Tiling your Bathroom

Tiling can be a subtle but highly effective way of changing your bathroom's atmosphere. Ceramic tiling or stone floors seem to be the most popular choices among homeowners. While it may be agreed upon that ceramic tiling is elegant, choosing the right tile for your bathroom can be a bit more complicated.

There are a variety of reasons why tile floors may be the right choice for you. Tile floors are more hygienic than other materials. They are easy to clean and give your bathroom a more spacious feel. They are also waterproof, making them a far better choice for the bathroom than many paints, wallpapers or carpeting. What's more, they are recommended for people with allergies, as they do not collect dust and mites as carpeting does.

Tile floors have other benefits as well. They are durable and stable under pressureyou can also get scratch resistant tiles and they do not fade easily with time, light or wear. If you plan on installing a radiant floor heating system, tile floors serve as excellent conduits without the danger of burning. While unglazed tiles are much more slip-resistant than glazed tiles, they do require more frequent cleaning, as they absorb stains much easier than other materials.

Tiles can also be cold. Getting out of a warm shower or bath can be quite uncomfortable when your bare feet hit the cold tile. However, there are a few things you can do to minimize the effect, you could have under floor heating installed and even if you can't afford to do the whole room you could just do the section near the bath or shower.

You can also paint the walls a warmer colour to help minimize the coolness of the metal and tile. Consider purchasing warm, cozy rugs to place in strategic places, such as in front of the vanity, next to the bath and in front of the toilet. If nothing else works, you can always consider investing in radiant floor heating.

If you have a small bathroom, there are several things you can do to give the appearance of a larger bathroom. Try using all light colored tiles on the floor as well as the walls. You can choose the same color tiling for the wall and the floor, as well as the same color of grout. Using smaller tiles can also make a small bathroom appear larger.

Whether you're installing your own tile floor or having a professional do the dirty work, your local tile expert can help you pick out the tile color, size and combination that best fits your flooring needs. Be creative and you'll see how a little tiling flooring can make a big difference in your bathroom ambiance.