Shopping for tiles almost always is a very thrilling task for the home owner, especially if it's your first home. However, sometimes it may also be quite stressful. Here are 4 questions you'll want to contemplate to help you complete the process as smoothly and with as little wasted time and money as possible:
Where are you planning to use the tiles? Correctly answering this question will allow you to start to hone in on what material or type of tile you will need for your project because answering it will help to exclude many options right away. The wide choice and range of tiles available is huge and it's the area that you are going to install them which will determine what type of tile you ultimately choose. If you are going to be installing tiles on the floor, only floor tiles should be used, while on the wall either floor or wall tiles can work. This is because floor tiles are built to considerably tougher than wall tiles. You will need to determine if the place you are going to lay your tiles is going to be be wet or very hot such as on backsplash or maybe in a bathroom. The answer to this question will help you to narrow down your list of acceptable tiles. If your project is outside you have to also choose tiles that are rated as durable and non-vitreous enough to be utilized as outdoor tiles.
What do you want the tiles to do for your space? Once you have decided what place the tiles will be installed, you need to think about what you want them to accomplish. If you want to portray a certain feel or look you will need to pick a material that not only can be used in the space but also that conveys what you want it to. For example if you wanted a Mediterranean look for your patio, you might use quarry tiles. If you wanted a safe, durable space around your pool you might choose rubber tiles. Just as important is the tile pattern you decide to use. The pattern you choose can make a room look smaller, bigger, longer, wider, or more modern. Deciding what you want to accomplish in your space will help to determine both the material and the pattern.
How long do I want to spend cleaning? You have determined the place you have to install your tiles, as well as what you would like them to achieve. This will have simplified your choice of tiles tremendously. The next step is to honestly answer just how much you like to clean. While some tile materials are extremely easy to clean others can be notoriously tough clean and maintain. Wood tiles for instance, while they seem like they require a lot of a care, are easily cleaned with most household and tile cleaners since they are actually made from porcelain or ceramic. However, many stone tiles like quarry tiles, have 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 kind of care and tile cleaner the material of tile you're thinking about needs. It may really influence your decision.
How much money do you want to spend and can you do the job yourself? Jut like with any product tiles range from very inexpensive to extremely costly. From common ceramic to difficult to find stone, there are tiles for any budget. There's always good deals available, and Mexican tiles really are a perfect example, they're hand-made pieces of art which are even cheaper than ceramic tiles. Make sure that you're very clear on how much you must spend because you will not only need to pay for the actual tiles, but for the installation too. And if you can install the tiles yourself, you'll save yourself a lot money. Rubber tiles and wood deck tiles are fantastic as they can be put down by anyone because they just snap together and there are many more options available. With that being said if you aren't comfortable using a tile saw or have experience laying tile there are several materials and patterns you should leave to the pros.
These 4 questions can help you to purchase the correct tiles and save some money too. If you answer them honestly they will help you weed out all of the options which don't work for you, and leave you with only the ones that do. Not only will answering these questions make buying the right tiles fun and easy but quick as well.
Where are you planning to use the tiles? Correctly answering this question will allow you to start to hone in on what material or type of tile you will need for your project because answering it will help to exclude many options right away. The wide choice and range of tiles available is huge and it's the area that you are going to install them which will determine what type of tile you ultimately choose. If you are going to be installing tiles on the floor, only floor tiles should be used, while on the wall either floor or wall tiles can work. This is because floor tiles are built to considerably tougher than wall tiles. You will need to determine if the place you are going to lay your tiles is going to be be wet or very hot such as on backsplash or maybe in a bathroom. The answer to this question will help you to narrow down your list of acceptable tiles. If your project is outside you have to also choose tiles that are rated as durable and non-vitreous enough to be utilized as outdoor tiles.
What do you want the tiles to do for your space? Once you have decided what place the tiles will be installed, you need to think about what you want them to accomplish. If you want to portray a certain feel or look you will need to pick a material that not only can be used in the space but also that conveys what you want it to. For example if you wanted a Mediterranean look for your patio, you might use quarry tiles. If you wanted a safe, durable space around your pool you might choose rubber tiles. Just as important is the tile pattern you decide to use. The pattern you choose can make a room look smaller, bigger, longer, wider, or more modern. Deciding what you want to accomplish in your space will help to determine both the material and the pattern.
How long do I want to spend cleaning? You have determined the place you have to install your tiles, as well as what you would like them to achieve. This will have simplified your choice of tiles tremendously. The next step is to honestly answer just how much you like to clean. While some tile materials are extremely easy to clean others can be notoriously tough clean and maintain. Wood tiles for instance, while they seem like they require a lot of a care, are easily cleaned with most household and tile cleaners since they are actually made from porcelain or ceramic. However, many stone tiles like quarry tiles, have 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 kind of care and tile cleaner the material of tile you're thinking about needs. It may really influence your decision.
How much money do you want to spend and can you do the job yourself? Jut like with any product tiles range from very inexpensive to extremely costly. From common ceramic to difficult to find stone, there are tiles for any budget. There's always good deals available, and Mexican tiles really are a perfect example, they're hand-made pieces of art which are even cheaper than ceramic tiles. Make sure that you're very clear on how much you must spend because you will not only need to pay for the actual tiles, but for the installation too. And if you can install the tiles yourself, you'll save yourself a lot money. Rubber tiles and wood deck tiles are fantastic as they can be put down by anyone because they just snap together and there are many more options available. With that being said if you aren't comfortable using a tile saw or have experience laying tile there are several materials and patterns you should leave to the pros.
These 4 questions can help you to purchase the correct tiles and save some money too. If you answer them honestly they will help you weed out all of the options which don't work for you, and leave you with only the ones that do. Not only will answering these questions make buying the right tiles fun and easy but quick as well.
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To learn more about tile patterns be sure to check out: "Tile Patterns: 3 Secret Methods For Using Them To Your Advantage"
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