Top 10 Tiling Tricks of the Trade

Best Top 10 Tiling Tricks of the Trade

Tips And Tricks For Tiling

Installing tiles is an art and an old tradition. It's not only about cutting or installing them on a required area but requires plenty of experience and a close eye for attractive designs to plan a perfect layout. However, merging tiles of different textures and thicknesses is a tough ask for many experts. The construction job never depends upon the required material for the project, but the experience and skills of the tiler are comparatively necessary. 

In this regard, it is very important to provide you with quality advice and information on how to tile your next renovation project and why you should only use high-quality tiling tools for your design. Choosing the right and quality tool for your renovation will help decrease the amount of time consumption and the final quality of your finished product. 

many people ask the questions like -

Do you start in the middle when tiling?

This all depends on your tile layout. Usually, you can start from the bottom row if the floor is level and straight, and you have to check all your configurations for cuts above items like the bath, vanity, hob, windows and ceilings. Remember to measure and plan before starting any tiling works, as this will help stop any problems that may occur later.

Do you start tiling from the top or bottom?

Once again, this all depends on your room's layout; remember to measure the best starting point for your cuts as you want to limit any small pieces.

The Best Tips For Wall And Floor Tiling 

Choosing tiles is an exciting and adventurous venture, but more than a challenging and confusing task where you will require proper planning and consultation to ensure you get it perfect for the first time. If you are looking to plan your tiling project, you might be a little bit nervous for the very first time. But somehow, tiling is never a tough job. Tiling floor areas depending on your type of tiles can be straightforward. If you are a more hands-on individual, you can do a perfect job yourself, or you can always hire a professional and expert team to do your task. 

To give you a clear idea regarding tiling tricks, below are the top 10 tips of the trade:

1. Purchase more tiles than required

It is a bit of standard advice from tiling experts always to buy 10% more tiles that you need for your required areas. This increment of tiling calculation will help you in covering any miscalculation. To find how many tiles would be required for each job, it is essential to use a standard and ISO certified tiles calculator, which you will find on most tile selection product pages, or you could ask your tiler or tile supplier.

It should be kept in mind that purchasing only enough tiles for your required area is not a good step. Suppose you have calculated your area, and in the end, you face a shortage in completing your tile project. You could be unlucky that the same batch of purchased tiles would be out of stock, resulting you to acquire tiles from different batches that will possibly never match your already installed tiles. 

It's a bit of formal advice from tile experts that you must always buy 10% extra tiles than you need. However, in most cases, depending on your tile merchant, you could purchase even more. And they could be returned if left unused in full box conditions.

2. Always Check your Tiling Setup

Whether you are installing your tiles on walls and floors, you must always set out for the most beneficial layout for your cuts. Some tilers take start from the middle. Installing a single tile in the middle and start working outwards. You also can start from the edges on your longest wall, always ensuring your layout for cut pieces is good. Don't worry about the setup time, as you should make sure you prepare your design correctly to achieve a quality tile installation. 

3. Practice a layout before starting

Before starting your tiling, always place a dry layout(no adhesive) to ensure you end up with even-sized or the best-sized cuts. If it is not possible, adjust your tiles, so the edges are as fixed as possible. Use the carpenter's pencil on walls to calculate the concerned area easily and get a clear idea that the edges will be accurate and symmetrical. Always leave some space for grouting too. Otherwise, your calculation will prove wrong and will create difficulties in achieving the suitable tiles installation.

4. Keep levelling your area.

It is essential to level your concern area at regular intervals. However, to overcome this problem, tile experts introduced a system known as "TILE LEVELLING SYSTEM" to solve the issue of "Lippage". This system helps adjust height and space but also aid in evenly changing and holding tile borders throughout the adhesives drying process.

5. Keeping Gaps in the entire flooring even

Always use tile spacers between your tile joints to aid you with keeping the gaps even. Usually, tiles spacers come in sizes of 1mm, to 5mm and are available from your tile suppliers or hardware. You can work out how many are needed by measuring your tile size and area.

6. Best grouting methods

Using the best tile grout is a significant part of the whole tiling procedure. There is top-quality grouting material available in every region of the world. However, professional experts use many types of grouting products, such as premixed grout or powdered grout, which you can mix with water or an additive to complete your tilling project.

7. Rubber Grout Floats

Grouting is as vital as installing tiles in your concerned area. Without grouting, your surface will look untidy and messy. Grouting fills the entire gaps left in between tiles.

But, what is a Rubber Grout Float? It is a flexible and sturdy instrument. It can come in many different forms, but one of the most commonly used is the C-shaped grouting trowel that can provide you with a quality finish. However, when using epoxy grout, it's best to use a cheaper grouting trowel as typically, you will have to dispose of it when finished grouting, its also best to note when using an epoxy type of grout, you should seek a professional. 

8. Notch Trowel

Depending on the variety and types of tiles you want to install on your substrate, no matter if you install ceramic, natural stones, or porcelain tiles, you will need to fix those tiles using a flexible adhesive or cement-based adhesive. A high-quality adhesive is always recommended when installing tiles properly to your wall or flooring area.

Since notch trowels are one of the essential tools in tile installation, even when selecting your tiles and during the tile insulation, make sure you use the correct sized notch trowel to execute your project with better results.

They come in many sizes ranging from the 5mm for mosaics to the 19mm recommended for uneven stone tiles. It is always advised to use a lightweight trowel, and we always recommend you purchase either U-notched or square-notched trowel.

9. Measure twice 'cut once'

When it comes to tile installation, you should always be careful when cutting your tiles and always correctly measure the tile.

Suppose your tile cuts will be hidden (e.g. under skirting boards) its common practice to cut the tile with some extra overhang so it's not too short. If you are cutting the tile to an exact measurement, it is most helpful to measure twice so you don't cut too short or over; if you do cut incorrectly, this will lead you to use another tile which could cause tile shortage, wastage and extra costs.

10. Let your tiles dry before grouting

Always make sure that your tiles are dry before applying the grout. You are advised to leave it for at least 12 to 24 hours, depending on the type of adhesive used. If the adhesive still looks wet, you should never start grouting. 

In addition, always try to use low-setting adhesives that give you more time for setting your tiles. However, rapid-set adhesives are great if you need to complete your tiling job in a limited time.

Need Help With Your Next Tiling Project In Perth?

Do you need help with your next tiling project, if so just give your local tilers - Tiler Tiling Perth a message or call and we can provide you with a free no-obligation quote.

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