Hints, Tips & Advice
🎨 Choosing the Right Tiles
From busy family kitchens to spa-style bathrooms, here’s how to choose tiles that look amazing and perform perfectly — with simple guidance from Tiles And More.
🧱1) Pick the best material
- Porcelain — ultra-durable, low porosity, great for floors and outdoors.
- Ceramic — lighter, budget-friendly, ideal for walls and light-use floors.
- Natural Stone — premium look (marble, travertine, slate). Needs sealing and extra care.
- Outdoor Porcelain (20mm) — frost-proof, textured grip for patios and steps.
Showroom tip: Unsure? Start with porcelain — it balances beauty, strength and easy maintenance.
📏2) Choose the right size & shape
- Large formats (e.g. 60×120) = fewer grout lines, spacious feel.
- Medium (30×60) = versatile for walls & floors.
- Small/metro = character, great for splashbacks and patterns.
- Shapes (hex, herringbone, chevron) add movement and interest.
Small rooms: Larger tiles or vertical stacking can make spaces feel bigger.
✨3) Decide on the finish
- Gloss/Polished: Reflects light; show water spots more; best on walls/low-traffic floors.
- Matt/Satin: Modern, low-glare, easy to live with.
- Structured/Grip: Textured surface for wet areas or outdoors (pairs well with R11–R12).
Safety first Match the slip rating to the space — bathrooms often suit R11; patios R11–R12.
🎯4) Nail the colour & pattern
- Light neutrals brighten and visually enlarge rooms.
- Darker tones add depth and a premium feel.
- Stone/marble effects = timeless elegance; concrete/terrazzo = contemporary.
- Wood-effect porcelain brings warmth with tile practicality.
Test at home: View samples morning, midday and evening — lighting changes everything.
🧰5) Match the use-case
| Room / Area | Good choices |
|---|---|
| Kitchen floor | Porcelain, matt/satin, R10–R11 |
| Bathroom / wet room | Porcelain, structured grip, R11 |
| Hallway | Porcelain, durable surface, R10–R11 |
| Outdoor patio | 20mm outdoor porcelain, R11–R12 |
| Feature wall | Ceramic, gloss/matt, large or metro |
🧽6) Cleaning & maintenance
- Porcelain & ceramic: mild cleaners; avoid abrasive pads.
- Natural stone: seal regularly; use pH-neutral cleaners.
- Darker matt tiles disguise footprints; polished shows more.
📦7) Order smart
- Calculate area and add 10–15% extra for cuts/spares.
- Check batch/shade numbers match across all boxes.
- Confirm lead times if coordinating trades.
We’ll help: Bring your measurements — we’ll work out boxes, adhesive and grout for you.
💷8) Budget checklist
| Item | Remember to include |
|---|---|
| Tiles | Area + waste allowance (10–15%) |
| Adhesive & grout | Correct type (flexible / waterproof as needed) |
| Trims & profiles | Edges, corners, transitions |
| Tools & sundries | Spacers, trowel, cutter hire, sealant |
| Labour | If using a professional installer |
Still deciding? Get tailored recommendations.
Visit our Christchurch showroom or send us a photo of your space. We’ll suggest materials, sizes and finishes that fit your style, budget and slip-rating needs.
Talk to an expert
📍 Unit A12 Aerodrome Studios, 2–8 Airfield Way, Christchurch BH23 3TS |
📞 01202 798 134 |
✉️ info@tilesandmore.co.uk
Hints, Tips & Advice
🎨 Choosing the Right Tiles
From busy family kitchens to spa-style bathrooms, here’s how to choose tiles that look amazing and perform perfectly — with simple guidance from Tiles And More.
🧱1) Pick the best material
- Porcelain — ultra-durable, low porosity, great for floors and outdoors.
- Ceramic — lighter, budget-friendly, ideal for walls and light-use floors.
- Natural Stone — premium look (marble, travertine, slate). Needs sealing and extra care.
- Outdoor Porcelain (20mm) — frost-proof, textured grip for patios and steps.
Showroom tip: Unsure? Start with porcelain — it balances beauty, strength and easy maintenance.
📏2) Choose the right size & shape
- Large formats (e.g. 60×120) = fewer grout lines, spacious feel.
- Medium (30×60) = versatile for walls & floors.
- Small/metro = character, great for splashbacks and patterns.
- Shapes (hex, herringbone, chevron) add movement and interest.
Small rooms: Larger tiles or vertical stacking can make spaces feel bigger.
✨3) Decide on the finish
- Gloss/Polished: Reflects light; show water spots more; best on walls/low-traffic floors.
- Matt/Satin: Modern, low-glare, easy to live with.
- Structured/Grip: Textured surface for wet areas or outdoors (pairs well with R11–R12).
Safety first Match the slip rating to the space — bathrooms often suit R11; patios R11–R12.
🎯4) Nail the colour & pattern
- Light neutrals brighten and visually enlarge rooms.
- Darker tones add depth and a premium feel.
- Stone/marble effects = timeless elegance; concrete/terrazzo = contemporary.
- Wood-effect porcelain brings warmth with tile practicality.
Test at home: View samples morning, midday and evening — lighting changes everything.
🧰5) Match the use-case
| Room / Area | Good choices |
|---|---|
| Kitchen floor | Porcelain, matt/satin, R10–R11 |
| Bathroom / wet room | Porcelain, structured grip, R11 |
| Hallway | Porcelain, durable surface, R10–R11 |
| Outdoor patio | 20mm outdoor porcelain, R11–R12 |
| Feature wall | Ceramic, gloss/matt, large or metro |
🧽6) Cleaning & maintenance
- Porcelain & ceramic: mild cleaners; avoid abrasive pads.
- Natural stone: seal regularly; use pH-neutral cleaners.
- Darker matt tiles disguise footprints; polished shows more.
📦7) Order smart
- Calculate area and add 10–15% extra for cuts/spares.
- Check batch/shade numbers match across all boxes.
- Confirm lead times if coordinating trades.
We’ll help: Bring your measurements — we’ll work out boxes, adhesive and grout for you.
💷8) Budget checklist
| Item | Remember to include |
|---|---|
| Tiles | Area + waste allowance (10–15%) |
| Adhesive & grout | Correct type (flexible / waterproof as needed) |
| Trims & profiles | Edges, corners, transitions |
| Tools & sundries | Spacers, trowel, cutter hire, sealant |
| Labour | If using a professional installer |
Still deciding? Get tailored recommendations.
Visit our Christchurch showroom or send us a photo of your space. We’ll suggest materials, sizes and finishes that fit your style, budget and slip-rating needs.
Talk to an expert
📍 Unit A12 Aerodrome Studios, 2–8 Airfield Way, Christchurch BH23 3TS |
📞 01202 798 134 |
✉️ info@tilesandmore.co.uk