Pros And Cons Of Clay Versus Stone Tile For Bathrooms
Your bathroom floor can be a big part of a bathroom renovation. It can set the tone for the whole aesthetic, and it also needs to be hard and strong enough to resist the spills, high humidity, and other occupational hazards of being a bathroom floor.
Clay tile floors and natural stone tile are two common choices for bathroom floors. Here are some pros and cons of each.
Clay Tile
Clay tile typically comes in two varieties: porcelain and ceramic. Porcelain is considered the higher-end choice and as such tends to have a higher price point. The reason for this is that porcelain is harder, less porous, and more durable. However, both options can make excellent bathroom floors.
Pros:
Because these fired clay tiles are vitreous (meaning they have a hard glass-like characteristic), they're able to provide the durability, hard-wearing longevity, and shine of glass. However, they're not quite as brittle and prone to chipping as actual glass tiles are. These characteristics plus the beautiful colors and patterns available make clay tiles an always-popular choice for bathroom floors.
Cons:
Ceramic tiles do require some upkeep and can crack if something heavy drops on them or hits them. You'll also have to be careful not to let sand and grit scratch the tile and dull the surfaces, which can be a big concern if you live near the beach or some other constant source of grit.
Stone Tile
A wide variety of natural stones exist that can be made into bathroom tiles. From the neutral color of slate to the bright colors available with onyx, you can choose a variety of colors and aesthetics.
Pros:
One of the pros of natural stone is its inimitable beauty. Some stone tile materials, such as marble, granite, and onyx, can provide a mesmerizing beauty in the exposed veins of stone created by natural processes deep within the earth.
In addition, many natural stone tiles are extremely hard-wearing and durable. For instance, granite is scratch-resistant when polished and highly resistant to wear as well.
Cons:
Natural stone tends to have some level of porosity, not having the impermeable glazed surface that a porcelain tile provides. Because of this, natural stone floors typically may require maintenance to keep them sealed so they won't absorb spills and take on stains.
These are some of the pros and cons to consider as you go about choosing a type of tile for your bathroom floor. Keep in mind that although some tiles need more maintenance than others, both these types of tile floor will require some maintenance such as cleaning and sealing the grout.
For more information, contact a bathroom tile supplier.
