Ceramic Tile bathroom counter tops are a great choice to be considered for your next bathroom renovation. Visit most warm climates and ceramic tile bathroom counter tops will be the surface of choice. They repel water, are durable and are extremely easy to clean.
Using ceramic tile in your bathroom remodel can go a long way as they can be used in the shower, as a counter top back splash and even as a great wall tile feature. If you are in the market for a new bathroom floor, ceramic tile is also an excellent cost effective solution.
The Cost of Ceramic Tile Countertops
Ceramic tile bathroom counter tops are well loved for their versatility. Ceramic tiles are made to suite many shapes, sizes, styles and thicknesses. You can expect to pay anywhere between $.99 a sq foot to $45.00 a sq foot for designer ceramic tiles. Of course you do get what you pay for and a bathroom floor deserves more attention to quality than cheap!
Ceramic Tile Bathroom Countertops Construction
Ceramic tiles are a porous material and require a sealant or glaze to protect them from staining and wear. However when glazing a ceramic tile you can affect the original color of that tile. To prevent that from happening you can opt for using a natural glaze application. This application still allows the tile to cure and create a seal but allows the tile to retain its original hue.
Ceramic tile provides designers and home owners with endless amounts of options. They come in virtually any size, shape, color and style and starting to replicate other materials and textures. Additionally there are a million different ways to install them as well!
Durability of Ceramic Tile Countertops
When considering the durability of the tile you choose for your bathroom counter top, it is important to note that ceramic tiles are all ranked using a Roman numeral grading system from I to V.
If you decide to use ceramic tile for your bathroom counter top make sure that the tile you choose is graded with at least a grade III strength rating. This ceramic tile can outlast many other countertop products so long as it is installed properly and maintained regularly. Since this counter top will be used in conjunction with water on a regular basis, it is important to take good care of it and install it correctly. It is not worth investing in a bathroom renovation with anything less than that. There are some excellent discount tile supply stores online today but make sure your are getting the right product and insist on seeing a strength rating.
Scratch resistance – Glazed ceramic tiles are extremely scratch resistant so long as they are above a level III grade strength.
Strength – Again ceramic tiles are graded by strengths. While some can be weak, most are very strong however very heavy objects can eventually create enough pressure and may crack tiles over longer periods of time. You could also expect breakage if heavy objects are droped onto their surface.
While it is possible to fix broken ceramic tiles the process is time consuming and you do run the risk of damaging other tiles around the broken one. Also sometimes it is very difficult to find a matching tile. When tiling your countertop make sure you purchase replacement tiles to ensure a correct match.
Fire resistance – Glazed ceramic tiles are an excellent choice for fire resistance and they do not emit toxic fumes.
Water resistance – Glazed ceramic tiles are moisture resistant with an absorption rate of 3% to 7%. If water is left pooling on a ceramic surface for a prolonged period of time, damage can be expected.
Maintenance – It is recommended to quickly clean up any spills that could lead to staining. Remember that grout is also porous and requires cleaning from time to time as well.
Construction & Installation of Ceramic Tile Countertops
Ceramic tile counter tops are definitely more challenging than flooring however they can still be a great DIY project so long as you follow a few rules:
- Research and Credibility. Use the Internet today to do more research on counter top installation techniques but of course do not limit your research to one site! There are many sites out there that are not providing correct information. We are actually looking to collect some of this for our visitors in the near future! Don’t be afraid of getting down to your local building center of course and pick the brains of the staff members there as many are retired carpenters!
- The importance of Grout. When choosing a tile color for your bathroom, make sure you consider the grout color you will be using as well. You can choose a grout color which will match the color of the tile or you can choose a grout that will contrast with the tile for something more striking. Also the space you choose between your tiles is also an important aspect to consider. Widening the gap can also make an impact on how your floor looks.
- Hand-made tiles. They are unique as each tile is slightly different than the next. This might appeal to you if looking for something more organic and natural but it will not be a good choice for someone looking to create a clean, contemporary bathroom counter top!
Environmental & Health Impact of Ceramic Tile Countertops
A ceramic tile bathroom counter top is extremely easy to clean and does not attract dust and dirt making it an excellent bathroom counter top option.
Ceramic tile counter tops can also be considered to be a green counter top. Created from natural ingredients they are not harmful to landfills and post consumer recycled glass is a great option if you are so inclined. That being said they do require a lot of energy to create in order to fire the tiles properly.
thesexybathroom opinion
Uniquely sexy! These durable and versatile tiles provide endless amounts of design opportunities for your bathroom remodel. From color, size, texture and design you can truly have unlimited potential to create a masterpiece!
