When clients visit our showrooms, the first question about a material is usually how it looks. The better question is how it will look in ten years. A bathroom is used every day, it is wet and warm, and it is cleaned more often than almost any other room. Some materials thrive in those conditions and others need a little more care.
London’s hard water adds another consideration. Over the years it leaves limescale on brassware and glass, and it can mark surfaces that react to acidic descalers. None of this rules a material out, but it does change which are the easy choice and which need a little more attention.
The honest answer is that there are no bad materials, only materials used in the wrong place or chosen without understanding what they need. Here is how the most popular options compare.
Floor and Wall Tiles
Porcelain is the workhorse of the modern bathroom. It is dense, absorbs very little water and does not need sealing. It is available in convincing stone, concrete and timber effects, and in large formats that reduce the number of grout lines. For most clients it offers the best balance of looks, durability and low maintenance.
Ceramic is softer and more porous than porcelain, which makes it lighter and easier to cut. It is perfectly suited to walls and is often available in handmade and glazed finishes with real character. We would generally recommend porcelain over ceramic for floors.
Natural stone such as marble, limestone and travertine is beautiful and unique, and no two pieces are the same. It does need sealing, and that sealing needs renewing periodically. Marble in particular can be marked by acidic products, including some cleaners. Clients who choose stone with that understanding love it, and it develops a patina many people find appealing. For bold ideas, see our guide to statement tiles that define your bathroom.
Vanity Tops and Surfaces
Quartz composite is non-porous, consistent in colour and very resistant to staining, which makes it a popular choice for vanity tops. Solid surface materials can be formed into seamless integrated basins and minor scratches can often be repaired. Natural stone tops carry the same care requirements as stone tiles, while laminate keeps costs down but is less tolerant of standing water at the joints.
Baths and Shower Trays
Acrylic baths are light, warm to the touch and good value. Enamelled steel is harder wearing and more resistant to scratches. Cast iron and stone resin freestanding baths are heavier and hold heat well, but their weight needs checking against the floor structure, especially in older London properties. For shower trays, stone resin has largely replaced ceramic because it is strong, slim and available in long, low-profile sizes.
Brassware Finishes
Chrome remains the most durable and easiest finish to maintain. Brushed brass, gunmetal and black are hugely popular, and where possible we specify PVD (physical vapour deposition) finishes, which are much more resistant to wear and cleaning products than standard coatings. Living or unlacquered brass will naturally change colour over time, which is intentional and should be expected. Your choice of finish will often follow the overall style of the room, which we explore in our guide to choosing a modern or traditional bathroom.
How the Main Options Compare
| Material | Durability | Maintenance | Relative cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porcelain tiles | Excellent | Low, no sealing needed | Mid |
| Ceramic tiles | Good on walls | Low | Low to mid |
| Natural stone | Very good, softer stones mark | Higher, periodic sealing | Mid to high |
| Quartz composite tops | Excellent | Low | Mid to high |
| Acrylic bath | Good | Low, avoid abrasives | Low to mid |
| Cast iron or stone resin bath | Excellent | Low | High |
| PVD brassware finish | Excellent | Low | Mid to high |
Thinking About Cost Over Time
The cheapest material on day one is not always the cheapest over the life of the bathroom. A tile that needs regrouting or resealing every few years, or a finish that wears through and has to be replaced, can cost more than spending a little extra at the start. Equally, there is no point paying a premium for a material whose strengths you will never use.
Quality of installation matters just as much as the material itself. The finest porcelain will fail if the substrate is not properly prepared and the wet areas are not correctly tanked. This is why our fully project managed installation, carried out by our own in-house team, is central to everything we do. For a broader view of budgeting, read the true cost of a bathroom renovation in London.
See and Touch the Materials
Because we are not tied to any one manufacturer, our designers can source tiles, surfaces and fittings from almost any supplier and recommend what genuinely suits your home and lifestyle. Every quotation is fully inclusive, so you know exactly what you are paying for. Visit one of our London showrooms to see the materials in person and talk through your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most durable material for a bathroom floor?
Porcelain tiles are generally the most durable and practical choice for a bathroom floor. They are dense, absorb very little water, resist wear and do not need sealing.
Is marble a good choice for a bathroom?
Marble is beautiful and works well in bathrooms if you are happy to look after it. It needs sealing periodically and can be marked by acidic cleaners, so it suits clients who appreciate natural stone that develops character over time.
Is porcelain better than ceramic for a bathroom?
Porcelain is harder and less porous, so it is better for floors and wet areas. Ceramic is perfectly suitable for walls and is often available in attractive handmade and glazed finishes.
Which brassware finish lasts longest?
Chrome is the most durable traditional finish. For coloured finishes such as brushed brass or black, PVD coatings are far more resistant to wear and cleaning products than standard coatings.
Which brassware finish lasts longest?
Porcelain tiles, quartz composite surfaces and chrome or PVD-coated brassware all handle hard water and frequent cleaning well. Natural stone and standard-coated coloured finishes need more care, mainly because many limescale removers are acidic and can mark them. None of this rules a material out, but it is worth knowing before you choose.
Are more expensive bathroom materials worth it?
Sometimes. A material that lasts longer and needs less maintenance can cost less over time, but the quality of the installation is just as important. Our designers will help you decide where spending more makes a real difference.
