When it comes to home renovation, I’d say the most time-consuming aspect is undoubtedly choosing the right hardware. Take tiles, for example—many people feel completely lost when they’re first selecting them. Having spent several years in the renovation industry, I’ve gained some expertise in tiles myself. So, I’d like to break down this process from multiple angles and share with you some of my insights on how to pick the right tiles—hopefully, these tips will be helpful as you make your tile purchase.
　　First, when it comes to tiles, there’s no need to focus on the brand. There’s really not much difference between a thousand-yuan imported tile and a hundred-yuan domestic tile. Apart from their different patterns, they feel exactly the same once laid on the floor. You simply can’t judge the quality of a tile solely by its price. After all, tiles don’t differ much in terms of raw materials or formulations. Although branded tiles may be slightly better in quality than non-branded ones, their prices will definitely not differ significantly.
　　So my personal recommendation is: For tiles, just focus on the patterns. If you’re counting on tiles to absorb formaldehyde, you’d actually be better off buying a box of activated carbon—it’s much more cost-effective.
　　Second, since bathrooms tend to be humid, it’s important to prioritize tiles with low water absorption rates. Generally, earthenware tiles have better water absorption performance than porcelain tiles. Therefore, for bathrooms, I personally recommend choosing earthenware tiles.
　　Some people might ask: Aren’t ceramic tiles more expensive than terracotta bricks? So why not choose the pricier option for the bathroom? Actually, since the environments in which these materials are used differ, the functions we need from them also differ. It’s not necessarily true that the more expensive option is always the better one. For a bathroom, it’s still best to prioritize what’s appropriate and suitable.