BLOG - Assessing your area & purpose

Aesthetics

What is the purpose of the tile?

to enhance the colour palette
to be a feature
to focus attention on the view
to be a subdued base for other items & textures (couch, statue or rug)
to be seamless (see rectified or pressed edge tiles in PART 4)
to be textured, matt or shiny (see tile finishes in Part 7)
to complement the surrounds (bringing the beach or the bush inside?)
to create style and character from traditional heritage to modern minimalist and all the flavours in between

Practicalities

Do the extra bit. A uniform job will open up your home, so whilst doing a main area consider doing the laundry or other small adjoining rooms.

Consider tile layout when assessing the area to be tiled. We will cover this in more depth in PART 3 on tile sizes. You can change the visual aesthetics of an area by the shape or direction tiles are laid and can visually increase the size of a room or lay tiles on an angle to direct people's eyes to an area or enhance a layout.

This is the chance to tile before cabinetry goes in - saves hassles later when cabinetry is to be moved, changed, or updated.

If you can't afford or are not ready to do an area now, but want to do it later, consider buying the tiles all at once and storing them. For example if you want to do an alfresco area in a non-slip tile later once you concrete it, and want to match the tiles you are purchasing for the inside, buy them all at once. This will save on delivery charges, maybe get a larger volume discount on your purchase, and eliminate disappointment later if the tiles are out of stock or discontinued.

Consider changes of heights, your current substrates and doorway material changes.

If you are tiling over existing materials are they sound and suitable
What will the extra height do to doors, cabinets, damp-courses in external areas?
Is your current floor structurally sound and free of movement? The tiling can only be as good as the substrate it is laid on
How are you going to transition to non-tiled areas. Trims are used at edges meeting other materials. Transition edges trims are available to ramp down. Meeting wet areas may involve a step up. See PART 9 for further information on this.
Expansion joints need to be allowed for, consider their layout and the potential movement points of the substrate.

We do not intend this to be an exhaustive list, but an idea provoking introduction to the many options available for your home. Ask lots of questions and evaluate the information to suit you. It is your home. Remember experts are available, get your tiler involved early in the process and utilize their experience and further assistance is never far away at Complete Tiles & Stone....and most of all, enjoy the whole experience!

Read the next blog article : How to measure your area