How Do I... Select Bathroom Tiles?
Popular tile supplier Hafary narrows it down to these top five considerations
Choosing tiles for your bathroom? It seems to be a pretty straightforward task but when you are faced with different material choices, almost limitless designs and pricing, it can become downright confusing. For starters, not all tiles are created equal and there are several key differences between common tile types like homogeneous, glazed porcelain and natural stone. So which one’s for you and your bathroom? In this expert guide, Hafary business development director Simon Cheong explains tile types, sizes, placement, cost and maintenance.
“The biggest difference is the colour (of the surface of homogeneous tiles) that runs through the entire tile body,” says Cheong. Unlike homogeneous tiles, glazed porcelain tiles are not full body tiles as their design is printed only on the top surface and then coated with a layer of liquid glass. This means cracks and scratches inflicted on the surface will be obvious as compared to homogeneous tiles. Therefore, glazed porcelain tiles are better suited for the walls than flooring, while homogeneous tiles are good for both flooring and walls.
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Tile sizes
“The general rule of thumb is: the smaller the space, the smaller the tiles to be used,” says Cheong. He recommends 30 by 30 centimetres or 30 by 60 centimetres for HDB flat bathrooms. “For small bathrooms, try to keep tile sizes below 30 by 60 centimetres as this will make it easier for contractors to level a slope to the floor drain.”
“The general rule of thumb is: the smaller the space, the smaller the tiles to be used,” says Cheong. He recommends 30 by 30 centimetres or 30 by 60 centimetres for HDB flat bathrooms. “For small bathrooms, try to keep tile sizes below 30 by 60 centimetres as this will make it easier for contractors to level a slope to the floor drain.”
Large floor tiles give a seamless and spacious appearance as there are fewer grout lines. The only thing to consider is it can incur higher wastage because of the tiling procedure.
Tile placement
There’s no question that homogeneous tiles make one of the best flooring tiles due to its resilience and through body colour. How would natural stone tiles fare in this aspect?
There’s no question that homogeneous tiles make one of the best flooring tiles due to its resilience and through body colour. How would natural stone tiles fare in this aspect?
Cheong reveals: “As these materials often feature a polished surface, they would be suitable for the dry zone of the bathroom. For wet areas, these stones can still be used if the homeowners are aware that the surface will be slippery.”
The next best thing would be an anti-slip surface. “A stone that has been treated with a non-polished surface can be used,” says Cheong. “It is also important to apply sealant to the stone as luxury stones are often porous and might stain easily.”
Tile cost
Expect to shell out $2.80 price per square foot (psf) to $14 psf for most ceramic tiles. Marble carries a heftier price tag and can start at $21 and go up to $150 psf. Cheong adds: “Do note that the price range is an estimate and does not represent all the materials in the industry.”
Expect to shell out $2.80 price per square foot (psf) to $14 psf for most ceramic tiles. Marble carries a heftier price tag and can start at $21 and go up to $150 psf. Cheong adds: “Do note that the price range is an estimate and does not represent all the materials in the industry.”
Tile maintenance
The upkeep of ceramic tiles is generally fuss-free. Says Cheong: “Tiles are one of the easiest materials to clean. Using a neutral (meaning non-acidic) detergent would be sufficient for daily cleaning. Do dilute according to the manufacturer’s instructions on the label.”
The upkeep of ceramic tiles is generally fuss-free. Says Cheong: “Tiles are one of the easiest materials to clean. Using a neutral (meaning non-acidic) detergent would be sufficient for daily cleaning. Do dilute according to the manufacturer’s instructions on the label.”
Marble tiles and other natural stone tiles however, require a bit more TLC. Avoid using acidic solutions like vinegar, lemon juice or other cleaners containing acid on marble, including bleach. The acid reacts by eating away at the calcium carbonate in the stone and creates permanent markings that resemble dark spots or rings on the surface. Simply use mild soap and water, and wipe down with a nonabrasive sponge or cloth.
The last thing to keep in mind is buy some extra tiles. Cheong explains: “ We always suggest getting extra tiles – at least five to 10 per cent more – to account for errors in measurements and breakage.” This also comes in handy in case the tiles are discontinued and you need to replace a damaged portion in the future.
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A to Z of Tile Terms
TELL US
How do you select your tiles? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like, share or save this story. Join the conversation.
MORE
A to Z of Tile Terms
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As mentioned, there is homogeneous, glazed porcelain and of course, natural stone which includes granite, marble, travertine and onyx. Homogeneous and glazed porcelain share the most similarities and that’s where the confusion starts. They can be grouped under the same family of ceramic tiles but with very different characteristics.