Tips for Selecting Natural Stone Tiles for Your Bathroom Renovation
The tiling forms one of the most visible elements in a bathroom by covering and protecting large expanses of floor and walls. For a natural look, you can't go past stone tiles that harmonise with diverse styles such as traditional, industrial, and modern. To help you end up with the right tiles, consider the following tips.
Use Them in Bathrooms Regardless of Size
Diverse floor and wall tiles in a bathroom can create stunning contrasts. However, in a small space, varied surfaces increase visual clutter, which can crowd and cramp the bathroom decor. To avoid this effect, spread similar tiles across the walls and floors for a clean, spacious feel — pale, reflective colours emphasise openness. Use other elements such as the basin or mirror if you want to add spark and contrast.
In a large bathroom, you could do the opposite and contrast the wall and floor tiling. A large room can take bolder patterns and hues without it feeling confined. For example, contrast green wall tiles of varying shades with grey floor tiles, or juxtapose cream walls against black flooring.
Ways to Minimise Grouting
Although tiles are easy to clean, the joints in between can trap moisture and debris, allowing mould to grow. To simplify cleaning, particularly for floor tiles, minimise grout lines through your choice of tile size and edge. For example, large tiles present fewer joins and a smoother tiling area. To create thinner grout lines, install rectified tiles with sharp straight edges rather than soft pillow contours. Machines trim rectified tiles to precise sizes. Thus, contractors and set the tiles closely with ultra-thin grout.
Choose the Right Sealer
Tiles need sealants that protect them from staining. If you don't want to change the appearance of your tiles, contractors could apply a penetrating sealer the soaks into the tile. Alternatively, a topical sealant forms a hardcover over the top and it can create a matte, semi or full gloss finish. You can also enrich the hue of the tiles with a colour-enhancer or darkening sealer.
Consider Stone Varieties
Natural stone tiles can use travertine, marble, granite, quartz and other rocks, so make sure to explore the possibilities before renovating your bathroom. Travertine comes in warm peaches, pinks and ivories for a classic ancient spa-like ambience while sandstone offers golden hues. Granite — often displaying a flecked pattern — can show blacks, whites, yellows, tans, creams and other shades. Marble, with its distinctive veining, creates classic light or dark surfaces in various colours.
For more information about your options, contact companies that offer floor tile supply.