Bathroom Ceramic Tiles - Tips for Using Ceramic Custom Tile
By David Buster
Bathroom ceramic tiles are a good choice because of thier durability, resistance
to dampness and its ease of cleaning. Bathroom ceramic tiles can range from
inexpensive to very expensive, and it is a classic choice for a bathroom.
Bathroom ceramic tiles are formed from clay, shale or porcelain, then 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 becomes. Tile
for bathrooms comes in many shapes, sizes, patterns and textures. Tile shapes
can be squares, rectangles, hexagons and octagons. Accent tiles are narrow-shaped
and diamond-shaped pieces.
Tile can be glazed or unglazed. Unglazed bathroom ceramic tiles are simply
baked pieces of clay whose colors are determined by the mineral content of the
clay. These tiles are the workhorses of the industry. Generally thicker and
denser than glazed tiles, they include products such as quarry tiles and porcelains.
The toughness of unglazed tiles make them ideally suited (but not limited to)
heavy commercial installations.
Here are tips for using ceramic tile in a bathroom:
1. Consider using unglazed bathroom ceramic tiles if you want to have the
most slip-resistant surface. The rugged surface texture and matte finish of
these tiles give them good slip-resistant qualities for use in wet areas. If
you buy and install unglazed tiles for your bathroom floor, they will need to
be cleaned frequently because they absorb oil and stains quite easily. Examples
of unglazed tiles are quarry tiles, porcelain tiles and terra-cotta tiles which
can be handmade or machine-made.
2. 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 more dramatic
look.
3. Make sure you apply sealers to grout lines in areas of heavy wear, like
countertops. Sealers will protect and preserve grout colors.
Bathroom Ceramic Tiles
4. For a floor surface that is virtually stainproof, use glazed bathroom ceramic
tiles. Glazed bathroom ceramic tiles are made the same way as unglazed tile,
but it undergoes an additional process. A glass layer is applied, then subjected
to tremendous heat in a kiln. This process liquefies the glass and fuses it
to the bisque. Glazes offer an unlimited array of beautiful colors, textures
and designs and create a surface that is practically stainproof and very wearable.
While most glazed tiles are for light residential to medium commercial traffic
uses, recent technological advances produce glazed tiles that are hard and durable
enough to stand up to the most demanding commercial applications.
5. To make your bathroom floor more exciting, add patterns, floor accents
or small splashes of color using ceramic custom tile pieces. Or consider using
large rectangular decorative sections placed in the middle of the floor. Custom
ceramic tile or art tile can be found with Victorian, Mexican or Moorish styled
designs and they can also be used as bathroom backsplashes, tub surrounds and
in showers.
6. For countertops and backsplashes, make sure the tiles are glazed and can
withstand household cleaners. And backsplashes are a great place to add decorative
tile.
7. To tie it all together, pay attention to the available bathroom accessories.
Towel bars, ceramic soap dishes, toothbrush/cup holders -- you'll want these
to blend in well with your bathroom ceramic tile.
With all the choices that await you today, have fun as you select the styles,
colors, patterns and sizes of bathroom ceramic tile and related details for
your bathroom. You'll want your bathroom to be a fun, cozy room to spend time
in, and bathroom ceramic tile can help create that kind of atmo
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