Wood has always been in great demand as a finishing material for a variety of spaces. Some of the advantages are environmental safety, beautiful color and texture. The only drawback is the impossibility of operation in wet rooms, which is the bathroom. For those who really love wood, there is a wood look bathroom tile. It has all the advantages and characteristics of modern ceramics. And the color and texture completely repeat the natural wood of precious species. What is it and what are the features of this tile? Consider in our today's article.
Why imitate natural wood in the bathroom?
Water and wood have always existed normally in natural conditions, pleasing the human eye with a variety of combinations. It looks pretty nice. Wood-effect ceramic tile for the bathroom with an exact imitation of texture can perfectly fit into a room where it is always humid. In addition, wooden motifs, in addition to their aesthetic function,can perform other tasks. For example, ceramics that imitate the volumetric texture of natural wood have good frictional properties. Due to the texture and volume, it will not be slippery on the floor.
Interesting design solutions using wood-like tiles in the bathroom allow you to turn even the most nondescript and ordinary bathroom into a real oasis from which you don’t want to leave. Pairing ceramics with other objects (such as a rain shower) can create a positive charge for the whole day.
But it should be noted not only the aesthetic characteristics of the "wooden" tile. After all, moisture does not so much complement the tree as it destroys it. The wood that is in conditions of high humidity will quickly deteriorate. Mold and fungus will begin to form on it.
Wood-look ceramic tile for the bathroom can be placed in rooms with any level of humidity. It is made using the firing technology of clay with the addition of sand and minerals. This is a glazed tile. Therefore, it is reliably protected not only from moisture, but also from mold and other aggressive influences.
Key Benefits
Modern tile with imitation of natural wood has a lot of advantages. And the first of them is the lack of requirements for operation. Tiles can be laid in showers or baths - neither steam nor water are terrible for this material.
Among the main advantages are highresistance to the damaging effects of steam and high temperatures. The material is very wear resistant. The tile is easy to clean, and its installation is quite simple and fast. The most important benefits for many are the affordable price and beautiful appearance.
Flaws
There are also some disadvantages. With a certain approach, these shortcomings may not exist. So, no matter how simple the installation process is, it has certain difficulties. Unlike natural wood, tiles will be cold under any conditions. If you need to dismantle, you may encounter certain problems.
It should be remembered that manufacturers produce two types of ceramics - for floors and for walls. It is important not to confuse these types and not to install tiles intended for walls on the floor. These two types of tiles are designed for different loads. Models for walls under certain impact may crack.
There is one more nuance. In the presence of deformed walls or floors, it is not recommended to purchase seamless materials. With the help of seams, in some cases, it is possible to hide small irregularities.
Features of use in bathroom interiors
The design of a bathroom with wood-like tiles (you can see the photo in our article) can turn out to be calm and as comfortable as possible. In such a room, you can feel relaxed. Tiles can be laid on the floor or on the walls. To get a completely natural interior, designers recommend combining this tile with natural or artificial stone. A bathroom with this finish can become truly unique.
When you want a more stylish and modern bathroom design, wood-look tiles are complemented by glossy surfaces or metal products. In the case of African or Japanese interiors, it would be very appropriate to complement the interior with various ethnic accessories and decorative details. If you need a country style, then the design of the bathroom is complemented by a variety of rustic items. When choosing a bathroom tile design for wood, you need to remember that wood is a very versatile material that will easily fit into any interior. One of the interesting features of wood-effect ceramics is the texture of the lines. With the installation direction, you can significantly expand the bathroom space or, on the contrary, narrow it.
Modern repair trends are such that in the case of ceramic installation, the grout is matched to the color of the tile. Here you can not do this. With the help of contrasting grout, you can get interesting effects. Thus, the room will become even more expressive.
The choice of texture should be taken very carefully. There is a serious risk of getting a room that is not cozy and homely, but too gloomy. To prevent this from happening, they try to use materials with different textures in the interior, as well as a set of accessories.
Types of imitation ceramics
Modern industry produces two types of wood effect bathroom tiles. So, porcelain stoneware or ordinary clay without any additives can be used as a raw material. According to their purpose, models for walls andgender.
Floor options can have two types of shapes - square or rectangular. The first imitates artistic parquet. The second is a parquet board. These models provide laying without seams. Therefore, you should not do the installation yourself without proper experience.
Wall tiles are offered in a standard rectangular shape. But there is also a mosaic. It has become popular among contemporary designers. Do not glue fragments individually. Whole sheets are sold today, as well as panels. This tile is easy to install - looks amazing and resists moisture well.
Porcelain tiles
These products are made from clay. But in the process of shaping, the material is subjected to increased pressure. Each section of the tile is additionally affected by high temperature. This technology allows you to get a high-strength tile, which is also very reliable.
Due to the peculiarities of the production and use of porcelain stoneware, the cost of such products is quite high. However, it is an ideal choice for finishing bathrooms and washrooms in high-traffic public areas.
Ceramic tiles
These products are formed from traditional clay. Then the whole mass is pressed, and then it is fired on special equipment. The material obtained in this way is more suitable for installation in residential apartments and houses than porcelain stoneware products. The drawing is applied in such a waythat it is almost impossible to distinguish it from natural wood.
Features of choice
In order to choose high-quality wood-effect tiles for the bathroom, you need to know and clearly follow certain rules. Only then can a coating be obtained that will have high aesthetic characteristics along with operational capabilities. Below we note a few tips:
- If the bathroom is quite compact, it is best to purchase light-colored tiles. Due to this solution, the space will visually appear wider. You should not opt for ceramics where the ornament is sharp with clear lines. This option will make the space smaller.
- The best option is a tile with a matte surface. It is easier to clean, not slippery (which is important for the floor) and more pleasant to the touch. If several variants of ceramics with different colors are combined in one bathroom, it is not recommended to use strong transitions. This may adversely affect a small room.
- You should opt for models that are highly resistant to moisture and household chemicals. If the surface of the tile has a minimum number of pores, then the tile will not absorb odors.
- It is best to buy wood-effect tiles in the bathroom in the middle price range. Inexpensive types of ceramics do not differ even in the slightest quality.
Producers
In Russia, this is Kerama Marazzi. Products of this companyin terms of quality and other characteristics they are in no way inferior to Italian tiles. Many collections are presented, each of which shows the style of a country.
Also on the market there are products from Spanish manufacturers. These are Fanal and Porselanosa. This is not just a tile, but a real embodiment of quality and design. The cost is an order of magnitude higher than that of the domestic one. But when using this product, a bathroom with wood effect tiles will look very impressive.
In conclusion
So, we found out what a wood effect tile is and what types it comes in. As you can see, with the help of this material, you can significantly transform the design of the bathroom.
