Standard tile sizes: subtleties of choice

Choosing ceramic tiles, we are based on the totality of many characteristics. This is the quality of the product, and the design, and the price. But there is another important parameter that should not be overlooked so that the result of the repair will please you. We are talking about its size.

Designers offer us not only a wide variety of textures and colors of ceramic tiles, but also all kinds of shapes and sizes of this facing material:

• Square. It is very often used for flooring. With the help of such a plate, a classic pattern is created. But you can often see it on the kitchen backsplash and on the bathroom wall. When using a square on a vertical and horizontal surface, the result may upset you, as the aesthetic proportions are violated.

• Rectangle. The most popular type for wall decoration. Depending on the size and aspect ratio, it allows you to use different styling schemes. In addition, if you choose the right proportions, you can use different sizes of a given geometric shape on the same plane. It is the rectangle that allows you to make the well-known herringbone styling. There are no general guidelines for choosing sizes and combinations of various shapes. It all depends on your imagination and artistic taste.

• Rhombus. Some well-known manufacturers, such as Ballester Porcar, Cevica, offer us such an unusual shape. The interior, made in this version, will look quite strict, but at the same time unusual and luxurious. For lovers of coziness and comfort, you can choose an option that imitates soft upholstery (it is the shape of the rhombus that allows you to do this).

• Triangle. It is rare to find a room that would be completely trimmed with triangular tiles. But it looks great as a decorative accent. Not all manufacturers produce such a form, but if you set a goal, then you will certainly find it on sale.

• Pentahedron and hexagon. Unusual shapes that arouse considerable consumer interest. The thing is that even a fragmentary inclusion of hexagons or pentahedrons on the floor or wall makes the interior much more interesting and fresher. But when choosing, you need to think about how you will combine it with other forms in order to create an ideal picture without gaps.

• "Wild boar"... A feature of this shape is the 45 degree beveled edges of the tiles. It itself has a rectangular shape and imitates decorative brick. Sizes can be different, but the most popular options are: 7.5x10 cm, 28.5x8.5 cm, 10x20 cm.

If you try to classify all available tile sizes, you get the following:

• Small size. As the name suggests, it is the smallest on the market today. It represents blocks of 5x5 cm in size. With its help, you can easily create a pattern or even a real painting on a plane. It should be borne in mind that laying a mosaic is almost a piece of jewelry, so it is better to entrust it to a professional.

• Classic... Its sizes can vary from 10 cm to 50 cm.It should be understood that these can be both squares and rectangles, and in some cases, more complex shapes. This type is the most popular. The explanation is simple - this size range is suitable for solving most tasks, the slab is easy to install, with the help of the game of shapes and sizes, you can achieve the desired effect.

• Large size. Sides of this type can have parameters from 50 to 120 cm.

The thing is that with its help you can create a single canvas on which the seams will be almost invisible. It seems that the wall and floor are finished with a solid piece of marble or granite.

The choice of a particular tile size can also be based on such an important parameter as price. On average, mosaics and large slabs cost 20-30% more.

The classic size of tiles or ceramic tiles for walls has parameters of 20x30 cm. Until recently, just such dimensions could be seen in most apartments. But the interest in new shapes and the opportunity to implement unique projects are increasingly prompting people to look at tiles of other formats.

There are the following sizes of wall tiles:

• 120x240 mm;
• 150x150 mm;
• 150x200 mm.

It makes no sense to list all the dimensions available on the market. You can see all the variety at your nearest hardware store. And if none of the options meets your exacting requirements, then you can contact the manufacturers and discuss the possibility of making tiles according to your individual sizes. Some firms do provide this service.

In terms of thickness, it is usually less than that of floor tiles. This is due to the fact that such durability is not required from it. Standard parameters range from 0.4 cm to 1 cm. It is these dimensions that allow it to remain strong. An important feature here is the weight of an individual tile: the smaller it is, the easier it is to mount it on a vertical surface.

The most popular form for the floor remains the square. Its standard sizes are presented in three variations:

• 10x10 cm;
• 30x30 cm;
• 60x60 cm.

Manufacturers offer other parameters (5x5 cm, 20x20 cm, 33x33 cm, etc.), but consumers still prefer tiles with standard dimensions. Rectangular products very often imitate natural materials, in particular wood. In this case, the following sizes are popular: 15x45 cm, 12x60 cm, 15x60 cm, 19x60 cm, 14x66 cm, 15x66 cm.This option is great for a bath, where it is impossible to use parquet or laminate, but you want to see the texture of wood.

Floor tiles are slightly thicker than wall tiles. This is due to the fact that it requires high strength and wear resistance. The minimum thickness is considered to be 9 mm, but there are plates in both 20 mm and 23 mm.

The mosaic can be from 1 to 20 cm in size. But do not be afraid that you will have to lay out 1 cm squares yourself. Manufacturers attach them to a mesh (its dimensions can also be different), which is mounted on the wall.

This reveals a very important property of this form. It can be mounted on uneven surfaces. For example, it can be used to trim the side of a bathtub or other convex surface.

One of the main problems when installing any tile is the need to cut and fit it to the existing dimensions of the room.But this is not at all problematic when using mosaics, since cutting the mesh along the desired trajectory does not pose any problem.

There is also such a slab for wall cladding as decorative stone. It is made on the basis of clay, acrylic resin or cement. Externally, it can imitate brick, sandstone, limestone and other natural materials. It is usually produced in plates, the dimensions of which can be completely different, depending on the type and manufacturer.

But you can also find tiles, which are separate bricks. Their size is much smaller. But if you need to decorate a complex room, where, for example, there are many ledges and niches, it will be irreplaceable.

A few simple tips:

• Large rooms. Rooms that boast impressive dimensions can also afford tiles of appropriate dimensions. But it is not necessary to finish all the walls with large blocks. With the right approach, a combination of different sizes and colors will look interesting and organic.

• Small rooms... The rule applies here - the smaller the room, the more modest the size of the tiles should be. Also, do not forget to calculate the ratio of the size of the tiles to the room. Better if they are multiples. That is, if the width of the toilet room is 1 m, it is more expedient to choose a tile, the length of which will be 20 cm, 25 cm, 50 cm. This way you will significantly save on pruning.

• Bathroom. Even in small bathrooms, a true masterpiece can be created. A combination of mosaics and standard tiles can help. You can also focus on one of the walls. It will look original. It is traditional to use tiles of the same size but different colors at the top and bottom. A curb is usually used on the connection.

• Kitchen. If the size of the room allows, then large blocks can be used, while creating the whole picture. Otherwise, we advise you to do with the classic options. Although here you can show your imagination and choose an original laying scheme (this is feasible only when choosing a rectangular shape of the tiles). As a result, you will get a unique drawing and avoid trivial solutions. If you are an adherent of the classics, then choose a square.

• Floor. Many people are afraid to lay tiles on the floor, as they believe that they will be very slippery. The matte surface of the product will help to avoid this. The small size of the tiles also contributes to the achievement of this goal. That is why floors in pools and showers are often decorated with small tiles or mosaics.

Slab size is key. Even if you really liked its design, but the parameters are not suitable for a particular room, then all efforts will go to waste. Therefore, you should not neglect these parameters when choosing it.

For information on how to choose the right tile and its size, see the next video.