Shopping for tiles almost always is a very thrilling task for the home owner, especially if it's your first home. However, sometimes it may also be quite stressful. Here are 4 questions you'll want to contemplate to help you complete the process as smoothly and with as little wasted time and money as possible:
What area are the tiles going to be installed? Properly answering this question will probably help you to narrow down what material or type of tile you need for your project more than any other question. Most people don't realize just how many different types of tiles are available. However it is the space that you are going to use them which will determine what tile you ultimately choose. For example if you are going to be installing tiles on the floor you can only install floor tiles. However, on the wall, either floor or wall tiles can work. The reason for this is that floor tiles are made to be much tougher than wall tiles. While floor tiles can easily take heavy or light use, wall tiles would crack and break if used on the floor . You must also decide if the place you are going to install them is going to be wet or have to deal with heat like they would when used on a backsplash or in a bathroom, because this will exclude a large number of tiles. If the space you are going to tile is outside, you must also choose tiles which are rated as very tough and non-vitreous enough to be used as outdoor tiles that are able to withstand the elements.
Exactly what do I need the tiles to do? After you know where the tiles are going to be installed you should honestly decide what you would like them to do for the space they are being installed. If you want them to convey a specific feel or look, you've got to choose a material that not only can be utilized in the area you want to install it but that also conveys what you want it to. If you wanted a Mediterranean look for your patio for example, you could use quarry tile. If you needed a safe, slip-proof area surrounding your pool, you might choose rubber tile. Of equal importance is also the tile pattern you choose. The pattern you select can help a room look smaller, bigger, longer, wider, or more modern. The options are endless. It is in knowing what you really would like to achieve in your space which will help to decide on both the material of tile and the tile pattern.
How much time do I want to spend cleaning and maintaining these tiles? So you've decided on the space you need to install your tiles, and what you want them to accomplish. This should have narrowed down your choice of tiles significantly. The next step is to honestly answer how much you like to clean. While some tile materials are extremely easy to clean others are notoriously hard to clean and maintain. Wood tiles for example, while they look like they need a lot of a care, are easily cleaned with most household and tile cleaners because they are actually made from porcelain or ceramic. However, many stone tiles like quarry tiles, need to be power washed and most need to be periodically sealed to prevent water and moisture from being absorbed into the tile. So make sure you always find out what type of maintenance and tile cleaner the material of tile you are considering needs. It might weigh heavily on your decision.
What's your budget and can you install the tiles yourself? As with all materials some are relatively cheap while others can be very expensive, and tiles are no exception. Ranging from ceramic to hard to find stone, there are tiles for every budget. There are always good deals to be had, and Mexican tiles are a perfect example, they are handmade works of art which are even cheaper than ceramic tiles. Make sure you are clear about how much you have to spend because not only will you have to pay for the actual tiles, but for the installation as well. And if you can install the tiles yourself you can save yourself a lot money. Rubber tiles and wooden deck tiles are great because they can be put down by anyone because they just snap together. That being said unless you are comfortable using a tile saw or have experience laying tile there are a few materials and patterns you should leave to the professionals.
These 4 questions can help you to purchase the correct tiles and save some money too. If you answer them honestly they will help you weed out all of the options which don't work for you, and leave you with only the ones that do. Not only will answering these questions make buying the right tiles fun and easy but quick as well.
What area are the tiles going to be installed? Properly answering this question will probably help you to narrow down what material or type of tile you need for your project more than any other question. Most people don't realize just how many different types of tiles are available. However it is the space that you are going to use them which will determine what tile you ultimately choose. For example if you are going to be installing tiles on the floor you can only install floor tiles. However, on the wall, either floor or wall tiles can work. The reason for this is that floor tiles are made to be much tougher than wall tiles. While floor tiles can easily take heavy or light use, wall tiles would crack and break if used on the floor . You must also decide if the place you are going to install them is going to be wet or have to deal with heat like they would when used on a backsplash or in a bathroom, because this will exclude a large number of tiles. If the space you are going to tile is outside, you must also choose tiles which are rated as very tough and non-vitreous enough to be used as outdoor tiles that are able to withstand the elements.
Exactly what do I need the tiles to do? After you know where the tiles are going to be installed you should honestly decide what you would like them to do for the space they are being installed. If you want them to convey a specific feel or look, you've got to choose a material that not only can be utilized in the area you want to install it but that also conveys what you want it to. If you wanted a Mediterranean look for your patio for example, you could use quarry tile. If you needed a safe, slip-proof area surrounding your pool, you might choose rubber tile. Of equal importance is also the tile pattern you choose. The pattern you select can help a room look smaller, bigger, longer, wider, or more modern. The options are endless. It is in knowing what you really would like to achieve in your space which will help to decide on both the material of tile and the tile pattern.
How much time do I want to spend cleaning and maintaining these tiles? So you've decided on the space you need to install your tiles, and what you want them to accomplish. This should have narrowed down your choice of tiles significantly. The next step is to honestly answer how much you like to clean. While some tile materials are extremely easy to clean others are notoriously hard to clean and maintain. Wood tiles for example, while they look like they need a lot of a care, are easily cleaned with most household and tile cleaners because they are actually made from porcelain or ceramic. However, many stone tiles like quarry tiles, need to be power washed and most need to be periodically sealed to prevent water and moisture from being absorbed into the tile. So make sure you always find out what type of maintenance and tile cleaner the material of tile you are considering needs. It might weigh heavily on your decision.
What's your budget and can you install the tiles yourself? As with all materials some are relatively cheap while others can be very expensive, and tiles are no exception. Ranging from ceramic to hard to find stone, there are tiles for every budget. There are always good deals to be had, and Mexican tiles are a perfect example, they are handmade works of art which are even cheaper than ceramic tiles. Make sure you are clear about how much you have to spend because not only will you have to pay for the actual tiles, but for the installation as well. And if you can install the tiles yourself you can save yourself a lot money. Rubber tiles and wooden deck tiles are great because they can be put down by anyone because they just snap together. That being said unless you are comfortable using a tile saw or have experience laying tile there are a few materials and patterns you should leave to the professionals.
These 4 questions can help you to purchase the correct tiles and save some money too. If you answer them honestly they will help you weed out all of the options which don't work for you, and leave you with only the ones that do. Not only will answering these questions make buying the right tiles fun and easy but quick as well.
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To learn more about tile patterns be sure to read: "Tile Patterns: 3 Secret Methods For Using Them To Your Advantage"
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