The kitchens and bathrooms are the most functional and highly utilised parts of our homes. Although all rooms in a house are equally important and useful, kitchens and bathrooms are spaces with heavy footfall and excess wear and tear. And when designing these spaces are considered, tiles are the most feasible option for the same. Tiles have properties of being robust, water resistant, and easy to maintain.

Since these spaces witness the maximum water usage and are constantly exposed to moisture, tiles are undoubtedly the best alternative for them. Although, of late tiles have come to become a highly sort after material in overall home flooring, but its requirement in the kitchen and bathroom spaces are different.

Here are some features that you need to consider when choosing bathroom tiles and kitchen tiles. And needless to say, these features will vary from the tiles used for normal flooring.

Anti-Skid:

Both for ease of functionality and safety concerns, it is essential that you avoid smooth-glazed tiles for your kitchens and bathrooms. The smooth tiles can be used on the walls for a premium finish but for the flooring, it is a must that you go with anti-skid tiles. Unlike anti-skid tiles, smooth tiles have minimal traction making them prone to skidding with a little amount of moisture in them.

Low Water Absorption:

As the kitchen and bathroom witnesses heavy water usage, you should opt for tiles that absorb the least amount of water. It should also be taken care of that the joints between the tiles should be minimal so that water and dust do not settle between them. In this case, vitrified tiles are the most popular choice as they offer hassle-free maintenance.

Durability:

Durability is an important feature that needs to be considered for tiles used in any part of the house. But for kitchens and bathrooms, it is all the more essential that durable tiles are used.

Aesthetically Functional:

Color and texture are important features that need to be considered while designing a kitchen or bathroom. Colour is an essential component as lighter colours help in making the space look bigger and cleaner. In addition to the functional aspects of the tiles, what needs to be considered is the aesthetic part. The tiles used must complement the decor and the interiors of the house to make perfect coordination.

Since the features are identified, you must be thinking that you can now shop for the tiles for kitchens and bathrooms. Well, it is not all. There is more to it. Did you know that the tiles used in the bathroom and kitchen are different? You heard it right! You cannot use the same type of tile for both the kitchen and bathroom.

The difference between bathroom and kitchen tiles:

The kitchen and the bathroom serve two very different purposes, although both are predominantly wet areas of a home. It goes without saying that you must be considering tiles for the walls and the flooring of both these spaces as tiles make for the most feasible option. However, looking at the functionality and the use of both of these spaces, the tiles used vary in their quality and features to some extent.

Kitchen Tiles:

Kitchens are spaces that are prone to spills and stains. Moreover, modern kitchens are no longer just cooking spaces they have evolved over type as a style statement of the house. And so while choosing the kitchen tiles, you must consider the aesthetic ground along with keeping in mind the practicality of the space. In Kitchens, tiles are generally used in flooring, walls, and backsplash.

The biggest concern in a kitchen is that of staining and so you must make sure that the material you are opting for is not porous and is easily cleanable. Kitchen walls and floors are exposed to oil and smoke, so cleaning can be a hassle, in that case opting for smooth tiles in the kitchen walls can be of great help. Besides the tiles used as the backsplash serves more of a decorative purpose and so allow room for creativity.

Bathroom Tiles:

Bathrooms, on the other hand, are the most humid area. They are constantly exposed to water and soap, making it a potential space for slip hazards. So, the bathroom tiles must have anti-skid and water and moisture resistance properties.

Moreover, the bathroom is a closed space and if the tiles are made of porous materials, they will absorb moisture and give rise to bacteria and other microorganisms. So it is of utmost importance that you go for non-porous tiles for the bathroom flooring and walls.

Besides, the tiles used for bathroom flooring are smaller in size to facilitate the drainage system. However, you can always opt for larger tiles for the bathroom walls.

Wrapping up

With all this information, you must have by now gathered enough knowledge to go tiles shopping and opt for the best available varieties. Make sure you seriously consider the features before finalizing the tiles for your kitchen or bathroom.