LET TILES MAKE A LIFESTYLE STATEMENT

Bathroom walls inevitably face the onslaught of heat and damp, and the surefire method to keep them healthy are tiles. Apart from their functional use, tiles often make a lifestyle statement. A great range of products are available in the market. There are, for example the high – end ones – Italian marble tiles manufactured by Azteca Ceramica of Spain that have entered the domestic market just about six months ago, costing Rs. 275 per Sq.ft (with matching border tiles, it would go up to Rs 400 per Sq.ft). The look is rich faux marble, and these tiles are obviously meant for every exclusive bathroom. It would cost about Rs. 1- 1.5 lakh just for the tiles to cover a 200 sq ft wall area bathroom. Tile fixing should be done by a skilled person, to get the perfect finish.

Glass mosaic tiles that create a mural effect come at Rs 300 per sq ft for the bigger tiles and Rs. 65 per sq ft for the smaller ones. The manufacturers provide the mural design sheet and they just have to be fixed accordingly. Next in terms of cost are the designer or concept tiles manufactured by various companies, at about Rs. 75 per sq ft (with border tiles Rs 95 – 100 per sq ft). These tiles come in contemporary and artistic designs, and give the finished bathroom a very smart look. One would require Rs 30,000 to do up an average bathroom with a wall area of 200 sq ft with these tiles.

Next the ‘company, priced affordably at Rs 25 – 40 per sq ft, depending on design. A bathroom using these tiles would cost Rs 5,000 – 7,000 (Rs. 10,000 with border tiles). For stain – free tile joints, the latest product in the market is Laticrete adhesive, costing Rs 2-15 per sq ft, depending on quality.