Once you have decided to renovate the bathroom one of the next steps you have to make involves which type of tile want to use in your bathroom renovation. Along with the other decisions with picking tiles, meaning carefully selecting the type, size, shape, and color of each tile.

There is also another decision that you will need to make with the help of your bathroom renovator, and it’s a choice you may not even know exists. That choice is between non-rectified (Cushion Edge) tile and rectified tile, and your decision will have a major effect on the look of your walls and floor but in order to know whether your bathroom renovation project would come out better by using non-rectified tile or rectified tile, you first need to learn some basics about each type.

For a long time, non-rectified tiles were the industry standard, making them incredibly common in homes that are not newly-built or haven’t been renovated in a while. Basically, a non-rectified tile is any tile that has natural edges that have not been mechanically straightened after cutting, which results in each tile having a plain, square edge. The reason I refer to it as a cushion edge is that its easier to associate round with the word oppose to non rectified. Now because of this imprecise process, each tile is not the exact same size. From an installation perspective, that means larger grout lines will need to be used in order to correctly fit these tiles together, fill in the gaps, and hide their little differences. This works fine, but the resulting large grout lines are not as aesthetically pleasing to most people, and also require much more cleaning and maintenance.

Below is an example of a non rectified tile used in a bathroom renovation (Southern River)

Rectified Tile

The major difference between non-rectified tile and rectified tile is that rectified tile has gone through a mechanical process that ensures that each edge is precise, straight, and uniform. The resulting crisp, 90-degree edges allow for a perfectly level installation with the use of almost no grout. This type of installation will give your home a much more polished, modern, and aesthetically pleasing feel, as opposed to the non-rectified tiles with their large grout lines. The downside to rectified tile is that it is a lot more difficult to install. In fact, the average tile installer is not even trained in the correct methods of installing the rectified tile but at on the ball bathroom we would lay nothing else as years of laying them has allowed us to perfect the correct process of laying especially with older homes where the walls are never straight. Below are examples of rectified floor and wall from a bathroom renovation in Belmont, Western Australia.

There are times where I would not recommend using a rectified tile such as a home which has walls that are incredibly uneven as a rectified tile will show how uneven it is. You can be the best tradesman in the world but you can only work to the surface you are given. A cushion edge tile will hug the walls better allowing for more of an unpredictable surface. It’s important to listen to the expert telling you how to get the best out of your room as dealing with new problems every day you become an expert in an avoiding what may occur down the track.

For a better explanation please check out our video below:

 
It’s important to note that all our advice is general in nature and all bathrooms are unique so always speak to your local qualified tradesman for the best advice. At on the ball bathrooms we love feedback so let us know what you think with a comment below or if you are looking for a bathroom renovation quote and live in Perth, Western Australia contact us on 0419964678 or email us at info@ontheballbathrooms.com.au

 
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