PREPARATION

Free Advice  

Some free advice to help you along the way!

Save time and money by preparing the wall or floor for me if you can ... although, of course   I can do all preparation as required.

Surfaces to be tiled are to be in a suitable state. Quotes for tile removal and surface preparation can be arranged. Plastering and floor preparation will be at extra cost. Floor or wall tiles can only be fixed to suitable surfaces. If the surface is not a hard floor or wall then this may entail laying plywood or a suitable surface. If this is not done the tiles can become unstable and will detach irrespective of the type of adhesive.

Adhesives are complex chemical substances and the correct adhesive is essential for a successful job. My professional expertise is essential; please allow me to help you get the most from your tiles with advice on waterproofing and other matters.

Grouting choice can also make all the difference. Colours, grouting width   and other   techniques are also important to final effect.  

Give consideration to related tasks such as: electrical fixtures, plumbing fixtures, shower enclosure door sizes, or anything that sets upon or within the structure being covered with tile.

It is not always the responsibility of the tiling installer to implement alterations to accommodate   this and should always be discussed in depth before undertaking work.

Tile setters are professionals and never leave a job incomplete, but at the same time .... they provide a service that covers many areas of expertise which is their livelihood and cannot always be expected to perform extra electrical or plumbing   tasks at their own expense.

Preparing a wall

The surface must be dry, flat and free from dust and grease.

It must also be rigid and must also be capable of carrying the weight of the tiles.

Fresh plastered walls must be have holes filled and any bumps removed... then   prepared with a plaster primer.

Painted walls especially gloss paint must have a good bond with the wall before tiling. It should be rubbed with course sandpaper.

Wallpaper must be removed before tiling. Wash down with water after stripping.
Porous surfaces must be primed and sealed.

Wood, plywood, hardboard and chipboard can be tiled but a flexible adhesive is required.

Brick can be tiled over but it is normally too rough and may need   plywood or plastering   first.

New tiles can be tiled   over old   tiles but   care is needed with   larger sized   trims and corners.

Choosing Tiles

Choosing your ceramic tile might be the hardest part of a tile project. There are   obviously thousands of colours, sizes, styles, shapes and grades to choose from.

The trend in ceramic tile used to be to stay as neutral as possible. In fact, most of the tiles sold for home use were either white, almond or gray. Now, white and almond are still the most common, but people are experimenting more with colour. Colours are getting warmer and brighter, as well as clearer and cleaner.

Our aim is to set your tiles correctly with the correct adhesive for the tiles and conditions.

As far as size goes, the most popular tile sold is still the   10cm square wall tile. However, the current trend is towards larger tiles, like 20cm X 20cm, and even 30cm X 30cm. or larger.

Small one inch square (2.5cm X 2.5cm) tiles are also common. These are called mosaic tile because you can mix different colours to create borders, patterns, and even pictures. These are usually joined together in 30cm X 30cm sheets to make them easier and quicker to set. You can have custom patterns made at mosaic specialists but we also have a special mosaic design service to help you.

The material that's used to make tile and the methods of manufacturing determine its durability and absorption. It's important to know what tile is best suited for your specific situation.

Most ceramic tile is glazed. Glazed tile is made from a mixture of clays that are pressed into shape.

A "glaze" is then applied to the top and baked on.

Glazed tiles are available in high-gloss, matte, and abrasive slip-resistant finishes. Glazed tiles also come in decorative styles with a pattern or hand-painted design.

Mosaic tile is made from different types of clay with color pigments added so the color goes all the way through the tile. Mosaics are suitable for almost any surface because they resist moisture, are stain-proof and will not chip easily.

Quarry tile is a broad classification for any tile made out of a mixture of clays. They are usually deep red in color and left unglazed. These tiles are used mostly for interior floors because they're usually porous and irregular in shape. The surface of these tiles can be sealed or left unsealed, although, they may stain if left unsealed.

Another current trend are natural materials like slate, marble, granite, and limestone cut into thin pieces and installed like tile.

You can find a lot of natural-looking tiles that resemble marble, slate, limestone and granite. They look like the real thing and are just as durable. They're cheaper too, as much as 75%  less than real natural materials.