I have decided to try my first do-it-yourself tile project. I will be putting a tiled floor in my bathroom, but am not sure which type to choose. I am confused by the various types that are available. Should I use porcelain, ceramic, natural stone, or something else?

Jane says:

Tiles are a product that will be in your home for years after they’re installed, so it’s worth investigating and understanding your options.

Tiles are made out of several different materials and each has its advantages and disadvantages. For a bathroom, you will need a tile that is moisture and stain resistant. A tile with texture will be less likely to become slick.

Glazed ceramic tiles are a common type found at your local home improvement store. This material is durable and water resistant, but it also tends to have a slick, glass-like finish that can be slippery when wet.

Porcelain tiles combine the durability of ceramic with a low porosity, which means they will not absorb water and are very stain resistant. This material tends to be a popular choice for bathroom and kitchen floors. Porcelain styles are available that are almost indistinguishable from natural stone, giving you the beauty of stone with the durability and low maintenance of porcelain. This versatile material also comes in tiles that give the appearance of wood, which are ideal for rooms, such as basements, where the look of a wood floor can be combined with the qualities or porcelain.

Natural stone tiles come in a variety of types of rock, so it is vital to look at the specifications of the particular stone you are considering. Two popular stone tiles are travertine and slate. Travertine is popular in hot climates due to its cool feel. Slate is beloved for its colour variations, but it also has a rough, uneven texture that makes it difficult to use for flooring. All natural stone must be regularly sealed because it is not stain resistant.

If you are working in a room that has problems with unevenness, have concerns about tile weight, or you aren’t quite ready to use a tile saw, vinyl tiles may work for you. Vinyl tiles are light and easy to manipulate in difficult areas but of course cannot be continued through to the shower base as most tiles can.

Hope that helps.

Jane Eyles-Bennett is the founder of Hotspace Consultants and has over 20 years of interior design and renovating experience.