Tiles

 When planning a tiling project, selecting the right materials, colours and tools is crucial for a successful outcome. Whether you're a DIY enthusiast or hiring a professional, knowing what you need and how to handle it makes all the difference in achieving a beautiful, lasting result.

 

What materials can tiles be made from?

Tiles come in different materials, each with unique benefits:

• Ceramic tiles: Made from clay, ceramic tiles are versatile and used for walls, floors and countertops. They come in many colours and patterns, are affordable and easy to install.
• Glass tiles: Known for their shiny, modern look, glass tiles are great for backsplashes and decorative accents.
• Porcelain tiles: Made from refined clay and fired at high temperatures, porcelain tiles are dense and very durable. They resist moisture and wear, making them perfect for high traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
• Stone tiles: Made from natural stone like marble, granite, slate and limestone, stone tiles offer unique patterns and a luxurious look. They are durable and often used for floors and walls, but they may need more maintenance than their ceramic counterparts.
• Vinyl tiles: Vinyl tiles are affordable and versatile. They come in styles that mimic wood, stone and ceramic tiles. Vinyl is water-resistant, durable and easy to install, making it a good choice for flooring in both bathrooms and kitchens.

 

What colour tiles will work best in my home?

When choosing tile colours for your interior, think about the overall look, natural light and the mood you want to create.

Neutral shades like grey, beige, brown, cream, and white are versatile and timeless. Grey and light grey give a sleek, modern look, ideal for kitchens and bathrooms, while beige and brown create a warm, inviting atmosphere for living rooms and bedrooms.

Bold and vibrant shades add personality and depth. Blue tiles evoke tranquillity, with light blues perfect for bathrooms and dark blues for living areas. Green tiles, from sage to emerald, offer a calming feel, great for kitchens and bathrooms. Red and pink add warmth and energy, ideal for accent walls. Terracotta and orange create a warm, Mediterranean vibe, suitable for kitchens, dining areas and outdoor spaces.

Metallic and reflective shades like brass, bronze, chrome, clear, copper, silver, stainless steel and rose gold add unique accents. Chrome and stainless steel are perfect for contemporary designs, especially in kitchens.

To mix and match, pair vibrant tiles like blue or green with neutrals for a balanced look. Black and white tiles can create classic patterns like herringbone or checkerboard. Use bold colours or metallics on a feature wall to make it a focal point, while keeping the rest of the space neutral. Combining natural tones like terracotta with metallic accents gives a rustic yet modern look.

 

What tools are needed to complete a tiling job?

To complete a tiling job, you’ll need several essential tools. A tile cutter is crucial for cutting tiles to fit your space, while tile nippers are helpful for trimming and shaping tiles, especially around edges and corners. Tile spacers are important for ensuring even gaps between tiles, which is necessary for proper grout application. You'll also need tile adhesive to bond the tiles to the surface and tile grout to fill the gaps between them and seal the installation.

A notched trowel helps spread the adhesive evenly, while a level ensures that your tiles are installed straight and even. A rubber mallet is useful for gently tapping tiles into place without damaging them. Finally, you'll also want a sponge to clean off any excess grout from the tiles, and tile trims to finish the edges neatly and cover any gaps. 

 

Can you drill into tile?

Yes, you can drill into tile, but it requires extra care to avoid cracking the tiles. Use a drill with adjustable speed and ideally a diamond-tipped drill bit designed for tile. Before drilling, apply masking tape to the tile to prevent the drill bit from slipping. It can also help to create a small indentation with a nail punch to guide the drill bit accurately. Proceed slowly and steadily to avoid overheating the tile and causing damage. For more information, take a look at our blog on how to drill through tile.

 

How many tiles do I need?

To work out how many tiles you need, start by measuring the height and width of the area you plan to tile. This will give you the total surface area, which you can then use to estimate the number of tiles required based on the size of your chosen tiles.

To make things easier, you can use our tile calculator to quickly estimate the number of tiles needed and the overall cost for your project. For a simple step-by-step guide, watch our video below:

This video shows you how to measure your space, choose your tiles and use our calculator to get accurate results.

 

Why choose Victorian Plumbing for your tiles?

Because we make the whole experience easier, from first idea to final installation. You can order up to 3 free tile samples, so you can see the colour, finish and texture in your own lighting. And, if you’re still deciding, our tile visualiser lets you upload a photo of your room and preview different tiles in place. It’s the fastest way to go from "not sure" to "that’s the one".

Once you’re ready to buy, we keep things simple:

• Free standard delivery across most of the UK when you spend £499 or more
• 0% finance over 6, 9 or 12 months if you’d like to spread the cost
• Trade accounts available for bigger projects with bulk savings

Plus, we take the guesswork out of quantities too. Our tile calculator will help you to work out exactly how many tiles you’ll need.