Bathroom Tiles Adelaide: Water-Resistant Bathroom Tiles
Even though tile can withstand moisture and humidity, it’s not completely waterproof material and moisture may seep through grout lines to cause lasting damage to walls.
Waterproofing materials help keep moisture at bay in tile settings, such as cement tile backer boards and liquid waterproofing shower membranes, however they’re not the only solutions available.
Ceramic
Water-resistant bathroom tiles Adelaide like ceramic tiles make an ideal addition to bathrooms, made from natural clays that have been fired at high temperatures to withstand repeated exposure to water and household chemicals. Furthermore, they can be glazed to resist scratches or stains that might otherwise diminish their aesthetic appearance.
Ceramic tiles feature smooth glazed surfaces that make them suitable for areas where people will be walking barefoot, such as those designated for commercial or public areas. However, when exposed to water they may cause their adhesive underneath to weaken and loosen more quickly than intended – leading to loosening or mildew growth on top.
This issue typically only arises in bathrooms that experience freezing weather, or those exposed to extreme winter temperatures. If this is a concern in your home, waterproof thin set should be added under tile in these areas to help prevent its expansion and contraction which could otherwise cause cracking in the tile itself.
Porcelain
Porcelain tiles make a smart choice for moisture-prone spaces like bathrooms, kitchens and patios. Constructed from fine clays and minerals fired at high temperatures to form hard and dense ceramic-style porcelain tiles that resist fading, staining and bacteria growth compared with ceramic alternatives.
Porcelain tiles are not only durable, but they’re also simple to keep looking their best – easy maintenance makes this material standout even further! Simply wipe down with household cleaner without fear of compromising its finish or colour; spills are easily cleaned up using natural water repellence; mould is prevented from growing with its resistance against water and stain accumulation.
Water-resistant bathroom tiles Adelaide like porcelain tile comes in an astounding variety of colours, textures and finishes that enable you to make a statement or let other elements take centre stage. From bold marble-look tiles to subtle options that blend in with their surroundings seamlessly.
Natural Stone
Natural stone tiles provide your bathroom with an exotic aesthetic while adding premium value. However, their higher price point requires additional maintenance services, including regular sealing to prevent water damage.
Natural stone tiles, like porcelain tile, can withstand moisture when sealed properly. There are three categories of natural stone tile: nonvitreous, semivitreous and impervious varieties – only impervious varieties are suitable for wet rooms due to low absorption levels that resist staining from cleaning products or any damage due to cleaning agents.
Porcelain tile offers an ideal alternative to natural stone surfaces with its impregnated surfaces that replicate their look. Available in an array of colours and finishes – some textured options even provide extra grip – these stone-look porcelains make ideal bathroom accessories and complement radiant heating well. Cleaning them easily is also no hassle: dirt hardly adheres to them with regular wiping care required only!
Unglazed
There is an impressive variety of tiles on the market today, nearly as many different varieties and styles!
Glazed tiles are protected with a vitreous glass layer that bonds directly to their tile body during firing, and serves to shield it from staining or fading while giving them a glossy surface finish.
Unglazed tiles do not have the protective layer found on glazed tiles and therefore tend to have more of a natural, matte look. Water-resistant bathroom tiles Adelaide like unglazed tiles also showcase their inherent characteristics like textures, grains and colour variations which add rustic or organic touches that make this style popular in contemporary designs.
Both glazed and unglazed tiles can become slippery when wet, though modern tile production techniques offer anti-slip variants to address this problem. These anti-slip variants can either be added over the grout line or directly applied directly onto the floor surface itself.