While buying tiles for your home can be a very enjoyable activity it can sometimes also be overwhelming. Here are four questions which if are answered correctly will make the this process as easy 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 I want the tiles to accomplish? After you have determined where the tiles will be installed you will need to take into account what you would like them to do for your space. If you want to portray a particular feel or look you will have to go with a material that not only can be used within the space but also that conveys what you need it to. For example if you wanted a Mediterranean look for your patio, you might utilize quarry tiles. If you want a safe, heavy duty area surrounding your pool you might go for rubber tiles. The tile pattern you choose to use is very important too. The pattern you decide on can function to: make a room look smaller than it is, larger, longer, much wider, or even more modern. Knowing what you need to achieve in the space will help you to pick the correct material and the pattern you utilize with that material.
How much time do I want to commit to maintaining my tiles? You've selected the area you have to install your tiles, and what you want them to achieve. This should have simplified your selection of tiles tremendously. The next task is to honestly answer just how much you want to clean. While some tile materials can be extremely effortless to clean others can be extremely difficult to keep clean and maintain. Wood tiles for example, while they look like they need a lot of a care, are easily cleaned with most household and tile cleaners because they're actually made out of porcelain or ceramic. On the other hand, many stone tiles like quarry tiles, have to be power washed and most have to be routinely sealed to prevent water and moisture from being absorbed into the tile. So be sure you always find out what type of upkeep and tile cleaner the material of tile you are considering needs. It could have a big impact on your decision.
How much money do you have to spend and can you do the job yourself? As with all materials some are quite cheap while some can be be extremely costly, and tiles are no exception. Ranging from ceramic to difficult to find stone, there are tiles for any budget. There are always good deals to be had, and Mexican tiles are really a perfect example, they are handmade works of art that are even less expensive than ceramic tiles. Make sure that you're clear about how much you will need to spend because not only will you need to pay for your actual tiles, but for the installation as well. And if you can install the tiles yourself you'll save yourself a lot money. Rubber tiles and wooden deck tiles are fantastic as they can be put down by anyone because they just snap together. That being said unless you are comfortable using a tile saw or have experience laying tile there are a few materials and patterns you need to leave to the experts.
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 I want the tiles to accomplish? After you have determined where the tiles will be installed you will need to take into account what you would like them to do for your space. If you want to portray a particular feel or look you will have to go with a material that not only can be used within the space but also that conveys what you need it to. For example if you wanted a Mediterranean look for your patio, you might utilize quarry tiles. If you want a safe, heavy duty area surrounding your pool you might go for rubber tiles. The tile pattern you choose to use is very important too. The pattern you decide on can function to: make a room look smaller than it is, larger, longer, much wider, or even more modern. Knowing what you need to achieve in the space will help you to pick the correct material and the pattern you utilize with that material.
How much time do I want to commit to maintaining my tiles? You've selected the area you have to install your tiles, and what you want them to achieve. This should have simplified your selection of tiles tremendously. The next task is to honestly answer just how much you want to clean. While some tile materials can be extremely effortless to clean others can be extremely difficult to keep clean and maintain. Wood tiles for example, while they look like they need a lot of a care, are easily cleaned with most household and tile cleaners because they're actually made out of porcelain or ceramic. On the other hand, many stone tiles like quarry tiles, have to be power washed and most have to be routinely sealed to prevent water and moisture from being absorbed into the tile. So be sure you always find out what type of upkeep and tile cleaner the material of tile you are considering needs. It could have a big impact on your decision.
How much money do you have to spend and can you do the job yourself? As with all materials some are quite cheap while some can be be extremely costly, and tiles are no exception. Ranging from ceramic to difficult to find stone, there are tiles for any budget. There are always good deals to be had, and Mexican tiles are really a perfect example, they are handmade works of art that are even less expensive than ceramic tiles. Make sure that you're clear about how much you will need to spend because not only will you need to pay for your actual tiles, but for the installation as well. And if you can install the tiles yourself you'll save yourself a lot money. Rubber tiles and wooden deck tiles are fantastic as they can be put down by anyone because they just snap together. That being said unless you are comfortable using a tile saw or have experience laying tile there are a few materials and patterns you need to leave to the experts.
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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For more information about tile patterns be sure to read: "Tile Patterns: 3 Secret Methods For Using Them To Your Advantage"
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