Ceramic Wall Tiles

Ceramic wall tiles are the most popular bathroom wall covering and for good reason. They are durable, reasonably priced, and have decorative versatility. For the same reasons, they're also a great choice for kitchen wall tiles. In fact, it's hard to find a home that doesn't have at least some ceramic wall tiling. It's not a given that ceramic wall tile is the right choice for your bathroom or kitchen remodel, but it's usually a good place to start.

Ideas for Ceramic Wall Tiles
Get creative. A great advantage of ceramic wall tiling is the decorative design options. Mosaics and elaborate backsplashes are a way to bring flair to any room. Decorative tiles are usually a little more expensive, but given that ceramic tiles are usually cheaper than the alternatives, you've probably earned the right to splurge.

Keep in mind that the larger the tile the more expensive the project and the more elegant the look. The best choice for you will probably be a combination of your allotted budget and where the tile is going. There's usually no need to install large tiles in a shower stall, but you may want to consider a slightly larger tile for your kitchen wall. Wall tiles are almost never as big as floor tiles, but the basic rule of having a minimum of three tiles across still applies.

Ceramic Wall Tile Maintenance
As great as ceramic wall tile is, it's not perfect. Every home improvement decision has its strengths and weaknesses. The disadvantage of ceramic wall tile is that it requires fairly diligent maintenance and cleaning. You probably already know that grout can be a prime spot for the growth of mold and mildew. Worse yet, if the grout or caulking becomes compromised, water can find its way behind the ceramic tiles and then you're looking at hiring a professional to come in and repair your tiles. Clean your shower regularly using a cleaning product specifically targeted for mold and mildew and replace your grout and caulking every other year or so.

Ceramic Tile Installation and Repair
Of all the home improvement projects out there, installing ceramic wall tiles is probably one of the leading DIY projects. You might see or learn the basics of ceramic tile installation and say, "I can do that." The problem is while the basics of tile installation aren't hard to grasp, absolute precision must be practiced to correctly install the tiles. Constant leveling and measuring are critical; even a single millimeter can affect the integrity of the installation. Even capable homeowners may very well decide to hire a professional, simply because the project can be tedious and time-consuming.

Alternatives
There are always alternatives to any home improvement project and ceramic wall tiling is no exception. Bathroom wall coverings can be almost anything (paint, wallpaper, stone), but most of these materials become less and less practical the closer they get to the shower and water exposure. If you're remodeling a bathroom that only has shower stall, though, the stall can be fiberglass of acrylic, and no wall tiling is necessary. For greater durability and less maintenance, you can also choose stainless steel tiling. Still, if for nothing else, it's hard to get away from ceramic tiles for your shower walls, and many homeowners find the same advantages that work in the shower apply for other areas of their home.