Find a Tiler you can trust in Girvan.

Are you interested in fitting tiles in your home or office? If yes, then you’d probably want to know the total cost of getting the project over the line. And being fully aware every job is unique, having a cost per square metre to work with will give you a more accurate price estimation for the overall project. 

First and foremost, the cost of a tiler depends on a wide range of factors such as the type of floor tiles and the size of the area. The cheapest of them all is the vinyl tiles which can be easily cut through and waterproof when properly sealed. As a result, making them a better fit for bathroom floors. Other kinds of tiles include ceramic tiles, mosaic tiles, quarry tiles and porcelain tiles. Each of the types have their own unique qualities including the quarry tiles’ durability and the afore-mentioned vinyl tiles’ waterproof qualities.

Having in mind that the major part of your tiles cost largely depends on the size of the area and the type of tile selected, you can then go ahead to contact your preferred tiling professional for an installation quote. The average price of bathroom tiles installation ranges about £20 to £25 per square metre. Meanwhile for a kitchen floor tiling project, the cost should range between £20 to £50 per square metre.

Finding a tiling professional you can rely on to complete your project and deliver a top quality job while also offering a very competitive price can be almost impossible. The professional you use greatly determines the price of your tiling effort, so there’s the need to review various professionals before making a decision.

Kitchen fitters are often trained carpenters and not all will offer tiling but many will know a tiler that they have worked with in the past. If you are looking to get your kitchen retiled without fitting a new kitchen when it's worth talking to tilers directly to get a range of prices.

It's useful to know in advance what tiles you like, a visit to your local tile store and either pick up a brochure or take some photos. It's probably better not to purchase the tiles at this moment though as often your appointed tiler may be able to get you a better price for the tiles or recommend alternatives. 

Being one of the most used rooms in a house, the kitchen is a place that must be set up to withstand almost everything thrown at it – from top to bottom. Now when it comes to wall tiles, having them installed on your kitchen walls is probably the best protection you can offer to your kitchen. Want to know why? In this post, we’re going to some of the qualities which makes wall tiles perfect for your kitchen wall. Let’s take a look!

• Durable. One of the reasons why walls tiles are very common part in most kitchens is due to their longevity. Porcelain, ceramic and mosaic tiles are moisture resistant and being fully aware of the gradual destruction that can be caused by water, you’d definitely wouldn’t want to look far beyond wall tiles for your kitchen walls.
• Stain resistant. From food stains to oil spillage and everything in between, the kitchen is a place that’s prone to all sort of stains and gets dirty pretty quickly. As a result, one of the best ways to combat this is by installing wall tiles which are known to be stain resistant. This will protect your kitchen walls and keep them in top condition for a lengthy period.
• Temperature and chemical resistant. Tiles are impervious to harsh temperatures and do not deteriorate when exposed to chemical agents.
• Easy to maintain. There are some wall tiles which are coated with liquid glass which protects them from stains while also making them a lot easier to clean.
• Diverse and affordable. Wall tiles come in a large array of sizes, colours, textures, styles as well as designs to suit any individual’s preference.

Do you wish to have your residential or commercial space tiled? With a plethora of benefits that comes with a tiled floor, it’s little surprise more and more home and property owners are going for this special flooring type. Not only are they able to improve the curb appeal of any property, but they’re also resistant to moisture helping to increase the durability of the house – be it wall or floor tiles.

Tiling a floor is not the simplest of tasks and should be done with utmost care and attention to details. If you lack the confidence to pull this off, we’d recommend you hire a reputable professional who can guarantee the best outcome the first time.  In this guide, you’ll find processes involved in floor tiling to help put you in the right direction.

Floor Tiles Installation Procedures

1. Floor Preparation
   The first step is to prepare the floor by moving all objects like mortar, adhesives and more. Use concrete patching compound to fill ill low spots and cracks, until the floor is levelled.
2. Ensure the floor is dry and clean.
3. Pattern Layout
   Take the measurement of each wall’s length while also taking into account the room’s diagonals.To help place the tiles in an orderly manner, make use of a chalk to mark down lines on the levelled surface in question and ensure it’s parallel to the walls.
4. Adhesive Preparation
   Mix the appropriate amount of water with the adhesive (bonding agent). The mixture should be toothpaste-like thick to ensure the durability of the tiles.
5. Tiles Placement
   Depending on the tile’s size, evenly spread the mortar on the floor using a notched trowel. Lay the first tile on the bonding agent (adhesive or mortar) and apply a gentle and little pressure on the tile.
   
   Repeat the technique for other tiles using plastic spacers to ensure the edges and corners are properly aligned.
6. Tiles Cutting
   Cut the tiles (if necessary) with the help of a wet saw or scoring cutter featuring a diamond-tripped blade.
7. Grout Application
   Filling of the tiles’ gap is done using the grout. It can be applied to the joints with a rubber float. After application, allow the grout to set up for some minutes. Use sponge and a bucket of water to clear out any adhesive leftover.
8. Grout Sealing
   Use a foam brush or applicator bottle for the sealants’ application. Clean out excess sealer within 10 minutes.

Adhesives are an integral component used in the floor tiling installation process. The issue, however is, there are a number of different adhesives available which each having their specific uses. If you’re wondering the best adhesives to use on floors, then you’ve come to the right place! In this post, we’re going to give you some tips to help you determine the most suitable adhesive for your floor tiles. Let’s take a look!

The best adhesive for your floor tiles will depend on the space the floor resides in. However, in general, thinset mortar is the most common for floor tiles and not pre-mixed adhesive. For instance, if you’re placing your tiles in an area that contains moisture like in the bathroom, the most suitable adhesive to use would be thinset mortar.

When it comes to installing your tiles on top of wood flooring, your best bet would also be using thinset mortar. With that in mind, it’s crucial that prior to any tile work being carried out on wood flooring, you put a tile backing board on the top of the wood or plywood. This is important to make sure there’s an even surface for the adhesive application which guarantees the durability of your floor tiles. Furthermore, if you’re looking to use tile adhesive on a cement surface, the best tile adhesive to use will also be thinset mortar. If you want to do this, you should first make sure that all dusts or debris on the surface are removed to ensure that the adhesive sticks as it should. Once done, you should proceed to even out the cement to ensure that it’s not sloping. This should be done to guarantee the best results.

How To Tile A Wall

If you’re not an expert floor installer who would take wall tile installation as merely being a vertical floor, you are advised to be very cautious when tackling the project. The installation of wall tiles follow some set of rules which you’d better not break if you really wish to protect your investment. And worst of all, a wall tile done wrong is a lifetime penalty of having to look at it. So how can you get it right? Well, probably by reaching out to a wall tile installation professional for a good quality solution that’ll save you time, money and effort. However, we’ve put together this guide to help give you an insight of how it works and also to help you avoid some unnecessary expenses. Let’s have a look!

lHang a batten board

• Start your rows of tiles or bottom-most course with a batten board which works to prevent spillage of tiles.

• Position the batten board at 3/4 of the tiles’ height. Ensure not to start at the floor.

lForm A Pyramid Shape With The Tiles

• If you’ve reached the bottom row of tile, then arrange the tile in a pyramid shape. To achieve this, you’d have to install the tiles one through four as instructed. Each following row will be draped over the pyramid.

lExamine The Floor For Level & Walls For Plumb

• If your floor level or plumb is off by a maximum of a half-inch over the course of 8 feet, add extra baseboards and trim to cover up the problem.

lThe Least Size Of Tiles To Be Used Is Half-Wide

• Ensure that no “silvers (tiles that are lower than half the width of the tile in question) are incorporated in the project.

A tiled floor perfectly blends style with function, be it a sophisticated matte finish or a gleaming glossy sheen. Moisture and stain resistant, floor tiles represent a practical choice for a busy home and its elegance makes it even more suitable irrespective of the interior design project. What’s more? Floor tiles are generally cost effective and requires low maintenance, however, this doesn’t mean you should not show your tiled floor some love and care from time to time. If you’re wondering how to go about the maintenance of your tiled floor, then you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’re going to share with you some maintenance tips to take care of your floor tiles. Let’s take a look!

• Get rid of excessive dirt on a regular basis. From mere food stains to more serious scratches, a busy domestic life can significantly shorten the lifespan of your tiled floor if care is not taken. While being easy to clean makes the maintenance quite simple, regular upkeep of the floor is quite important as loose dirt and debris can wear away your flooring’s finish over time.
• Do not ignore the grout. While the surface is stain and moisture resistant, same thing cannot be said of the grout. To keep the gout lines clean, simply make use of a soft bristle brush or a white pencil eraser.
• Try out deep cleaning your flooring. Although regular maintenance of your flooring is essential to have your floor looking clean and neat, deep cleaning is just as important to preserve the overall finish of the  floor.

Have you laid your tile and left it to set? If yes, then the next step is to start grouting. Before you get started there’s a need to make ready the right grout for the type of your grout as well as background material. If you’re not certain of the right grout you can reach out to the grout manufacturer for help. Grouting of floor tiles is not the easiest and tasks and should be left to a reputable professional in order to avoid costly mistakes and unnecessary costs. In this post, we’re going to take you through the processes involved in grouting of floor tiles in order to put you on the right track. Let’s take a look!

1. Depending on the adhesive used to lay your tiles, make sure you leave enough time for the tiles to fully set.
2. Get a mixing bucket and mix grout powder and water as instructed on the packaging. Ensure not to make too much as this will make it solidify quickly and unstable.
3. Apply some grout on the tiles - hold the grout float at 45 degree angle and apply the grout to fill all of the joints.
4. Once you’re done grouting all of the joints between the tiles, leave it for up to 10 to 15 minutes to dry before wiping down the tile surface using a damp sponge. Ensure not to apply too much pressure on the grout joints.
5. Let the tiles rest for about an hour so as to allow the grout solidify and harden a bit more. Once done, proceed to take off the excess grout and smooth it off.
6. Wipe down the tiles until they’re totally clean using a clean cloth.