Ceramic Wall Tiles

One of the most popular wall coverings for bathrooms is ceramic wall tiles. They are versatile, reasonably priced and durable. You can use them around showers, and they will give you years of good service. They come in different textures and colors, and they don't cost much more than cheap tiles. Porcelain ceramic tiles also work well on kitchen walls, countertops and backsplashes. It would be difficult to find a single home that doesn't utilize ceramic tile in one room or another, or outside on the patio. Ceramic tiles are often the perfect solution for kitchen and bath remodels.

Another advantage of ceramic tiles is the choice in design options. Backsplashes and mosaic patterns can add flair to a kitchen, although decorative tiles may be a bit more expensive. Ceramic tiles may actually be cheaper than some of the other alternatives, so include them after you price them. The larger sizes will cost more, but they will also produce an elegant look. You'll want to weigh your options and price your selected items so you can determine the best choices. You will probably use smaller tiles for shower walls, but kitchen walls sometimes look better with tiles that are a bit larger.

People who are new to design may wonder about the similarities and differences in stone tiles and ceramic tiles, and which would be best for their job. In planning floors, one is as often chosen as the other. Stone has a classic look and is harder to crack, and the tiles sit closer, so you use less grout. But ceramic floor tiles are a little less expensive, more difficult to become stained and are available in many colors. Walls are a different story. Stone tiles can add too much weight to a wall, so ceramic wall tiles are hands down the first choice, as a rule.

Ceramic bathroom tile is a great design choice, but, like anything else, it is not perfect. Each home improvement design has its weaknesses and its strengths, and ceramic tiles are no different. The maintenance of ceramic tiles isn't as much of a chore as it used to be. The grout used can attract mold and mildew growth, and some of it still does, but there are newer products that deal with this more efficiently. They reduce the cleaning workloads for the homeowner. Be sure to stay on top of the grout cleaning, in the old way (scrubbing) or the new (automatic sprays), or you may have water finding its way behind your tiles, and that means a call to a professional to repair your tile work.

Installing ceramic tiles is still a job that can be a bit intimidating if you have never done tile work before. The basics are pretty easy to grasp, but you have to install the tiles exactly in the correct way. You will need to measure and level, since even a bit “off” can change the installation's integrity. You may want to choose a professional to install your ceramic wall tiles, since the project tends to be time-consuming and tedious.