Tile is not only a practical and durable choice, but it’s also a safe and aesthetically pleasing one. After making your decision to go with tile, you need to know how to choose the right tile and tile installer. Here’s a “how to” guide to get you up to speed.
How to Choose the Right Tile
Source: Jefferson National Expansion Memorial via Flickr
Choosing the right tile is all about getting the material, size, color and texture right. Whether you are planning to tile an entire room or just a wall, don’t skip any of these points.
- Material
Your basic tile choices are ceramic, porcelain and natural stone. Ceramic and porcelain will let you play with different colors. Ceramic is the most economical choice if you’re worried about cost. It’s also pretty easy to install. Porcelain tiles are used in bathrooms as they are highly water-resistant.
There are different types of natural stone – you can choose between marble, granite, sandstone and travertine. Natural stones have cool natural textures. They are also extremely durable, with the ability to last for hundreds of years.
- Size
Some tile retailers use European units of measures (like centimeters) instead of North American ones (like inches). Be careful while measuring your space – measure in both cm and in to be on the safe side. Use smaller tiles for small rooms and vice-versa, otherwise the tile design will become overwhelming. Get a sample from the store and check how it looks on your wall / floor.
- Color and Texture
Get a color that matches with the rest of your color theme. Light colors will help you open up a small, closed space. Use dark colors to make a wide space look cozier. Take care to pick the right texture. Smooth, shiny ceramic is very slippery and not suited for bathrooms. You can get tiles that have textured patterns to make them safer for you and your family.
- Grout
Get a grout in the same color as your tiles to get a cohesive look. If you want to make your tiles stand out, get a grout in a contrasting color for a dramatic look.
How to Choose the Right Tile Installer
Spend some time picking out the best tile installer because you need to ensure that you don’t get stuck with shoddy tiling and bad customer service.
- Get recommendations
If anyone among your family and friends has had an installation done, ask them who the installers were and how their service was. After you’ve shortlisted a few contractors, read their online reviews to get a better idea.
Or better yet, check out tile installers on RenovationFind. Only the best contractors are listed, so you can rest assured you’ll find the best service.
- Get quotes
Shortlist at least 3 installers, and get quotes from each of them. Check which one offers quality work at competitive prices, and that’s the one you want.
- Check for insurance
Do not hire a tile installer who is not fully insured. If an accident occurs, or the job is done wrong, an insured contractor will be able to rectify the damages.
- Check for good service
Don’t just settle for good service, go for the best. Hire a tile installer who is guaranteed to complete the job. The right contractor should also be customer-friendly.
For example, Diesel Tile and Stone, a small company in Edmonton, makes sure that every project is completed from start to finish, and all the steps are done perfectly. They make customer service a high priority – they ensure you’ll have a problem-free experience with them. Go for a service like that.
Diesel Tile and Stone is dedicated to excellent quality and customer satisfaction. They’ve passed RenovationFind’s rigorous screening process for quality and performance, so you’ll be in good hands with them.
