Now that you have all the tools you require for your tiling project, you will need to ascertain how many square metres of tiles you will need. Well, that will depends on the size of the area to be tiled. In this article, we will be looking at how to measure the area you want to tile, and what factors you need to keep in mind when choosing tiles.

Measuring
If you are tiling floors, measure the “Width x Length”, and if you are tiling walls, measure “Width x Height.” To be on the safe side, add 10% to that total, for breakages whilst tiling. If you are tiling an irregular shaped area, it will be easier to break such area into smaller sections and then add up all the areas to obtain the total area.

If you would like to be as precise as possible, don’t forget to subtract the areas of the floor or wall that will not be tiled. On walls, you will need to subtract windows, doors and any wall openings.
With floors, you will need to subtract toilets, bathtubs, architectural columns, etc.

Choosing Your Tiles
You will need to choose tiles that will suit the space. This exercise will probably take you the longest to complete, as there are so many designs and variety of tiles to choose from. When choosing your tiles, there are factors that will influence your decision, namely, budget, colour and size. Below are a few tips for choosing the correct tile for your space:

Colour:

  • Use lighter coloured tiles to make your room look brighter.
  • Using only one colour makes the room look larger.
  • Darker coloured tiles will give your space a sophisticated feel.
  • Polished tiles are brighter and are easier to clean.
  • Try match the colour, pattern and design of the tiles to the general feel, style and décor of your home. The last thing you want is to have a contradicting style which makes your home look like a Christmas tree. That said, if done correctly, certain rooms, floors or walls can be tiled to stand out as a tasteful featured area.


Size:
When choosing floor tiles think about your space and how you can make the area look larger. By using 400mm x 400mm tiles or above you can achieve this effect. The room will look bigger as there are less grout lines. Using a large tile in a small space can achieve the opposite effect. In most cases you will find tiles come in a range of sizes, therefore you can still achieve a consistent look and use the appropriate tile size.

Tile Material:
Ceramic tiles are cheaper, lighter in weight, and are easier to cut and lay, but should not be used for outside spaces subject to frost, as the tile will crack. It is however great for wall tiling.

Porcelain tiles are regarded as a high quality tile because of the way they are produced (fired and pressed). The materials used and the firing process results in a dense biscuit, meaning an end product that is significantly heaver, durable and less likely to chip, therefore it is suitable for all outdoor areas. These tiles should however not be polished, to ensure slip resistance when wet.
Terracotta, Slate and other Natural Stone tiles require further sealing and maintenance, and should be installed by a professional.

Wear Rating:
The level of wear a floor is subjected to is dependent on the area of application and frequency of use, as well as the type of dirt and degree.  While unglazed vitrified floor tiles can be used practically anywhere, glazed floor tiles have to be categorised according to abrasion groups. There are six wear resistance groups for glazed tiles:

Class 0 is not recommended for floors,
Class 1 is recommended for soft footwear or barefoot and not exposed to abrasion,
Class 2 is for household living areas,
Class 3 is for frequently walked areas with normal footwear,
Class 4 is for commercial kitchens and hotels subject to greater stress,
Class 5 is glazed floor coverings subject to heavy foot traffic such as airport terminals and industrial applications.

There are other factors that can also have an effect on which tile you choose, but for the purpose of this article, the above mentioned factors should give you some peace of mind of what to look for when choosing your tiles.

Now that you know how to measure and what to look for when choosing your tiles, the next step is: “how do I prepare the space I want to tile?”
This will be answered in the next article which will be posted on Friday, 21 October 2016.

Should you not have the inclination, patience or experience to tile yourself, do not despair, we are proud to announce that Valuetec has added Tiling, painting, plastering and light renovation work to our service offering in Pretoria. If you require assistance with a renovation project, give us a call or email us for more information and let’s add value to your home the professional, correct and affordable way.