Ceramic Tiles for your Bathroom Floors
Another commonly used product in bathroom flooring is of course ceramic tiles. Primarily made from clay and various other natural minerals and materials, these tiles get their strength once exposed to extreme heat. From a bathroom design perspective, this product is a great fit.
Cost
You can spend a little, or a lot! These tiles are available in many sizes, shapes, thicknesses, colors, textures, and strengths all at various prices. You can buy ceramic tiles anywhere from $1 - $10 or more however variety makes ceramic tile quite cost effective.
Color/Design
The options are truly endless with respect to color, texture and style. The hardest part is deciding which one best fits with your space!
Ceramic tiles are a porous material thereby requiring a sealant or in other words a glaze. A natural glaze application would allow for the tile to gain a hard surface but would also leave the tile in its natural hue. In order for a tile to have a particular color, pigments are added to a glaze and once fired, become an intentionally colorful tile.
** It is important to note that variety is fantastic however it may be difficult to find the same style of tile in the future. Be sure to buy extra tiles to have for replacement as they will break and chipotherwise you may have a very difficult hunt on your hands if damage occurs.
Durability
The durability of Ceramic tiles are ranked using a grade system. The lowest grade of strength being I and the greatest level of strength would be V.
With respect to durability, a grade III or higher glazed ceramic tile is an excellent solution for flooring in any bathroom for many reasons: it is very strong and can outlast almost any flooring product on the market today if installed properly and well maintained.
Scratch resistance - Glazed ceramic tiles rank highly among similar materials for scratch resistance. Like all flooring, try and avoid dragging any heavy objects and when using free standing hanging racks and such, be sure to use protective pads between the feet and tile.
Strength - Although the strength of glazed ceramic tiles are ranked in grades and can be very strong with respect to wear and scratching, these floors can be more susceptible to damage than vinyl and linoleum. Very heavy objects could eventually create enough pressure over time to crack tiles and should something heavy fall onto the floor, breakage could also occur. It is possible to fix broken tiles, however this process can also damage surrounding tiles.
Fire resistance - Glazed ceramic tiles are fire resistant and will not burn or emit toxic fumes.
Water resistance - Glazed ceramic tiles are moisture resistant with an absorption rate of 3% to 7% which is good for bathroom use. Do not let water pool on a ceramic surfaces for a prolonged period of time, damage can be occur .
Construction/Installation
Unlike sheet vinyl or linoleum flooring, the installation process for ceramic floor tiles is much simpler. It is not necessary to have this material professionally installed, in fact with the proper knowledge it can easily be done by yourself !
There is no better way to learn anything than trying to do something on your own, but no one wants to end up with a mess at the end!! There are a couple of things to consider when installing your own bathroom floor.
- 1. Choosing a color or style of tile is an important consideration, but so is your grout! Be sure to get the right grout and dont forget to choose the right color of grout as well. Be aware of the final look you are trying to achieve and realize that the choice of grout color could dramatically change the overall appearance of your floor for better and for worse! Space between your tiles is also something very important to consider. Greater effect and style can be created in something as simple as spacing.
- 2. Another tile to consider installing is handmade tile. One very important thing to note about using and installing these tiles is that each tile is generally different. This tile can add rustic beauty to your space but beware of inconsistencies your end result may not resemble your intention!
Environment/Health
Ceramic tiles are an excellent choice for bathroom floors in that they are very easy to clean. These tiles are non-conductive and therefore do not attract dust and dirt.
From a green perspective ceramic tiles are ideal. Created from natural ingredients they are not harmful to landfills.
Ohh yeah! Ceramic is the easiest way to get sexy in your bathroom. Do your shopping and you can find some gorgeous tiles that don't have to cost a small fortune. Remember that layout and grout can also help to create a sexier look for your space. You're options for layout are limitless, play with different sizes, shapes and colors and watch your floor transform from dull to delicious!
The Oops factor
With their ease of cleaning and relatively low maintenace, ceramic tiles are a great option if you have a busy bathroom. Be sure to clean spills and try and not let water pool to long to prevent long term damage. Buy extra tiles as well as they do tend to chip. Overall, ceramic tiles are a great choice in your bathroom!
