Use this bathroom tile guide to help sort through the many price, maintenance, and design options.
Bathroom tilescome in various materials, shapes, and colors, but not all are suitable forwet spots.
Nonvitreous tile, such as terra-cotta, absorbs moisture and is appropriate only for accent areas.
Credit: Julie Soefer Photography LLC
In general, all bathroom tiles should have a highcoefficient of frictionto prevent slipping.
Some cement tiles look rough-hewn, while others sport smooth finishes.
When glazed, this material is an ideal bathroom tile.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
They can even be glazed with high-resolution digital images fused onto the surface tocreate patterned designs.
Thesepatterned tileslook particularly striking when collected in amuralor mosaic, as a border, orused for an accent.
Glass tile in a bathroom is often used in mosaics or as a focal point on walls.
Credit: Edward Gohlich
Because they’re breakable, glass tile is best used on walls or low-traffic floor areas.
This material is impervious to liquids and resists staining.
However, you might spend more timescrubbing the grout linesbecause it’s often used in small formats.
Credit: Werner Straube
As a result, it works well onbathroom countertopsor floors in high-traffic areas.
To avoid streaks or discoloration,clean granite tilewith a pH-neutral mild detergent.
It’s appropriate for countertops andflooring, but the surface should be resealed every two years.
Credit: Edmund Barr
Avoid acid-based products and use a tile cleaner designed for natural stone for maintenance.
Sophisticated and traditional,marble tilecan be highly polished and comes in many sizes.
Marble can be patterned or veined, adding appealingcolorto a bathroom.
Credit: Emily Minton-Redfield
The surface will need to be resealed regularly to prevent staining and etching.
It should only be cleaned with non-acidic cleaners.
It’s fired unglazed with bisques in many colors, sizes, and shapes.
Its natural imperfections can add rustic charm, but this tile also absorbs water readily.
Because of this, the surface should be sealed well to protect it from stains.
you might clean the tiles with a mixture ofwhite vinegar and wateror a natural stone cleaner.
The surface must be regularly resealed to maintain a shiny or matte finish.
Its low-density, nonvitreous qualities make it suitable only for dry areas.
However, if glazed, it can be used in otherbathroom areassuch as floors or walls.
They can be cleaned with non-acidic soap and water and should be resealed every few years.
Average Cost:$3-$10 per square foot, uninstalled
