By Sandra Natukunda  
When it comes to tiling a bathroom, the choice of floor surface should be considered. This includes aesthetics, durability, ease of cleaning, safety and water-proofing.

Bathroom tiles are known to make bathrooms look trendy. However, this is not an easy task, but if done well with the right choice of tile, colour, surface and application, it can be very rewarding. Bathroom floor and wall tiles play a major role in enhancing the look of the bathroom, which is why it is important that any home owner takes their time to choose the right tiles.

Types of tiles
Besides colour, the décor of a bathroom depends on the type of tile because it is what is responsible for theme of the bathroom. Bathroom tiles have a lot of variations and are a major decorator so it is important to know which type suits what section. There are several types of tiles used for residential and specifically bathroom applications. These tiles vary according to application (floor or wall) and composition.

Ceramic tiles
According to Mr Emma Katongole, a salesperson in the sanitary department at CTM, ceramic tiles are the most commonly used tiles in offices and homes mainly because of their durability and surfaces. “The surfaces are coarse, making them less slippery than some of the other surfaces when wet. They are also less prone to chips and scratches, which gives them an advantage over the other types of tiles and also make them a good option for bathroom wall and floor tiling,” he explains.

Porcelain
Porcelain tile is a type of ceramic tile. Mr Katongole explains that the difference between porcelain and ceramic is that porcelain is fired at high a temperature, making it more dense and moisture-resistant hence a good option for the bathroom.

Also, porcelain is less porous, making it more resistant to stains. Mr Katongole explains that most porcelain tiles are good for indoor and outdoor installation. However, they are more expensive because of their density and considerably longer lifespan.

Mosaics
These are commonly used for small areas like bathroom walls. They are usually less than six square inches and made are of porcelain or clay composition. They are unique because they come in different shapes like square, octagon and other unique shapes allowing one to be creative design.

Natural stone
There are several types of natural stone tiles which are used for flooring and walls. They include:

Marble
Marble is a versatile natural stone which has been used in homes to create a luxurious and unique look. Because marble is a natural stone, there are variations in the colour of each tile. According to Mr Katongole, many home owners like this type, as it creates a unique, one of a kind design.Marble is porous and must be sealed just like all other tiles.

Granite
Mr Katongole says granite has been used for shower walls and bathroom counters. Granite tiles are naturally antibacterial and are not damaged by water contact. That is why they are a great choice for bathroom applications.

Onyx
“Onyx has a creamy, pearl-like look. However, it is not a common choice for flooring, but it is used on some occasions. It is used more frequently for skirting around bathtubs,” Mr Katongole says.

What to consider
Choosing bathroom tiles is quite tricky because one must know what exactly they are looking for and which tile suits the bathroom.

Composition
Mr Katongole says it is important for one to know the difference between wall and floor tiles because each of them is different and they have different compositions.While wall tiles are mainly for décor purposes and are made strong enough to only hang on the wall, floor tiles go through a number of processes to make them strong enough and give them a surface in order to handle different kinds of traffic.

Surface
“Floor tiles have to be a little rough in order to reduce the chances of sliding if water pours on the floor,” Mr says. He adds that the glossy and smooth tiles such as marble and mosaic are used on the wall for décor and to give a sleek look. However, they are not recommended for the floor because on top of being slippery, they are not as durable as floor tiles and their major purpose is for decoration.

Durability
Every bathroom needs durable tiles because a crack in the bathroom tile could ruin the floor since water would escape through the cracks. He says that depending on the traffic used on the tile, ceramic tiles can last eight to 20 years while porcelain tiles last longer, even up to 30 years.

Colour (bright or bold?)
Ms Rita Zoe, an interior designer with Nina Interiors Limited, says the choice of tile colour for the bathroom depends on the home owner but it is also important for the homeowner to consider the size of the bathroom. “Bold tile colours like hot pink and deep blue, are good for spacious bathrooms only because they really enhance the size, making them look even more spacious.

However, the case is different with small bathrooms because bold tile colours make small bathrooms look even smaller. Light tile colour shades however are best for small bathrooms because they make them look bigger.” explains Zoe.

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