Tile Style, Part I: How to Choose the Best Bathroom Tile Material

Wednesday, August 26th, 2015

A successful bathroom remodel will transform any old, dingy bathroom into a jaw-dropping work of art. However, there are many things to consider when taking the leap into bathroom renovations. One of the biggest dilemmas our clients face occurs during the tile selection process. it’s much easier (and less expensive) to repaint a wall than to re-tile a shower, so choosing the right tile for your bathroom is extremely important. In our blog series, Tile Style, we’ll reveal the secrets of great tile selection and help you decide what style of tile fits your bathroom best. When choosing bathroom tile, the first thing you should consider is the material of which the tile is made. Here are the four main types: Glass

We used glass tile to create a custom backsplash in this Sherwood Oaks home.

Glass tile is a beautiful way to decorate and accent your bathroom. Glass comes in a wide variety of colors and ranges in opaqueness, giving you the freedom to be as creative in your design as you wish. Consider glass tile for a patchwork backsplash or an eccentric mosaic. Glass tile is also very resistant to stains, mold, and mildew and is very easy to clean. Warm water or a simple vinegar solution is enough to take care of soap scum buildup. Glass tile is also a green material, meaning it takes little energy to produce and can be recycled from reclaimed glass refuse. The biggest drawback to glass tile is its expense. The best glass colors can run you $30-40 per square foot and repeating patterns can be as much as $100. Glass tile is also very difficult to install without the adhesive showing through. Even if your handyman skills are above average, you’ll still want to call in a professional, preferably one who specializes in mosaics. Although glass floor tiles can be durable, they accumulate scratches easily. Depending on the damage, you may want to replace them every couple of years. Ceramic

We used ceramic tile to renovate this 1940’s home in Sequoyah Hills.

Ceramic tile is the most cost-effective bathroom tile option, ranging from $3-7 per square foot and is fairly easy to install. Due to its durability, a quality installation can last 10-20 years. Even if a tile does manage to crack, replacing the broken piece is relatively simple. Sealed ceramic tile is perfect for bathrooms because it is very easy to clean and is non-porous, meaning it doesn’t harbor water or germs. Ceramic tile also comes in many colors and sizes, so finding a style to fit your bathroom’s look is easy. However, because ceramic tile is manufactured in production runs and these run almost always have some variation between lots, always double check to make sure the caliber and lot number (which indicates size and color) are the same throughout your order. Stone Stone tile, both natural and engineered, comes in many types: limestone, marble, granite, slate, and travertine to name a few. However, despite the variations, stone tiling has a few major consistencies. The average price range is between $7 and $12 per square foot and is difficult to install.

Stone tile was used to accent the shower of this primarily porcelain bathroom.

While there are many beautiful patterns and colors to choose from, stone tile is susceptible to staining and has a tendency to chip and dull. Due to its porous nature, stone tile also holds moisture, which can lead to mildew and mold growth in your bathroom. Porcelain

Porcelain tile in this bathroom gives it a rich, natural look.

Porcelain tile is made from heated, refined clay and is a great choice for homeowners who prefer a more natural look. The average price of porcelain falls somewhere between $4 and $8 per square foot depending on the uniqueness of the tile’s color and texture. Because porcelain tile is a sub-type of ceramic, it shares many of the same qualities, such as size and color options and cost. However, porcelain is more durable than ceramic and can even be used commercially. When considering general contractors, be sure to choose one who is familiar with the modified compound for porcelain setting as it differs from other tile installation.

The McCamy Preference

When building or remodeling your bathroom, we recommend choosing porcelain for your bathroom tile. It’s durability, cost, and color and size options are similar to that of ceramic, yet it’s appearance is of a higher quality. While daily wear and tear leaves glass tile in need of replacement every couple of years, porcelain tile can last an upwards of 20 if properly maintained. Unlike stone tile which absorbs moisture, porcelain tile is water-resistant, making it the perfect tile material for bathrooms.

At McCamy Construction, we do more than just renovations. Check out our photo gallery to see new custom homes, outdoor living additions, and even a few commercial projects. Contact us for more information on how we can build or improve the home of your dreams.

Tags: bathroom remodel, bathroom tile, ceramic, glass, natural interior design, porcelain, stone

McCamy Construction