Wall Tiles

Wall tiles are available in a range of different materials, colours, styles, shapes, sizes and patterns. Typically used in kitchens, bathrooms and wet rooms, wall tiles are ideal for protecting the wall from exposure to moisture, grease and all other everyday hazards associated with the aforesaid rooms. Furthermore, wall tiles are usually very easy to maintain and keep clean, whilst they are also very durable and can last for long periods of time. Wall tiles are also aesthetically pleasing and, when the right combination of material, colour and pattern is employed, these products can truly transform a room for the better.

As mentioned above, there are all kinds of wall tiles available on the market. Common materials used in wall tiles include marble, porcelain, limestone, granite, slate, ceramic, glass and travertine, although a number of other materials can also be found. Generally speaking, wall tiles tend to be relatively small products and among the most diminutive include those of a mosaic pattern design, which is essentially a series of small square or rectangular blocks that interlock or form straight rows and columns. Wall tiles are also usually made from non-porous materials such as limestone and slate, although it is always necessary to properly seal them in order to ensure full waterproofing, which will be discussed more below.

Wall tiles also feature a different finish to floor tiles in certain cases, as tiles designed for use in domestic flooring will usually comprise a matt or gloss finish and will almost always be unglazed. On the other hand, wall tiles can also boast a matt or gloss finish in addition to a glazed or unglazed look, which can affect how slippery the tiles are – obviously, glazed and glossy floor tiles that are prone to water exposure, such as those installed in bathrooms, wet rooms and even kitchens, constitute a slip hazard and are therefore rarely favoured over surfaces and finishes that have more grip. This increased diversity of how wall tiles look and feel allows customers to select from a wider range of tiles that very often feature more elaborate and showy designs and colours.

Customers must also be aware that certain materials of wall tile perform differently in terms of water absorption. For obvious reason, wall tiles that are installed in bathrooms, wet rooms and kitchens must be capable of ensuring that water or moisture is not able to soak into the tiles and affect the wall underneath. Prolonged exposure to moisture can cause a number of damaging results where both the health of the wall and the health of the home’s occupants are concerned. Indeed, not only can the wall itself suffer from rot, but the build-up of mildew and mould can have a devastating effect on the human body – especially where mould spores are circulated in the steamy hot air around showers and baths. Thus, natural rock materials such as granite, slate and limestone are commonly used for wall tiles, whilst other materials including porcelain, ceramic, glass and travertine are also of a low porosity. Marble, however, although a natural rock, is considerably more porous than granite or slate, so extra care must be taken where sealing is concerned.

Wall tiles for kitchens are also important for maintaining a good standard of hygiene, as unprotected walls tend to attract nasty splatters of food and grease. Obviously, painted walls – even if a special kitchen paint is used – cannot be easily scrubbed clean without stripping the surface paint, whilst bacteria tend to thrive on such walls. Splashbacks, therefore, are commonly used behind the oven but wall tiles are just as good an option. In fact, wall tiles help to maintain the look and feel of the kitchen design as they are typically laid all around the room or at least those areas surrounding the kitchen sink, drainer and food preparation surfaces. Customers should note that wall tiles for kitchens ought to be chosen for the ease with which they can be cleaned and maintained as much as they are for their aesthetic appeal. Therefore, although not always the case, it is often best to purchase larger wall tiles (to reduce the amount of nooks, crannies and grouting, which are more awkward to clean) that comprise an uncomplicated designed and smooth, glazed finish.

Another common mistake made by customers buying wall tiles is that they do not always appreciate how much work it takes to install certain types of tile. For example, small mosaic wall tiles that are not fitted to larger webbed sheets (essentially, these are relatively large wall tiles that comprise smaller tiles bonded together) can be awkward and time-consuming to fit properly. Indeed, not only are the individual wall tiles more difficult to handle, the overall mosaic design (or any other that comprises an elaborate or deliberate pattern) requires careful attention at every stage of the installation.

Furthermore, preparing the wall surfaces for tiles can be hard work and one that many customers ignore. In short, walls must be stripped down, made completely even and then thoroughly cleaned – any grit, dirt or dust that is left on the wall can compromise any adhesive applied to the tiles, which may preclude their effective installation. Moreover, wall tiles fitted in bathrooms will often require additional steps to ensure that the surface wall is fully protected from water damage. Typically, this involves installing a waterproof PVC membrane, thin wooden structure and water-resistant backboard to the surface wall before any tiles are fitted. Unfortunately, the precise requirements of a wall tile installation in the bathroom can only be effectively assessed by a suitably qualified and experienced professional tiler.

Indeed, of all the mistakes that people make when buying wall tiles, fitting them without properly knowing what they are doing is among the most hazardous. Thus, it is always advisable to spend a little extra on that perfect bathroom or kitchen wall tile installation by hiring the services of a professional tiler. Furthermore, by hiring such a tradesman, customers will be able to avail of lengthy service guarantees that protect the wall tile installation should problems arise. In fact, any such work that is undertaken by a professional tiler will be covered under statute law, so customers have added peace of mind in the majority of circumstances.

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