Leafcutter Design Blog

Here at Leafcutter Design we are often asked the question ‘How do you choose tiles?’. Like most things in life some people find making decisions easy and others are more apprehensive or thoughtful. I for one make most of my decisions after typing the question I want answered into google. So I thought I’d write a ’10 Top Tips For Choosing Tiles’ on our blog. I know that title is almost a tongue twister in itself.

So here they are:

1. Size. Most people make the decision of what size tile they want simply from the size of the room. This is not always the best approach. Using a large tile such as 60x60cm in a small room can give the impression of space, similarly using a rectangular 30x60cm across a narrow space can give the impression of width and using a small tile can give character to a floor.
2. Where the tile is to be used will play an important part on which tiles can be used, is it kitchen or bathroom? internally or externally? Kitchens floors are traditionally higher wear areas with risk of dropping and therefore porcelain is better suited to these situations.  On the other hand in bathrooms ceramic tiles more than suffice in both strength and wear but have a choice in appearance, texture and finish which isn’t available in most porcelain ranges.
3. Colour. Obviously the colour is integral to both the feel, look and finish of the room. The choice between a striking dark slate or a light beige can have a huge impact. Choose the colour according to light levels in the room and the impression that you’d like to create. Lighter tiles generally make an area look larger however darker tiles create a focal point that can define any room.
4. Texture. The surface texture of the tile can make a difference in many ways. Depending on the decor of the room/house the tile surface finish is very important. Modern design tends to be flat in texture which gives a cleaner more modern look, alternately for a more traditional and rustic look a natural stone finish is more suiting such as Oxida.
5. Gloss or Matt. Many people see this as one of the biggest choices that you have to make, which it is, mainly due to the impact it makes on the overall look of the room. There are a few smaller considerations to be aware of, for example, in our local area we have hard water and this can often leave limescale which is clearly visible on gloss tiles. Similarly gloss tiles tend to have less grip and therefore it is good to consider this before placing them on bathroom/wet room floors. But they do reflect light and brighten up a room.
6. Price. Obviously the price is extremely influential in the decision making process, but what people often forgot about tiles is their longevity. A good quality tile once properly laid is permanent and shouldn’t be needed to be replaced. People often forget this when deciding how much to spend on tiles and not going for quality, this is a particular concern when buying grade 2/3 travertine.
7. Aftercare. The potential need for aftercare/maintenance should be considered before choosing your tiles. As with most natural stone travertine requires considerable care, sealing and maintenance. For higher wear areas or rooms with underfloor heating choosing the right tile is essential not to create a need for excessive aftercare.
8. Environment. Whether you choose the tile first or choose the rest of the furnishings first, the colours, layout and the borders going with it all have to be considered when choosing your tile. There are many colours that blend naturally together such as black and white or wood and stone, but before buying the tiles it is always recommended to take a sample home to see how it looks with the room and get an idea how the colours and finishes are going to be linked (or not in some cases) together.
9. Specification. Technical properties of tiles such as non-slip, frost resistance and any other specification need to be considered in advance of the above. Although in most situations when a technical specification is issued, such as disabled wet room floor, this limits the choice substantially and will dictate what sort of tiles and finishes you can choose.
10. Advice. Often when in doubt the best thing to do is ask. Tiling professionals whether that is veteran tilers or experienced sales staff have a vast breadth of knowledge which can often offer solutions to most problems. Independent tile shops such as ourselves can source tiles that are discontinued, find tiles that are unique or specified and have an extensive knowledge that can help in both the selection and sourcing of any tiles.

If you’d like to give us a call to discuss sourcing, design assistance or selection of tiles please don’t hesitate to contact us on 01202 716969.