We look at 5 essential tips before you buy porcelain tiles. Porcelain tiles are a fantastic investment for any home because they are both durable and beautiful but there are some key considerations before you finally plump for your chosen product.
So, if you have found a tile design you love, now is the time to check it will work for your space. Whether you are renovating a small bathroom or redesigning a large open-plan kitchen, performing our TilePortfolio checklist below will help! Of course, a check list is no substitute for getting in touch with us or visiting our showroom in person, but it’s a great way to start!
So let’s jump in and find out what those 5 essential tips are!
Porcelain tiles are available in a whole host of finishes – think matt, polished, natural, soft, antislip – to name a few. These finishes are given a slip rating and these ratings help you understand the finish of your chosen tile a little better and how suitable it might be for your space. The “R” slip ratings run from R9 to R13 with R9 being the lowest and R13 a commercial grade slip rating. It is important to note that some tiles don’t have an R Rating – for example a polished tile. You can read more about slip ratings here.
Pro Tip: Look for tiles with the “Antislip Soft” technology in our TilePortfolios. It provides high grip (R11 A+B+C) while remaining smooth enough for easy mopping making these tiles ideal for ground floors, bathrooms and wetrooms where you want a little more grip with easy maintenance.
Tile samples are a great way to start your journey to new tiles. They are a great way to create your very own mood board adding samples of your worksurface, chosen kitchen cabinetry, paint colours and fabrics to see how the whole colour scheme might work together.
You can order up to 6 free samples via our sample service. There are several reasons why ordering a sample of your desired tile can help make you the right decision.
If, after ordering samples you are still not sure then at the TilePortfolio we offer a cost-effective larger sample service where samples are 30 x 30 or 40 x 40cm in size so you have a decent piece of tile to view. Or you can even purchase a full tile if that helps!
It is always worth checking if tile edges are rectified or non-rectified. If you are looking for that contemporary look and feel and want minimal grout lines then rectified tile edges are the go to. They are mechanically cut to exact dimensions after the firing of tiles. This allows for incredibly thin grout lines, 3mm for floors and 2mm for walls. By choosing a co-ordinating grout, you can create a seamless, contemporary look and feel for spaces.
If tiles don’t have rectified tile edges then the aesthetic will be more rustic as edges are not necessarily crisp, clean and perfectly straight. This is ideal if you are looking for tiles that add vintage charm and for older properties where you want a more uneven, rustic feel.
Many tile collections house more than one size of tile giving you the opportunity to opt for smaller tile formats or larger tile sizes. The size of tile can have a huge impact on your space. Smaller tiles will have more grout lines and grout lines can make spaces look busier. So it is important to consider the look and feel you are trying to create.
For large open plan spaces you may want to consider a large format tile eg 800 x 800, 900 x 900, 1m x 1m, 1200 x 600mm or 1200 x 1200mm. Each of these sizes will come with it’s own considerations eg price, handling, wastage. The larger the tile, generally the more expensive the tile is per sqm. For very large tiles like a 1200 x 1200mm format there are additional considerations such as tile weight and handling on site.
Square tiles are relatively easy from an installation pattern perspective – they are mostly stacked to create a grid. Whereas a rectangular tile can be laid in an offset pattern – so it is worth speaking with your tiler about which way you choose to run your tiles.
Smaller tiles eg 600 x 600mm can be more practical for bathrooms, however, they can make spaces feel busy as there are more grout lines than larger formats.
Speaking with us in the first instance can help to narrow down a tile size and then we would always recommend you speak with your tiler before making a final decision.
It’s important to add wastage to the square meterage of your room or rooms. Porcelain tiles are made in batches and therefore colour and finish can vary slightly from batch to batch so you want to make sure you have enough tiles to complete your project.
Buying that extra box upfront ensures every tile in your home is a perfect match.
By following our 5-point TilePortfolio checklist — which covers slip rating, samples, edges, material, and wastage — you will be able to start your journey to new tiles with confidence and ease. Ready to find your perfect match? Start by ordering your samples today from The TilePortfolio – or come and visit us at our Showroom via the link below!
Next Steps!
Browse: All Our Porcelain Tiles
Visit in person: Our Showroom
Cherish Warm Taupe
Click the images to head straight to these tiles on our website. Working on a project? We’d love to help! Get in touch and let us start searching for beautiful tiles with you!
If you would like to know more, please get in touch...
The TilePortfolio specialise in Italian and Spanish Porcelain and Ceramic tiles, in particular large format Porcelains and Porcelain tiles for inside and outside. Our carefully curated, stunning tile portfolios are beautifully presented online and supported by our fuss-free ‘go-the-extra-tile’ service. In addition, you can view our entire tile collection at our Northamptonshire Showroom. Visit our website for unmissable interiors inspiration. The TilePortfolio team are always available to chat, we’d be delighted to help with your project so please do get in touch.
Please note: We strongly recommend using a professional tiler for your project. Installation requirements may vary depending on the tiles you choose, the fixing products used and the specific conditions. Always check with your tiler regards the suitability of the tiles. Please get in touch with us if you have any questions.
