Home Improvement Ideas Tile Projects & Inspiration 14 Types of Bathroom Tiles for Every Budget and Aesthetic Use this bathroom tile guide to help sort through the many price, maintenance, and design options. By Kelly Roberson Kelly Roberson Kelly Roberson is a home and garden writer with more than 20 years of experience as a writer and editor. She has been a project manager, editor, and writer for a long list of magazines, including many gardening, home design, and holiday crafts titles. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process and Jessica Bennett Jessica Bennett Jessica Bennett is an editor, writer, and former digital assistant home editor at BHG. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on August 28, 2023 Fact checked by Marcus Reeves Fact checked by Marcus Reeves Marcus Reeves is an experienced writer, publisher, and fact-checker. He began his writing career reporting for The Source magazine. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, Playboy, The Washington Post, and Rolling Stone, among other publications. His book Somebody Scream: Rap Music's Rise to Prominence in the Aftershock of Black Power was nominated for a Zora Neale Hurston Award. He is an adjunct instructor at New York University, where he teaches writing and communications. Marcus received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Learn about BHG's Fact Checking Process Trending Videos Close this video player Bathroom tiles come in various materials, shapes, and colors, but not all are suitable for wet spots. One crucial factor to consider when installing bathroom tiles is vitreousness, which is the tile's ability to absorb water. Nonvitreous tile, such as terra-cotta, absorbs moisture and is appropriate only for accent areas. Vitreous tile, on the other hand, works well in spots prone to splashing, making it a more suitable choice for shower walls and other bathroom areas. A tile's finish also matters, as glazed tiles are impervious to water, but unglazed ones are not. In general, all bathroom tiles should have a high coefficient of friction to prevent slipping. Use this overview of 14 common bathroom tile choices, including maintenance tips and bathroom tile ideas, to help you choose the best material for your space. Julie Soefer Photography LLC Cement Bathroom Tile Cement-bodied tile, a cured sand-and-mortar mix, is a nonvitreous tile with excellent durability. Some cement tiles look rough-hewn, while others sport smooth finishes. You can also find a large variety of colorful graphic patterns that make a statement on floors and walls. When sealed, cement tiles can be cleaned with non-acidic cleaning products, such as those designed for natural stone. Average Cost: $10-$30 per square foot, uninstalled 30 Stunning Shower Tile Ideas for a Standout Bathroom Ceramic or Porcelain Bathroom Tiles Ceramic and porcelain tiles are made of a mixture of clays pressed into shape and fired in a kiln at high temperatures. When glazed, this material is an ideal bathroom tile. These popular tiles, including the classic 3x6-inch subway tile, come in an array of colors, patterns, shapes, and sizes, so the tile design ideas are nearly endless. They can even be glazed with high-resolution digital images fused onto the surface to create patterned designs. In addition, glazed ceramic or porcelain tiles are easy to keep clean and can be mopped or wiped down with a mild detergent and water. Average Cost: $3-$30 per square foot, uninstalled 35 Stunning Subway Tile Bathroom Ideas Decorative Bathroom Tile The most popular decorative tiles can be made of a range of materials and embossed or decorated with images or patterns, such as leaves, birds, or stripes. These look particularly striking when collected in a mural or mosaic, as a border, or used for an accent. Proper upkeep and cleaning will depend on the tile's material and finish, so refer to the manufacturer's instructions for best practices. Average Cost: prices vary widely depending on material and style Marty Baldwin Glass Bathroom Tile Glass tile has an elegant, reflective surface and comes in a range of stock colors and custom hues. Glass tile in a bathroom is often used in mosaics or as a focal point on walls. Because they're breakable, glass tile is best used on walls or low-traffic floor areas. This material is impervious to liquids and resists staining. However, you might spend more time scrubbing the grout lines because it's often used in small formats. Average Cost: $4-$50 per square foot, uninstalled, or up to $160 per square foot for more intricate shapes or designs Granite Bathroom Tile Granite, available in various colors and textures, is harder than most natural stones. As a result, it works well on bathroom countertops or floors in high-traffic areas. To avoid streaks or discoloration, clean granite tile with a pH-neutral mild detergent. Average Cost: $5-$140 per square foot, uninstalled Quartz vs. Granite: How to Decide Which Is Best for Countertops Limestone Bathroom Tile Limestone, a natural stone, typically has a honed surface and is usually found in brown, beige, and yellow hues. It's appropriate for countertops and flooring, but the surface should be resealed every two years. Avoid acid-based products and use a tile cleaner designed for natural stone for maintenance. Average Cost: $2-$11 per square foot, uninstalled Edward Gohlich Marble Bathroom Tile Marble is a natural stone created from limestone that has been crushed and heated by the earth for millions of years. Sophisticated and traditional, marble tile can be highly polished and comes in many sizes. Marble can be patterned or veined, adding appealing color to a bathroom. The surface will need to be resealed regularly to prevent staining and etching. It should only be cleaned with non-acidic cleaners. Average Cost: $15-$85 per square foot, uninstalled 10 Black Bathroom Ideas That Exude Sophistication Metal Bathroom Tile Metal tiles can be made from solid metal or resin with a metallic coating. Available in various finishes, including bronze, copper, and stainless steel, these tiles are often used as bathroom accents in conjunction with other types of tiles. Average Cost: $50-$200 per square foot, uninstalled 48 Modern Bathroom Ideas for a Spa-Like Escape Werner Straube Natural Stone Bathroom Tile Typically rough and imperfect, tile made from natural stone, including granite, slate, limestone, or travertine, can be equally at home in rustic or contemporary bathrooms. Because these materials are not typically impervious to water, this type of tile requires a waterproof membrane to withstand moisture in a bathroom. Stone tile should be resealed at least once a year to protect the surface from water. Average Cost: prices vary widely depending on the type of stone Quarry Bathroom Tile Extruded and fired at high temperatures, quarry tile can be semivitreous or vitreous. It's fired unglazed with bisques in many colors, sizes, and shapes. Average Cost: $8-$13 per square foot, uninstalled Saltillo Bathroom Tile Saltillo tile is dried but not fired, creating a low-density, nonvitreous product with a rough texture. Its natural imperfections can add rustic charm, but this tile also absorbs water readily. Because of this, the surface should be sealed well to protect it from stains. You can clean the tiles with a mixture of white vinegar and water or a natural stone cleaner. Average Cost: $1-$8 per square foot, uninstalled Edmund Barr Slate Bathroom Tile Slate is a fine-grain stone created from shale and clay, transformed by heat and pressure. Featuring a textured surface that's naturally slip-resistant, slate is typically used on floors, walls, and countertops in large-format applications. The surface must be regularly resealed to maintain a shiny or matte finish. Average Cost: $4-$25 per square foot, uninstalled 12 Chic Minimalist Bathroom Ideas for a Clean, Updated Look Terra-cotta Bathroom Tile Terra-cotta tile is fired at low temperatures. Its low-density, nonvitreous qualities make it suitable only for dry areas. However, if glazed, it can be used in other bathroom areas such as floors or walls. Terra-cotta tiles, often seen in square or hexagon shapes, should be cleaned with mild dish soap and water and resealed regularly. Average Cost: $1-$15 per square foot, uninstalled Emily Minton-Redfield Travertine Bathroom Tile Travertine is a limestone formed from minerals that have been dissolved in groundwater and pushed through the earth's crust by water. This multilayer stone is available in earthy colors and offers a sophisticated choice for walls and floors. Travertine tiles are often installed in larger 12-inch or 16-inch squares. They can be cleaned with non-acidic soap and water and should be resealed every few years. Average Cost: $3-$10 per square foot, uninstalled 15 Before-and-After Bathroom Remodels to Inspire Your Design Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit