Purchasing tiles can be an extremely exciting task for the homeowner. It can also sometimes be overwhelming. Here are 4 questions you need to ask yourself to help you get through the process with the least amount of time, money, and frustration:
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.
What do I want the tiles to accomplish? After you have determined where the tiles will be installed you will need to take into account what you would like them to do for your space. If you want to portray a particular feel or look you will have to go with a material that not only can be used within the space but also that conveys what you need it to. For example if you wanted a Mediterranean look for your patio, you might utilize quarry tiles. If you want a safe, heavy duty area surrounding your pool you might go for rubber tiles. The tile pattern you choose to use is very important too. The pattern you decide on can function to: make a room look smaller than it is, larger, longer, much wider, or even more modern. Knowing what you need to achieve in the space will help you to pick the correct material and the pattern you utilize with that material.
How long do I want to spend cleaning? You have determined the place you have to install your tiles, as well as what you would like them to achieve. This will have simplified your choice of tiles tremendously. The next step is to honestly answer just how much you like to clean. While some tile materials are extremely easy to clean others can be notoriously tough clean and maintain. Wood tiles for instance, while they seem like they require a lot of a care, are easily cleaned with most household and tile cleaners since they are actually made from porcelain or ceramic. However, many stone tiles like quarry tiles, have 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 kind of care and tile cleaner the material of tile you're thinking about needs. It may really influence your decision.
How much money do you want to spend and can you do the job yourself? Jut like with any product tiles range from very inexpensive to extremely costly. From common ceramic to difficult to find stone, there are tiles for any budget. There's always good deals available, and Mexican tiles really are a perfect example, they're hand-made pieces of art which are even cheaper than ceramic tiles. Make sure that you're very clear on how much you must spend because you will not only need to pay for the actual tiles, but for the installation too. And if you can install the tiles yourself, you'll save yourself a lot money. Rubber tiles and wood deck tiles are fantastic as they can be put down by anyone because they just snap together and there are many more options available. With that being said if you aren't comfortable using a tile saw or have experience laying tile there are several materials and patterns you should leave to the pros.
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.
What do I want the tiles to accomplish? After you have determined where the tiles will be installed you will need to take into account what you would like them to do for your space. If you want to portray a particular feel or look you will have to go with a material that not only can be used within the space but also that conveys what you need it to. For example if you wanted a Mediterranean look for your patio, you might utilize quarry tiles. If you want a safe, heavy duty area surrounding your pool you might go for rubber tiles. The tile pattern you choose to use is very important too. The pattern you decide on can function to: make a room look smaller than it is, larger, longer, much wider, or even more modern. Knowing what you need to achieve in the space will help you to pick the correct material and the pattern you utilize with that material.
How long do I want to spend cleaning? You have determined the place you have to install your tiles, as well as what you would like them to achieve. This will have simplified your choice of tiles tremendously. The next step is to honestly answer just how much you like to clean. While some tile materials are extremely easy to clean others can be notoriously tough clean and maintain. Wood tiles for instance, while they seem like they require a lot of a care, are easily cleaned with most household and tile cleaners since they are actually made from porcelain or ceramic. However, many stone tiles like quarry tiles, have 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 kind of care and tile cleaner the material of tile you're thinking about needs. It may really influence your decision.
How much money do you want to spend and can you do the job yourself? Jut like with any product tiles range from very inexpensive to extremely costly. From common ceramic to difficult to find stone, there are tiles for any budget. There's always good deals available, and Mexican tiles really are a perfect example, they're hand-made pieces of art which are even cheaper than ceramic tiles. Make sure that you're very clear on how much you must spend because you will not only need to pay for the actual tiles, but for the installation too. And if you can install the tiles yourself, you'll save yourself a lot money. Rubber tiles and wood deck tiles are fantastic as they can be put down by anyone because they just snap together and there are many more options available. With that being said if you aren't comfortable using a tile saw or have experience laying tile there are several materials and patterns you should leave to the pros.
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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For more information about tile patterns be sure to read: "Tile Patterns: 3 Secret Methods For Using Them To Your Advantage"
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