Bathroom Tiles Buying Guide
Bathroom tiles need to do one of three jobs: line a wall, carry a floor, or stand up to water in a shower. This collection brings together tiles suited to bathrooms, from grippy 600 x 600mm porcelain floor tiles in ranges such as Kew and Avorio, to ceramic subway tiles, finger mosaics, zellige, terrazzo looks and tumbled natural stone. It suits anyone planning a new bathroom, ensuite or powder room.
What is the best tile for a bathroom floor?
Porcelain with a matte or textured finish and a suitable slip rating is the most practical bathroom floor tile. Porcelain is dense, absorbs very little water and does not need sealing. Check the slip rating on each tile: Kew and Avorio Cream 600 x 600mm tiles are rated P5, Island Terrazzo P4, and Vela and Tuscan P3. Some tiles, such as Southside Terrazzo matte at P2, are listed for dry areas only, so read the rating before choosing a floor tile.
Can I use wall tiles on a bathroom floor?
Only if the tile is clearly listed as suitable for floors. Many wall tiles are too smooth or not strong enough for foot traffic. In this collection, the Whitehaven wavy ceramic subway tiles and Flute finger mosaics are for walls only, as is the ribbed Tuscan feature tile. Porcelain ranges such as Kew, Olivia, Plastra and Avorio are listed for walls and floors.
What is the difference between porcelain and ceramic bathroom tiles?
Porcelain is fired at higher temperatures, making it denser, harder and less porous, so it suits floors, showers and walls. Ceramic is slightly softer and more absorbent, which makes it easier to cut and well suited to walls and low-traffic areas. Ceramic is also where you will find many glossy, handmade-look and decorative wall tiles, such as Whitehaven, Bella, Gemma and Evelyn.
Which tiles are best for a shower?
For shower floors, choose a tile listed for wet areas with a suitable slip rating, often a smaller format or mosaic so the floor can fall to the waste. The Briq unglazed porcelain mosaics suit shower recesses, walls and floors, and need no sealing. Confirm their slip rating before using them on a shower floor. For shower walls, gloss or satin tiles wipe clean easily. All showers need a compliant waterproofing membrane under the tiles.
Do bathroom tiles need sealing?
Glazed porcelain and ceramic tiles do not need sealing. Natural stone, terrazzo, concrete, terracotta and some unglazed tiles are porous and need sealing to resist staining and moisture. The tumbled natural stone tiles in this collection require sealing and regular resealing, especially on floors and in wet areas. Stone-look porcelains such as Avorio and Tuscan give a similar look with easy-care surfaces.
What size and finish suit a small bathroom?
Large-format tiles, such as 600 x 600mm, mean fewer grout lines and can make a small floor look calmer and bigger. Small mosaics and subway tiles add texture to feature walls and niches. Gloss and satin walls reflect light, while matte finishes hide water marks. Grout colour close to the tile makes a room feel larger, while contrast highlights the pattern.
Completing the room
Browse floor tiles, wall tiles, mosaic tiles and subway tiles, or compare porcelain tiles and natural stone tiles at The Blue Space.
