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Swansea Life - 'En-tile-y up to You' - Column by Lesley Taylor - Jan 2011
The power of tiles as a design tool is completely underestimated by the majority of UK homeowner looking to make interior changes to their homes. Nowadays, there are so many fantastic tile products available, you can really get creative and think outside the realms of conventional use. As this market has evolved over the years, tiles have gone from being considered a safe, durable option to an exciting, design-led one that offers endless aesthetic opportunity.
In simple terms, tiles fall into two main categories. You either can purchase wall tiles that have a soft biscuit (base) or floor tiles which are more resilient and hard wearing.
One important thing to remember is that floor tiles can be used to adorn walls so do not be limited by the dedicated 'wall tile' section when shopping. Expand the scope for design by thinking outside of the box; floor tiles can be used to create a great feature wall. You must however check that the walls in question are strong enough to handle the weight of a floor tile before you begin the tiling process. Simply explain to the salesmen what kind of wall you are dealing with and they should be able to let you know what ranges are suitable.
Wall tiles however cannot be used to lay a floor. They simply won't be strong enough to endure the daily strain of footsteps and heavy furniture.
Now this is where it gets a little more complicated. Floor tiles come in a number of different forms. Historically ceramic tiles were the main stay of the tiling industry and while they offer lots of decorative options they just aren't as hard wearing as the new porcelain tiles that are now readily available.
Porcelain is a clever man made product that can comes in two available formats; 'through body' where the colour on the surface permeates through the entire thickness of the tile and glazed. Both of these types of porcelain can then be polished if required.
It may seem like there is an endless ream of choice here but there's really no need to get too hung up on the type of porcelain tiles you choose. All porcelain tiles, be they 'through body' or 'glazed' will be robust enough to withstand any domestic environment - they off extremely durability, with great design possibilities.
Do be aware that some tile retailers will tell you all porcelain tiles offer a 'through body' finish. This is merely a fallacy. Before you take the tiles to the counter, just be sure to check the back of the tile to see if it's the same colour as the surface.
In an environment that's susceptible to heavy impact, it's important that the porcelain tile boasts the same colour right the way through, in the event of a chip. I love cooking for instance and last year I dropped a heavy Le Creuset casserole dish onto my kitchen floor. I noticed a tiny little chip in one of tiles but because the colour was consistent throughout the tile, it's barely even noticeable. This doesn't necessarily mean 'through body' tiles are the answer, glazed porcelain tiles can quite easily have a perfect biscuit/glaze colour match - its simply a case of turning the tile over to check.
If you've got simple taste, 'through body' tiles tend to be quite plain but glazed tiles can offer an element of patter - ideal for decorative design lovers.
Moving on to natural stone… This has become an extremely popular option over recent years, largely due to the extensive range of colours and designs available. Stone tiles look fabulous but will require more maintenance over the years and will generally require sealing to limit the possibilities of staining.
Stone can be an expensive choice so if you haven't got an endless supply of money to plough into your home improvement project, Travertine can offer great value for money. Do be careful though because the price tag does tend to reflect the quality of the stone.
For those who want the look of natural stone without the up-keep, clever tile manufacturers are now using digital processes to reproduce man made tiles that look oh-so-similar to the real thing. I won't go into the technicalities of how it's achieved but this cutting edge technology helps to ensure no two tiles look the same. (use image 3 here)
Now lets move onto the nice bit; how to choose the right tile for the right room. Basically, you need to select a size or format that is sympathetic to the scheme you are working towards.
For instance, in a traditional bathroom, you may opt for smaller wall tiles and/or little brick shaped tiles (use above image here). This will help you to create a nostalgic effect that is in keeping the traditional fixtures and fittings.
Conversely, larger tiles lend well to contemporary environments and with a plethora of different styles and finishes available, you certainly won't be struggling to find a tile that suits the look and feel of the room. When dealing with larger tiles always seek advice about adhesives and make sure the walls can take the weight. Safety first.
If you're trying to inject detail but don't want to incorporate lots of pattern through mosaics and borders, you can always select the same tile but in varying formats, large and small for example. This will allow you to create interest without it appearing fussy. For those after a simple scheme with a difference, this is the best trick.
If on the other hand you can't get enough of patter, mosaics are right on trend. Or, you could mix the two looks by fusing iridescent mosaics with natural stone tiles. This is a great way to tone down the glitz of the mosaics for a classy combination.
Mother of Pearl mosaics are really fashionable right now. At Taylor's Etc, we've recently discovered a beautiful range that comes in an abundance of colour options. Depending on the chosen shade, Mother of Pearl mosaics can work in both modern and traditional settings.
Mosaics are also ideal for wet room areas. Just check with the retailer you're buying from that they're suitable for first. Or, if you're in any doubt, give us a call at the Cardiff showroom or pop in for a chat. We're always happy to help.
The great thing about the new generation of tiles is that you can take them out of their comfort zone (kitchen and bathroom) and experiment all around the house. From hallways to chimney breasts, dining rooms and offices, feature wall are the in-thing.
My advice would be to use tiles in an imaginative way. They've got some much more to give than adding a durable element to the kitchen and bathroom. Don't limit them to these areas but instead let their beauty bring life to all areas of the home. And lastly, always buy from a reputable seller and employ the services of a trained tiler. Its pointless spending your hard earned cash only to find the room has been ruined because the person installing isn't experienced enough.
By Lesley Taylor
