What Types of Tiling Are the Best for Bathrooms?
Brush up the look and feel of your bathroom with cutting edge designer tile that looks great and functions great, too.
Tiling and bathrooms go together like toast and Vegemite. You can’t think of one without the other. But when it comes to tiling a bathroom, there are more options available than you might realise. And we aren’t just talking about colourways and tiling patterns.
We’re talking about the tiles themselves.
With so many options to choose from, how can you decide where to start or narrow down your new bathroom look? Some of it might just come down to design preferences, but we’re pretty sure that when you’re updating your bathroom, you’ll want it to function right too. And that means understanding what the best tiling for bathrooms is and how to move forward.
If you want to learn more about bathroom tiling, check out our other resources:
Why tile a bathroom?
Let’s start with a more fun question: Why not carpet in a bathroom? If your response was a resounding “yuck,” you’re not alone.
That’s because what makes carpet an awful choice for a bathroom is what makes tile the best choice. Bathrooms are bastions of moisture and germs, none of which you want hanging around for long or clinging to carpet fibres that are hard to clean.
Tiling is the obvious choice because, for the most part, tiles are water-proof or water resistant enough to give you a surface that makes sense for the use of the space. You can also draw them into the shower and bath surrounds themselves to create a decorative look that integrates your flooring into your walls.
Compared to wood and carpet, which absorb rather than repel, tiles are going to be the go-to solution for a bathroom flooring project. And there are more benefits than just being anti-water. Tiles can also be:
- Long lasting
- Durable
- Decorative
- Easy to clean
- Cost effective
How to find the best tile for your bathroom
That said, not all tiles are created equal. They range in everything from material composition to size to style and beyond. So you will have your hands full to start with when selecting a new tile for your bathroom. However, don’t let the process overwhelm you. You can work with a professional tiler who can point you in the right direction based on your design aesthetic and your budget. You can also consider these factors to help narrow things down.
Top Bathroom Tiling Ideas: Check Out Our Inspiration Guide
Material
Perhaps the foremost factor, you’ll want to consider what your tiles are made out of. There are a variety of options including:
- Cement
- Ceramic
- Cork
- Glass
- Granite
- Laminate
- Limestone
- Marble
- Metal
- Porcelain
- Stone
- Slate
- Travertine
- Vinyl
- Wood
And the list goes on…
Ceramic tiles are the most popular bathroom flooring option in Australia because of their water-resistant nature and the variety of different designs and colours that they are available in. Other options, such as glass and porcelain, can be just as versatile but typically come with a higher price tag. Stone and travertine can be great for an easy to clean floor but less idea in damp areas where the porous stone can hold onto moisture, such as shower surrounds. It’s important to consider where and how you are installing your tile to choose the right material for the job.
Colourway
It can be easy to get carried away with different colours and patterns since tiles come in nearly every style imaginable. However, you will want to consider the permanence of your tiles and the fact that once they’re installed, they’re there to stay. With this in mind, you will want to choose a design or style that is more timeless and also more appealing to others, in the event that you decide to list your house for sale.
Size
Another way to play with design is to choose a material type, such as ceramic, and then play around with the different sizes of tile in your space. Keep in mind that the more tiles you have, or the smaller they are, the more grout you’ll have to maintain and keep clean.
Mix and match
Most designers agree that while there are many, many tiles to choose from when it comes to redoing a bathroom, you should limit the assortment you choose to no more than three types. This will help bring a bit of variety to your design without things becoming too visually disparate or hectic.
Grout
Speaking of cleaning grout, you’ll want to consider the colourway and thickness of the grout lines that you want in your space. While grout is necessary from a functional standpoint, there are ways to incorporate it seamlessly into your design so that it does (or doesn’t) stand out depending on your needs.
Budget
Mosaic tiles might look amazing as an accent, but you’ll want to be sure that your budget can handle them. Some tiles, including wood look and decorative accent pieces with reliefs, can raise the cost of your project, and fast. That’s why so many Aussies are using ceramics with accents of glass or porcelain to create stunning designs without breaking their budgets. Overall, the average range for tiling falls between $30 to $120 per m2 or $45 to $100 per hour, and that wide range is the result of different materials costing differently.
Learn more: How Much Does Tiling Cost in Sydney?
The best bathroom tiling is found with NHK Tiling
Tile is one of the essential elements of designing a bathroom. It gives you a solid and practical surface to clean and live with while also bringing style into a space. Choosing the best bathroom tile is all about balance. You’ll want to make sure that you have the functionality you need and the aesthetic you crave with the cost you can afford.
At NHK Tiling, we have over 24 years of experience working with clients on tiling jobs of all shapes and sizes. We don’t just provide tile; we provide an experience. We work with our customers to help them design the spaces they dream of and offer suggestions and solutions that can help achieve these goals.
All of our work is backed with a 100% quality guarantee. We use only the best high-quality products for the best bathroom tiling and make the focus of every job your satisfaction. Plus, all of our employees are licensed and insured to handle any tiling project that comes our way. All you have to do is ask.
To get started with a free quote and consultation, call us on 0402 462 570 today!