Good Build Superstore’s 7 top tips to pick the perfect tiles for your home

Whether you're remodelling a kitchen, bathroom, or a smaller area, Good Build Superstore offers a comprehensive guide to help you choose the perfect tiles for your project. 

Tiles serve as a fantastic means to introduce colour and texture into a space, meeting both functional and aesthetic needs. With a vast array of styles available, they effortlessly infuse character into a room, potentially increasing your home's value.

While various options cater to different budgets, it's essential to consider the suitability of tiles for specific areas in a home or different types of properties. 

If you're uncertain about where to start, take a look at Good Build Superstore's top tips for new tiles to kick off your tile selection process.

1. Function first

Although tiles come in numerous colours, designs, and patterns, it's crucial to initially consider their intended use and placement. 

For hallways enduring frequent foot traffic, prioritise durability; opt for porcelain, ceramic, or natural stone tiles known for their resilience and low maintenance.

Natural stone is scratch-resistant, while porcelain and ceramic are easy to clean, essential for areas exposed to muddy shoes and wet prints. In spaces like bathrooms and kitchens, where humidity is common, selecting slip-resistant floor tiles is vital. 

These tiles are graded on an R scale (ramp test) from R9 (low slip resistance) to R13 (high slip resistance), ensuring safety. For wet room floors, aim for an R11 rating or higher for maximum safety. 

You'll also encounter the PEI rating for floor tiles, indicating their resistance to abrasions. Bathrooms, typically experiencing lighter traffic, benefit from tiles with PEI ratings of 2 or 3, while kitchens and hallways may require 3 or 4.

You might like: Add a touch of luxury and sophistication with this dramatic Milan Polished Marble Porcelain Wall and Floor tile, created with 16 mixed patterns featuring a base of white, beige and grey brought to life with flecks of orange, gold and dark for a natural look.

2. Lay them out

Tiles can display varying appearances under different lighting. After choosing a style or theme for the room, it's advisable to order multiple samples before making a final purchase. This enables you to ensure you're content with the style and colour at different times of the day.

Making decisions early about the tile layout assists in planning the overall design and helps minimise cuts and wastage later in your project. Sometimes, a mere change in orientation can create an illusion of a larger room. 

For instance, positioning rectangular tiles vertically might make the ceiling appear higher due to the spacing between grout joints. Experiment with arrangements before settling on a final decision.

You might like: Elevate the look and feel of your home with the Luna Green Ceramic Wall tile which brings a sense of serenity and natural beauty into a room, with its lightly textured green finish featuring hints of jade and teal throughout.

3. All in the detail

Choosing tiles and experimenting with various looks, colours, and patterns can be an enjoyable process. 

For a modern style or if you desire tiles with minimal grout lines, consider tiles with rectified edges. These tiles undergo an additional manufacturing process, giving them precise, straight edges for narrow grout lines. They work well with marble effects or heavily patterned tiles, ensuring the focus remains on the main design.

The fitting style depends on the tile size, with the popular options being brick bond or stacking techniques. Brick bond, especially with a contrasting grout colour, accentuates the joints, ideal for plain tiles, while stacking provides a more contemporary finish to the room.

It's important to consider where the tiles will be placed and how they'll contribute to the room's aesthetics. For kitchen splashback tiles, you might choose colours that match the walls or cabinets for a seamless appearance. Alternatively, it could be an opportunity to introduce bold colours or patterns, turning the tiles into a striking feature.

You might like: The Valle Turquoise Crackle Effect Wall tile offers a stunning crackle effect glaze, creating a fresh and captivating look – perfect for brightening up spaces thanks to its smooth, gloss finish.

4. Best for underfloor heating

Water-based underfloor heating is gaining popularity in kitchens and bathrooms due to its energy efficiency, offering the luxury of a warm floor, especially in the mornings. 

Porcelain tiles are well-suited for this purpose as they are durable, resistant to scratching or staining, and heat up quickly. They are also cost-effective in terms of maintenance and heat distribution, helping keep energy bills in check.

While natural stone tiles may possess better thermal properties, they require more maintenance and are less sturdy compared to porcelain. Consider your household's needs when choosing between the two options.

You might like: This beautiful blend of warm browns, beiges, dark greys and golds combine to recreate the uniqueness of natural brown slate. The Keystone Mocha Slate Effect Porcelain Floor tile offers a rustic look while being an affordable alternative to natural slate flooring – plus it’s compatible with underfloor heating systems.

5. Get creative with grout

Utilising grout creatively can significantly enhance a room's overall appearance. Using a different colour for grout compared to the tiles can draw attention, ideal for showcasing patterns like herringbone or brick bond.

Conversely, matching grout can create a more spacious look. There are numerous ways to leverage grout to complement your décor, allowing for various looks and colour combinations.

For wood-effect tiles, a small grout joint with black grout can enhance authenticity by simulating gaps between wooden planks.

Selecting grout should be a part of the tile selection process, as the array of available colours can entirely transform a room's appearance. Choosing grout that matches the tiles creates a nearly seamless finish, ideal for a minimalist design. Alternatively, darker grout shades like grey, anthracite, or black can suit a more contemporary, industrial-themed room.

For stone-inspired tiles like marble or travertine, neutral grout colours such as ivory, jasmine, cream, or white complement the natural look while adding authenticity.

In distressed or vintage-themed rooms, light grey grout can contribute to an aged, worn appearance.

Regarding the floor, choosing a light-coloured grout might show marks or dirt over time due to foot traffic. Opting for a darker tone, such as limestone or dark grey, can enhance durability and reduce visible wear and tear.

You might like: From walnut and taupe to jasmine and grey, search for a grout to match or contrast with your tiles here.

6. Trends, but make them yours

Trends can feel overwhelming when styling our homes. However, using tiles is a great way to embrace these trends while aiming for long-lasting choices.

A prevalent trend involves creating a spa-like ambience in bathrooms. Large porcelain slabs resembling marble, stone, or concrete, sized at 1200 x 3600mm and only 5.6mm thick, offer a luxurious feel similar to a hotel spa. Ideal for both floors and walls, it's essential to work with a fitter experienced in handling this format.

The Scandi-style trend continues to be popular, leading to an increase in the use of wood-effect tiles for shower walls and floors. These tiles replicate the look of wood with realistic knots and grains, available in various finishes, from traditional oak to whitewashed and rustic styles, without concerns about water absorption.

You might like: Give your room a warm and contemporary feel with the Marquis Sherwood Honey Matt Porcelain Floor tile with its high-quality solid wood appearance. With a matt finish it’s incredibly practical, low maintenance and able to conceal droplets and stains, while giving the look of premium solid wood.

7. Experiment with finishes

Enjoy the process of designing your spaces and don't be afraid to experiment!

Mix different finishes, such as using a polished tile on the floor and a matte finish on the walls. Get creative with tiles; they're not just functional but an excellent way to express personality and creativity in areas like kitchens, bathrooms and hallways.

You might like: Combine the unique textured relief structure of the Luna White Ceramic Wall tile on the walls with the Art Nouveau Pink Porcelain Wall and Floor tile on the floor, with durable porcelain construction and velvety matt finish.

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