Next to kitchens, bathrooms are perhaps the most heavily used and also the most highly glamorized room in today's modern homes. The floor is the one component that coordinates the decor and ties the rest of the bathroom together. Not only does it need to look good, it also needs to be durable and withstand traffic and often punishing conditions of a bathroom. Of the available flooring routes we can go for a bathroom floor, the choices really boil down to three; stone, porcelain, and ceramic.
When stacked side by side, stone comes out as most durable, but can be prohibitively expensive. Of the remaining two choices, porcelain tiles emerge a clear winner on several counts. Both kinds of tiles are made from clay that is fired and glazed, but the clay used in porcelain tiles is of a higher, more refined grade, and the tile itself is fired at much higher temperatures than ceramic tiles. This makes for a denser tile, and since the denser the tile, the lesser the moisture absorption rate, it is an ideal choice for bathroom floors. To demonstrate the essential difference between the two kinds, find a chipped or cut tile of either variety.
The porcelain tile holds its color right through the cross section, the ceramic one is colored only on its surface. If the tile were to chip (which is unlikely to begin with), the dents and imperfections should be a lot less visible on the porcelain tile. Another reason why porcelain bathroom tiles are a favorite is that since they are minimally porous, they are more resistant to staining, again a valuable trait in a bathroom tile. A quick wipe with a damp cloth can keep it looking like new. There are a few considerations when tiling a floor with porcelain tiles though.
Because of their density they are harder to cut and set, and they also need very tight grouting. If the size of your bathroom allows for it, go for larger tiles that will need less grouting and give the floor a seamless, flowing look. Love the look of stone but find it too expensive? Some porcelain tiles are glazed to look like natural stone, with textured finishes and irregular colorations, and can be the ideal solution. A favorite of both discerning home owners and builders alike, these are made in finishes ranging from the rugged stone look, to the satiny high gloss finish of marble. With sizes up to 35 inches available standard, bragging rights of a great looking and high performance bathroom floor are within reach of most home improvement budgets.
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You can learn about small bathroom tile ideas , and get more information and articles about bathroom tiles by visiting Bathroom Tile Ideas
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