Knowing how to choose bathroom tile when you are undergoing a bathroom remodeling project will save you a lot of headaches. Bathroom floors, walls, and vanity backsplashes can easily accumulate visible moisture and grime over time, especially if they are lighter and made of certain materials such as hardwood. Fortunately, certain types of tile are more ideal than others in terms of resistance to dirt. A tile surface that remains clean for longer periods of time can help save you a significant amount of time and money.

One of the first things that many people will generally notice upon entering a bathroom is the type of material that the surfaces are made of. Tile has many strong qualities, including the fact that it’s extremely durable and waterproof. Given the many types of tile that exist, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by all the available options. However, there are three primary characteristics to consider when selecting tiles for your bathroom: material, size, and color. Here is a close look at each of these traits.

If you are seeking an inexpensive and easy-to-install choice for bathroom tile, then ceramic may be an excellent option to consider. If you prefer a denser and more durable option, you can try installing porcelain tiles, which are also extremely slip-resistant.

Certain tile materials, such as glass and natural stone, (e.g. marble, limestone, granite, etc.) are more aesthetically pleasing, although they are also often relatively more expensive than porcelain or ceramic. Of these two materials, however, only the former has a polished finish. For the floor, engineered hardwood can also be hand-scraped for greater depth and texture and thus help reduce the appearance of dust and dirt.

In addition to a tile’s material, its size constitutes an important factor in a bathroom’s overall look. If you are looking to remodel a small bathroom, it may be a sound idea to install medium-sized tiles. Tiles that are either too small or too large may potentially make your bathroom appear smaller.

However, in the case of natural stone tiles, their textures are often more evident and can help improve the room’s visual appeal. Should your bathroom’s tiles become cracked, it will likely be less difficult to replace them with relatively smaller tiles. You may also take measurements of your bathroom’s dimensions if you believe this will be helpful.

Depending on which color you select for your bathroom tiles, dirt levels may appear either very low or extremely high. Dust can accumulate much more quickly and go significantly more unnoticed on a dark floor. You may also consider purchasing a medium-tone color for your bathroom floors, such as cherry wood or French Oak if you have trouble deciding between light and dark colors.

You should also consider how a tile color looks given your bathroom’s size. For example, light tones typically look best in small bathrooms, as they may help the room appear brighter and larger. Dark browns, on the other hand, maybe more suitable for relatively larger bathrooms. For small surfaces, such as vanity backsplashes, it may be a good idea to try installing tiles of different colors (for contrast) or intricate mosaic patterns. If you are unsure of which color combinations clash excessively, you may ask for recommendations from a remodeling professional.

Ultimately, there are several other factors to consider when selecting bathroom tile, including budget, how the design matches the remainder of the home, and who will primarily be using the bathroom. For instance, if you have children or elderly relatives living in your home, it may be wise to choose a tile material for your bathroom floor that is highly slip-resistant (porcelain, vinyl, etc.).

Reach out to the remodeling experts at Monumental Contractors in Washington, DC, for more information on how to choose bathroom tile. We are a family-owned-and-operated contracting company dedicated to serving the DC Metro Area. We strive to uphold our core values of integrity, quality, accountability, and respect in every project we undertake. Call Monumental Contractors today at (703) 552-9626 or contact us online to learn more about our services or to schedule a consultation.

The team at Monumental will always be prepared to complete your bathroom remodel in a timely manner while staying within your budget and meeting your unique needs. Our remodeling process always follows the same steps. It begins with an initial consultation with one of our design and construction professionals so that we may understand your vision for the project. After the design agreement has been ratified, we will gather all of your selections for the project, including lights, flooring, paint colors, vanities, etc.

The next step involves a pre-construction meeting to discuss the project timeline and logistics. The construction phase can then begin and a quality check will be performed. The process ends with a final walk-through inspection to ensure that every question has been addressed.