Planning out a new tiling project often leads to many questions: Should there be on both the floor and the wall? Should they both use the same tile?
“One of the most frequent questions I hear from homeowners relates to what to choose for tiling in their kitchen (and other rooms) and how they can make it look totally pulled together and not a mish-mash of tiles,” says Dean Dupre, owner of Champion Tile & Marble . “The thing with tiles is sometimes a mish-mash isn’t a mish-mash and the resulting design is eye-catching and very appealing. That’s the beauty of tiles.”
When in doubt about how to proceed with tile installation, sit down and figure out the project on a piece of paper. It acts as the roadmap to the finished product. Want a design in different colors? Plan it out and mark which areas are to be certain hues. Know in advance where everything is going to go, and use the predrawn pattern to place tiles in the chosen location.
“Even though tiles look good anywhere you put them, make certain to visualize the finished project,” adds Dupre. “Go to the store and choose tile samples and bring them home. Do a dry run of your design. The more you do in advance of tiling, the better the outcome.”
Finding the right tile is typically about what the homeowner likes and finds appealing. However, before just choosing tiles based on looks, research differences between various tiles on the market. There is a wide range of tile options available, including porcelain, cork, ceramic, vinyl, glass and quarry. Pick tile according to best fit for the chosen room and surface. Flooring tiles are usually bamboo, cork and vinyl, while counters and backsplashes may be ceramic, porcelain or quarry. Glass is usually reserved for backsplashes and walls.
“It’s important to also decide before you go tile shopping just what your budget is going to be and absolutely stick to it,” Dupre points out. “Search for reasonably priced products and stay within your limits. You may always upgrade later. Don’t buy a tile based on looks alone. You might get a shock at the cash register.”
Tile choices should also be based on the lifestyle of the householders. If the family has several children and numerous pets, tiles that are durable and easily maintained are in order. If the tiles meant for the kitchen, choose tiles that are not prone to break, chip or crack. While trying to choose the right tile for the right location may be confusing at first, one only has to keep in mind that choosing tiles is closely tied to a family’s lifestyle.
