If you’re planning to use your free time these holidays to spruce up your space or start a renovation project, you may want to take note of these tiling tips.
“Everyone has different needs when starting a tiling project,” says Tile Africa’s Marketing Manager Debra Retief, who believes it’s important to keep colour and pattern, as well as texture and finish top of mind before you start. Also consider durability and area application. “Consider the area, space or room you are choosing the tiles for,” says Debra. “Is it an outside area or indoors, a wet area or a space where dirt may be brought in from the outside?”
The quantity of tiles that you need will depend on your design and overall decorating scheme. “Are you installing diagonal or a pattern?” ask Debra. “Once you’ve measured the area to be tiled, it is wise to order 10 – 15% more to make up for cut tiles, and other breakages that may occur.” In terms of price, look for flooring solutions that are going to offer value in the long term. “Cheaper alternatives will not last as long, or wear as well.”
Keep this checklist handy before you embark on your tiling project:
- Inspect the work area and compare it to your plans or drawings, to make sure that you have the correct materials
- Measure the work area
- Determine the surface area to be tiled in m2
- Determine the size and type of tiles to be used
- Determine the size of joints between tiles
- Determine up to where the laying of full tiles should go e.g. to the threshold of the door opening
- Ensure all surfaces to be tiled are level (Uneven floors can be skimmed or levelled with a self-levelling screed and walls can be evened out with plaster)
- Make sure all surfaces are clean and free of dust and contamination
- Ensure all plaster and/or other cement has dried properly
- Cover all surfaces that are not to be tiled to protect them from damage and/or dust
