Selecting tiles is definitely an exciting venture, but additionally an activity where you’ll need meticulous planning to get it right very first time.
Floor and wall coverings could make or break an area and making the wrong decision could be a pricey mistake to need to correct.
That will help you with tile decision-making and select from all the different bathroom tile ideas and kitchen tile ideas available, we’ve pulled together the 11 common errors to prevent when purchasing tiles, with some tips from experts.
1. NOT ORDERING ENOUGH TILES
It has taken time doing the calculations and making certain you’ve purchased the precise quantity of tiles, only to get at the finish of the bathroom or kitchen renovation must knows and understand you’re a couple of tiles lacking finishing it. Certainly probably the most frustrating feelings on the planet, much more therefore if you’ve hired an expert directly into fit it!
Hamish Cruz, Creative Director at Ca’ Pietra, states: ‘A common and often pricey mistake when ordering tiles on the internet is not considering wastage and breakages, and that’s why we advise ordering an additional 10% to pay for this. A little cost for making certain you will find the correct amount of tiles to accomplish any project. Please be aware, with regards to lounging tiles inside a herringbone formation, we advise ordering an additional 15%, to match all individuals fiddly cuts that should be made.
‘It’s also important to note that different batches of tiles can differ in colour too, so that is why it’s much more important to have it from the get-go, to avoid any mix-match shades inside your design.’
2. Tossing SPARE TILES AWAY
Just as essential as making certain the transaction enough tiles, is saving spares. Once you’ve finished a task, keep any spare tiles in situation you’ll need them later on.
Kamila Chalfin at Tile Giant states: ‘Even for those who have an entire box left, have them somewhere safe instead of coming back these to an outlet. Tiles are printed in batches and new styles are issued each year, if you require an extra one later on, then you most probably might struggle finding a precise match!
‘Even when the style continues to be available, the batch will change and could not match the colour tone exactly. Remember, should you drop something heavy and crack a tile inside a couple of years time, you might want to change only one tile instead of redoing the entire floor. For those who have a couple of spares inside your cellar or attic room this is super easy.’
Amanda Telford, Marketing Manager at CTD Tiles, concurs: ‘Having spares to hands covers you for just about any unpredicted repairs or replacements needed later on, staying away from the necessity to retile all of your room.’
3. PICKING The Incorrect SIZE TILES
Tiles are available in an enormous selection of sizes, from 7.5 x 15cm metro bricks to large format 60 x 120cm tiles. Although these mean you will find the freedom to produce your ideal home, picking the incorrect size often means the main difference between your failure or success of the project.
‘One of the very most common design choices when tiling is choosing small tiles in small spaces,’ states Kamila Chalfin. ‘If you are searching for small bathroom tile ideas, it may seem large format tiles aren’t for you personally. But that is and not the situation! The greater grout lines you finish track of the smaller sized your home will feel – the less grout lines the greater illusion of additional space and seamless finish.’
‘Yes, you might just have two tiles to accomplish any project, but if you want a contemporary, sleek look this is actually the easiest way of achieving a seamless finish in-preserving the most recent tile trends.’
‘If you’re choosing bold or colorful patterns, small format may be the solution. Pair with wood panelling or coordinating wall paint to produce a spacious and fun space.’
Hamish adds: ‘Another factor to think about is grout lines because these can make an effect around the end result. The smaller sized the tile, the greater grout lines which could make the area look busy. If plenty of grout line is inevitable, get a colored grout inside a similar shade towards the tile to assist them to flow in additional symmetry.’
4. NOT ORDERING An Example FIRST
Another common concern is not ordering an example of the selected product first.
Hamish explains: ‘Ordering whether piece of fabric sample (a little cut from the full tile) or perhaps a full tile sample (the very best in order to you envisage the way it will appear in your house), will help you begin to see the true color, texture and finished on the tile.’
‘When you are looking at tiling, it’s vital that you prepare and find out the tile within the room and picture the way it will appear when tiled,’ concurs Amanda Telford. ‘Often tiles look completely different inside a showroom to the things they’re doing in your own home because of lighting. It’s also vital that you see the tile inside your room in the position it will likely be tiled. For instance, if you are searching for lavatory flooring, make certain you consider the tile laying flat. If it is your wall, make certain you see the tile standing facing the wall you’re tiling.’
5. Selecting Cost OVER QUALITY
‘As the old saying goes, “buy cheap, buy twice”,’ states Hamish. ‘Purchasing a lesser cost but inferior product may help you save money initially, nevertheless it will in the end degrade much faster than individuals of higher quality.’
Damla Turgut, Founding father of Otto Tiles & Design, concurs adding: ‘When you compare encaustic cement tiles, you’ll look for a breadth of prices inside the marketplace. In case your finances are restricted, it’s very easy to merely choose the cheapest cost point. However with a lesser cost, you receive a lower quality.
‘Handmade encaustic cement tiles will possess a slight colour gradient. Using natural dyes, they’re wealthy colored and depth. The cheaper versions available on the market are frequently very flat, and incredibly vibrant in tone using artificial colors. A more sensible choice here will be a porcelain tile that are simpler to keep and less expensive than the usual low-priced encaustic cement option.’