While buying tiles for your home can be a very enjoyable activity it can sometimes also be overwhelming. Here are four questions which if are answered correctly will make the this process as easy 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.
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 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.
How much money do you have to spend and can you do the job yourself? As with all materials some are quite cheap while some can be be extremely costly, and tiles are no exception. Ranging from ceramic to difficult to find stone, there are tiles for any budget. There are always good deals to be had, and Mexican tiles are really a perfect example, they are handmade works of art that are even less expensive than ceramic tiles. Make sure that you're clear about how much you will need to spend because not only will you need to pay for your actual tiles, but for the installation as well. And if you can install the tiles yourself you'll save yourself a lot money. Rubber tiles and wooden deck tiles are fantastic as 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 need to leave to the experts.
These questions will help you buy the right tiles and save cash too. If you answer them honestly they'll help you to get rid of the many options which don't work for you, and leave you with only those which do. Not only will addressing these questions help to make buying the right tiles pleasurable and easy, but a quick process too.
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 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.
How much money do you have to spend and can you do the job yourself? As with all materials some are quite cheap while some can be be extremely costly, and tiles are no exception. Ranging from ceramic to difficult to find stone, there are tiles for any budget. There are always good deals to be had, and Mexican tiles are really a perfect example, they are handmade works of art that are even less expensive than ceramic tiles. Make sure that you're clear about how much you will need to spend because not only will you need to pay for your actual tiles, but for the installation as well. And if you can install the tiles yourself you'll save yourself a lot money. Rubber tiles and wooden deck tiles are fantastic as 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 need to leave to the experts.
These questions will help you buy the right tiles and save cash too. If you answer them honestly they'll help you to get rid of the many options which don't work for you, and leave you with only those which do. Not only will addressing these questions help to make buying the right tiles pleasurable and easy, but a quick process too.
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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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