Shopping for right tiles for your home can be time consuming. It’s often due to the fact that you’re spoilt for choice these days, as there are a huge range of tiles available on the market today. Tiles can be found in a variety of different shapes and designs, different materials and price tickets. There are tiles from around the world including Australian tiles and high quality design tiles once reserved for luxury European estates. So how can you tell amazing tiles from the mediocre?
Today we share five tips to help you make the best decisions when it comes to all things tiles!
1. Do your research
It may seem obvious but glamourous Pinterest options can be deceptively expensive or hard to maintain if you choose poorly for your needs. For example, natural stone tiles are porous and require proper sealing for heavy duty areas and they can be time consuming to cut for tricky spaces.
2. Prep your space
Another tip is to print on paper the style you have in mind and pin it up on the surface for illustrative purposes. You will get a sense of how it will look in real life. This way you can experiment with a wide range of styles and narrow it down to a few samples to try. While you’re at it, you can identify any cracks and damage to be fixed and remove old fittings in readiness to tile.
3. Buy spares
It’s always good to have some spares on board, so if you’re watching the budget try some tile wholesalers for discounted prices. Whether ceramic tiles, encaustic look, stone or something in between, the preferred time to purchase would be during a sale period. But many retailers will negotiate price all year round. Some tradespeople will also have access to their trade discount so capitalise on that if you can and get their advice on tiles to suit your project best – this saves money in the longer term as you’re less likely to need to replace if you pick right the first time.
4. Check the quality of tiles
If you’re still in the planning stage, get your samples home and see if they’re up to scratch. Put the tile on a flat surface to confirm flatness – there should be no curvature or warping in AAA grade. Knock on the tile – a clear sound is an indicator of good quality (for porcelain). Measure angles to see if they are true to description – 90 degrees for rectangles and squares, or symmetry for penny rounds and shapes like hexagon, picket and fish scale. Once you have your inventory, give them a once over for chips, cracks or defects. Exchanging is easier when done sooner rather than later.
5. Do not skimp on tile installation!
Even if using mid-range or more affordable tiles, their lay and alignment is vital for looks and function. A well recommended and experienced tiler will bring your dream project come to life and up to code. If you’re dead set on DIY, practice first and check once, twice and even three times to see that your angles are correct.
Whether wall tiles, floor tiles, bathroom tiles or something in between, quality products matter. If your heart is set on particular tile trends, find tile collections with the most durability and style to suit your space. From there it’s a matter of grabbing a tile sample or two to trial at home to ensure they deliver the desired effect. Once laid and set, give the tiles a clean and polish then admire the transformation that your tile renovations have made to your home.