When it comes to selecting tiles, where do you start? A savvy tile choice has the potential to transform the appearance of your home or business, without breaking the budget.
We consider ourselves Perth’s best tile shop. Our advice for tile selection? Begin by taking a moment to clarify your needs, as well as your design vision.
Evaluate the situation
While aesthetics matter, tiles also have to address practical considerations. A few questions could help narrow down the search:
- Will the space be used by children?
Children’s toys and sporting equipment can be tough on tiles. Ceramic tiles are a viable choice.
- Are pets part of the equation?
Cats and dogs indoors could call for scratch-resistant tiles. Porcelain tiles are known to be resilient.
- Is the area going to see a lot of usage?
As leading Perth tile suppliers, our team can recommend tiles that easily handle heavy foot traffic.
- Are you shopping for a wall or floor?
In comparison to wall tiles, floor tiles bear more weight, being designed to better resist wear and tear.
- Will there be water on the tiles?
Beyond bathrooms, pools and even rainy days can lead to soaked tiles. Non-slip or slip-resistant may be best if moisture is an issue.
- Do you wear footwear indoors?
Certain high heels can be vicious on tiling. Look to materials: tiles made from stone withstand pressure well.
Architecture and tiles
A great tile choice lets you successfully celebrate the bones of a build, as well as your personal taste in today’s design trends.
Small tiles add lovely detail, while large tiles emphasise and celebrate space—but there are no steadfast rules when selecting tiles.
Remember that texture and glaze are as important as colour. Whether tiles tastefully contrast or gracefully complement nearby surfaces, is up to you.
Natural and artificial light are important considerations. In a dimly-lit space, gentle patterns can be lost and subtle textures go unnoticed
Unsure whether to lay tiles vertically or horizontally? For inspiration, sites like Pinterest and Instagram are worth browsing.
Colour palette
When a tile makes the shortlist, step back and imagine dozens laid together. Stunning, or overwhelming?
It’s okay to expand beyond a single colour or design. Feature tiles can be impactful. Tile ranges are rife with mosaics and patterns.
Is your vision limited to the ground? The transformative power of a beautiful floor and wall tile combo is worth exploring.
Pale tiles help smaller spaces feel bigger; dark tiles make a strong impression. If a room feels too monotone, working in your favourite colour could prove uplifting.
Grout comes in a few shades and is more visible with smaller tiles, so know your options.
If tempted to match tiles to current furnishings, keep in mind tiles usually outlast décor trends.
Understanding your budget
Not sure why one tile is more expensive than another? Manufactured tiles and natural tiles differ in cost, with natural tiles usually at the pricier end.
If paying for tiles to be laid, more complex patterns can up the price of installation, as can area conditions. Source informed quotes to avoid surprises.
Set aside funds for your grout—grout type is impacted by tile material and expected traffic.
On a side note, if tiling yourself, be sure to meet necessary Australian standards.
Finally, factor in the cost of additional treatment or proofing you want for tile surfaces.
We’re available to help
If looking for discount floor tiles in Perth, or are on the hunt for affordable wall tiles, Tile Clearance Outlet experts are happy to answer your questions.
