The tile you choose for your bathroom will have a significant impact on how your new bath looks, and functions, and impresses anyone who visits. The options are vast and varied, but there are some things to consider before purchasing.
The shape of a tile is another essential factor to take into consideration. For example, square and herringbone patterns are on trend.
Ceramic tiles offer a wide range of styles, colors and shapes to match any bathroom design. They’re tough and durable, and they can resist moisture with ease. They’re a great choice for high-traffic areas, but they can also look stunning in smaller bathrooms as accents to other materials.
A popular choice for walls and floors, ceramic tile can come in glazed or unglazed forms. Glazed ceramic has a smoother finish that offers protection against water and stains. Unglazed tile has a natural, porous surface that’s more susceptible to moisture absorption.
Both types of ceramic are affordable, making them an ideal option for a budget-conscious bathroom remodel. They also stand up well to day-to-day wear and tear, with a PEI Class 5 rating that’s suitable for most homes.
Create a unique design with glazed ceramic subway tile in your bathroom. You can choose from a number of installation patterns, including herringbone and vertical stacking, to make your space feel more tailored and artistic. Alternatively, you can use small ceramic mosaics and trim pieces to create decorative accents on your walls or around the tub. This is a great way to add visual interest to a large bathroom space without adding a lot of extra cost or effort.
Porcelain
Porcelain tile is crafted from a mix of clays and minerals, fired at very high temperatures. That creates a denser tile that resists staining, water, bacteria and odors. It also resists scratching and is extremely durable. Porcelain is more expensive than ceramic but it holds up to heavy traffic and lasts for decades.
You’ll often find porcelain tiles used in kitchens and entryways because they are highly resistant to moisture. They’re a great choice for homes with active children and pets, because they’re durable and easy to clean. Porcelain can be honed, matte or gloss finished and in recent years manufacturers have produced printed porcelain effect tiles that mimic the look of natural materials such as wood or stone with amazing realism.
One way to determine if you have porcelain tile is to see if it’s through-body or glazed. Through-body porcelain has no glaze and the color runs all the way through. Glazed porcelain has a layer of impermeable, baked-on glass-like coating that covers the colors and patterns. It can be polished, matte or slip resistant. The hardness of porcelain makes it more difficult to cut and install, which is why it’s usually best left to professionals. It also can feel cold on the feet, so installing radiant or hydronic heating underneath is recommended.
Travertine
Travertine is a popular choice for those looking to create a sense of luxury in their bathroom. It’s available in a variety of colours from rich taupe browns and rusty reds to soft greys, offering plenty of options for creating your ideal bathroom design.
The stone is derived from mineral deposits at the bottom of natural water beds. It is a type of limestone and is formed by the rapid precipitation of calcium carbonate, known as calcite. Other minerals combine with this resulting in distinctive swirls and movement that give the material its unique character.
Once quarried, travertine can be left in its natural form or it can be polished and filled to become a more smooth, easy-to-clean option for the floor. As a porous material, it must be sealed before being used in a wet room or shower area as untreated travertine is not slip-resistant.
Like all natural materials, travertine will vary in colour and texture from tile to tile. As such, it’s a great option for those who want to add a touch of individuality to their bathroom as no two tiles will be the same. It looks stunning when combined with wood-effect porcelain tiles to create a modern and on-trend finish.
Mosaic
Mosaic tiles are incredibly versatile and can provide an eye-catching focal point for any bathroom. They can be used as a type of tile wallpaper to add pattern and texture to the walls, or they can be utilized as an accent wall. Mosaic tile can also be used to create a border around a tub or shower.
There are a wide range of mosaic tile patterns available, and they come in many different materials. Some options include natural stone, glass, and porcelain. These choices allow you to create a bathroom that reflects your personal style.
You can find pre-set mosaic patterns that are easy to install, or you can get creative and design a custom pattern yourself. The possibilities are endless!
Mosaic tiles are available in a variety of finishes. Glossy finishes reflect light and create a vibrant look, while matte finishes offer a softer aesthetic. Additionally, you can choose from textured and iridescent finishes to add dimension and visual interest to your space.
Metal
Metal tiles are a popular choice to add a sleek finish to any design. They come in a variety of finishes such as high-shine and matte and can be used to create a metallic accent wall or backsplash. They are also often available in a peel-and-stick product which makes redecorating a snap. These tiles are often used to accentuate the chrome fixtures in a bathroom or to add a modern touch to a kitchen.
These tiles can be as textured as you want, with raised patterns or hammered textures. They are also usually cast from a bisque ceramic tile and covered with bronze, brass, copper, or stainless steel to provide an eye-catching design element. Unlike other types of metal backsplash, these are rarely used to cover an entire wall and can be installed as a decorative border or in combination with stone or porcelain.
Orientbell offers a wide range of different metallic tiles to suit any style from industrial to rustic. Many of them are rust-resistant and designed to be safe for use in wet areas such as showers. They are a great way to add a bold finish and are especially good when paired with light limestone or terra-cotta tiles.
Resin
Resin is a material that has many properties, including being environment-friendly, safe, and hygienic. It is also very easy to clean because it doesn’t absorb stains. It is resistant to trampling, stresses, and scratching, making it perfect for heavily trafficked areas. Resin flooring is available in a wide range of colors to perfectly match your bathroom furniture and accessories.
Designed for a contemporary public in search of creative solutions, resin-effect tiles offer the freedom to combine furnishings without fear of creating unpleasant color contrasts. Whether in the form of spatula-effect porcelain stoneware or double-fired solid-color surfaces with brushed, clouded, and a mix of light and dark shades, they are ideal for all types of decoration.
Our collections of ceramic resin tiles are perfect for achieving the look of resin with all the technical qualities that porcelain has to offer. In addition to their resistance, these tiles are waterproof and hygienic and do not require varnish. They can be used on walls as well as floors to create a seamless aesthetic continuity throughout your space. They are also compatible with underfloor heating systems and can be used with any type of decoration. Choose a grout color that suits your decor to complete the effect.
Terracotta
Terracotta tiles add a touch of earthiness to any home. They work well in a variety of design styles from traditional to rustic and modern. They can be glazed or unglazed and are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. Unglazed terracotta has more of a natural look and requires regular maintenance and sealing.
Handmade terracotta, also known as cotto, is an art form that dates back centuries in Mexico and southern Europe. This process produces pieces with varying color and pattern variations, giving them a one-of-a-kind look that accentuates their earthen appeal. However, it can be a more expensive choice for homeowners since the process is time-consuming.
The cle zellige collection is handmade according to centuries-old tradition in morocco. This glazed terracotta tile is offered in deep plums, blues, greens and pinks, along with neutral colors such as browns and grays. This bathroom tile is available in a variety of shapes, including round and rectangular.
The fornace brioni + cristina celestino and fornace brioni + giovanni collections are made from high-quality clay, fired at very high temperatures to ensure durability and strength. These terracotta floor tiles are available in two classic shades: dark charcoal (cotto grigio) and familiar red terracotta (cotto rosato). This cladding brings together traditional craftsmanship with modern Italian design to bring new life to this timeless material.