Tiles come in many shapes and sizes. The can be used for the floor, for walls, in the kitchen for things like benches and splash backs, even for roofs. They come in all shapes, sizes, colors and textures. No matter what the need there will be a tile for the job. But how do you know which tile is the right tile for the job? Read on to learn about the different types of tiles in Perth, their advantages and disadvantages and what they are commonly used for.
Ceramic
Let’s start with the most common tile that everyone will be familiar with. Ceramic tiles Perth are usually seen and used in bathrooms and showers. They are very hard, waterproof and easy to clean and in Perth can purchased for as little as $30 per square meter.
Within the ceramic tile range, there are tiles that are made for walls and there are tiles that are made for floors. Wall tiles nearly always have a gloss (shiny) finish and are thinner and lighter than floor tiles. This allows for easier installation.
Floor tiles are thicker and heavier than wall tiles. Because people will be walking on them and furniture can be stored on them, they need to be very strong. Floor tiles can also have a gloss finish and this is often the case for living areas. However if you are using a ceramic tile in a wet area like the bathroom, it is suggested that you do not use a gloss finish. A gloss finish means the tiles will be slippery and dangerous when they get wet.
Ceramic tiles are a great all-purpose tile. They resist water can withstand very high heat and are relatively easy to install. Be careful though because ceramic tiles are very brittle so if you drop them or drop something very hard on to them they can crack and even shatter.
Ceramic tiles are installed on top of a tile adhesive with a small gap in between each tile. The gap is then filled with a tile grout that can come in various colors but it usually white. These tiles also come in a variety of sizes. Everything from a small 100mm x 100mm square tile, to a large 600mm x 600mm square tile. There is a wide range of sizes in between these to suit your needs and give the right look. They also come as rectangle sizes like 100mm x 200mm.
Stone
Stone tiles are very similar to ceramic tiles except they are made from natural stone rather than ‘manufactured’. Stone tiles are usually very heavy, very strong and also able to withstand a lot of punishment and traffic. They can be made from marble, slate, sandstone, travertine and various other natural stones.
They either come in a natural finish or a machined finish. A machined finish means the top of the tile has been cut back to give a flat surface in the same way that ceramic tiles are flat. A natural finish means the top of the tiles has only been roughly cut and they will have natural dips, grooves and bumps. Which ones you use comes down to personal choice and the look you are going for. Both can be very beautiful and effective.
Unlike ceramic tiles, stone tiles absorb water. This means they will not be as slippery when wet, but also means they need to be sealed to prevent stains. If you spill some red wine on a stone tile that has not been sealed — it will be there forever.
Stone tiles Perth are more expensive than ceramic tiles and therefore are not as common. Because they are more expensive and not as common, stone tiles can really stand out and have an impact on the look of your house. They will also add value to your house if you are looking to sell – especially in the competitive Perth market.
Stone tiles are slightly more difficult to lay than ceramic tiles because of their extra weight. They are very strong and heavy so it also makes cutting the tiles harder. Otherwise they are laid in pretty much the same manner as ceramic tiles.
Cork
Cork tiles Perth are usually 300mm x 300mm and as the name suggests, are made from cork. Cork tiles are popular for use on floors in general living areas. They are much warmer than ceramic tiles and also much quieter.
Another advantage to cork tiles is that they are softer then ceramic tiles. This means they are more comfortable to walk on, but also if you drop a glass or something similar it is less likely to break if you have a cork floor. Cork tiles need to be sealed to protect them. Depending on the variety they may come already sealed or they may need to be sealed after installation.
Similar to ceramic tiles, cork tiles are laid on a special adhesive. The difference however is that cork tiles are butted right up against one another. There is no gap left in between each tile. This not only saves installation time and makes the job easier, but when a complete floor is laid, you can not see that it was done using tiles. Instead the floor will look like one piece of cork and this can be quite effective.
The downside of cork tiles is that they are not as hard wearing and durable as ceramic or stone tiles. In heavy wearing areas they will need to be replaced, or at least refurbished after 10 – 15 years. In Perth be careful about laying cork tiles in an area that gets high amounts of sun. The harsh Perth sun can quickly fade cork tiles – even if they have been sealed. Upfront they are a cheaper alternative to something like stone, but over many years they will need to be replaced and can end up costing even more.
Carpet
Similar to cork tiles, it is possible to get carpet tiles that come in approximately 300mm x 300mm squares. The end result is also similar in that a complete floor will look like one piece of carpet and not tiles.
One advantage of carpet tiles over normal carpet is that you can replace individual tiles if they get damaged or stained. This is a great way to keep your floor looking brand new for years to come. Carpet tiles are also easier to handle than trying to get in a bit roll of carpet.
If you have a very big area that you want to carpet it may be that it is not possible to get a roll of carpet big enough. In this case – carpet tiles are the perfect solution. Carpet tiles in Perth are more common in large areas like halls, office buildings and business premises. This does not mean you can not use them for your home. They come in many designs and are usually very easy to clean. Great for a large kids room or activity area.
Vinyl
Vinyl flooring was traditionally only available in a sheet, however it is now possible to get vinyl tiles. This is similar to cork or carpet tiles. Vinyl tiles are very cheap, hard wearing and warm and soft underfoot. You can get various designs to match whatever look you are after. You can even get vinyl that has a timber look to it.
Modern vinyl is suitable for use in any area, including wet areas like bathrooms. It is a great alternative to more expensive tiles like natural stone and give any area a great face lift. The use of vinyl tiles in Perth bathrooms can sometimes have a negative impact on the resale value of your home. The Perth market sees them as a cheap option. If you are not considering selling in the near future they are a fantastic and much cheaper alternative to ceramic and very easy to lay.
Rubber
Rubber tiles have only recently started being used around the home. They are very hard wearing, slip resistant, extremely quiet and are nice and soft to walk on.
The color range is limited and they probably will not suit many styles but are still an option that should be considered. Rubber tiles are cheap to lay and cheap to buy. They are a great discount tile for the Perth area but may be hard to find because they are still not very common.
A perfect location for rubber tiles Perth would be an outdoor shower near a pool or spa.
The author has been working with tiles in Perth for many years and is trying to give a bit back to the Perth community. The author’s site provides information on purchasing, installing and removing tiles. It is based on Perth, Western Australia but the information applies to any location. You find out more about tiles at these websites: