Are you currently looking for tiles for a home improvement project? Or maybe you’re still trying to decide whether they’re the right finish for your space? Tiles have been used as surface coverings for thousands of years and they are still the go-to material for kitchens and bathrooms. Tiles are so versatile. They help you create designs that are unique to your home, they add plenty of texture to the room and when installed well, are extremely resilient, making them a sustainable option.
Are tiles suitable for your project?
Most likely, yes. As long as the surfaces are prepared well, tiles can be fitted where other finishes wouldn’t stand the test of time. They are great for wet areas, spaces that receive high traffic, and unlike other natural materials they won’t be too prone to damp and temperature variations. Installed properly, they will last a very long time, hence the importance of choosing them well in the first place!
Types of tiles
Most tiles are made of clay, processed in different ways, to range from soft materials like terracotta to harder finishes such as porcelain. Glass, stone, and concrete are some of the other materials that are turned into tiles.
Handmade clay tiles will have variations in surfaces, edges, and size, and are typically glazed by hand. Not all clay tiles are suitable for floors so you’ll have to pay extra attention to the manufacturer’s specifications. Unglazed tiles are porous and should be protected with sealant.
Ceramic tiles come with a variety of glazes. Glossy finishes are usually unsuitable for floors as they show scratches and can be slippery. Crackled glaze is a distressed finish which imitates old tiles.
Porcelain tiles are fired at very high temperature, resulting in a very hard and durable finish. They will typically have perfect squares and consistency, allowing for much smaller grout joints. They often imitate real stone and come in a range of finishes:
Polished to a hard, smooth, shiny surface
Matte, providing good slip resistance
Textured, providing excellent slip resistance
Glass tiles: those are often found in mosaic tiles and have very high light reflective values.
Stone tiles such as marble, limestone, travertine, or slate, are popular options and instantly add a sense of luxury to the space. They however will require more maintenance and frequent re-sealing.
Concrete tiles: encaustic cement tiles and terrazzo fall in this category. These will often require sealing.
How do I choose?
The key principles of good interior design will apply here. Your choice will be guided by the overall look you’re going for. Is your design based on a rustic or historic style? Are you going for modern finishes, or maybe you’re after a bohemian or eclectic feel?
Colour: given the tiles are likely to cover a large part of the room surfaces, they will directly guide (or be defined by) the colour palette for your space. High colour contrasts and saturated colours will result in a more invigorating space, whereas pastels and neutrals will deliver a more calming effect.
Shape and pattern: tiles literally offer endless possibilities! You can zone areas by using different tiles (or the same tiles in different colours), create geometric patterns, play with texture by alternating tiles in vertical and horizontal position, add some interest with a contrasting colour grout.
Texture: pay attention to the reflective values of the tiles. High gloss tiles will be more suitable for a modern finish, whereas a hand painted glaze with imperfections or a matt encaustic tile will better fit a nature-inspired scheme. Mosaic tiles and tiles with bevelled edges, such as metro tiles, will certainly add plenty of texture to the space.
Size and scale: when mixing different tiles (for example floor and wall tiles), make sure you pick designs that are either similar in size or very different (nothing in the middle). This rule applies even more if you are picking tiles with a pattern or print.
Beware of trends!
The total cost of fitting tiles can quickly run into the hundreds of pounds per square metre so you will want to get something you’re still happy to see everyday for years to come.
Don’t try and fit all the trendy tile designs in one room as this will result in a space that’s been overdesigned and won’t age well. If you have your heart set on herringbone pattern, fish scale tiles, or Moroccan patterns, create a more timeless design by picking only one of those and pair them with a more neutral finish. There is absolutely nothing wrong in picking a plain floor tile or wall paint as a backdrop to your gorgeous tiles.
How much do I need?
For a simple design, you can easily calculate the surface to be covered, add 10% on top for wastage, and place the order.
For more intricate designs, where you are mixing different tiles or covering an area with an unusual shape, I would recommend you draw the design to scale. Make sure you ‘balance’ the design so that no tiny slivers of tiles end up on the sides. This will also allow the installer to price for the job accordingly. Bear in mind however, that complex designs, requiring a lot of cuts will have an impact on installation costs.
Finally, factor in the cost of ancillary products. Primers, adhesive, grout, trims, spacers and silicones do add up to the total bill.
Obtain samples!
This is the only way to ensure the product offers all the qualities you’re after. Check the samples against the other finishes of the space, such as wall paints and flooring, take a look at the thickness of the glaze, the regularity of the edges, and the quality of any factory made distressed effects (not all are nice imitations).
Still unsure?
There are many alternatives to tiles for wet areas. Walls can be covered in stone panels, composite panels, tadelakt (waterproof Moroccan plaster), brick slips and veneers, to name a few. Linoleum, LVTs, engineered wood, or bamboo flooring are all good flooring options.
Would you like to run your design ideas past me? Are you still hesitant and would welcome a friendly chat about it? I would be happy to take a look and discuss options. I work with suppliers you might not have heard about before and I have no doubt your perfect tiles are there somewhere.
Until next time,
Delphine
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