Bathroom tiles.

Floor vs wall tiles.Bathroom floor tiles need a minimum R10 slip rating in wet areas. Check the product spec before ordering. Wall tiles don't require a slip rating but need to be moisture-resistant. Most rectified porcelain works for both applications.

Large format or small format? Large format tiles (600×1200, 800×800) make a small bathroom feel more spacious, with fewer grout lines, continuous surface. Small format tiles (mosaic, zellige, subway) add visual texture and work well as feature walls or shower nibs.

Marble-look porcelain vs real stone. Porcelain requires no sealing, is stain-resistant, and cheaper per m². Natural stone has unmatched depth and character but requires sealing annually in wet areas. Most AU bathrooms use porcelain for floors and may use stone for a feature wall or shower nib.

Grout selection. Bathroom grout needs to be epoxy-based or cement-based with sealer in shower areas. Grout colour dramatically affects the finished look. A lighter grout emphasises tile pattern, while a matching grout disappears. Order a grout sample alongside your tile.

How much tile do I need? Measure the floor area (length × width in metres) and wall areas separately. Add 10% wastage for straight lay, 15% for diagonal or herringbone. If tiling a full bathroom (floor + all walls), a 3×3m bathroom typically needs 15 to 20m² of tile.

Rectified vs non-rectified. Rectified tiles are precisely cut to size, allowing tight 1 to 2mm grout joints for a clean, contemporary look. Non-rectified tiles have minor size variation and need wider joints (3 to 5mm). Most quality porcelain is rectified.

Always order samples first. Bathroom lighting (often artificial) reads tile colour and sheen differently from any other room. Order samples and hold them against your existing fittings and cabinetry before committing to a full order.

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