Guide to Designing and Buying a Bathroom

A Professional Designers Guide

Bathroom Wall Tiles , Wall Finishes and Flooring Guide

I have provided below a selection of popular wall finish options for your bathroom with help about their practical use. there are also webpage links to good manufacturers and retail companies.

Please click on company headings to view products

Plasterwork

Wall preparation and quality of finish is often overlooked. At the most basic level if a wall is patched and badly finished this can detract from a well finished bathroom. It is often at the end of the job, when spotlights are turned on, that the imperfections stand out and frustrate. It is messy and disruptive to put right, so get a decorator to have a look early in your preparations, and if more serious, then consider using a plasterer to skim with a new layer of plaster or patch repair.

Ceilings

Bathroom ceilings also require the same amount of consideration, and if heavily rendered, require refinishing for recessed spotlights. Rendered plaster can be re-skimmed but requires preparation and sealing, and can sometimes dry badly. I normally will re-board and skim if recessed lights are required, due to the necessiity to get access for cable runs without having to roll up carpets and clear rooms above etc.

Wall Finishes

Ceramic tiles

A good solid practical option in many sizes and finishes . I have been horrified when bad choices have been made, in my absence, on some of my best schemes When customers have insisted they get the point of the design and then go off at a tangent. I would say get independent advise from a good designer if you are unsure or confused by choice,

Handmade Tiles

Handmade tiles are a nice rewarding voyage of discovery and well worth the effort. It is very difficult to stamp your mark on your project without hard work on your part or your designer to finish off the final details with decor and tiles so it is important to consider the individuality of this option and how that matters in the bigger picture. handmade tiles cost more but are worth it for decors especially.

Glass tiles

Glass tiles have been been very popular recently as borders and mosaics. I have only been impressed by a few, but I will extend this list b providing links to more.

Metallic tiles

Metallic finish tiles are an iinteresting look. I have noticed an interest in using metallic finishes with handmade tile collections, so I think that this area will develop nicely in the coming years.

Marble tiles

An interesting variety of shapes, colours and finishes. Can look very striking as large tiles, but probably a little too popular for the more individual cutting edge schemes in tumbled form. For the less adventurous, offers a safe natural choice with lots of options for more tradiitional schemes.

Mosaics

A popular designers option, but not very easy to fit, or look after unless cheating with the imitation mosaic tile options. Sizes start from 15mm upwards in various materials from self coloured ceramic through to glass

Stone and natural materials

Natural stone is a particularly beautiful material for bathroom walls aswell as floors. It does require more work to install and maintain but for bathroom use I am always prepared to put up with the compromise for the uniqueness.

Stonehouse stone wall tiles . Stonell stone wall tiles . Original Style stone wall tiles

Waterproof Laminate panels

An option which has never excited me or seemed a better option than a good tile. It is available in a reasonable choice of finishes with the better ranges. I have used some of the bright colours when it has been specified that I use it. The marine ply backed varieties are best and expect to get at least a 10 year guarantee. If jointing strips are used it can look quite ugly and utilitarian.

Composite walls

I have regularly used composite wall panelling such as Corian, or other cheaper products. I find them a little overpowering with too much use because of their uniform finish and colour, but they are very practical and durable for long term use none the less.

Corian wall panels . Apollo wall panels

Wood panelling

A bespoke or traditional bathroom option, that is ok for wall panelling in dry areas and will take splashing with good waterproof paint. I have completed many bespoke schemes with small amounts of panelling, to good effect. I would stear clear of too much panelling in smal bathroom areas.

Wallpaper

In vinyl form is acceptable for domestic bathroom use in large bathroom areas, but can be effected by excessive steam or water, so avoid in small damp bathroom areas. Paper glue has to be exceptional wherever the wallpaper is used.

Flooring Finishes

The interest in more natural flooring, and real stone and slate is increasing, and requires careful consideration for kitchen use, compared to the practical advantages of ceramic tiles. I believe that it is important to work out your priorities, and be aware of the disruption required to strip, clean and reseal stone and slate floors, especially around nice laquered or painted furniture for instance. I have listed the most popular options both natural and man-made below, and have provided pros and cons. I have also provided links to good tile products I use actively.

Ceramic tiles

Ceramic tiles now come in a vast selection, and have been a persistant area of frustration for me for many years. I can leave a tile centre with very little to show for lots of looking. The insistance on catering for, easy import, and cheap supply with transfer print tiles, have limited the market for years. If you are looking for interesting, then expect to have to look a little harder and further afield. I have listed some good sources with links below and will be adding more as I find them.

Porcelain ceramic tiles

These tiles are normally thicker and harder than conventional ceramic floor tiles, so cost more . Porcelain tiles are also available in polished finish, which I would be reluctant to use in bathrooms for practical reasons even though they are popular. Choices of finishes have become very good recently. Imitation natural stones, such as limestone or travertine are particularly good, and available in more variety. Fitters normally expect to use diamond bladed cutting machines, because they are extremely hard and difficult to cut with conventional tile cutters.

Composite stone tiles

This category covers contract type porcelain ceramic tiles that are self coloured, meaning that if chipped, the colour is consistant all the way through. The colour options and finishes are very good, but cost more than domestic tiles. They are worth a look for more unusual projects where colour and choice of shades is important, such as greys through to black. Again they are very hard and consistant, available in many sizes.

Slate Floor Tiles

A popular choice with a surprising choice of colour variation and textures from smooth grey blue through to rustic multicoloured green and orange that would trip up an elephant. Slate is also very hard and practical when sealed regularly , so is worth considering as a good alternative to softer stone flooring. Size choices are also good from 50mm x 50mm inserts upto 600mm x 600mm.

Stone floor tiles

Natural stone flooring such as limestone and travertine are stunning in modern and traditional settings, with good size choices and finishes from polished through to rough. I have never been disappointed wherever I have used them. I am only limited by there necessity for more maintenance and care in use, because they are more porous and prone to staining. I would actively consider reproduction tiles if you are a busy and low maintenance type family because these options have improved dramatically recently.

Marble floor tiles

A beautiful look if used with inlay borders etc but porous and impractical in polished finish for heavy usage areas. tumbled marble is a look that has been over- used and probably had its day, or am I being too harsh ?

Terracotta floor tiles

A soft and porous fired clay tile with a vast choice of colours, from cream through to brown. Can be stunning in an aged finish from Fired Earh and quite convincing. They can also be light and subtle with lots of colour variation. Tiles do require sealing and maintainance, and because they are softer can chip with heavy traffic usage. Not a popular choice fo bathrooms

Quarry floor tiles

A much more durable tile than teracotta, made from longer fired clay, and good for heavy usage. Available in a large choice of sizes, colours and shapes for borders and inserts etc. I find the look a little heavy for large areas, and have only seen them used effectively in small traditional schemes.

Vinyl floor tiles

Good quality vinyl such as Karndean and Amtico are worth a look, offering budget ranges through to expensive options. Ignore cushion floor and low quality cheap tiles, if you require a longer lasting finish. Prices are comparative to a good ceramic tiles and are quite convincing in their various stripwood options.

Linoleum flooring

Traditional Linoleum is a very durable and interesting option for bathrooms with many colour choices and options when cut into special designs. There are various thicknesses for domestic use through to contract use. It is available in roll and tile form. Roll fitting is a specialist job because it is difficult to bend and cut around obsticals. The smell after installation can be off-putting because of the linseed oil and natural materials, but it fades eventually! It requires sealing to keep its looks.

Woodstrip flooring

A choice for caution in bathrooms. It will mark and scuff easily. varnish will wear off quickly and furniture will scratch and score it. Waxed or oiled wood will stain quickly. I have used antique finish stripwood effectively ,because it is aged, and damage tends to add character. A church I converted into a house had sprung wood floors, and still had stilleto heel holes in it from as far back as the 50s. The patina was wonderful with a light sand and 4 layers of varnish, and always looked good whatever damage was inflicted on it.

Carpet tiles

One to avoid unless you are very careful, or happy to replace or take up and clean often. Huega do a good range, and cover heavy usage options. I find this option unhygenic and impractical.

Carpet or coir flooring

Another one to avoid if hygiene and maintenance is important. Even stain resistant carpet is hopeless in bathroom conditions and rarely lives up to expectations even in washable bathroom form.

Metal flooring

A more rare choice that has had its day for domestic kitchen use. It was popular in de-constructed type loft schemes and contract use, but is not very relevant at the moment even in loft conversions, where a more warm and clean look is preferred with wood and natural materials.

Non-slip flooring

This is good for bathrooms, and situations where small children or the infirm have access. There are some interesting choices for the more unusual project, and worth a look for your designer or specifier. I would look at the, good contract specification end, for choice of colour and quality.

Rubber flooring

Not used much these days for domestic bathroom purposes, but is quite practical in wet areas and does not stain. I would leave it for the contract market these days.