For a modern person with a great psychophysical load, the bathroom is of paramount importance. It can relax and relieve stress. But not only a warm bath has a relaxing effect on the body. It affects the mood and interior: its colors, texture, compatibility with plumbing and furniture. An important aspect is the durability of the finish.
Based on the above requirements, it can be stated that there is no real alternative to ceramics. Therefore, her choice should be taken responsibly. But the problem is that you rarely have to choose, only during repairs. Therefore, you have to start almost from scratch, without having enough information about what kind of tile is, what is in trend/fashion now, what colors have a calming effect on the subconscious, how the size of the tile affects the perception of space, etc.
Criteria of choice
Choosing tiles for your bathroom is not as easy as it seems. There are many nuances that determine the harmony of the interior, its impact on the human psyche, durability, in the end.
Among the main parameters that you should pay attention to when buying ceramics are the type and purpose of the tile, the coefficient of friction, resistance to household chemicals, etc.
Material type
The choice of material is a key moment in the design of the bathroom interior. After all, its durability depends on the consumer and operational characteristics of the finish. In order not to carry out regular repairs, you need to pay attention to the following characteristics:
- Resistance to mechanical stress – the legs of the poured bath have a strong static load
- Ability to withstand temperature differences
- Resistance to cleaning agents
- Anti-slip properties
- Water absorption level
- Affordable price
To the greatest extent, these characteristics correspond to ceramics. Today you can buy several of its varieties:
- Tile – the most popular type of finish. Durable, resistant to water, with excellent aesthetic qualities in color, print, texture. A big plus is the affordable price of the bulk of the products;
- Porcelain stoneware is a special type of ceramic, with increased strength, almost 100% water resistance and high wear resistance. It is produced according to technologies that are somewhat different from tiles, as a result of which the choice is the widest in color, texture, performance. Porcelain stoneware imitating natural stone and wood is becoming more and more fashionable among consumers. There is only one drawback – the price;
- Clinker – tiles under the brick. Rarely seen in the bathroom.
Purpose of the tile
It has been noticed that many buyers do not see the difference where to stick the tiles: on the wall or on the floor. However, it is. Facing tiles are thinner and less durable. Therefore, its use as a floor covering is excluded. But you can use floor tiles on the walls – the manufacturer allows replacement.
Porcelain tile is equally good for walls and floors. But he’s heavy. The main wall will withstand, the partition of one layer of drywall will not. The solution to the problem is to mount another layer of drywall on top of the gypsum plasterboard. This point must be taken into account when deciding which tile to choose.
To figure out where which tile is, marking helps. Pictogram in the form of a palm – wall cladding, feet – for the floor.
Tile floor risk
- It is well known that wet ceramics are very slippery. Especially polished porcelain stoneware and glossy tiles. Mats don’t always help either.
- The bathroom is a wet room. The risk of falling increases exponentially. Therefore, for the floor, it is desirable to purchase tiles with a coefficient of friction of at least 0.75. This value of the indicator ensures that the surface of the tile is not slippery.
- If you do not pay attention to the coefficient of friction, then satin and polished porcelain stoneware, matte tiles and any material with a textured (embossed) surface will do.
Design
A variety of patterns and textures allow you to realize the most fantastic ideas in interior design. All variants of bathroom feature wall tiles ideas are possible:
- Patchwork – creates the illusion of a patchwork quilt. Manufactured in a square shape with an individual pattern. You can get rid of the variegation of the room as follows: veneer one wall or floor. Finish the rest of the surface with monochrome ceramics
- Under the stone – imitation of marble, granite, onyx give the room respectability and impressiveness. Such a bath looks rich, reflecting the good taste of the owners
- Under the tree-Modern technologies allow not only tiles, but also porcelain stoneware to be produced under a tree. At the same time, not only color with a pattern is imitated, but also texture. Why the tile is slightly corrugated, not slippery. Ceramics can be selected with a pattern of longitudinal and transverse cut. Laying such tiles on a “warm floor” gives a striking effect: visual perception is reinforced by tactile – the tile is warm
- 3d tiles- Another way to turn the bathroom into an unusually beautiful, fantastic space. After all, waves, various geometric patterns, abstractions and much more are perceived as real. The effect is enhanced by combining 3d tiles with matte ceramics
Finally, the difference in quality between price segments is almost imperceptible. Therefore, the choice can be made to your taste.
