All about tiling

Tiling is an old craft dating back to at lest the 13th century BC. Tiles come in different colors, types and shapes.

They are practical, durable and water resistant. Using tiles for your project can transform the look and feel of any space in your home or commercial property.
If you are considering to use tiles in your next project it is may be worth reading this article or contact us. Here, at BBX we are happy to consult you on choosing the right tiles. Contact us for any questions you may have

What are the pros and cons of using tiles?

This answer of course will depend on several factors such as location (bathroom, kitchen, hall) and the intended use of tiles.

Pros:

Durability as they last for many years.
Ease of clean with a wet / damp mop and water. Easy to remove any dirt or spillages.
Resistance for bacteria, stains and odours.
Water resistance.
High scratch resistance making them a great choice for heavy traffic areas.

Cons:

Colder than hard wooden or laminate floors.
May be slippery and are associated with tripping hazards.
Can be expensive to repair / replace.
Not resistant for the fall of heavy objects.
Much heavier than laminate or wooden floors making then unsuitable for second floors in typical Irish houses.
Their installation and removal is a dirty job leaving a lot of dust, derbies and dirt etc.

Given the weather in Dublin and Ireland, tiles are not the most popular choice to use all around the house, restricting their use to bathrooms and kitchens (fully or partially). Some home owners, especially in new builds with excellent BER ratings, chose to tile the first floor fully. This is a popular choice for parents with multiple children and pets due to their practicality and the ease of clean. Carpets can be placed on top of tiles during colder seasons for a cosier look and feel.

How to choose the right tiles?

There are several factors to consider when choosing tiles such as color and patterns, size, thickness and their physical characteristics.

Let’s start with the latest point - physical characteristics. Tiles are made from different materials like ceramic, porcelain, or stone.

**Ceramic tiles**

Made from natural clay that is fired at a high temperature.
Typically glazed with a layer of liquid glass that adds color and pattern.
Easier to install but prone to chipping or cracking especially when choosing cheaper tiles.

**Porcelain Tiles**

A type of ceramic tile, but made from a finer, denser clay and fired at higher temperatures.
Often glazed, but can also be unglazed.
Less porous and more water-resistant than standard ceramic tiles.
Generally more difficult to cut and install than ceramic tiles.

**Stone Tiles:**

Made from natural stone such as marble, granite, limestone, slate, or travertine.
Each tile is unique, as it is cut from large slabs of stone.
No glaze, but often sealed to prevent staining and damage which in itself is a problem
May require frequent sealing and cleaning.
Some models especially marble and granite can be slippery which is not the perfect option for floors.
Usually used on patios

When it comes to patterns, always consider the complexity of putting all patterns together. Some types of tiles come with natural patterns where no two tiles are the same. This will require more labour hours spent on planning which will directly translate to the overall cost. Matching patterns will involve opening all the packages at once, placing them next to each other or in stack, rotating them multiple times (fingers crossed patterns will match from different boxes). In smaller houses, or apartments, this may be an issue due to space limitation. It is important to discuss the patterns with your contractor prior to the work.

bathroom renovation dublin — Bathroom wall with natural patterned tiles

Note that floor tiles are different due to the slippery nature of the wall tiles.

Size is an important factor to consider aesthetically.

Large tiles create a sense of spaciousness and make can make a small room feel larger (less grout lines), which creates a more seamless and expansive look. It also gives the room a contemporary, minimalist appearance. They work well in modern bathrooms, small kitchens, and living areas where a clean, uncluttered look is desired. That said, it is important to honour the style of the house as a whole e.g having a contemporary bathroom in a more classic looking house is not a desired outcome. This though comes with its own challenges: In very small rooms, like tiny bathrooms or compact entryways, large tiles can sometimes feel overwhelming or out of scale. Proper planning is needed to avoid awkward cuts or disproportionate appearances.

Small tiles on the other hand create a detail-oriented and rich look: Small tiles can add intricate detail and texture, making a small space feel more intimate and personalized. They are ideal for feature walls, backsplashes, or mosaic-style designs. For larger spaces however, to much detail can be too much on the eyes.

Tile samples

Available to order in larger brick and mortar and online shops

Lastly, a few tips for buying tiles. Do not just order them online - either visit a local shop or order a sample first. A few tips to chose good tiles: Always ask the sales consultant about their properties and test them out with some water and see if your finger slips easily. Test out different tiles and see if there’s a large difference in temperature on touch. Different tiles have different heat retaining properties which is a strong factor to consider, especially with the Irish weather and possible draughts in the property.

Tiles or laminate?

Due to their durability and aesthetics tiles are more often used in areas like kitchens, bathrooms, entrances and halls providing a water-resistant and decorative finish. They are easy to clean which makes them the perfect choice for entrances and as a kitchen splashbacks.

However, they are colder than other types of flooring and choosing the wrong tiles may be an expensive mistake. If you are looking for tiles to install them in wet areas, make sure to chose non-slippery tiles.

That said, mid range laminate floors are usually water resistant so they can take some water occasionally, given that the water will be removed in short time.

Many owners with open space kitchens prefer not to have a mix of tiles and laminate or wooden floors and decide to avoid having a trim installed between them, leaving them with a hard choice - fully laminate or fully tiles.

Tiles vs. laminate? Ultimately this is a personal decision. Consider the pros and cons above and think long term.

Tiles layout.

Straight line vs herringbone vs mosaic

Similar to the discussion about the size, the layout is a very important factor to consider. Herringbone adds more details but it may not be suitable for modern style design. Straight lines are the best option to ensure minimalist look. It is very important to factor the price for labour and materials. Herringbone will be a more expensive option as there is more labour work involved in cutting tiles and matching them as well as excess of tiles needed.

Which option to choose?

The art of picking the right tile pattern is all about asking two questions:
Do I want a modern sleek look or a more complex?
Does this style will fit the overall look of the surroundings?

Trim for tiles

While often neglected by customers, trims play an important role to hold the tiles in place (on the top and sides) and contribute to the overall look. Trim comes in different colors so it is important to chose the right trim. For bathrooms, chrome trims can be the option to go since chrome is usually everywhere - mirrors, taps, shower, towel radiators so it will blend in beautifully. If you are very attentive to details, and having, say black bathroom accessories you may want to opt in for a different color to match the overall look - in this case black. In some cases trim can replicate the accent color e.g black as main color and gold accent colors so choosing gold trim can be the way to go, otherwise chrome or black can also be an option.

Grout

Once tiles are installed, it is time to apply grout. It is a substance that is put in between the tiles to fill in the gaps. Chasing the color of the grout is even more inportant than the trims. Grout comes in different colors from white to brown to black.

How to recognise a good tiling job?

The devil is in details. Do not expect to have a very good job done when paying a small amount for the work and ordering cheap materials.

Several factors to consider here:

Tile lines should be parallel from all sides.
Distance between all tiles is same.
No chipping on newly installed tiles, although this may be a result of using cheaper quality tiles.
No or minimal difference in level between tiles and
No excess grout or lack of grout in some spaces.
Trim correctly cut and installed.

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