I want to replace the existing ugly linoleum/vinyl floor in my bathroom with tile. With the right information and tools, I don‘t see why I can‘t do it myself. Any ideas on the pros and cons of different types of tile? What‘s least likely to get scratched, and what is least likely crack and need to be replaced? Which is easiest to clean, etc.? I‘m not crazy about a rough feel or look to the tile. So, I‘m thinking of glazed ceramic or polished stone. Also, my bathroom is very small. I wouldn‘t need to use more than 35-40 square feet of tile. Do you think 12x12 size tiles would look too big? Any tips or suggestions will be appreciated!
Ceramic tiles that have a somewhat porous texture and somewhat marbled appearance. Porcelain and marble, as well a smooth-glazed ceramic, is too slippery. Stone is too porous and subject to trapping dirt (plus I once had a slate bathroom floor that constantly smelled like wet rocks when it got wet or damp). You can also get ceramic tile that looks like stone for less money. Solid colors - particularly white - are a major faux pas with a tile floor. Every piece of dirt, debris, hair, etc., is highly visible. Some kind of slight marbling or travertine looking pattern hides these well. 12 x 12 is an excellent size for a bathroom floor tile. If you have a wood subfloor, make sure you install a layer of 1/2-inch wonderboard and a leveling compound (plasticized cement slurry), plus a slipsheet (plasticized paper layer) before putting down the thinset and tiles. This will ensure that the floor is extremely solid, and that the difference in thermal expansion between the underlayment and the tiles won't result in tile or grout cracking.
This Site Might Help You. RE: which is best for bathroom floor tile? Ceramic, porcelain, stone, marble? I want to replace the existing ugly linoleum/vinyl floor in my bathroom with tile. With the right information and tools, I don‘t see why I can‘t do it myself. Any ideas on the pros and cons of different types of tile? What‘s least likely to get scratched, and what is least likely crack...
There are some quite nice ceramic styles but for the classy look you desire i think it can only be acheived with natural stone/marble. it is true that marble can stain as it is porus but if it is sealed correctly it should be ok, but you need to polish and reseal every few years to prevent staining. i fit bathrooms for a living and have taken out marble that is 15 years old that only looks tired because the choice of colour has dated not because of staining etc. but believe me stone looks so much better , go to your local tops tiles and look at the displays of ceramic tile then go to the stone tile show room just to browse and i think you will 'feel' the difference. good luck and i hope the bathroom turns out nice.
Any tile can go into a bathroom and on the floor, just pick what you like the best. I wouldn't recommend anything really slick, such as a shiny marble or granite, or a shiny glazed ceramic. If installed properly, none should crack, regardless of type, unless something unforseen happens, such as a slab crack. 12x12 tiles wouldn't be too big for a small bathroom. Go bigger if you'd like. 16x16, or 18x18 even. The bigger the tile, the bigger the bathroon looks (it's an illusion) and also, the less grout joints to clean. Try your local tile distributor for the purchase of your tile before you go to Home Depot or Lowes, as they have a better quality of tile and they aren't really expensive like people think. Sometimes you can find good deals through the distributors on a discontinued tile or a sale. Make sure you get extra tiles in case one breaks or cracks in the future, especially important if you purchase a discontinued tile. Good luck!
