Essential Tips For Choosing New Bathroom Tile

When renovating a bathroom, many homeowners remove their old tile and replace it with brand new tile.

Because tile often experiences problems over time, (from water damage due to leaks and other plumbing issues, to peeling, cracking, and discoloration from age) choosing the perfect bathroom tile is among the first steps taken in a bathroom remodel plan.

Tips for choosing new bathroom tile during your bathroom remodel:

Choose the Tile Materials First

There is a lot to think about with bathroom tile, from materials and design, to how much you are willing to spend.

It is a good idea to start with the actual material, since this affects all other factors. There are high-end and low-end tile materials, and everything in between. Each of them varies in benefits and drawbacks.

There are a lot of ways to think about the best flooring options. Here are some popular types of bathroom tile materials to consider:

• Natural stone – With natural stone tiles, you will be paying a little more for high-end tile, but you benefit from longevity and natural materials. Natural stone tiles include marble, granite, and travertine. A major benefit to stone is that it comes in a variety of textures, such as sandblasted, tumbled, and etched. You will also find many color options.

• Mosaic – Mosaic tile is great for walls and inside showers, but is not ideal for the floor of your bathroom. However, if you do choose mosaic tile, you will get to choose from many different shapes, patterns, and colors. Mosaic can add a unique, high-end look to your bathroom.

• Ceramic and porcelain – These are good materials when you have a moderate amount of money to spend. They are often more affordable than high-end stone like marble, but not quite as cheap as plastic tiles. They are good as long-lasting tile that can handle water and many other elements. It is also relatively easy to install on your own, so you save in labor and installation costs.

• Laminate – Laminate tile is a type of plastic, but it can be fabricated to look like other materials. Wood tile is not recommended in bathrooms due to water damage, but laminate can be made to look like wood. This is an affordable and low-maintenance bathroom tile option.

Think About the Cost and Installation Factors

After you have begun looking at the bathroom tile materials and how each looks, you can further narrow down your results based on cost and installation. When choosing new tile for your bathroom, consider the following factors:

• Materials cost – Start with the actual cost of the materials (how much the tile is going to cost you per square foot).

• Tools and equipment – Depending on the type of tile you choose, you might need specific tools and equipment, from cutting tile to fit in your bathroom, to using adhesive for sticking the tile to the floor or using mortar in between certain tile.

• Labor – Some tile, like natural stone, is more difficult to install on your own. With marble and granite, you probably want help from a professional, which adds labor and installation costs to the project.

With these tips, you should be on your way to choosing the perfect tile for your bathroom remodel. Starting with a budget for the tile and installation is a good way to start considering what tile is a good fit for you.

If you have any questions regarding products, design, and/or budget, contact a Bell Remodel Designer for guidance on your project. You may also visit our showroom to view our product offerings and bathroom fixtures, to help visualize how your new space will feel.

The Author:

Bell Plumbing & Heating has been providing customers with plumbing and heating services since 1926, but that?s not all we do today. We also offer kitchen and bathroom remodeling services (we?ve been remodeling kitchens and bathrooms for over 50 years now), drain and sewer line services, and electrical repairs and installations. 

Visit us online at https://strikingremodels.com/