Choosing the best tiles for your home can be quite a fun and enchanting process. However, it definitely needs continuous planning and calculations - which must not be ignored! What to do? What not to do, when purchasing tiles? Well, this article is dedicated to discussing the possible 6 costly mistakes you could be making when purchasing tiles and how to avoid them! Have a look!
Not Ordering Enough Tiles
It’s always ideal to order an extra 10% of tiles considering the tile wastages and breakages. For herringbone or chevron tile layout patterns, it’s recommended to order an additional 15% of tiles to ensure a smooth process toward completing the project. So, there’s no harm in even stocking some extra tiles for future reference since tile designs may come and go and every batch of tiles may vary in hues and textures.
Getting Rid of the Spare Tiles
Just in case you’re left with some spare tiles to go, always ensure to store them safely since you might need them in the future! Every tile batch is printed in batches and designs can vary from year to year! Hence, if you need an extra one in future to replace an existing tile - chances are lower for you to find one. This can be a costly mistake - else, you’ll have to retile the whole room.
Not Testing a Sample First
You must always order a tile sample to test the color, size, and texture in your room. When it comes to tiling, it’s always important to plan in advance so you don’t make any costly mistakes later. Lay the sample tile at the angle that you’d be tiling it! For instance, lay the tile on the wall if it’s a wall tile. Otherwise, lay it on the floor, if it’s a floor tile and so on.
Ordering the Wrong Size
Tiles are available in a wide array of sizes and shapes. And picking the wrong size can drastically make your space look awkwardly large or small. Hence, always consider the proportion of the room with respect to tiles. Tiles also have the potential to create an illusion of a smaller or larger space! Hence, remember - the fewer grout lines - the larger your space will appear and vice versa.
Not Prioritizing Quality
Purchasing an inferior quality product will make you buy it twice! Hence, it’s ideal to simply ditch the idea of price over quality. Purchasing a cheap tile will definitely save you dollars in the short run - but later in the coming years, can potentially cause cracks and damages.
Not Picking the Right Tile Type
Every tile has a characteristic that makes it suitable for a particular space of a home. Is the tile waterproof? Or is it suitable for high-traffic areas of your home? Are you going to use the tile indoors or outdoors? Is it slip-resistant? Well, based on the functionality of the space should you choose the tile type?
You see - there are various factors that can help you save money when purchasing tiles. Apart from the above, you must also ensure to seal the tiles if they are made of natural stone. For ceramic, porcelain, and glass tiles, there is not need to seal them. Also, use the correct grout color, and take into account factors like delivery and installation. Yes! It can be a fun process but with the slightest attention, you can save dollars and dollars down the line.
