this indicator is. As other letters (B, C, D) move away from the beginning of the alphabet, the moisture resistance is correspondingly lower.

The wear resistance of floor tiles is indicated by Roman numerals - a total of five classes. For a bathroom, class I is quite enough.

Classification of bathroom tiles

Types of products by purpose

Depending on the type of surface being coated, there are:

• Wall tiles with a relatively soft structure, which makes it possible to cut them without much effort, which is of great importance for adjusting the facing material and making holes for connecting plumbing equipment.
• Floor tiles that have a lower degree of water absorption, a denser structure, greater resistance to abrasion, and are also less slippery.

Today it has become popular to purchase both types of tiles with the addition of decorative elements from the same collection. Each such collection has a single color scheme, one theme and decoration with the same patterns.

Types of bathroom tile materials

When purchasing tiles, you need to pay attention to the material of its manufacture, since the cost and performance characteristics of the products depend on it:

1. Ceramic is the most popular, distinguished by its strength, moisture resistance, wear resistance, and durability.
2. Glass tiles for the bathroom are distinguished by their aesthetic appeal, ease of maintenance, high hygiene and fire resistance. The disadvantage of such products is their fragility.

[note]Designers recommend using glass tiles in fragments, as an addition to other facing materials. [/note]

3. Mosaic is an elite ceramic or glass tile for the bathroom in the form of small squares, often consisting of a ready-made pattern or design on a base for its fastening. Bathroom mosaics are durable, have a long service life, and are indispensable for realizing design ideas when decorating exclusive interiors.
4. Porcelain tiles are highly resistant to mechanical stress and have a dense structure, which makes them expensive. It is not glazed; polishing gives it aesthetic appeal.
5. Stone tiles are an extraordinary and quite expensive solution for the bathroom. Such products are extremely strong and durable. Limestone, granite and marble tiles always remain in fashion.

Selection of tiles for the bathroom

Rules for choosing the configuration and size of products

The material for tiling the bathroom must be selected taking into account the following factors:

• Dimensions of the bathroom - tiles for a small room should be smaller in size than for a more spacious room.

• Proportions of the width and height of the room. Vertical tiles in the bathroom can visually increase the height of the room, and horizontal layouts can visually expand.
• Large, square tiles in a modestly sized bathroom can create a cramped feeling, making the space appear smaller.
• For a small room, you can choose not small, but medium-sized tiles in light colors.
• Mosaic mirror tiles for the bathroom, made in different colors, in any case visually enlarge the room.
• The selection of tiles for a spacious room largely depends on the psychological concept of the interior design, on whether it should invigorate or calm.

Designer approach to choosing tiles

Features of selecting facing material based on external indicators:

• The color of the tiles shapes the mood of the interior. Green and blue shades create a cool feeling, while beige, terracotta and pink are considered more cozy. It is also necessary to take into account the light reflectance of the material.
• For matte and glazed tiles, different maintenance frequencies are preferable. On a matte finish, dirt is less noticeable, and it is easiest to control it on dark-colored glazed tiles. As a criterion, you can take into account the number of people living in the apartment and their neatness.
• Small tiles look extremely cheerful, but they are difficult to keep clean. Its advantage is the reduction of waste during fitting and installation.
• When choosing, designers recommend taking into account both the performance qualities of the materials and the preferences and age of the residents. Children's bathroom tiles can be bright and unusual, while older people are more suited to subdued tones.

Unconventional bathroom tiles

Today, manufacturers offer many tile solutions that can replace various other building materials in bathroom interiors.

Brick imitation tiles

 

Brick-like bathroom tiles combine effectively with glazed plain tiles in contrasting colors. You can create an imitation of old masonry that is fashionable today, showing through the plaster. To do this, the wall surface is plastered with fragmentary inclusions of brick-like tiles. Then the tile is rubbed with putty until it merges with the surface. For finishing, the wall is covered with light-colored paint.

The brutality of brick is effectively emphasized by glass shelves or plumbing fixtures. Tiles with bricks for the bathroom are advantageously complemented by antique-style brass faucets or sinks, forged decorative elements and lamps.

“Boar” tiles for finishing the bathroom

Historically, such tiles are inextricably linked with the Art Nouveau style. Boar tiles for the bathroom are glazed ceramics that have a characteristic oblong shape, reminiscent of a brick. Traditionally, when boar tiles are used, the bathroom is decorated with modern elements. The interior is based on a contrasting combination of light cladding and dark frames, borders, and belts.

Wood effect tiles

Ceramic “wood” is an absolutely universal material for tiling a bathroom from classic to avant-garde styles. To create a new atmosphere in the room, just choose an extraordinary tile texture. The wood pattern is applied to the product using the latest technologies and often reproduces the play of shades of the material and its heterogeneity. Tiles with a craquelure effect, which imitates cracks on the surface, create a historical atmosphere in the house.

[note] Wood-look bathroom floor tiles have one drawback - despite the visual “warmth” of such a floor, the ceramics are cold to the touch. For those who love comfort with such a floor covering, it is recommended to install an electric, water or infrared heated floor. [/note]

An attractive bathroom interior is formed by a harmonious balance of comfort, quality, taste and cost. The price issue plays a major role here, since bathroom renovations are not done every day. However, creating a unique, stylish and vibrant bathtub does not always require significant investment.