Good bathroom tile design should create a floor surface that is attractive, water resistant and safe to walk on. Bathroom tile designs using ceramic tile, rubber flooring or vinyl and linoleum floors are all examples of bathroom tile design material choices that should be available nearly anywhere.
These types of tiles are easy to clean, water resistant and safe to walk on. If you are going to use natural stone or terra-cotta ceramic tiles on your floors to create a more sophisticated effect, make sure you buy the kind with a non-slip finish.
As you consider which bathroom tile designs to select, each type of tile will have unique properties that may or may not provide characteristics that are good for your bathroom. Here are different material types for bathroom tile design along with advantages or disadvantages of each:
1. Laminate and Vinyl Bathroom Tile Design – these types of tile in bathroom tile designs can be found in a variety of colors, patterns and textures. Some tiles even imitate wood, stone and ceramic. It is not very expensive, is water resistant, easy to install and clean and it is durable.
2. Ceramic Bathroom Tile Design – ceramic tile can range from fairly cheap to expensive and it is the classic choice. Tile is made of clay, shale or porcelain and is formed and fired at very high temperatures until it hardens. The higher the temperature and the more times the tile is fired, the harder and less porous the tile. If you are using a white or cream ceramic tile for your bathroom, using a different color grout like “blue” will give your bathroom a dramatic look. Grout is the material used to fill the spaces between the tiles. Make sure you apply sealers to grout lines in areas of heavy wear like countertops. Sealers will also preserve grout colors.
3. Stone Bathroom Tile Designs (marble, granite, brick, slate, onyx, travertine and limestone) – this tile can be beautiful, very strong, durable in high-traffic areas, it will last a long time, is low maintainance and easy to clean. However, it is expensive, it’s a cold material, can be slippery and absorbs stains easily.
4. Linoleum Bathroom Tile Design – this tile is made of renewable and natural materials like linseed oil, ground cork, limestone, jute and wood flour. This type of bathroom floor is making a comeback with new marbled and graphic designs, and it is more durable and easier to clean than vinyl tile.
5. Mosaic Bathroom Tile – this wonderful tile was an ancient craft that today can be made of tile, stone, porcelain and colored glass, creating stunning floor patterns. These tiles are small (1 or 2 inches square) and often expensive. What you can do is to add a small section of this type of tile for visual interest to your floor or countertop.
6. Concrete Bathroom Tile Designs – durable, low maintenance, perfect for wet areas and stunning. You can find this type of tile in beautiful textures such as shiny, rough, slick and sandpaper and in various colors and sizes.
7. Hardwood – you can build your bathroom floor using solid wood, parquet flooring or engineered woods (several layers of wood laminated and high-tech materials that are similar to plywood). Hardwoods are wear-resistant, attractive, comfortable to walk on, easy to clean and refinish, not very cold in winter, but they are more vulnerable to moisture when used in a bathroom.
If you want to use a bathroom tile design that includes rugs in your bathroom, make sure you buy the kind that has rubber backing, or add rubber backing strips to the rugs. Be careful with rugs that can slip and slide on a tiled floor or natural stone floor which creates a safety hazard. Rugs can also harbor dust mites and allergens which is a problem for people with allergies.
Whether you’ll be remodeling an old bathroom or creating a brand new one, being active in the design stage helps ensure that your bathroom turns out just like you want. The bathroom tile designs and styles, colors, patterns and sizes you choose can help you have a bathroom that is comfortable, attractive and functional and a room that you will enjoy every day.
Copyright 2006 InfoSearch Publishing
Posts Tagged ‘Types’
Bathroom Tile Design – Material Types For Bathroom Tile Designs
December 30th, 2009Basic Types Of Bathroom Vanities
December 10th, 2009Your bathroom has probably had the same look for years. Even if you’ve updated the sink and maybe even changed the color of the walls, the basic look hasn’t changed much. For some, the reason is they just don’t know what other options and styles are available to them. They bought their home with a single sink wood vanity and have always stuck with that style. The fact of the matter is bathroom vanities come in many different shapes, sizes, and styles. From the most basic single basin vanities to double sink contemporary works of art, you have a wide selection of bathroom vanities to choose from. Here are a few basic bathroom vanity styles. Wood Bathroom Vanities Wood vanities come in different wood variations. Some are made of oak and mahogany while others are crafted using lesser woods. Others are painted and don’t resemble the organic look of wood at all. Each wood type offers varying luxury, craftsmanship, and affordability. Oak and mahogany wood bathroom vanities, for example, tend to be a bit pricier than most, but they do offer solid construction and added style. So when you’re shopping for a wood vanity, be sure to choose one that meets your desired style AND is within your remodeling budget. Glass Bathroom Vanities Glass vanities are typically more contemporary in design and construction than most bathroom vanities. Made of high-end durable glass, glass bathroom vanities combine glass with other finished materials such as steel and wood to offer a highly stylized look and feel. A popular glass vanity style is the wall-mounted vanity, which gives your bathroom a more open feel while providing you with basic storage and function. Other glass vanities take after your typical bathroom vanity design and contain drawers, cabinets, and even shelving. You’ll find glass bathroom vanities in some of today’s higher-end restaurants and hotels as they provide a more modern look and feel which is quickly becoming the style of choice. Contemporary Bathroom Vanities Contemporary vanities come in single and double sink variations, and crafted using various materials. They are more modern in design than other bathroom vanities and often contain unique details and styles. Contemporary bathroom vanities are perfect for the forward-thinking individual as they provide one-of-a-kind style and appeal. The key to integrating a contemporary bathroom vanity into your bathroom is to make sure all furnishings and fixtures in your bathroom work with your vanity rather than work against it. Antique Bathroom Vanities Although not antique in age, modern antique bathroom vanities are inspired by antique designs and styles. Turn-of-the-century craftsmanship is popular among these types of vanities as they contain finely carved facades and highlights. Definitely a look that commands attention, antique bathroom vanities are among the more ornate vanities currently available on the market today. They combine fine woods and traditional designs with modern function to offer function and beauty that’s unlike anything else. Double Bathroom Vanities Found in most of your master bathrooms, double bathroom vanities contain two sinks in one long vanity. The double sink vanity is popular among couples as it allows each to have his/her own sink. These types of vanities come in many different designs (including wood, glass, antique, and contemporary) which allow for varied over-all bathroom styles. The one thing to keep in mind for double bathroom vanities is that they are larger than most. So make sure you have the room for a double vanity in your bathroom. When it comes to selecting a bathroom vanity, you definitely have your choice of styles. From elaborate antique bathroom vanities to glass and wood vanities, there’s a style out there to match your bathroom’s décor and give it the improvement it needs.
