How to choose tiles for the bathroom and toilet. Choosing tiles for the bathroom and toilet: tips and tricks Bathroom tiles how to choose

09.11.2019

Finishing the bathroom with ceramic tiles is a classic and widespread solution. The tile is loved by customers for its high performance, resistance to moisture and temperature extremes, resistance to pollution and ease of maintenance. The advantages of tiles are clear to any person who makes repairs and plans for finishing. But the choice ceramic tiles huge, which option to stop?

Tile Selection Criteria

Let's start the review of commercially available ceramic tiles with technical and physical characteristics. Experts distinguish the following criteria for choosing tiles:

The destination of the tile plays an important role. The product is usually divided into two types of tiles: floor and wall. It is wrong to think that one can replace the other, and vice versa. Floor tiles are characterized by reduced porosity, such material is resistant to premature abrasion. For wall tiles, these characteristics are not as important as waterproof ones.
In addition to moisture protection and wear resistance, an indicator of resistance to chemicals, including abrasive ones, is important for the bathroom.
Tile size is not just an aesthetic choice. Large tiles in a small room will look out of place, leave it for large areas. And decorate a small-sized bathroom with small mosaics.

Manufacturer of ceramic tiles. On the modern construction market there is a wide choice finishing material from different countries including domestic producers. Italian firms are considered the best in the field of ceramic tile production, although imported goods are not cheap and depend on currency fluctuations.
Decor and color solution. The aesthetic criteria for choosing ceramic tiles are extremely important, since the coating will serve your family for more than five years. So let's take a closer look at each of these points.

Ways to decorate with tiles

There are several technologies for working with ceramic tiles, which differ in the final result. The most common types of bathroom decoration with tiles:

Using tile collections. The manufacturer creates collections using the rules of design. The colors in the collection are combined and do not exceed the number of 2-3. The collection includes tiles of different sizes, inserts and borders.
Tiled panel. A panel is a picture, in other words, this method of decoration means a picture transferred to a tile using photo printing or manually. Typically, traditional tiles and other decorative elements (borders, floors, sometimes grips and ceilings) are used to create panels.
Tiled mosaic. A set of small tiles, consisting of one or more colors. Mosaic tiles are laid out in a chaotic manner or in strict sequence to create a pattern or pattern.

Bathroom color scheme

Choosing the color of tiles for the bathroom is an individual matter, it depends on personal preferences. But there are several design rules that will help make the interior concise and complete.

For facing a small room, stop at the light colors of the tiles - white, beige, light green, pale blue. Dark tones visually reduce the space, use with caution.
Contrary to popular belief, dirt is more visible on dark tiles. Light and even white tiles are easier to care for.
The color of the floor tiles can match the tiles on the wall, or be a tone lighter or darker. A bold decision is to choose tiles on the floor in a contrasting color, but it is increasingly being used by designers to create an original interior.

Choose the grout for the joints to match the tone with the tile or in a contrasting color. Remember that the use of light grout for tiles on the floor is impractical, care will be complicated.
The color of the tile should be combined with the selected sanitary ware, for the bathroom and other little things that create an overall impression.
Use design secrets to correct the shortcomings of the room. The vertical stripes in the picture will expand the space, making the room more voluminous. And the use of a limited number of mirror tiles for the bathroom will visually make the room spacious.

Choosing tiles for the bathroom is not an easy and time-consuming task. Take your time with the choice, try to combine several options. Tiling will last for decades, make a choice consciously.

During the renovation of the bathroom, many are faced with the question: "How to choose a tile?". Choosing a quality tile is not easy.

It is necessary to combine two tasks:

purchase a tile of beautiful colors that all family members will like;
choose a tile that can be laid with minimal loss of quality and nerves.

Features of tiles

The choice of tiles according to the manufacturing method

There are three types of tiles according to the manufacturing method:

cast - clay mass is poured into special forms;
pressed – production under high pressure from a mixture of powder structure with additives;

tiles made by extrusion - punching through a certain shape.

Choice of tile sizes

Before choosing a tile, you need to decide on the size of the tile that is suitable for.

Ceramic tile- these are rectangular or square plates.
The most common are the following sizes in centimeters:

15x15;
20x20;
20x30.

The thickness of the tile can vary from 8 to 20 millimeters.

Tip: with large tiles (larger than 25x40), the cladding can be done much faster, although it will have to be cut, for this you need to purchase spare tiles.

What kind of tile coating

How to choose the right tile, what is the coating of ceramic tiles?

The tile happens:

glazed (enamelled);
without enamel.

The top layer of enameled tiles is of two types:

glossy;
matt.

The colors of glazed tiles are quite diverse, they also come with decorative patterns or simply one-color.

Ways of heat treatment of tiles

How to choose a tile for a floor, walls and? What you need to know about heat treatment of tiles?

There are two categories:

single firing;
double firing.

Single firing (monocoturra)- glaze is applied to wet clay, then the tile is placed in the oven, as a result, the base and glaze are fired at the same time. When firing occurs, these two components are very tightly soldered to each other and the tile is quite strong.

Tip: single-fired tiles are best laid on, as they are very durable and less likely to crack and split.

Double firing (bicoturra)- first, the base is placed in the oven, then the glaze is applied. The tile is then fired again at a lower temperature, resulting in a smooth and shiny glaze with bright, saturated colors.

Tip: Double-fired tiles are less durable and are best used for ceiling and wall cladding.

The number of firings is indicated on the packaging with a special symbol - a flame petal with a number drawn next to it.

Variety of tiles

We buy tiles: how to choose certain type to cover different surfaces bathroom?

Depending on the number of firings and the method of molding, ceramic tiles are divided into the following types:

Majolica is a type of double-fired glazed ceramic tile with a porous colored base, produced by pressing. Majolica is used for wall cladding.

Faience is a double-fired pressed enameled tile that has a porous white base. The glaze is painted in a variety of colors. This type of tile can be tiled both on the walls and on the floor of the bathroom.

Cotto is a non-enamelled tile with a single-fired, porous backing, which is produced by extrusion. This type of tile is used for laying on the floor, because it has high wear resistance and strength.

Clinker is a single-fired tile that can be either enameled or unglazed. Clinker is usually used for floor covering.

– special kind tile, which is made from heavy clay with the addition of various mineral additives, which give the tile special strength and hardness. Porcelain stoneware is used for laying on the floor in the bathroom, as it has a low level of moisture absorption.

Choosing a tile

How to choose the right tile? What do you need to have with you?

So, let's go buy a tile - how to choose the right one will help an ordinary ruler and a square.

The edges of the tiles must be perpendicular. Usually, in stores, tile samples are glued to a stand, where you can evaluate the overall future picture, but the geometric dimensions can only be estimated when you hold the samples in your own hands.

Tip: you need to look at several tiles, but the whole box is best, as the packaging may contain defective and cracked tiles.

The right choice of tile is a tile of the same thickness. This is a guarantee that when laying the situation will be controlled only by the amount of glue, and not at random, while adjusting to each tile.

There should be no curved tiles. This can be checked with the edge of another tile or with a ruler. Basically, this situation is visible to the naked eye, one has only to look at the box with the packed tiles.
On the edges of the tile, the glaze should look the same and uniform on all tiles, spreading equally along the edge. The repeatability of the glaze swim to the edges of the tile is important.

The right choice of tiles - no cracked glaze. These are manifestations of violations of production technology, or incorrect transportation.

Tip: it is correct to transport the tile not on the base, but on the edge.

Coloring ceramic tiles should be uniform. If even insignificant dots are visible that are not filled with glaze on more than 3-4 tiles, the purchase must be abandoned.
A coarse-grained fuzzy pattern should also alert, which looks like in old newspapers or printed on a printer. This means that the equipment is already old and you should not expect a good result in terms of product dimensions.
You need to get acquainted with the information about the parameters of the tile, which are indicated on the packaging by symbols.

Tip: if any of the drawings is shown twice, this means that this tile has improved characteristics for this indicator.

Summing up, how to choose the right tile for the bathroom, we can indicate the following:

tiles should be with reduced moisture absorption;
glazed smooth tiles are well suited for walls;
floor tiles should not be slippery, the best option is a tile with a matte surface.

Ceramic tile for bathroom cladding is the best solution. Due to the advantages of this finishing material, in most cases the choice is made in its favor. But not everyone knows how to choose a tile, which tile is better for a bathroom - which manufacturer? Each case has its own difficulties, and the choice of cladding for the bathroom is no exception.

Why ceramics?

The main advantage of the material is its practicality. The tile is well processed, resistant to moisture, easily cleaned of dirt. Ceramics is presented in stores with a wide range, while it has an affordable price. In addition, store specialists will advise you if you cannot decide on a suitable collection.

What are guided by choosing ceramic tiles?

Consider what factors need to be considered in order to choose tiles for the bathroom.

The period for which the material is purchased

Perhaps you have scheduled repairs for a long time? In this case, experts recommend paying attention to more expensive options and not turning the tile into an article to save money. For the manufacture of cheap varieties of tiles, as a rule, inexpensive raw materials are used. The strength characteristics of such a material are much worse. Tiles are less resistant to sudden changes in air temperature and humidity.

Important! The cost of quality tiles is much higher, but you win anyway. It is more durable. In addition, the surface has a coating with a dirt-repellent effect.

Trademark, manufacturer

It is important to know which tiles are best for the bathroom, which manufacturer. The undisputed world leaders in the production of ceramic tiles are the Italians. There are simply no analogues of Italian cladding.

The products of Italian masters are far from cheap, but the costs pay off, because this is not just a European-level quality, but an organic combination of practicality, quality, durability and high aesthetics in one product.

Important! Be sure to pay attention that the materials have a quality certificate. Only in this case, you can be sure that the tile will be truly durable, of high quality and environmentally friendly.

Colour

How to choose ceramic bathroom tiles by color? The choice of tile color largely depends on personal preferences. But at the same time, one should not forget about general rules the choice of design and also that an unsuccessfully chosen color of the material can nullify all the efforts of the masters.

For example:

Facing the floor with large tiles will make the room visually smaller.
You can achieve the same effect by using light materials at the top of the bathroom and dark ones at the bottom.
Vertical stripes and distinctive floor tiles visually expand the bathroom.

Important! Neutral colors are optimal. Light shades of green and beige have a calming effect. They are unobtrusive and never get bored. If you like saturated colors, you can also use them in the bathroom, but you should not abuse them. A combination of bright and calmer colors looks good.

Decor

This is one of the most important and crucial moments when deciding which tile is better to choose for a bathroom, because you cannot change the chosen decor. Think about what kind of pattern you like: bright and contrasting or calm and gentle. The bathroom should create an atmosphere of comfort, and not cause irritation.

same shade

When shopping for ceramic tiles, be sure to check the packaging to make sure the tiles are one shade. This is important, because tiles of the same design are often presented in a store in several colors. Yes, and different series of releases of one collection can change the color somewhat. Of course, you will do everything to make a replacement as soon as possible. But in doing so, you will waste your own time.

Calculation of the required amount of material

Calculation total area walls in the bathroom.
Calculate the area of one tile.

By dividing the first number by another, you get the required amount of material for wall cladding in the bathroom. It is advisable to take a tile with a margin, increasing the resulting number by 5%. But do not “stock up” too much so that the remnants of materials do not clutter up the entire open space. You can also use a special online calculator - they are available on most construction portals. Similarly, the material consumption for floor cladding is calculated.

Important! When choosing a mosaic pattern for facing the bathroom, you need to contact a specialist to calculate the required amount of materials. If you don't have experience with mosaics, it's best not to take this job, as you will have to face the additional costs associated with reworking.

Other Consumables

In addition to tiles, you will have to purchase:

Glue for tiles. The amount of glue depends on its properties and purpose - this information is indicated on the package.
In addition to tiles and glue, you need to purchase crosses for even gaps, a fugue, a latex additive, spatulas.
Rubber mallet - you will need it for facing work.
Glass cutter or tile cutter for smooth cutting of tiles.

How to choose tiles by grade?

In order not to be mistaken in the quality of the purchased material, you need to know about the existing varieties of ceramics. Tiles certified by the European Commission for Standardization can be of three grades - from the first to the third:

The first grade is marked in red. This is the most quality material. The allowable amount of marriage is five tiles per hundred.
The second grade is a tile with a blue marking. The acceptable percentage of marriage in this case is 5%. The difference between the first and second grade is that the material is tested on a specialized stand. For the second grade, the testing distance is 2.0 m, for the first - 1.0 m.
The third grade is the lowest, has a green marking.

Important! This classification is accepted for European-made tiles. For products from Russia and Belarus, the grade, the permissible percentage of rejects and tolerances in accordance with GOST are indicated on the packaging.

Features of choice by physical characteristics

The symbolic marking on the packaging allows you to choose a tile with the desired characteristics. How to choose bathroom tiles based on the symbols shown on the packaging?

The image of a shoe print on a dark background indicates a floor covering.
Palm print - wall tiles.
Flask pattern - resistance of the material to aggressive environments.

The coefficient of resistance of tiles to chemicals is indicated by letter markings: AA, B, C, D. The most resistant materials are suitable for the bathroom (AA marking).

Important! Strength properties are indicated by Roman numerals. It makes no sense to buy material above III class of strength for the bathroom.

Selection of tiles according to different styles

The use of ceramic tiles allows you to implement different style solutions. It is no coincidence that this material is so loved by designers. However, when choosing ceramic tiles for the bathroom, it is necessary to intelligently combine design imagination and common sense.

When deciding how to choose ceramic tiles for the bathroom, the following patterns must be taken into account (by the way, they work in all types of rooms):

The use of artificial lighting changes the shade of the material.
The vertical pattern creates the illusion of high ceilings.
Dark-colored tiles visually reduce the room, light ones, on the contrary, increase it.
The use of a bright and large ornament on the floor creates the illusion of a monolithic surface, but visually reduces the space.
Glare from a glossy surface tires the eyesight.

All these factors must be considered, regardless of the chosen style.

Classic variant

Using a classic style is a win-win for the bathroom. At the same time, the floor is darker than the walls by several tones. Shades of beige, brown, terracotta look good.

Important! There is also a more daring option: a combination of a pattern (for example, vegetable) and plain tiles. But here again, it is very important to know which tile is best for the bathroom - which manufacturer. In addition to Italian models, you can also pay attention to the products of Spanish masters - they have also proven themselves well in the world market.

"East is a delicate matter"

Do you like everything bright, colorful and unusual? Then pay attention to the decoration of the bathroom in oriental style:

Rich, juicy tones are appropriate here: shades of red, yellow, golden and turquoise.
Looks good tiles with oriental ornaments applied to it, floor and wall panels, mosaic canvases.

The East is traditionally associated with bliss and relaxation, so this choice for the bathroom is more than appropriate.

For a long time, in the question of which tile to choose in the bathroom, the answer is one - ceramic or tile. This material has long won trust among consumers. Thanks to modern technology, manufacturers are able to produce high quality material with excellent characteristics. A diverse assortment poses the challenge, which tile is best for the bathroom in terms of size, color, style? In order not to make a mistake in the choice, it is necessary to take into account many subtleties. This will be discussed further.

What is this article about

Material Description

Despite the fact that the construction market is full of other good flooring materials, most people still opt for tiles. This is due to many benefits. Here are some of them:

natural material, it is chemically passive;
safety for human health;
the tile is easy to use and does not require complex cleaning;
does not deteriorate from exposure to harsh chemicals;
easy to mount;
a large selection of colors, styles, sizes;
environmental friendliness;
the material is not flammable.

When choosing a tile for the bathroom, you should pay attention to the fact that it contains water and clay, which indicates that the material has a natural basis.

What qualities should the tiles meet?

Tiled material can be used for wall and ceiling decoration. Often you can find whole sets that are harmoniously matched to decorate a room. In this case, the proposed material is identical in color, pattern and direction. AT in general terms When wondering how to choose a tile, it should be borne in mind that the material must meet the following requirements:

the dimensions indicated on the packaging must match the actual parameters;
fragments should not have cracks and chips;
the surface must not be abraded;
resistance to high and low temperatures;
should not leave scratches;
moisture resistance;
the surface does not change under the action of chemical reagents;
does not lose the saturation of the shade;
has a long service life;
has an anti-slip effect.

Before choosing a tile, you can easily check the degree of slip. To do this, you do not need to lay the material, just place a few drops of liquid on the product and check with your finger how easily it slides on the tile.

Range

If you are going to choose a tile or ceramic material, you should familiarize yourself with its assortment. According to the method of manufacture, the following varieties can be distinguished:

Bicottura. In this case, the tile is fired 2 times, after which it is glazed. A good option for walls, but for floors - not the most suitable. Although resistant to chemicals, it is prone to low strength.
Monocottura. This type of material can be safely laid on the floor. The tile is fired only 1 time. The result is high strength.
Clinker. One of the most common options. In the process of making tiles, modern technologies, which make it possible to obtain particularly durable products with a low-porosity structure. The only downside is the small selection. Basically, these are natural shades.
Porcelain tile. It scores high on almost every count. Usually the range is represented by imitation of marble or granite. In addition, the tile has a slight roughness, which even more resembles the original.

Although the preference is often given to tiles, you should remember about other varieties of products:

Mirror and glass. Basically, walls and ceilings are trimmed, since the strength of the material is low, but durability and moisture resistance keep a good level.
polymer material. The most economical option with a wide range.
A natural stone. natural material dearest. With the help of modern equipment, stone cutting is carried out quickly and accurately, and thanks to high-quality processing, the stone is adjusted to standard sizes.

The most necessary data is always placed on the label, so do not ignore this information. The most commonly seen markings are:

a foot on a dark background means that the tile can be used for flooring;
high wear resistance is marked as a hatched background;
if a palm is indicated on a black background, then the material is used only for wall decoration;
if the tile is resistant to chemical aggregates, a flask will be shown on the label;
gear with numbers indicates the level of wear resistance.

But there are so many design solutions in this case that it is quite difficult to determine which tile is better to choose for the bathroom. In order to facilitate the task, it is better to deal with the manufacturer first, and only then with the collection. As a rule, tiles are chosen based on color, texture and pattern.

Don't stop at one collection different shades or on one color from different series. Such a finish will look inharmonious. It is better to choose one, already thought out design solution, which includes many variations of decor and rates.

When purchasing bathroom tiles, it is important to always fulfill one condition: the number of colors that are included in one combination should not be more than three. This number includes not only the main color, but also shades from a particular collection. Otherwise, such a glut will irritate the eyesight and look too clumsy.

And now let's try to figure out how to choose the right tile based on color. First of all, it is necessary to carefully consider the color scheme, it should be purchased, taking into account the opinion of all the people living in the house and the degree of lighting. Consider the most common colors:

Green. Classic variant. Good for mood and very invigorating.
Blue. It is used to create a solid interior, however, for many, such a cold shade can cause stiffness. At the same time, against the background of light colors any contamination is highly conspicuous.
Red. The color perfectly tones and excites.
Orange. The color scheme in this shade is able to cheer up and tune in a positive way.
Lilac. Great room for ladies. When combined correctly with another color, it can be a wonderful solution for the whole family.

direction in style

Determining the design of a tile is one of the most difficult and responsible issues. The choice of ceramic tiles for the bathroom based on the stylistic direction will further influence the overall mood and perception. Without a great imagination, it is better to trust the professionals.

The universal solution is classic style. The easiest option, but at the same time absolutely win-win. Top part the walls are finished with light tiles, the lower one is darker, and between them there is a narrow insert with a pattern. It is best if the lower part of the wall matches the color of the floor or is completely identical to it.

Natural design looks bright and refreshing. To do this, it is better to give preference to collections in green, blue, beige tones. Wood shades will perfectly fit into the interior. Against the background of plain tiles, you can place elements with a pattern of grass, flowers, shrubs or bamboo. You can create combinations on a marine theme.

For lovers of extraordinary style, the eastern direction is suitable. Tiles with Turkish ornaments and hieroglyphs will create a unique atmosphere. The color scheme should be saturated. The room should have shades of gold, turquoise, red, blue. Bathroom tiles in the form of a mosaic will convey the flavor of the east even more.

Mirror reflection can be advised to connoisseurs of everything original. Such material is able to visually enlarge the room, so it is perfect for a small bathroom, for this it is enough to make a few mirror inserts.

Which tile to choose for the bathroom - glossy or matte? The first one is most often found on sale, it reflects light, and it is convenient to take care of it. The matte surface is calmer, but in any color it always looks brighter than the glossy one, so this type of finish is mostly done in soothing colors. This is the perfect floor covering. The surface of the textured coating will look spectacular, it unusually realistic conveys natural material, such as stone, snake scales, pebbles, metal.

In addition to the criteria already listed, the following characteristics can help you choose ceramic tiles for the bathroom.

Absorption. With a high value of this indicator, it will be difficult for the adhesive solution to keep the material on the wall, and over time it will fall off. This tile is more suitable as a floor covering. In order to determine the degree of absorption, it is enough to pay attention to the inside of the tile. The fewer pores it has, the better. Ideally, they should not exist at all.
When selecting tiles for the bathroom, consider the evenness of the wrong side. It must have cavities, which are subsequently filled with an adhesive solution.
Front side. There are several factors to consider here. First, the surface must be perfectly smooth. Secondly, bubbles and roughness should not be observed. And, thirdly, it is the uniformity of distribution over the surface. When choosing a material, it is necessary to carefully examine and probe the goods.
The form. It is very important to purchase products with the correct geometry. The edges should be even and clear and coincide with each other.

When choosing a tile for the bathroom, special attention should be paid to its size. As a rule, it is divided into 4 types:

Large. It starts from 25 × 40 cm. Fewer seams are required for its installation, while moisture resistance increases. This option visually makes the space larger, but is not suitable for walls with defects, as it is difficult for them to correct the curvature.
Average. Usually it is 20x25cm. The best option for a small bathroom. Laying it vertically, you can increase the height of the ceiling, and horizontally - expand the space.
Small. The size of such a tile does not exceed 10 × 10 cm. Hides imperfections well. It is better to use in large rooms and combine with other types.
Mosaic. Consists of small squares. Sometimes you can find a round tile. Most often serves decorative element, fits between the transitions from one shade to another, when facing the bathtub and other components of the room.

Room to tile ratio

It is generally accepted that the choice of bathroom tiles large sizes should stop at small format material. Thanks to a small amount seams the room visually becomes larger. Therefore, if the room is small or medium, then it is better to choose large tiles. But in this case, the surface must be perfectly flat.

Mosaic tiles are suitable if the bathroom has curly ledges or niches. Tiles with ornaments or in the form of a decorative border can also be attributed to this group. It is best to separate certain zones in this way. In addition, it is important to note that in a large bathroom, as well as in a small one, you can harmonize material of different sizes, the main thing is to do it right so as not to visually narrow it down small room or not to do more and so quite a spacious room.

When choosing tiles for a small room, it is better to focus on light shades. If you still want to add more dark color, then it is better to finish the floor with them.
When buying a dark tile, remember that no matter how high-quality it is, any stains and dirt will be more noticeable on it.
If there is no possibility or desire to regularly carry out wet cleaning, it is better to give preference to a matte surface, perfect option- imitation stone.
Tiled mosaics will perfectly decorate walls with a complex configuration.
You should not lay bright tiles over the entire surface, it will irritate your eyesight, it is better to use such elements to highlight zones and focus on certain areas.
In order to significantly simplify the task, it is better to buy a ready-made kit. It will take into account all the parameters, the ratio of shades, patterns and shapes. Often, they immediately include elements for finishing the ceiling and walls, various decorative combinations.

Please note that marble imitation tiles look especially impressive and expensive, and in order for the surface to look as smooth and even as possible, it is necessary to accurately select the color of the grout for the joints. The manufacturer matters. It is better to give preference to well-known and proven brands, although this rule does not always work. Sometimes a little-known manufacturer can produce a product of really high quality.

Conclusion

Setting yourself the difficult task of how to choose tiles for the bathroom, it is important to take into account all the characteristics and external parameters. Since the selected material has a long service life and is not cheap, it is better to think about the future design of the room in time so that in the future it will please its owners and create a great mood!

The choice of materials for the bathroom is not an easy decision. The interior of the bathroom directly depends on the right materials.

Since the bathroom has a high level of humidity, then this room must certainly have a tiled design both on the walls and on the floor. This article will look at which tiles are best suited for a bathroom.

Varieties of material

The most popular products are: bicorutta, cotto, clinker, porcelain stoneware, mosaic, monocottura and others. In order to have an idea of what type of tiled products to choose for you, consider a few the most common types.

bicottura

bicottura(literally "double firing") - a production technology in which clay is placed under a press, and then fired at t-1040 ° C. It turns out a tile of 5-7 mm porous structure.

She is has good moisture absorption performance. Such ceramic tiles are sometimes referred to as "cookies". The tiles are then glazed and fired again.

The porous structure of the tile most suitable for wall covering, with the exception of those types of bicottura that are specifically designed to cover the floor. Its surface can be smooth and matte.

The tiles are impact resistant detergents vitreous enamel that makes maintenance easier. Compared to other tiles, bicottura is thinner and lighter.

Outwardly bikotturu can be distinguished by the following features:

small thickness;
ease;
shiny enamel;
the base is red-brown.

Clinker

Such tiles are made from a powder mixture. Her subjected to high pressure. The material is passed through an extruder. This allows you to give the material a different geometric shape.

Clinker can have an enameled or non-enamelled surface. Enameled ones are often without a pattern. Color, shine and decorative tile gives a layer of colored glass, which is covered with clinker tiles.

She is has a wide range of colors: base colors - white, orange, red, yellow and brown shades. According to the texture, clinker tiles can be: smooth, rough and rustic (roughly hewn stone effect).

Important features of clinker tiles:

excellent anti-slip properties;
abrasion resistance;
durability;
no harmful fumes (including when heated);
resistance to external influences (temperature, atmospheric);
strength.

Monocottura

Tile type obtained by single firing the base itself and the applied enamel. White clay is the starting material of monocottura.

Material has high strength, moisture absorption. Monocottura can be used for cladding not only walls, but also floors and even facades. This tile can have a porous, colored or white densified base.

Tile can be of two types: pressed-enamelled, with hot enamelling.

Characteristics of the monocottura:

strong and fairly thick base;
good wear-resistant enamel coating;
in some cases - frost resistance.

Porcelain stoneware

Porcelain stoneware is made from clay of predominantly light-colored rocks, has high strength and frost resistance. May have a wide range of colors.

To a greater extent, tiles with a rough surface, used for flooring. There are also types for wall coverings.

Porcelain stoneware has a low water absorption rate, high strength and wear resistance, resistant to temperature changes. Glaze can give a different color to the product, you can apply a different print on the base.

For the production of porcelain stoneware, mixtures are used different varieties clays that contain kaolinite and illite, feldspar and coloring inclusions, and the most commonly used substances are metal oxides. This is is the guarantor of security this type of tile for health.

In addition, porcelain stoneware has additional features:

no influence of chemicals;
preservation of the pattern even when abraded;
impact resistance;
the invariance of the color texture under the influence of the environment.

Main manufacturers

There are not very many manufacturers of ceramic bathroom tiles on the market. But choose one for all indicators (structure, color scheme, strength, masonry convenience, price) pretty hard.

Various material characteristics different manufacturers differ in more or less degree.

spanish tiles is the highest quality and most expensive. Elite types are made from white or red clay. Popular Spanish manufacturers: Pamesa, Aparisi, Ceramica, Novogres.
polish tiles made from Polish materials on Italian machines. Wide range of The picture is complemented by Slavic themes. In terms of quality, Polish tiles are not inferior to Italian counterparts, but the price is much lower than that of elite tile manufacturers. Popular manufacturers: Polcolorit, Opoczno, TM Tubadzin, Cerrol, Cersanit, Ceramika Konskie, Ceramika Paradyz.
Italian tiles differs in thin style, grace and conforms to all modern standards and progressive technologies. Made mainly from white clay. Always of excellent quality and has a wide selection of various collections with a lot of design options. Popular manufacturers: Saloni, Valverde, Tilegres.
Russian tiles differs in reasonable price and excellent quality. Unfortunately, bathroom tiles are found in a Russian manufacturer, which is significantly inferior to foreign counterparts, but such tiles also find their buyer. Manufacturers: Falcon factory, Kerabud, Shakhty tiles, Kerama-Marzzi.
german tile stands out for impeccable quality. The German manufacturer sets the main goal of the reliability of its products. The main manufacturers are: Steuler, Boizenburg, Barwolf, Jasba.

How to choose bathroom tiles?

With a huge variety of shapes, colors, types, sizes of tile products, the average consumer is often lost and spends a large number of time to decide: which tile for the bathroom to choose?

There is fundamental rules, that can help solve this problem.