What types of tiles are appropriate for use in a bathroom?

Ceramic, slate, marble or granite tiles are available. These tiles come in just about any color, grade, and size you’re looking for. Generally, 4 ¼-inch tiles are used for walls, and on floors, there are one-inch tiles (mosaic tiles) that can be mixed to make a pattern, border, picture, or anything you’re looking for. Larger tiles, such as 8 x 8s, 10 x 10s, and 12 x 12s, are popular these days.

There are even tiles that look like marble, slate, limestone, and granite that cost half as much or less than the real thing, giving your home-improvement project a rich look without breaking your budget.

No matter what look you go for, here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing your tile:

 

·        Tiles with glazed finishes get slippery easily. They pose a slip hazard on floors, so it’s best to use glazed tiles on walls, not floors.

·        When ordering your tile, ask for tiles of the same lot number and shade number to make sure your flooring was made in the same batch, to give it a more consistent look.

·        In general, use smaller tiles (less than 8 inches square) on walls, and larger tiles on floors.

·        Try to tie the tile color and look in with the rest of your décor. You don’t want large, patterned tiles on the floor in a very small bathroom or it will overpower the room. Conversely, small, mosaic tiles might look strange in a large kitchen. Consider scale when choosing tiles.

Tile often comes in different grades or ratings, telling you how durable it is for certain types of wear. Make sure to ask about durability, and match it to the area you want to use it in. High-traffic areas require higher quality tiles.

 

Some people have made the mistake of using wall tiles on a floor. Though they look similar, and you might be able to save money by buying in bulk to do the walls and floors at once, it’s not a good idea. Floor tiles are thicker and textured, so they’re safer to walk on.