Tiles, tiles, tiles…how to choose the right ones for you

Tile-tastic: How to choose the right tiles for you.

Tiles are great. They come in a range of colours, sizes and are made of many different natural products. They’re easy to clean, easy to install and can transform a dull room into one full of character. You can add mosaics as borders which will help add your own personal touch to a room. You can install them in a variety of patterns to suit the size of your room and they are great if you suffer with allergies or asthma. So here’s a little bit more about them to help you make up your mind.

Tiles come in a range of styles.

Ceramic, glass, porcelain and stone. Most can be used anywhere, but those made from stone need regular sealing to ensure they remain water resistant. Tiles usually come in two thicknesses. The thicker being suitable for floor use and the lighter (thinner ones) being more suitable for walls. The good thing about tiles is that come in many different sizes. Mix and match them to make the most of your room. Lay them in diagonals to make a smaller room seem bigger.

The good, the bad and the ugly?

Rather than make you read through reams of copy, I thought I’d simply highlight the pros and cons of each tile type.

Glass Tiles

Good:

Come in a range of colours and styles.

Available in stained, textured or multicoloured looks, you’re sure to find something to match your theme.

Give a very sophisticated, tidy look

Non-porous, so you can rest assured that they won’t be damaged by water or liquids

They don’t stain

They are hard wearing

Certain types are suitable for wall and floor tiling

Bad:

May crack and splinter over time

You will notice every speck of dirt on them

If you have little children, you will notice finger prints on them

Quite high maintenance

Ugly:

Can be quite expensive

If one tile cracks- it can ruin the whole pattern of a design

Needs to be installed by a specialist

Porcelain and Ceramic

Good:

Come in a range if colours, shapes and styles

Easy to clean and maintain

Non- porous meaning you can use them in wet rooms and just about anywhere

Porcelain is known to be stronger than ceramic

Suitable for walls and floors

Easy to install

Bad:

May crack under high impact

If not installed properly they may crack

Constantly mopping floors can be dangerous

Ugly:

Lighter tiles show the dirt more, so if you’re not big on cleaning go for dark colours

Natural Stone Tiles

Good:

They are a natural product so they can add harmony to your home.

Available in a range of colours, styles and prices

Can be used on walls and floors.

Stone mosaics can add real character to any room

Bad:

You need a diamond blade to cut natural stone tiles.

The tiles are large and heavy to handle so they need to be installed by a professional

Natural stone needs to be resealed every two to three years.

Ugly:

If not cared for properly, some natural stone like travertine can develop holes, (which are easily fixed).

If you’re looking for a tiler, make sure you visit The Tile Association at www.tiles.org.uk. They have a list of reliable tilers in your area.

These top tips were bought to you by Floorell. www.floorell.co.uk