Wherever you’re thinking about using tiles, whether that’s in the kitchen, bathroom or anywhere else, they can offer a wide range of benefits.
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Their low maintenance, high durability and water resistance make them great options for busy home areas, as well as being able to add some unique interior design qualities to your home.
Here are some great tiling options which can look professionally designed and how you can get a perfect tile finish.
Tips for a professional tile finish
Prepare the walls properly
Ensure the surface you’ll be tiling onto is flat in good condition. Remove any loose plaster, fill in any larger holes and sand down filler so you have a uniform surface. For bathroom tiling, make sure you have some form of moisture resistant barrier in place.
Adding a quality edge
Where your tiles aren’t running up to a cabinet or surface, tile edging will give you a better looking finish than just the natural edge of your tiles. Some tile styles will have an identical edging range, while others can be used with ceramic edging tiles.
Correct cornering and tricky spots
When tiling corners and tricky spaces, you likely won’t have room for full tiles. Measure the space and cut your tiles into according sizes using a tile cutter for a neat finish. Where there are fittings, it can be easier to remove them completely so you can tile underneath.
Filling in the gaps
Allow the tile adhesive to dry for at least 24 hours before starting the grouting process. Use of a grouting tool for a quick, uniform finish and you can wipe off the excess after its had chance to set.
A sealant gun will allow you to properly apply acrylic sealant in the required areas, creating a more consistent seal that can resist mould better and stop water from going where it shouldn’t.
The key thing you need to achieve a professional level finish for your tiles is time and patience. Rushing a job is where the majority of mistakes are made and investing more of your time into tiling properly will mean it’ll be easier to maintain and last longer.
Tiling design options
Contrasting stripes
If you’re thinking about opting for the classic metro tile, you can mix things up by adding in different coloured rows. This can make a space feel longer than it is but try to stick to just three colours so you don’t overwhelm the eye.
Hexagonal tiling
One style of tile which has seen a recent rise in popularity is the hexagonal tile, giving you a new shape to consider and experiment with. Whether you’re thinking of going for large or small options, the patterns they can provide will add intrigue to any space.
Subtle patterns
You can find gorgeous mosaic and Mediterranean-style tiles to use, and they only need arranging in a simple square pattern to use them to full effect.
Split-face styling
If texture is what you’re looking for from your tiling, then split-face stone tiles provide different angles to their surface which break things up while remaining visually cohesive.