The average spend on a tiling project is around $1,952, according to one survey by Home Advisor. And many tiling projects will be taken on by the homeowner themselves. The history of wall tiles dates back hundreds of years to ancient Syria. By the 13th century, wall tiles were being used throughout Persia, and not long after, Europeans used tiles in their homes and businesses. Despite centuries of use, many people still make mistakes when tiling a home, especially newbies. $848 billion was spent in the home improvement retail sector in 2021, and a substantial amount would have gone on floor and wall tiles and associated materials and tools. And many mistakes would have been made.
If you are looking at some renovations for your home that involve tiling, then you may wish to read this brief article about pitfalls to avoid.
Tiling mistakes you must avoid
Of course, being a keen handyman you will want to take on as many home renovations as you can. But, not using professionals is often the first mistake novices make during DIY projects. However, that isn’t one of the tiling mistakes listed below. Instead, Tiling North Brisbane offers some tiling advice here for those who wish to renovate their home, and what mistakes they must avoid.
1. Don’t pinch the pennies if it means losing quality
Renovations can be costly, and it is often tempting to cut corners sometimes to save a few dollars. If you are tiling a wall, you may get away with using cheaper tiles, but try using them on a floor and you’ll find yourself regretting it. Floor tiles are a great option and they have health benefits over carpets too. Carpets can cause adverse health conditions, but if your floor tiles have to be replaced you’ll be suffering from stress instead. Cheap tiles can often mean inconsistency in their size, and quality and they will usually be thin. A thin floor tile is going to be very likely to snap under the weight. So, a thinner tile might be ok for a wall, but you need something of good quality for the floor.
2. Selecting the wrong sized tiles for the room
Evaluate the size of the area you are tiling. Those cute little mosaic tiles may be appealing, but if you have a huge area to tile, you’ll not only regret choosing them, but they may not look good. Big tiles look good in larger rooms and small tiles in tighter areas. Lots of tiles mean lots of grout too, so the appearance of all those lines is something to take into consideration. While you are deciding on the right-sized tiles, make sure you calculate how many you need too. Experts suggest buying around 10% to 15% more tiles than you believe you need.
3. Not buying the right tile for the purpose it is needed for
This goes back to buying thin tiles for floors and heavy ones for walls. But, it can also apply to buying tiles for rooms where they shouldn’t go. There are many ways to add value to a home, and used correctly tiling can add a certain appeal. But, if you put floor tiles in a room that gets particularly cold it won’t attract buyers and you won’t take much pleasure either. Also consider whether the floor tiles you want are suitable if wet, or whether they can cope with heavy traffic. Depending on where they are laid you might find you have created a slip hazard, or they may need repeated sealing from heavy use.
4. Improper underlayment
When you lay tiles you need to have a properly prepared surface. This is true for wall and floor tiles, but perhaps more so for the latter. Cement boards and exterior plywood can be used to provide a good underlayment. This adds protection from moisture and helps to stop tiles from cracking.
5. Using the wrong grout
Cheap grout can make a great tiling job look awful. Quality grout will help your home to look clean and smart for a long time. Look for grout that is water-repellant and has anti-mold properties.
The benefits of using tiles in a home
Of course, when tiling is done properly there is a raft of benefits to installing tiles in your home. In hot countries, tiles can keep rooms warm. In colder regions, tiles react well to underfloor heating. Tiles are hard-wearing, clean easily, and as already mentioned, less prone to allergens building up. Tiles are more durable than carpets as long as they are installed properly, they need little maintenance, and the choice is almost endless.
Summary
Like any DIY or renovation project, it can be easy to make mistakes. Mixing the grout incorrectly could mean air bubbles weakening your setting. Choosing the wrong size tiles might make a room aesthetically unappealing. But, avoiding some of the common tiling mistakes could mean some value being added to your home and years of not having to change your wall or floor coverings again.
