Types of Bathroom tiles

When choosing tiles for your bathroom, the material you choose can make all the difference. It should be comfortable, long-lasting, yet stylish and appealing.

Here’s a breakdown of 10 popular bathroom tile types, including pros and cons, to help you decide the best option to fit your needs and aesthetics.

Table of Contents

1. Porcelain Tiles

If you want to go for a durable option, porcelain is the best. It’s water-resistant, sturdy, and less prone to scratches and stains.

You can choose from a wide range of colors. It can also be used to mimic wood or stone, but with less cost! It is perfect for those looking for a long-lasting solution with low maintenance.

Pros:

Scratches, stains, and moisture resistance
Comes in a variety of colors and textures and even resembles stone or wood.
Easily cleaned and maintained, lasts for decades

Cons:

More expensive to purchase upfront than ceramic tiles.
Porcelain tiles can be cold and hard to the touch.
It requires a strong surface for installation due to its weight.

Recommended for: high-traffic bathrooms and homes where durability is a priority.

Cost: ₹100 – ₹250 per sq ft.

2. Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tile is produced from clay and other raw materials. It is so popular because it is quite durable and can work pretty well in the bathroom or kitchen.

Ceramic tiles are normally used as floor tiles as well as shower tiles. Matt-finished ceramic tiles are a high-demand option found indoors. These give your space a soft and elegant look.

Pros:

It is often less costly than porcelain
It can be cleaned easily with standard cleaning products.
Available in many colors, patterns, and sizes.

Cons:

Material is not as scratch-resistant or durable as porcelain.
It might crack more easily under high impact.
It needs to be sealed to prevent water absorption.

Best Suited For: Those looking for a blend of affordability and practicality.

Cost: ₹30 – ₹100 per sq ft.

3. Marble Tiles

For a century now, marble tiles have symbolized luxury because of their natural beauty. Each marble comes in a unique design that would give your space that custom look.

Coming in glossy finishes, they are the luxury choice for flooring tiles. This material gives coolness during the hot summer months because it doesn’t get hot and can easily be cleaned and polished in time.

Pros:

Glamorous and sophisticated, they add an enchanting beauty to the surface
Every tile has its own pattern
Durable and robust, if maintained properly

Cons:

It is more expensive compared to other tile materials
Regular sealing and cleaning should be done to maintain its finish
Marble is a porous substance and can stain very easily

Best Suited For: High-end, luxury flooring, or for creating a timeless look.

Cost: ₹250 – ₹600 per sq ft.

4. Mosaic Tiles

Mosaic tiles are small, colorful pieces made of ceramic, glass, or stone. They are known for their beautiful patterns and are incredibly durable.

They are usually small tiles, normally less than 2 inches in size. These tiles are arranged in a way to create intricate patterns and designs that can be personalized!

Pros:

Perfect for creative, custom designs with a wide range of colors and patterns
It tends to last long
Most mosaic tiles are resistant to water

Cons:

More lines of grout can cause maintenance difficulties
Installation tends to be long
Due to unique designs and materials, it will tend to be on the costly side

Ideal for: accent walls, floors, or dramatic design effect.

Cost: ₹150-₹400 per square foot.

5. Limestone Tiles

Limestone tiles offer a natural, earthy look. They come in various shades of beige, brown, and grey, along with several patterns.

It gives a warm aesthetic for bathrooms, kitchens, or even your living room. Whether you’re aiming for a rustic, traditional, or contemporary style, there’s a limestone tile that will suit your needs!

Pros:

Comes in warm, inviting tones that bring an organic vibe
Softer to walk on compared to other materials
When sealed, limestone gives long-term moisture protection

Cons:

Needs proper sealing to prevent water absorption
Vulnerable to acidic substances
Easier to scratch or damage

Best Suited For: Those seeking a natural, unaltered look.

Cost: ₹120 – ₹300 per sq ft.

6. Slate Tiles

Slate is a natural stone that brings texture and different color variations to your bathroom. They are made from natural slate, a type of rock that is known for its durability.

Slate tiles also have a natural resistance to water and stains. Its durability makes it perfect for shower areas.

Pros:

The material is strongly resistant to abrasion
A textured surface gives it an upper hand in the wet areas
Available in various shades, including grey, black, green, and purple

Cons:

It is a bit costlier than other materials
Requires careful installation because of its uneven texture
Requires a sturdy surface for installation

Best Suited For: Bathrooms with heavy foot traffic

Cost: ₹250 – ₹600 per sq ft.

7. Cement Tiles

Cement tiles are a durable and eco-friendly option. They prove to be extremely versatile and can provide you with amazing patterns and colors.

Since the tiles are extremely porous, a patina can occur over time to give it a unique pattern.

Pros:

Lots of colors and styles to fit different needs
Made out of eco-friendly, sustainable material
Can develop a unique patina over time, contributing to the aesthetics.

Cons:

Expensive, with prices often exceeding ₹1,800/sq ft
It requires monthly resealing due to porosity
Difficult and time-consuming to install

Best Suited For: Low-traffic areas or small accent spaces where vibrant patterns are desired.

Cost: Up to ₹1800+ per sq ft.

8. Pebble Tiles

If you want to give your bathroom a natural spa-like feel, pebble tiles are the best. They add an organic touch with their stone-like texture!

. Pros:

Adds texture and a natural, beachy vibe to the bathroom.
It feels soft to walk on compared to other stone tiles.

Cons:

The grout lines and uneven layout can make it difficult to clean properly
Needs proper maintenance
Expensive

Best Suited For: If you need to add a beach or coastal theme to your bathroom.

Cost: ₹250 – ₹500 per sq ft.

9. Terracotta Tiles

Terracotta tiles offer a Mediterranean-style design to your bathroom. With their earthy orange and red tones, they’re perfect for a dark-themed contemporary bathroom.

Terracotta 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.

Pros:

Bright, inviting colors that add charm to your bathroom
It is made out of natural materials and is non-toxic.

Cons:

The material needs to be sealed to prevent moisture absorption.
It can stain easily and needs to be cleaned regularly

Best Suited For: Mediterranean or rustic-themed bathrooms.

Cost: ₹150 – ₹400 per sq ft.

10. Glass Tiles

Glass tiles reflect light beautifully and can make a bathroom feel more spacious. In a bathroom, it is often used in mosaics or as a focal point on walls.

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.

Pros:

The reflective surface creates a bright, airy atmosphere.
It is a non-porous material and is easy to clean.
It’s available in many colors and finishes.

Cons:

Glass can crack easily if not handled well
It’s on the costlier side
Glass tiles can show fingerprints or watermarks easily

Best Suited For: Modern bathrooms, accent walls, or creating a bright, spacious look.

Cost: ₹300 – ₹700 per sq ft.

Cost Comparison Table

Tile Type	Cost per sq ft (₹)
Porcelain	100 – 250
Ceramic	30 – 100
Marble	250 – 600
Mosaic	150 – 400
Limestone	120 – 300
Slate	250 – 600
Cement	300-1800
Pebble	250 – 500
Terracotta	150 – 400
Glass	300 – 700