The time has finally come to update your old second bathroom. The avocado green wallpaper, tufted bathroom rugs, and varnished wood paneling have been out of style for decades, and now they're finally out of your bathroom, too. Congratulations! It's time to do a happy dance! 

You've probably seen a lot of glamorously tiled powder rooms, lavatories, and master baths while looking for style ideas. You may wonder why there are so many different tile options, and which tile is best for your bath. Let's discover why tile is the best choice for bathrooms and the different materials that can be used to make tile. 

BENEFITS OF TILE FLOORING 

When it comes to quick ways to improve your home, changing your floors can have one of the biggest effects. No other material gives you a better return on your money than tile. Whether you want to put river rock tile in your walk-in shower or a subway tile backsplash in your kitchen, the natural beauty of tile will make your home look better and keep moisture from damaging your flooring or walls. 

Design Versatility 

Tiles come in a wide range of colors, shapes, textures, and materials. Tile is one of the most versatile ways to decorate a room. It comes in a wide range of styles, from geometric and modern to old world and earthy. Tile floors and walls are here to stay. They are great for high-traffic areas like the kitchen or living room, as well as wet places like the bathroom. Installing backsplash tile over the sink or stove in the kitchen can protect the walls from splashes and spills while keeping the design in check. But don't think that the only places you can use tiles are on the floor, in the bathroom, or in the kitchen. You can put tiles in any room of your home, like as a subway tile backdrop in the front hallway or as a metallic-sheen ceramic border around an ornate mirror. You can use the different kinds of tiles in a lot of different ways. The only thing that limits you is your creativity. 

Easy Cleaning 

Even though natural stone tile needs to be resealed every so often, tile is one of the easiest flooring options to take care of. You could never wet mop a wooden floor or use bleach to clean a carpet, but tile is easy to clean. Even if a group of kids ate spaghetti on your dining room floor and wore it on their clothes, cleaning tile floors is as easy as sweeping up the mess and wiping it down with warm, soapy water. If things get really bad and your new puppy can't get to the garden in time, you can clean and sanitize your tile floors without ruining them. Yes, tile is also a good floor for dogs. 

Simple to Repair and Maintain 

Most kinds of tile are easy to keep clean and in good shape if you use good grout and sealant (when needed). With high-quality caulk, water can't get under the tiles and do a lot of damage. Also, tiles are often easy to fix. If you find a broken tile in the shower or a bent tile in the wall, all you have to do is replace it. Just keep an extra box of the same kind of tile on hand to make the process of replacing them quick. First time buyer hint: Sometimes, people who build or update homes keep extra boxes in the attic just in case something like this happens. 

Rugged Durability 

Why pay a lot for expensive wood when you can choose wood-look tile. In a high-traffic part of your home, tile can shine for years to come. Tile is made so that it doesn't break down when it's exposed to water for a long time. It can also handle most daily wear and tear without breaking. Think about how strong and long-lasting something has to be to stand up to snow boots, soccer cleats on kids, and a week's worth of trips to bring in food. That's how tough tile flooring is.

Cool to the Touch  

Did you know that floor tile is a great way to keep cool? In the summer, tile is a natural air conditioner for a room because its hard surface keeps heat away and gives off cool air. On a hot, steamy day, the coolness of a high-quality tile floor will make every shower feel even more refreshing. 

6 MAIN TYPES OF TILES 

When you walk into Floors for Less in Middleton, WI, you'll see many different kinds of flooring and tiles. You surely know about ceramic tile and porcelain tile, which are two of the most common types of tiles. But have you seen tiles made of stone or glass lately? 

• Ceramic Tile 

Ceramic tile is a popular choice for home improvement jobs because it can be used for so many different things. Ceramic is a great choice for any room in your home, including the bathroom, kitchen, and front door, because it is cheap and lasts a long time. Glazed ceramic tile is better than wood, carpet, or even vinyl plank flooring at protecting against marks and damage.

• Porcelain Tile 

Porcelain is a type of clay ceramic tile that is more beautiful. Porcelain tiles are more lasting than red clay ceramic tiles because they have a higher ratio of silica and quartz and are baked or fired at a higher temperature. Because of this, porcelain tiles are often more expensive. Porcelain tile is like a chameleon because it can be made in many different colors and shapes. When glazed, etched, and textured, porcelain tiles can look like expensive stone, wood planks, or even bricks used in factories. Keep in mind that installing porcelain tile as a do-it-yourself job can be tricky because the tile is stronger and denser than ceramic and needs a special tool, a diamond blade wet saw, to cut it. 

Make a backsplash with subway tiles 

Even if you are on a tight budget, you can use wall tiles to change the look of your kitchen or bathroom. Once only used in the New York subway, rectangular subway tiles have become the most popular form for backsplash tiles in recent years. You can easily change the look of subway tiles by laying them in different designs. This gives any room a more three-dimensional look. Since subway tiles are more neutral in terms of shape and style, they look good with both complex and simple decor. 

• Glass Tile 

Sparkling glass tiles look great as a wall or in a shower. Compared to other tiles, glass tiles are the most resistant to stains. Even red wine and lemon juice can't get through them. One problem with glass tile is that it's easy to chip and crack if something is put on it, so it's best to use it on your wall. 

DIY Idea: Frame a mirror with glass tiles 

Picture a big mirror in your new bathroom surrounded by shiny glass tiles. A great way to make a small bathroom look and feel bigger is to reflect and bounce light around in a well-lit room. 

• Marble Tile 

Marble is often thought of as one of the more expensive natural stone tile materials. However, it is a bold and beautiful choice because it has a level of elegance and style that is hard to find in other materials. Deeply veined with natural mineral lines, marble is created under immense heat and pressure -- and can take the heat and pressures of daily life extremely well. Maybe no other kind of tile can make a room look so much better than marble tile. The natural stone delivers incredible depth and contrast, displaying a dazzling array color veining, and is naturally available in a multitude of colors, from green, gray, beige, white, black, and many more. When choosing marble tiles or blocks, make sure to look for rough spots. Since marble is porous, these spots may need extra sealing to protect them from stains. 

• Granite Tile 

Granite is another natural rock tile that can be used for both countertops and floors. It has spots and flecks of color that provide unique, natural beauty. Granite is much harder than marble, which makes it less likely to chip or break. Granite is a great choice for wet areas or countertops because it is mostly waterproof and won't soak up water or stains. Granite usually comes in big slabs, so it's not a good choice for people who want to save money.

Countertops Made of Stone 

Many companies that make natural stone and clay tiles have started making bigger tiles. These huge tiles can often handle heat and can be used instead of real stone slab countertops, which are more expensive. This choice might be good for you if you want the look of custom granite or marble countertops at a fraction of the cost. 

• Other Natural Stone Tile 

Marble and granite are two types of natural stone that can be used to make tile. Slate, limestone, travertine, and sandstone are all porous, so if you want to use them as flooring in your home, you will need to seal them often to keep spots and discoloration from happening. Still, you can use these stones well for some of your other home projects. 

IN CONCLUSION 

I know, I know—after giving you all these great tile ideas, what started out as a simple bathroom remodel has turned into a long list of home improvement projects you can't wait to start. The professional flooring experts and installers at Floors For Less can help you check that off your list in the blink of an eye. With their newly added remodeling section, they can even help you make bigger changes to your home's layout or design. Whether you want to add a stylish ceramic backsplash tile or put tough granite bathroom floor tiles, knowing about the different kinds of tile and the best ways to use them will help you make your own ideal interior.