Which Type of Tiles Should be Used in the Bathroom and Kitchen?

The ceramic tiles are the most attractive and popular finishing material for the bathroom and kitchen. These tiles are the undisputed industry leader, characterized by an unlimited assortment -  which can satisfy the most demanding tastes. The tiles are practical – they are versatile, waterproof, easy to maintain and durable – will last for a long time as they are hardwearing; easy to clean – they are preference for people suffering from allergies and asthma.

There are a variety of styles, colour scales, technical parameters - you can easily get lost in all this diversity, and find yourself in a very difficult situation: how to choose a tile in the bathroom, and what is better to buy for the kitchen?

Kitchen tiles

In the kitchen you need to use kitchen floor tiles designed for heavy traffic, because it is usually the busiest place in the house, where you cook and eat, and generally spend a lot of time with the family. For this reason, when choosing a ceramic tile, pay attention and make sure that they are abrasion resistant (known as a PEI Rating with the score from 0 to 5).

The higher the rating is, the more resistant the tile’s surface is. Grade 3-5 would be suitable for the kitchen floor as it is a sturdy and durable floor tile that withstands significant loads.

In addition to ceramic floor tiles, you can also choose a tile made of natural stone and even porcelain tiles, if its class indicates that it is suitable for this.

For the kitchen walls you need to pay attention to the presence of a special coating that protects the surface of the tile from the aggressive household chemicals used in cleaning from splashing oils and food, as well as to thermal effects.

Bathroom tiles

For the bathroom, it is important to choose a floor tile that meets two conditions:

It's not slippery! The bathroom is very humid and you can splash water on the floor which is a potential slip-hazard. So, for your safety it is important to install the floor tiles with anti-slip rating (known as an R-Rating) on their bathroom floor. The rating value is between 9 and 13, and the higher score reflects better slip resistance. 

It has a low-absorbing. Different varieties of ceramic tiles have different porosity of the material, and so they will have different intensity of moisture absorption.

What else do you need to know?

Wall tiles must only be used on walls as they are not intended to be load bearing, they are lighter and thinner and not resistant to abrasion from foot traffic. However, floor tiles can be used for both floors and walls.

The size of tile is as important as the design and finish because it will also have a significant effect on the appearance of your complete work. The current trend is to use the larger tiles as they will create a more streamlined look and make the smaller area look bigger. However, you need to consider how many tiles would need to be cut in you have a small area; also, the larger tiles will require more adhesive installation if your walls are not smooth.

Bag a Builder hosts an array of highly qualified and highly experienced bathroom fitters. We ensure that every professional that we list on our company has been trained to the highest degree, possesses all the necessary tools and licenses, and is backed by a track record of solid reviews and successful projects.