KEY TO YOUR HOME 2020

KEY TOYOUR HOME / 89 Choosing the best tiles for your high-action bathroom may not necessarily be an easy feat. You would ideally want something that looks good, but also one that can support the heavy duties of the bathroom. Floors get stomped on and walls are splashed upon on a daily basis, and thus, the bathroom certainly needs a hardwearing material to withstand these activities well. Wall Up, Floor Up 1. Safety Safety should not be overlooked for the sake of visual aesthetics, especially in an accident-prone zone like the bathroom. Opt for practical, slip-resistant tiles that will make your floors less susceptible to skidding even when wet. Tiles with a rough finish, such as matte or textured tiles, are more effective when it comes to increasing traction. 3. Aesthetics While practicality should rank first when it comes to choosing tiles for your bathroom, you do not necessarily have to compromise on aesthetics for better function. Most tiles now come in a wide variety of finishes and designs, allowing your bathroom to both look good, and work well in serving the household. 2. Size You can generally afford to be creative with tile sizes when it comes to the bathroom floor and walls. However, do note that small format tiles can be more cost-effective, as they tend to fit better around your bathroom fixtures without requiring too much cutting. Smaller tiles are also more ideal for the shower flooring, mainly because they create better grip opportunities for your feet. For shower walls, on the other hand, large format tiles may be more fitting as they create a less busy appearance, thus contributing to the aesthetic part of your bathroom design. Design by Icon Interior Design by Icon Interior Large format Italian stone-lookalike tiles were used for the floor and wall surfaces of this bathroom. By doing so, the number of grout lines were also reduced, making it less of a hassle for cleaning and maintenance. Take note of the slip rating of your floor tiles. The higher the rating, the more slip-resistant the flooring is. On a scale between R 9 to R 13 , a rating of R 11 or R 12 is ideal for the bathroom.