STEP INSIDE BATHROOMS Pretty and Practical
Leigh Price, Managing Director of tile retailer Real Stone & Tile, explains why tiles are a versatile flooring option for the bathroom.
Choosing bathroom flooring is not only subject to design preference and taste, but also the practicality of the material used. As the room is a humid environment and full of moisture, it is important that the flooring can withstand a significant amount of water, particularly when splashes and spillages are concerned.
Tiles offer many unique designs and diverse qualities and, dependent on the material used, their durability can make for an excellent flooring choice. The range of patterns, finishes and colours is vast, meaning that there is something to suit every customer’s taste.
However, the different tile choices each come with advantages and disadvantages with regards to the suitability for bathroom flooring in the home.
Ceramic and Porcelain
Ceramic and porcelain tiles are often affordable options with huge scope in the range of finishes that are available, making them a popular choice for the bathroom. When it comes to colour and texture, ceramic and porcelain deliver on both fronts, but the endless variety can often make the decision difficult.
These tiles can also provide an alternative to mimic more expensive materials such as wood and stone. Wood-effect tiles offer a natural appearance but, unlike the real thing, can withstand bathroom conditions. This porcelain alternative comes at a fraction of the cost of real wood flooring and the textured surfaces make it almost identical in appearance too.
Porcelain tiles are one of the toughest flooring options available; the material is hard and dense, making it resistant to most impacts. This density also makes it more resistant to liquid penetration, and, if the tile also comes with a glaze, it will be even less porous.
Additionally, the material is naturally stain-resistant, and its ability to repel moisture reduces the risk of this further. Again, a glaze on the tile will make it almost impossible to spoil the surface. This, and the resistance to liquid, ensures that the tile is easy to maintain.
Natural Stone
Natural stone flooring consists of granite, sandstone, marble, limestone, travertine and slate, all of which have slightly different properties.
These varieties tend to be highly porous. Despite stone being made in the earth from high temperatures and pressure, it is prone to being affected by any form of moisture. Although some may weather fine with general wear, for use in a bathroom they will need to be sealed and correctly maintained to protect against water and staining.
38 | Tomorrow’s Retail Floors ►
Flaviker Dakota Wood Effect Tiles Real Stone & Tile
www.realstoneandtile.co.uk
Generally speaking, sandstone is the most porous of natural stone, with travertine, slate and limestone being slightly less absorbent. Granite and marble are both fairly waterproof, making them a great option for bathroom flooring when considering water spillages and moisture. However, in terms of safety, the polished finish makes the tile slippery underfoot, not so appropriate for a wet environment where falls and slips are more likely.
Despite stone being durable, it does need to be maintained correctly to ensure that it remains cost-effective.
www.tomorrowsretailfloors.com
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