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Choosing the perfect tile for your bathroom kitchen or laundry

Choosing the perfect tile for your bathroom kitchen or laundry renovation needs some careful consideration.  With so many varieties of tiles available, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the choices on offer.  Choosing from ceramic, slate, glass, plain, patterned, large or small, smooth or textured making the options seemingly endless!  So to help you through this process, the Divine team have put together some tips to make finding the perfect tiles for your next renovation easier.

Determine where the tile will be going  before you select a tile it’s important that you know where it is going to be applied. In Bathroom, Kitchen and Laundries the most common types of tiles used are stone, ceramic, porcelain and glass.  All of these materials come in a variety of shapes and colours.   Deciding exactly where the tile will be placed will help you narrow down size and material.  Are you using the tile for floors, walls, counters, or a backsplash?

Do you have a small room?  Light coloured tiles can make a small room look bigger as they reflect the light more than darker colours.  Using the same coloured wall tiles as the floor tiles can also give your room a spacious effect.

Decipher the difference between tiles  the word ‘tiles’ refers to a resilient material that can be laid in rows over a surface.  Stone, ceramic and porcelain tiles can be used for counters and floors, while glass tiles are commonly reserved for walls and backsplashes.   Since both tiles offer an endless array of styles, sizes, colours and textures, the difference between tiles is less about aesthetics and more about functionality.

Ceramic Tiles provide a solid grip in an otherwise slippery shower.  Ceramic tiles are easy to clean and install, and are a great value for price.  Ceramic tiles are good in bathrooms or other moisture-rich environments.  Ceramic tiles have the following characteristics:

–          Stain resistant

–          Scratch resistant

–          Fire resistant

–          Won’t fade from sunlight

–          Slip resistant

–          Easy to clean

–          Universal, can be used on floor or walls

Porcelain tiles are a popular choice for bathroom floors due to their non-slip and strength qualities.  Porcelain is denser, more porous, and harder option that offers greater stain and water resistance than ceramic tiles.  The main beneficial characteristics of porcelain tiles are:

–          The body is less porous, which makes it perfect for bathrooms and kitchens where water is a consideration.

–          Being denser than a ceramic tile, porcelain tiles can tolerate higher loads.

Natural stone tiles like granite, slate, or marble are luxurious and distinctive.  No two stone tiles will be exactly alike, adding texture and interest to your renovation.   Due to the popularity of this look, tile manufacturers now are producing ceramic/porcelain tiles with designs that look just like natural stone, as stone tiles need to be sealed periodically to preserve their natural look and beauty.

Determine your budget – whilst it is tempting to choose the best tiles available on the market, your budget does need to be considered.  Jawcon can help you to estimate the amount of tiles that will be required for your bathroom kitchen or laundry renovation.

Consider your lifestyle  tiles are resilient, but they still require up-keep, and the longevity of each type of tile is different.  It’s important to choose a floor tile that can stand up to the daily wear and tear of your household.  With this in mind, also make sure you select a tile that is specifically formulated for floor use.  If you use a wall tile as a floor tile, they can become too slippery for walking.  Floor tiles generally have raised patterns or textures to allow for a safer surface to walk on.  You’ll definitely want to consider this when choosing a tile for your bathroom floor, as a raised pattern or texture will prevent you from slipping over when the tiles are wet.

Don’t be afraid to ask Jawcon for advice.  We are fully trained to answer all your queries, and bring to your attention things you may not have otherwise considered.

There is a large variety of tile styles available to fit your budget and taste.  Consider these above listed tips when choosing tiles for your bathroom, kitchen or laundry renovation.