Choosing Bathroom Floor Tiles

Selecting the tiles for your bathroom floor is a big deal. You may have already chosen your new bathroom suite and wall tiles but what to do about the floor? You may prefer to lay a vinyl or laminate floor but many people opt for tiles. Before you buy the tiles and start laying them, be sure you've made a choice that will not only look good but withstand the onslaught of your bath-hating dog, the children’s tidal waves and the daily, steamy showers.

As floor tiles can last for many years it is important to select a style and colour that you will continue to enjoy well into the future. Tiles are made from ceramic, porcelain or stone; with a number of different options available within each category. All are suitable for use on bathroom floors so it is just a matter choosing whichever is available in a design that you love.

Ceramic
It is best to choose the glazed version of ceramic tiles for a bathroom floor as this makes the tiles resistant to water and scratches, protects them from stains and provides traction. The glaze is a layer of glass that protects the tile biscuit and makes it more slip resistant. The glaze is added by firing in a kiln at temperatures greater than 1000 degrees Celsius. Glaze is available in glossy, matt, and textured finishes.

Ceramic tiles are also very easy to keep spotless as dirt and other substances rest on the surface so can simply be mopped or wiped clean. Easybathrooms have an excellent range of ceramic floor tiles in various shapes, colours and finishes, so the style options are numerous.

Porcelain
Porcelain tiles are very similar to ceramic tiles but are made with denser clays, fired for longer and are therefore less porous. They are more durable but are harder to cut and more expensive than ceramic tiles. Being strong and nonporous, porcelain tiles are usually unglazed and can have a polished, natural, or textured finish; but are also available with a glaze which can have a gloss, matt, or textured veneer. They are available in a variety of shapes, colours and sizes, and some such as the Polished Ebony Floor Tile have the appearance of wooden floor boards but are more practical, durable and easy to clean.

Stone
The natural stone family consists of slate, granite, travertine and marble and are popular choices for floor tiles. However, with the exception of granite, these are all porous and can easily be marked and scratched. To stop this from happening, you should clean and seal the tiles before grouting and then again once the grouting has been completed and cleaned. The sealant will need to be reapplied every year or so. Natural stone flooring requires greater care and maintenance than ceramic or porcelain tiles and is also one of the more expensive types of flooring.

Many tiles are suitable to use on both walls and floors and many people choose to use the same tile for both, thus giving a uniform, sleek look.

If you are not sure which type of floor tiling you would like, why not download a copy of our new tile brochure which is packed with a huge collection of tiles plus inspirational bathroom design ideas to help you to imagine your completed bathroom.