Bathroom Renovation: Part 4 - Choosing Tile

Second to the bathroom layout are the tile and colors you choose to decorate it. Whether you paint the walls and just tile the floor, or put tile from floor to ceiling, what you select will set the mood for your bathroom before anything else.

Types of Tile
The possibilities are endless when it comes to choosing what makes up your tile. You can stick to one style or combine several for a look that compliments you perfectly. Examine the following options to see which best fits your budget and design:

• Ceramic Tile – Has a brick type interior and backing with ceramic overlay and is the most common selection because it is versatile and budget friendly
• Homogenous – More universal selection because it’s the same color all around, in matt or polished finish
• Stone – The best options are tumbled stone and terracotta, which need to be sealed due to their soft surfaces
• Granite – Among the most durable selections, it has a higher cost and texture is a must
• Marble – Go with the sanded style for floors
• Glass – Generally done in a mosaic pattern and paired with ceramic for a retro-inspired style with a modern price tag
• Stainless Steel – New to the market, providing sleek, modern look
• Enameled Porcelain – Often has a metallic glaze and is also relatively new to the market

Bathroom Tile Color and Shape
Generally, unless you’re going for an over-the-top new design, you’ll want to stick with tile color in warm tones (earthy colors) to provide a relaxing feel to your bathroom’s atmosphere. Brown, beige and gray are all very popular and relevant color choices. Whatever you select needs to go with everything else in the bathroom – it’s easy to change paint color, curtain fabric or fixtures than it is to change the tile.

If you want to make a statement, consider adding a pop of color with glass mosaic tiles in a border around the room – maybe in blue or green. Just remember to stay close to the same color palette and, as with any room, light colors make small bathrooms look bigger (dark colors are more confining).

While, for the most part, tiles are square, you can also play with tile patterns and mosaics on floors and walls by using octagons, diamonds and rectangular shapes. It all depends on your style and budget.

Bathroom Tile Size
Most importantly in this category, however, is the size of your tile. The most common size selections are 4x4 inches, 8x8 inches and 12x12 inches. Each size has its benefits and drawbacks, depending on the size and layout of your bathroom.

If your bathroom is small, and you go with the 4x4 tiles in a small bathroom, using a grout that doesn’t match the tile color exactly, then the grout lines can be overwhelming to the eye and make the room confining. Medium to large tiles are common in all sized bathrooms. In fact, the majority of bathroom floors have 12x12 tiles, though it’s important to note that you should use 2x2 or smaller mosaic tiles in the shower floor so that they conform to the drain.

Andy of HA Construction notes that the most common trend he’s seeing in tile design today is the use of 16x16 or 20x20 sized tiles, placed in a brick or multi-dimensional slate pattern with thin grout lines.

Remember to take into account space between fixtures such as the tub, shower, toilet and cabinetry/sink. If you want to use 12x12 tiles and your toilet and sink cabinet sit only four inches apart, then big tiles are likely not the best option for providing a symmetrical flow to the room.

Cold Feet = Heated Floors
The final major consideration is the unavoidable fact that tile floors are cold, usually throughout the year. Let’s face it, no one wants to step out of a wonderfully relaxing warm bath onto cold tiles. So, if your budget allows, consider installing heated floors in your bathroom.

Under-tile heating systems come in two styles: mat rolls and cable wiring. The costs for installation vary depending on the style you choose, the size of the bathroom and the layout (i.e. whether it’s difficult to install). If you used a radiator to keep your bathroom floor warm before, heated floors are not only safer, but can save you money in operating costs, too.

The right tile for your bathroom’s functionality and design depends on your style and budget. HA Construction can provide you with several viable options to choose from so that you can find the best fit with optimal visual appeal. Just remember to choose something with texture – water and an overly smooth tile floor don’t mix very well.

Part 1: Layout Design
Part 2: Bathtubs
Part 3: Showers
Part 5: The Toilet and the Sink