Tiling a bathroom is a DIY job that anyone should be able to master if they want. You will need to know which type of tiles to buy and you will also need a few specific tools to hand.
As it is an area that can get soaked, the right type of tile needs to be used. Your bathroom tiles will need to be vitreous or impervious to water to prevent damage. Porcelain tiles are a good choice. They can be coloured all the way through or simply glazed with the colour. They are incredibly hard and are good as floor tiles for this reason. Marble tiles, granite, slate, and sandstone are also great for floors and can also be used on walls, counters and back splashes. Floor tiles need to be hard-wearing so that they last, and also not too smooth to prevent people slipping up. Choose a tile with a coefficient of friction (COF) rating of at least 0.60, dry and wet. Quarry tiles can be used in wet areas, but they stain easily so may not be the best choice. A sealer will be required for natural stone tiles.
Wall tiles will also need to be vitreous or impervious but don’t need to be particularly hard-wearing as no-one will be walking on them.
If you have a tiny bathroom, small sized tiles will make it look bigger, and for a large bathroom you can use large tiles to reduce the overall impression of size.
To order the right amount of tiles, you need to measure the length and width of the area to be tiled and multiply one by the other, then add at least 10 % to that total to allow for breakages etc.
You will also need grout and tile spacers. Use sanded grout for porcelain, granite and other single fired tiles. A grout spreader will also be needed.
It’s important to remember to use a waterproof tile adhesive for areas that will come into contact with water. You can often buy these ready-mixed but some will require you to add water yourself. For flooring, use a thinset mortar adhesive. On counter tops, it is generally ok to use mastic under and over the cement backer board. Get yourself an adhesive spreader to help spread the glue and find a damp sponge to wipe away the excess.
You will also need a tile cutting jig, tile cutter, tile saw and tile nibblers to cut your tiles to shape and a spirit level to make sure that your work is straight!
Whilst most items will need to be borrowed, bought or hired, there is something you can make yourself.A gauge stick can help you plot the position of the tiles on the wall and one can easily be made from a length of softwood.Put several tiles next to the wood (adding in the spacers) and mark off the position of each tile along the stick. Use a spirit level to ensure that this is straight. The gauge stick is now finished and can be used to set out the rows of tiles on each side of it.
With the right tiles and tools, your bathroom project should be a success and actually quite enjoyable to do!
Filed under Bathroom Remodeling by on Apr 23rd, 2010. Comment. 
Deciding to buy a tile design that attracts you sounds relatively simple. The simplicity of buying tiles isn’t always that easy, so beware to check the quality of the tiles before purchasing. Purchasing the right design for the right area is very important.g. am I looking at bathroom designs, kitchen designs, floor etc.
The modification over the years done by manufacturers means that there are tiles out there that suit the needs of every buyer. Making our floors and walls beautiful is not such a difficult task but choosing the right colour design and texture is. Some of the types of tiles that we can find in the markets include ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles, terracotta tiles, stone tiles, granite tiles and slate tiles.
Ceramic Tiles: These are made out of clay, other natural elements and water for creating the basic tile structure. The upper layer of this tile body is then coated with ceramic and baked in a kiln for it to get fused to the body frame of the tile and this gives it its final finish and colour. Ceramic tiles have so many advantages that make them a popular buy; these include durability, easy maintenance, waterproof, fire resistant, versatile, scratchproof and environmentally friendly. It’s suitability for therefore making.g a bathroom tile.
The difference between porcelain and ceramic tiles is that porcelain are made out of a finer clay and are baked at a higher range of heat; this gives them a greater density. If you are looking for tiles which are suitable for exterior walls, then you should consider porcelain tiles as these have a higher percentage of odour, water, stain and bacteria resistance. Porcelain tiles can withstand excessive foot traffic for several years to come and are therefore an ideal choice.
If you would like an alternative, use natural stone. Unlike ceramic and porcelain tiles these do not contain a glazed coating and can therefore create a different look. Stone tiles include marble, slate and granite tiles and can be found in two textures, the polished tiles that have a glossy finish but can be slippery and the honed tiles that have a dull look but are comparatively less slippery.
Marble Tiles: This timeless classic will add elegance to any interior where it is used. A distinctive look by each piece of marble gives the area a natural sophistication. Honing and polishing gives marble the desired look. These tiles are delicate and attractive and most ideal for interior walls but they must be avoided in areas that are prone to accumulation of water and grease. Bathroom tiles are therefore not normally made of this.
If you are looking for hard wearing tiles, then you need to invest in granite tiles. Whilst quartz, mica, feldspar gives granite it’s distinctive character it’s the volcanic reaction that actually creates granite. Like marble each tile is different from the other and forms an intriguing pattern when laid on the floor. These tiles are suitable for both inside and outside walls and can be shapened and polished to your liking. The suitability however, of granite tiles with a polished finish on areas where there is grease and water retention is not advisable.
The slow formation in the earth’s surface mean that slate tiles have fine metamorphic rocks with bits of metal in them. There ability to withstand harsh abrasions, chemicals, fading and the freeze and thaw tests, makes natural stone tiles the tiles to buy if you want something that lasts a long time. The tiles that are suitable for both interior and exterior walls are slate tiles. You do however have to be careful as they are not suitable in places where water and grease accululate.
Filed under Bathroom Remodeling by on Feb 5th, 2010. Comment.
This article looks at the potential areas of usage for ceramic tiles and trys to explain the difference between porcelain and ceramic tiles. Some of the practical issues about choice of tiles: eradicating dampness and bacteria are also explored to inform tile buyers about what their primary considerations need to be when choosing tiles. This will help enormously when decorating bathroom areas.
Ceramic tiles are a very popular choice for bathroom tiles, because they are extremely versatile.When we talk about ceramic tiles in the UK, it is worth noting, that we are probably referring to procelain tiles. Despite the name and the fact that we associate porcelain with being very fragile, porcelain tiles are usually stronger and more durable than ceramic tiles.The name ‘ceramic’ has simply evolved due to it’s production within the ceramic industry!
Ceramic tiles are suitable for bathrooms because they have a variety of applications which make them perfect; they can withstand the conditions that bathrooms are subjected too such as wetness, humidity and steam.When we are thinking about tiling a bathroom, we usually think about the wall, but floor tiles are these days exceptionally popular.
Tiling in a wet room simply finishes off the look of a contemporary and modern room, whereas if vinyl flooring is installed it can look fairly basic and as if corners have been cut to save money. It may also be less durable than providing a tiled floor and can soon look somewhat dated.
Tiles come in different sizes, with different shapes and varying from the very large to tiny mosaic tiles. They can often be single coloured or patterned and many now have Spanish or Moroccan influences, although some traditional floral tiles do still exist.A tiny bathroom would not suit some of the very strong colours, but a larger than average room would look stunning.
Tiles will peel off the walls if you have chosen to buy a standard tile for the bathroom as the reality is bacteria and damp can linger behind them. This is simply not a good idea. The bathroom is the wettest area of the house so it is one room where you have to eradicate dampness in order to stop it getting hold.A shabby chic appearance should be over-ruled for a timeless elegance!
The sheer range of ceramic bathroom tiles available now means that any taste and preference can be catered for.So that your bathroom achieves a co-ordinated and harmonious look you need to give careful consideration to exactly what you are looking for. Because there are so many to choose this can in many ways be a downside.
Filed under Bathroom Remodeling by on Feb 1st, 2010. Comment.
META: When filling up gaps between tiles, grout is the practical solution as it not only provides neatness, but it provides strength and uniformity. It also serves other masonry purposes and comes in different kinds.
Grout is a kind of construction material that is used to fill up joints, cracks, cavities between tiles, to enclose rebars, conjoin bricks and other masonry work. It is also used to create mosaics though you can find mosaic without the grout filling also. Grout is basically a mixture of cement, water and sand or sometimes only water and cement. The hollow bodies of cement blocks are usually filled in with gravel. In order to form a strong waterproof seal, spread the mixture with a grout float into the cavities, ensuring they harden. If you would like to give the tile work a better appearance you can utilise different tints and colours.
There are several varieties of grout and these include tiling grout, the non-shrink grout, floating grout, thixotropic grout and resin grout. The best forms and most commonly used grout are the epoxy grout, the resin grout and the cement based grout. Epoxy grout is the strongest of the three and is highly waterproof. This for e.g would therefore be great to use on your bathroom tiles. Epoxy resin and an improved epoxy emulsion are the ingredients of this. If you are looking for a high water resistance and tough stain fighting grout, then you would look no further, as this kind of grout, although far more costly, is regarded as the most efficient. Beware though, it is difficult to come by.
In general, cement-based grout is used for craftwork and mosaic design creation. In order to create mosaics you need to use this grout; it is weaker compared to epoxy but it is favourable. It can be bought in several forms; sanded, non-sanded, prior mixed and in powder form from any do-it-yourself store.
The third most used form of grout is the resin grout, which can be bought in both the sanded as well as non-sanded form. The resin grout uses alcohol to form a mixture rather than water, which is commonly used with other resin types. Where work involves the use of a lot of chemicals, you should use this as this makes it very powerful against chemical reactions. Builders and contractors tend to utilise this type of grout as it’s cumbersome; definitely not for using on mosaics. Whatever job you are tackling, e.g. ceramic bathroom tiles, a porcelain bathroom tile, a kitchen tile, or even tiling your floor
An important thing to remember while using grout is that its fumes or dust particles can be very harmful to your health specifically if you are using epoxy grout. So before you start using the material, make sure that you have read all the instructions from the manufacturer. The respiratory system can easily be affected by dust particles, so to reduce the dust use a respirator mask. To prevent eye and skin irritations you should also use gloves and protection glasses.
When you are finished using the grout do not dispose of the remaining substance into a drain because if you do so, the liquid will solidify somewhere inside the pipeline causing a massive blockage in the drainage system. Allowing the liquid to separate from the mixture is quite important. To do this you need to let the mixture sit for a while. The liquid can then be drained off and disposed off.
Filed under Bathroom Remodeling by on Jan 26th, 2010. Comment.
A tasteful and chic bathroom can be achieved by correctly using tiles; it will also be co-ordinated. You should consider some interior design principles to avoid ending up with a style disaster!
Bathroom tiles are now very much seen as a critical way of ensuring that your bathroom looks elegant chic but also timeless. If you choose bathroom tiles that are exceptionally fashionable, they can look somewhat dated in a few years. It is better to use tiles that will never go out of fashion. They will still look chic in the coming years.
One look that has been very popular is a wall of cream tiles (or equivalent) with a band of colour midway up the wall, breaking up the colour and providing a break to the eye. Whilst this still can look stylish, it can be seen up and down the country in thousands: if not millions of bathrooms.
To create splashes of colours, the random use of coloured ceramic bathroom tiles from the same range, can interject colour, but look stylish and contemporary, without creating a style that will easily date.
For a stylish and chic appearance try using larger tiles, they also take much less time to install. Mosaic tiles are acceptable around the wash hand basin or shower/bath, but they can date very quickly.
Many people try to emulate far grander bathroom designs within a tiny, standard bathroom. If you are tempted to go for the look of the ultrachic hotel bathroom you stayed in when in Paris: don’t! If the space is smaller than the original then it just won’t work. Take some of the key features of the bathroom such as the shower, hand basin and copy the style using your own taste and style to guide you in your choice of tiles. This insures the tiles or the correct size for the room.
In a small bathroom, go for small tiles as large ones can make the room look even smaller.
Start thinking about the size and shape of your bathroom, and how the tiles will wear in the years to come. Be realistic when designing, you have to be realistic with what you have to work with.
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Filed under Bathroom Remodeling by on Jun 18th, 2009. Comment.
Many people do not think through the design principles behind which kind of bathroom tiles they want, resulting in a bathroom that is too stark and cold or too floral and soft.Take time to decide on careful tile choices, as type and colour can have a huge effect on overall design.
Of all the rooms, bathrooms demand tiles.Tiles will add the finishing touch to a bathroom.Alternatives to tiles are water resistant wallpaper, which doesn’t last too long and needs to be replaced. Or you could choose specialist bathroom paint, which is fine if your walls are perfectly smooth.If not replastering may be necessary.Where walls are less than smooth, try tiles to hide the flaws.
But when choosing tiles for your bathroom you need to choose specialist ceramic bathroom tiles.They can cope with the heat and wet of a bathroom, which produce frequent steam and humidity.
Saving pennies on cheap standard tiles may be a false economy as they often need replacing quickly.Â
Don’t neglect colour.Minimalist bathrooms can tempt you to lean towards white bathroom tiles to offset the sleek surfaces and sharp colours.But some people might view these as harsh.To break up the white block of colour, try using a white tile with a coloured insert, for example black, grey or silver.
Some bathroom tile designs can be fairly rustic or flowery.If these are your taste, all well and good – but for prospective buyers neutral will work better.Floral or chintz bathrooms won’t appeal to those who favour more plain looks, or bachelors for example.Â
Don’t have too strong colours.You may like black or red bathrooms, but others may not, and you need to keep prospective buyers in mind. Even if you aren’t selling your home, remember that vibrant colours can seem appealing for a short time, and then become rather overbearing, so err on the side of caution.
To choose the right tiles, keep a check on your wilder style choices, and you’ll have a bathroom that’s elegant and stylish but also timeless.
Filed under Bathroom Remodeling by on Jun 17th, 2009. Comment.