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Bathroom Tiles: Ceramic, Glass, Mosaic And Slate

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Published: April 11, 2007

When faced with the challenge of designing or redesigning a bathroom, tile matters. Bathroom tile not only sets the tone for the style scheme of the bathroom, but it is also highly functional. The type of tile selected determines how comfortable the bathroom will be. Considerations that go into selecting bathroom tiles include the ease of cleaning, water resistance, and safety. Ultimately, it's a person's personal preferences for style and comfort that determine the tiles that are right for their bathroom.

Ceramic bathroom tiles are the most popular bathroom tile selected by homeowners. Often referred to as a classic, ceramic tiles are made of clay, shale, or porcelain. Porcelain's high gloss and shine makes porcelain ceramic tiles the type that are used most often. New processes give porcelain the ability to resemble natural stones like marble and granite. For safety, regardless of what type of ceramic bathroom tile is chosen, it is important to select an unglazed or slip-resistant ceramic bathroom tile.

If achieving a rugged, natural look for the bathroom is the desired effect then slate bathroom tiles are the tiles for the job. Slate tiles are specialty stones known for their durability and strength, which makes slate tiles suitable for high-traffic areas. Slate is easy to clean, but can easily scuff, so this should be taken into consideration. Slate does get cold, so it is not the bathroom tile to choose if cold feet are a bother. Slate can also be slippery, but when sealed with a waterproofing agent slate is good for bathrooms. For an even greater style effect, slate tiles are also available with designs already etched into the stone.

The most decorative tiles are mosaic bathroom tiles. Mosaic tiles are made from a combination of tile, stone, porcelain, and colored glass. Mosaic tiles are small and expensive. The small sections are often pieced together to make dramatic designs and unique floor patterns. Though the installation can prove more difficult, glass bathroom tiles are often used to create mosaic designs. Glass tiles are not only used for bathroom floors, but they are also used to create wall borders out of mosaic designs. Glass tiles reflect light and highlight the tiles creating a dramatic effect that other bathroom tiles can not achieve.

When the time comes to purchase the chosen bathroom tiles, there are specialty tile stores that carry hundreds of different bathroom tiles and designs. Academy Tiles, Metric Tile and Tilecraft are just a few tile retailers. It is also possible to purchase bathroom tiles at large home improvement stores such as Home Depot.

There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing bathroom tiles. While design is often a key factor, comfort is also an important aspect for many. By choosing the correct bathroom tiles for one's needs, it may be possible to create solace and elegance all within the confines of one of the smallest yet most important rooms in the house.


Sources:
Buster, David. "Bathroom Tile Design - Material Types for Bathroom Tile Designs." EzineArticles. 6 Feb. 2006. 9 April 2007. http://ezinearticles.com/?Bathroom-Tile-Design---M aterial-Types-for-Bathroom-Tile-Designs&id=140 />"Slate Tile Floors." Floorbiz.com. 2007. Floorbiz, Inc. 9 April 2007. http://www.floorbiz.com/tile/slate-tile-floors.htm .
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