Things To Know When Buying Bathroom Tiles

Tiles are one of the best flooring materials you can use these days. Some of the main advantages of tiled floors are durability and easy cleaning, especially for high traffic areas. Tiles are also appropriate for areas with excess moisture like bathrooms and kitchen. You can find tiles in a variety of styles, colour and texture. There are some things you should know when thinking of buying tiles. These include the following:

Tile size

Floor tiles come in a variety of sizes. You can also buy them in different shapes depending on your unique taste. Some of the standard shapes available include square, rectangular, octagonal, and hexagonal shapes. People often get it wrong when picking the right tile size for their bathroom. Choosing the wrong tile size usually leads to wastage of time and money trying to rectify the fault. Different manufacturers employ the use of various units of measurements. Ensure that you buy the right tile sizes for your bathroom. Experts recommend using small tiles for small bathrooms and big tiles for larger bathrooms, it makes fitting easy and prevents wastage, especially when the tiles become too overwhelming for your small bathroom.

Tile hardness ratings

Tiles come in different hardness ratings. The rating on them helps you determine the most suitable area for their installation. For example, tiles with high hardness ratings and resistant to abrasion are ideal for areas like entryways and corridors. Bathrooms require tiles that are moisture proof and made from non-slip material.  

Porosity

Tiles have porosity ratings. Porosity rating is usually a ratio that indicates the tile's ability to absorb water. Tiles with high porosity ratings can absorb water making them ideal for wet areas. However, never use tiles with high porosity rating in areas where outdoor temperatures are low enough to freeze water. When water turns to ice, it expands; therefore, if there is any water trapped in the tiles, it can freeze, expand and severely damage the tiles.

Tile Material

Tiles can be made from several materials ranging from ceramic, glass, porcelain or even natural stone. Natural stone also comes in different kinds like marble, travertine, sandstone and granite. Each material has its unique set of strengths. For example, porcelain tiles are resistant to water damage and are great for moist areas. Natural stone tiles have unique and beautiful looking patterns. Natural stone tiles are extremely hard and can last for hundreds of years. Ceramic tiles are the most popular thanks to their high resistance to water damage.