The choice of bathroom floor tiles requires deep and careful thought. This is mainly due to the fact that they must not only meet your needs in terms of style, but also in terms of safety and functionality. Therefore, in ParaTuReforma we have proposed to explain what are the best options available to you and what aspects you should consider when choosing one or the other.
Requirements to be met by bathroom floor tiles
The tiles for the bathroom cannot be the same as for the rest of your house. The reason? It is a room with its own characteristics in terms of humidity. Keep in mind that you will shower there every day and carry out other personal hygiene activities, such as shaving or brushing your teeth.
This is the reason why the bathroom flooring has to meet the following requirements:
- Without joints. Or, in any case, make them as small as possible. They tend to accumulate humidity, which favors the proliferation of fungi and, with it, an aesthetic deterioration that you surely do not want. In addition, they require cleaning more often and in greater depth.
- Shock resistance. It is not uncommon to accidentally drop objects when you are in the bathroom. The humidity we are talking about can cause a bottle of deodorant, cologne or shampoo to hit a tile.
- Non-slip surface. Bathrooms are the scene of most accidents in the home, as moisture increases the risk of falling. For this reason, it is essential that the tiles offer a good level of grip, both when barefoot and when wearing slippers.
- Ease of cleaning. Bathroom floor tiles should have a minimum level of porosity. This will prevent dirt from becoming embedded in the surface and will greatly facilitate the task of removing it.
What types of bathroom tiles are there?
The fundamental difference between the types of tiles for bathroom floors bathroom floor tiles that you can find in the market lies in the material used for its manufacture. In this sense, we can talk about:
- Stone. It is the most used material in rustic style bathrooms, especially when they belong to areas with a very humid climate. They are very resistant to this condition and, by means of a specific treatment, they can become very non-slip. Undoubtedly, granite and marble are the two star elements in this category. They also stand out for their hardness and resistance.
- Hydraulic tile. This is a type of tile made from compacted cement, marble and pigments. It owes its name to the fact that the pressing process was carried out with a hydraulic press. It was the most common type of bathroom flooring until the 1960s and is still very popular among lovers of vintage style due to the originality of the mosaics that embellish it. However, today it is almost in disuse. Most users prefer porcelain or stoneware floors that imitate its finish.
- Bathroom pavement. Generally, it is made of microcement combined with resins and polymers to give it the qualities it needs. It offers two main advantages: a very non-stick surface and a total absence of joints. It is also 100% waterproof and very easy to clean. It can be installed without difficulty on top of other cladding.
- Vinyl flooring. This is the most economical option. In addition, it offers endless possibilities in terms of design and is very easy to install, since it only requires the use of a cutter and adhesive. However, it has the disadvantage of having a shorter life span than the other types.
- Laminate flooring. An increasingly popular mode among those who want to enjoy the aesthetics of wood in your bathroom. However, without the disadvantages that this material presents in an environment marked by excess humidity. They are made from waterproof recycled plastic.
Porcelain and stoneware bathroom floor tiles, your best option
We wanted to save the best for last. At the moment, porcelain and stoneware floors for bathrooms are the preferred choice of most people who reform this room. The reason is the excellent quality-price ratio they have.
This type of bathroom floor coverings stands out for its resistance. In fact, unless the tiles suffer a very strong blow on their surface, it is almost impossible for them to be chipped or scratched. Moreover, the passage of time does not seem to affect them at all.
At the same time, they have a maximum level of resistance to moisture no matter how much moisture is in the environment. They are very easy to clean and their surfaces are treated to minimize the risk of slipping.
Another issue that deserves your attention is that they can be installed without leaving joints between the tiles. They hardly require any maintenance so that their aesthetic and functional qualities remain intact over time.
Infinite possibilities in terms of design
The popularity of bathroom tiles made of porcelain stoneware has led manufacturers to innovate a lot in their designs. As a result, it is now possible to find models that imitate all kinds of materials. We are referring, for example, to slate, wood or marble.
Therefore, even if your budget is limited, you can give your bathroom the aesthetic finish that interests you thanks to the excellent performance and value for money that characterize this material. The combination possibilities with wall tiles of the same material are also very wide.
That said, it is clear that bathroom floor tiles made of porcelain stoneware are the best choice. At ParaTuReforma we have a great variety of them, as well as an immense diversity of construction materials. If you have any doubt, contact us and we will help you solve it!
