Publications
Partners
Questions home owners usually mull over are the type of tile that will be most suitable; what size and colour to choose and whether the colour suits the current furnishings.
It is important to take these practical considerations into account when embarking on a tiling project.
To narrow your choices down even further, consider your budget and colour scheme, then consider whether you’re after a glossy or matt finish and the size tile you prefer.
To make the process easier, here is a step-by-step buying guide, which will assist you in making your final decision:
1. Consider the area to be tiled: Will the tiles be used to tile the floor or wall, is it a high traffic area, is the installation inside or outside and will it be exposed to moisture?
• For wall tiles there are virtually no restrictions when selecting tiles as floor tiles can also be used on walls.
• For floor tiles the major consideration is how much traffic the area will receive. This will tell you what the abrasion-resistance (or PEI) rating of the tile should be in order to withstand the wear and tear of foot traffic. The kitchen is considered a high traffic area and requires a durable, practical and slightly darker tile that will not scratch or show dirt easily. A tile with a PEI 3 rating is recommended. The bathroom and bedroom are low traffic areas therefore tiles rated PEI 1 and 2 are suitable.
• Outdoor tiles should be frost resistant, have some degree of slip resistance and should be able to withstand harsh sun and wet conditions. Porcelain and natural stone tiles are usually recommended for outdoor installations.
• For indoor tiles the amount of traffic the area will receive is important to determine the degree of abrasion-resistance the tile should possess.
• When selecting bathroom tiles, kitchen tiles or outdoor tiles one must pay attention to the water absorption and slip resistance of the tile.
2. Select the type of tile required: The next step is to decide what type of tiles you would like to use. There are a number of different tiles for you to choose from.
• Ceramic – ceramic is one of the most common floor tile types and is made with ceramic materials. Ceramic tiles have a layer of glaze on the top surface. Areas most suitable: They can be used in most rooms in your home.
• Porcelain – porcelain is one of the hardest and strongest types of tiles and is well known for its superior stain resistance and durability. Porcelain tiles are created with ceramic materials that are pressed harder and fired higher than glazed ceramic tiles. The materials in them melt or vitrify into a glassy material. There are two types of porcelain tiles; unglazed porcelain tiles where the tile is the same colour all the way through and glazed porcelain tiles that feature a glaze for added beauty. Areas most suitable: They’re highly recommended for the bathroom and outdoors due to their moisture and frost resistance. Larger sizes create a beautiful seamless look in open-plan living areas.
• Natural stone tiles are quarried from the ground and cut into pieces and include sandstone, slate, granite and natural marble such as travertine. Natural stone tiles must be installed by experts and it is important to seal these tiles to prevent the stone from staining. Areas most suitable: They’re perfect for outdoors and work just as well as cladding for your entrance area as well as the bathroom and kitchen splash backs provided that they’re sealed.
• Inkjet ceramic and porcelain tiles imitate natural stone, wood and concrete without the maintenance associated with sealing these products. These tiles feature trendy finishes and are perfect for home owners who are after a natural look, but at a fraction of the price of stone or wooden flooring. Areas most suitable: They work well in most areas in the home, stone finishes are perfect for open-plan living areas whereas wood-look tiles allow for a wood finish in the bathroom and imitate decking outdoors.
3. Test the tile in the environment
Request a sample from the store to test the tile in the room in which it’s going to be used before purchasing the full stock of tiles. Make sure that the tile looks right in the lighting and complements the colour scheme in the room. The tiles need to match the lighting, furnishings, colours and shapes that exist in the environment.
4. Calculate the quantity of tiles required
• Now that you have decided what type of tile you’d like to install, the last step is to calculate how many tiles you’ll need. The more accurately you measure, the more precise your cost estimate will be.
• Johnson Tiles has a handy tile and grout calculator on its website, find it under the online tools and support tab. The formula for calculating the area is Length (m) x Width (m) = Total area (m²).
• Don’t forget to include areas that may not be seen such as underneath the furniture and kitchen cupboards, unless these are built in, then you may decide not to tile these areas. Remember to subtract doors and windows from your total when calculating the wall area that will be tiled.
• Allow for extra tiles in the event of breakages. Purchase about ten percent more than the actual amount required. You may find that the store stocks a different batch with a slight visual difference later on or that it no longer supplies that particular tile.
5. Tools and supplies
Make a list of the supplies and tools that you require, including the tile adhesive and grout. Speak to the sales consultant at the tile merchant as he or she will be able to assist you with the products you’ll need to fit the tiles.
6. Select a tiler
Appoint an experienced tiler to ensure that the project is completed professionally, on time and on budget. Here are some tips to select a professional tiler:
• Ask friends, family members and neighbours for referrals or ask prospective tilers for references from jobs they have completed. Ask them about their experience and to describe previous jobs they’ve completed to give you an idea if they can manage your project.
• Obtain at least two quotes before appointing a tiler in order to compare costs. Request a written description of the work to be done and get a written guarantee on the work in case anything goes wrong.
• Be sure to check whether the tiler has quoted you for surface preparation, the tiles and material - or will you purchase these. Also check the total square metres covered by the quote and whether the tiler will clear away the rubble at the end of the job.
• Consult with your tiler on the details – substrate preparation; where the tiling will start and end; the height of the tiles; any patterns to be used and where the trims are going to be fitted.
• Confirm the quality of the primer; adhesive; grout and additives, especially if it’s a wet or outdoor installation as the wrong materials can cause the installation to fail.
For more information contact Johnson Tiles on 011 206 9700 or visit www.johnsontiles.co.za.
Follow Women24 on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
It is important to take these practical considerations into account when embarking on a tiling project.
To narrow your choices down even further, consider your budget and colour scheme, then consider whether you’re after a glossy or matt finish and the size tile you prefer.
To make the process easier, here is a step-by-step buying guide, which will assist you in making your final decision:
1. Consider the area to be tiled: Will the tiles be used to tile the floor or wall, is it a high traffic area, is the installation inside or outside and will it be exposed to moisture?
• For wall tiles there are virtually no restrictions when selecting tiles as floor tiles can also be used on walls.
• For floor tiles the major consideration is how much traffic the area will receive. This will tell you what the abrasion-resistance (or PEI) rating of the tile should be in order to withstand the wear and tear of foot traffic. The kitchen is considered a high traffic area and requires a durable, practical and slightly darker tile that will not scratch or show dirt easily. A tile with a PEI 3 rating is recommended. The bathroom and bedroom are low traffic areas therefore tiles rated PEI 1 and 2 are suitable.
• Outdoor tiles should be frost resistant, have some degree of slip resistance and should be able to withstand harsh sun and wet conditions. Porcelain and natural stone tiles are usually recommended for outdoor installations.
• For indoor tiles the amount of traffic the area will receive is important to determine the degree of abrasion-resistance the tile should possess.
• When selecting bathroom tiles, kitchen tiles or outdoor tiles one must pay attention to the water absorption and slip resistance of the tile.
2. Select the type of tile required: The next step is to decide what type of tiles you would like to use. There are a number of different tiles for you to choose from.
• Ceramic – ceramic is one of the most common floor tile types and is made with ceramic materials. Ceramic tiles have a layer of glaze on the top surface. Areas most suitable: They can be used in most rooms in your home.
• Porcelain – porcelain is one of the hardest and strongest types of tiles and is well known for its superior stain resistance and durability. Porcelain tiles are created with ceramic materials that are pressed harder and fired higher than glazed ceramic tiles. The materials in them melt or vitrify into a glassy material. There are two types of porcelain tiles; unglazed porcelain tiles where the tile is the same colour all the way through and glazed porcelain tiles that feature a glaze for added beauty. Areas most suitable: They’re highly recommended for the bathroom and outdoors due to their moisture and frost resistance. Larger sizes create a beautiful seamless look in open-plan living areas.
• Natural stone tiles are quarried from the ground and cut into pieces and include sandstone, slate, granite and natural marble such as travertine. Natural stone tiles must be installed by experts and it is important to seal these tiles to prevent the stone from staining. Areas most suitable: They’re perfect for outdoors and work just as well as cladding for your entrance area as well as the bathroom and kitchen splash backs provided that they’re sealed.
• Inkjet ceramic and porcelain tiles imitate natural stone, wood and concrete without the maintenance associated with sealing these products. These tiles feature trendy finishes and are perfect for home owners who are after a natural look, but at a fraction of the price of stone or wooden flooring. Areas most suitable: They work well in most areas in the home, stone finishes are perfect for open-plan living areas whereas wood-look tiles allow for a wood finish in the bathroom and imitate decking outdoors.
3. Test the tile in the environment
Request a sample from the store to test the tile in the room in which it’s going to be used before purchasing the full stock of tiles. Make sure that the tile looks right in the lighting and complements the colour scheme in the room. The tiles need to match the lighting, furnishings, colours and shapes that exist in the environment.
4. Calculate the quantity of tiles required
• Now that you have decided what type of tile you’d like to install, the last step is to calculate how many tiles you’ll need. The more accurately you measure, the more precise your cost estimate will be.
• Johnson Tiles has a handy tile and grout calculator on its website, find it under the online tools and support tab. The formula for calculating the area is Length (m) x Width (m) = Total area (m²).
• Don’t forget to include areas that may not be seen such as underneath the furniture and kitchen cupboards, unless these are built in, then you may decide not to tile these areas. Remember to subtract doors and windows from your total when calculating the wall area that will be tiled.
• Allow for extra tiles in the event of breakages. Purchase about ten percent more than the actual amount required. You may find that the store stocks a different batch with a slight visual difference later on or that it no longer supplies that particular tile.
5. Tools and supplies
Make a list of the supplies and tools that you require, including the tile adhesive and grout. Speak to the sales consultant at the tile merchant as he or she will be able to assist you with the products you’ll need to fit the tiles.
6. Select a tiler
Appoint an experienced tiler to ensure that the project is completed professionally, on time and on budget. Here are some tips to select a professional tiler:
• Ask friends, family members and neighbours for referrals or ask prospective tilers for references from jobs they have completed. Ask them about their experience and to describe previous jobs they’ve completed to give you an idea if they can manage your project.
• Obtain at least two quotes before appointing a tiler in order to compare costs. Request a written description of the work to be done and get a written guarantee on the work in case anything goes wrong.
• Be sure to check whether the tiler has quoted you for surface preparation, the tiles and material - or will you purchase these. Also check the total square metres covered by the quote and whether the tiler will clear away the rubble at the end of the job.
• Consult with your tiler on the details – substrate preparation; where the tiling will start and end; the height of the tiles; any patterns to be used and where the trims are going to be fitted.
• Confirm the quality of the primer; adhesive; grout and additives, especially if it’s a wet or outdoor installation as the wrong materials can cause the installation to fail.
For more information contact Johnson Tiles on 011 206 9700 or visit www.johnsontiles.co.za.
Follow Women24 on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
