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Top 10 Tile Mistakes In Your New Bathroom Renovation

You’ve chosen the perfect tiles for your new dream bathroom and can’t wait to see the end result but have you considered all the factors involved when it comes to your tiles? Avoid these common and expensive tile mistakes by being prepared in advance.

1. Cost of tiles

When budgeting for tiles keep in mind that your floor area is normally smaller than your wall area. For this reason if you are working on a tight budget consider spending a bit more on the floors and choosing a more cost effective tile for the walls such as subway tiles. Subway tiles are a classic tile that can look fabulous in both modern and traditional bathrooms, and all without the expensive price tag.

 
2. Plan and style

When choosing tiles for your bathroom ensure that all other elements of the bathroom such as fixtures and fittings work well together. Take into consideration colours of bench-tops, cupboards and painted surfaces. Choose one hero feature in your bathroom design. This could be a tiled feature wall, an interesting floor tile or even a stand out vanity unit. Just be sure not to have too many elements competing for the spotlight.

3. Lighting

Be aware that tile colours will look very different in a brightly lit showroom compared to your bathroom that may have a mixture of artificial and natural light. Different type of lighting whether natural, LEDs or pendant will affect the colour of tiles. It’s always a good idea to bring tile samples home and checking to see how they will look in your space. You will also need to try and visualise the tile installed on mass and this can be tricky. The end result may end up looking lighter or darker than expected but this may be a simple case of adding or moving light fixtures / pendants. If unsure get some advice from our designers.

4. Choosing a tile contractor

Poorly installed tiles can make even the most expensive tiles look plain and uninteresting. Like in all trade professions you will encounter different quality of workmanship and professionalism between different tilers. It’s a great idea to not only get 3 quotes but to also see examples of their past work. A good tiler will plan and prepare the project before commencing, ensuring tiles are cut to perfection and grout joints are consistent and neat.

5. Ordering Tiles

Once you have decided on your perfect selection, ask your tiler to estimate the quantities needed for each different tile range. They will generally add 10% extra to the amount to allow for cuts and breakages. Once your quantities have been established, order your tiles right away. The stock levels of tiles change regularly and there is no guarantee that your quantities will be available when tiles are needed. If not available immediately there may be a lead time involved. Order earlier rather than later to avoid disappointment.

6. Grout

Make no mistake; choosing the grout colour is an important decision. Grout can make or break your design. Decide whether you want to make the grout colour a feature of the design, be neutral or blend with your tile. Depending on what you choose can greatly alter the end result. Once you have decided, be sure to give your tiler clear instructions especially if there are different grout colours for different tiles in the bathroom.

8. Sealing

Tiles that normally need to be sealed are natural stone and unglazed tiles. Sealing tiles will help with the cleaning process enabling a film to be absorbed by the tile and protecting its surface from staining especially in wet areas. You will need to re-seal tiles after a while depending on where tiles are installed and the amount of traffic and ‘wear and tear’ that is present. It’s important to speak to our staff or your tile contractor if unsure.

9. Cleaning and maintenance

Before using any cleaning products on your new tiles be sure to be informed as to what is suitable. For example cleaning products that contain any type of acid cannot be used on concrete tiles. Bleach or harsh chemicals cannot be used on natural stone. Using an unsuitable cleaning product can permanently damage your tiles so be sure to check with our staff or your tiler if you have any doubts.

10. Accessorise

Once your bathroom is complete the fun can begin. Indulge in your new luxurious space and add beautiful accessories such as towels, candles, flowers, light pendants and wall hangings. You can regularly and easily change the look and feel of your bathroom depending on your mood. Have fun with this and experiment with different styles.