The Tile People Tile Tips Tip 1- Always buy extra. When purchasing tiles it’s always a good idea to get an extra box or two to store away in case of repairs. As tiles are made of natural products, and fired at high temperatures, every time a tile is made they a graded into batches according to their shade. Different batches may have slight shade and/or size variation, and this is an inherent factor in tile manufacture. Keep a few spare boxes of the same batch to ensure that any repair job will look as though it never happened. Tip 2 – Always take tile samples home Tiles come in many shapes, colours and sizes, and you’ll be amazed how a tile will look different in various light conditions. We always recommend you take a sample home and place it in the area that you are planning to tile, to ensure you are happy with your selection. If you are building a new home, take the sample with you when selecting carpets, kitchen and bathroom furniture, and paint colours. This will help reinforce your decision that the tile is right for you. Tips 3 – Tiles are best for high traffic areas When considering what floor area to tile, determine the likely amount of floor traffic. Areas like entrances, hallways, kitchens and dining/family rooms receive the most traffic in a home, and products like carpet and soft timbers will show wear and tear very quickly. Tiles are the best option in these areas, and will stand the test of time. Tip 4 – Consider matching indoor and outdoor tiling. Open plan living and alfresco areas are all about maximising living space inside and out. When planning your new home or extension, consider tile ranges that have matching indoor and outdoor products. When you have indoor tiles matching outdoor tiles it enhances the seamless flow of open plan living, and provides a durable surface that can easily be cleaned and maintained. Tip 5 – Seal your grout to protect it. Grout performs an important role in the tiling process. Not only does it provide a functional role, but it can aesthetically enhance your tiling project by highlighting features, or the tiles themselves. Grout comes in many colours; however, as grout is porous it tends to dull or get dirty over time. Grout sealing has never been easier, with grout sealers now available in aerosol cans. Simply point and spray, and your grout is sealed and protected from dirt and grime. Tip 6 – Consider Floor Tiles as Wall Tiles With today’s technological advances in manufacturing, floor tiles have become available in virtually thousands of colours, textures and sizes. Wall tiles, however, have tended to be plain and bland. So what to do? There is no reason why floor tiles can’t be used on the wall, and this is a great way of taking advantage of the many colours, textures and sizes available. So when looking at a floor tile consider whether it will look just as good on a wall – you’ll be surprised how many builders display homes have floor tiles on walls, and they look great! Tip 7 – Sheets of mosaics make cost effective borders Walk into any tile store and you’ll find hundreds of sheets of mosaic tiles on display. Whether they’re ceramic, porcelain, glass or stone, many people tend to think of mosaics being used as full feature walls, kitchen splash backs, shower base floors, or in pools. However, mosaics are a great way of getting a cost effective border when compared to traditional ceramic decorative borders. Here’s an example: A 25mmx25mm Polished Emperador marble mosaic sheet comes in a 300mmx300mm meshed sheet size, and costs $30 per sheet. If you make a strip border which is two rows wide, you will get 6 strips of this border, costing approximately $5 per strip. So for your $30 sheet you actually get 1.8 lineal meters of border – enough to create a great looking natural stone border in your shower cubical. Quote 1 The Tile People, Australian Made Supporters All Tile People members are proud to be supporters of Australian-made products. Australian manufacturers make some of the best tiles in the world, using the latest technology available, and the knowledge and skills of great Australian people. We’re sure you’ll be surprised at the superior quality and affordable price. So when you walk into a Tile People showroom, look out for the ‘Australian- made’ logo, and support local manufacturing. Quote 2. Tiles – a Strong and Healthy Flooring System Tiles have been in existence for thousands of years, and have proven to be the most durable flooring material available. Europeans use tiles more readily in all areas of their homes, as they value their durability, the increased value it puts on their homes, and the healthy living tiles provide. Unlike timbers, tiles are quite resistant to water damage, shrinkage, and most importantly, wear and tear. Unlike carpet, tiles do not absorb dust, dirt and grime, therefore making them easy to clean, and they help create a healthy family living environment. So, when planning your next building or renovation project, consider using tiles in every area of your home, both inside and out.
Posted on: Fri, 05 Jul 2013 04:16:56 +0000
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