Though a remodeling project can be a little stressful, it does have its pleasures. One of those preferences is choosing materials for your remodel, especially a bathroom remodel. There are so many different types of materials to choose from that the task may be bewildering, but professionals are always available to help. Here are some bathroom remodeling materials and their positives and negatives.
Ceramics
When people think of bathrooms, they often think of the ceramic tiles that go on the floor, the walls, and sometimes the vanity top. Ceramics are made from clay fired at high temperatures. Porcelain is a type of ceramic with a large percentage of a material called kaolin that’s fired at even higher temperatures. This makes the material waterproof and glassy.
Ceramic and porcelain come in an amazing array of colors, patterns, and textures. They’re durable and easy to take care of. The one thing to keep in mind is that there are ceramic tiles rated to use on the floor and others rated to use on the walls.
Some drawbacks are that ceramics are cold and hard on bare feet unless there’s radiant heat beneath them. Porcelain may also be just a little too slick to be used as flooring. The grout between ceramic tiles can also be hard to clean.
Concrete
Concrete is being used more and more inside the home, including the bathroom. Today, concrete can be made to mimic all kinds of materials, from ceramics to wood to stone to leather. It can be dyed and stained though there will always be people who just love that weighty, gray look. Though concrete has become very versatile, it’s heavy, and you’ll need to make sure that the floors of your bathroom can support it.
Wood
Many people do use wood in their bathrooms. It’s beautiful, it’s lovely to the touch, and it makes a bathroom look warm and inviting. However, most types of wood used in the bathroom need to be stained and sealed to prevent water damage, and this process needs to be repeated periodically. Depending on the species, wood can also be expensive. Types of wood to use in the bathroom include Douglas fir, teak, mahogany, and oak. Cork, which is collected from a species of oak, is an excellent choice for a bathroom floor.
Natural Stone
Natural stone, such as marble or travertine, is unsurpassed in its beauty and luxury. It can be used on the walls, the floors, vanity tops, and shower stalls. Stone is easy to care for and lasts a very long time. However, most stone is heavy and needs to be sealed. It can also be expensive. However, if you want your bathroom to resemble an expensive European spa, there’s nothing like it.
Picking the right materials for your bathroom remodel can be fun, but it can also be time consuming. If you’re contemplating a bathroom remodel, give our professionals a call at Gulf Express Construction of Port Arthur, TX.