Tile is the most common floor material in bathrooms across Australia, and that’s for a good reason.
They come in every price range, have a vast variety of design and material options, and fit nearly any bathroom theme.
However, all this flexibility makes it difficult to figure out what tile will suit your bathroom renovation project best.
If you make the wrong choice, you can end up with a bathroom that feels disconnected and haphazardly thrown together. You might even face functionality issues.
So, we’ve put together this buyer’s guide to walk you through your main options and explain the differences a bit. Let’s get started.
Mosaic Tiles
Mosaic tile comes in various material options such as marble, porcelain, and even glass, but it’s separated into small pieces instead of large squares.
They are usually more common in traditional or classic bathroom designs.
This allows you to create ornate floor designs, fit the tile snugly against features by simply trimming the webbing holding the pieces together, and adding an artistic touch to your flooring.
There are options in most price ranges, but we recommend not going too cheap. Mosaic tiles can be more time-consuming to install, and cheaper options only compound this issue.
Porcelain Tiles
Porcelain tile is probably the most popular. It’s extremely durable, doesn’t get too slippery when it’s wet, and it’s easy to clean. You can also find it in a modest variety of colour choices.
However, porcelain tile is susceptible to cracking when heavy objects are dropped on it. So, keep that in mind if you’re particularly clumsy or have young children.
While porcelain is a slightly more expensive option upfront, it is more likely to stay in pristine condition for decades with little maintenance.
So apart from it being prone to cracking, it is a cost-effective long-term investment.
Marble Tiles
Marble is even more durable than porcelain, and it’s available in several natural colours that add a sense of elegance and luxury, yet earthy style to almost any bathroom design.
You can expect marble to last for decades without losing its appeal or looking dated, and its versatility means that it can fit into everything from an upscale hotel bathroom to a small modern home.
However, this comes at a price. This is one of the most expensive options you can get. Luckily, the long-term durability means it will pay for itself in the long run.
Slate Tiles
Slate has many of the same characteristics as marble. It’s virtually scratch and chip-proof, and it comes in a variety of natural colours.
However, slate is far more unique. No two slate tiles look exactly the same, and this allows you to use a bit of creativity to create a unique bathroom aesthetic with ease, perfect for designer bathrooms.
Slate will fit into most design schemes, and it has a lot going for it, but it’s also highly expensive. The long-term benefits are worth it, but consider another option if you’re on a low budget.
Vinyl Tiles
Vinyl tiles are the perfect budget tile. They’re not too slippery when wet, they come in practically any colour or pattern you can think of, and they’re cost-effective.
However, vinyl is vulnerable to scratches, and it tends to peel up as it ages.
This means it requires more maintenance and care than your more expensive options, and it will likely need to be replaced in the long term.
Plus Many More
There are many other types of bathroom tiles. Various natural stone tiles, synthetic options similar to vinyl, and a multitude of different options such as pebbles.
If you’d like some guidance with piecing together your bathroom renovation, call our expert renovators today.
