Tiling Guides

Most tiling problems start before the first tile goes on. Before booking any tiler, it helps to know which rooms and surfaces are involved, whether old tiles are coming off, and whether other trades such as a plumber, electrician or kitchen fitter need to work before or after the tiling. Getting that order right avoids tiles being lifted later to move a pipe or a socket.

Porcelain is dense and hard-wearing, which makes it a common choice for floors and wet areas. Ceramic is lighter and easier to cut, and is widely used on walls. Natural stone gives a unique look but usually needs sealing and more care. Mosaic suits feature walls and shower floors.

Whatever you choose, check the tile is suitable for where it's going, order extra to allow for cuts and breakages, and keep a few spares in case a tile ever needs replacing.

Tiles are only as good as the surface behind them. Walls need to be sound and flat, floors need to be stiff and level, and showers and wet areas need waterproofing before tiling. Robert checks surfaces before quoting, so any preparation is planned rather than discovered halfway through the job.

A few photos of the room, rough sizes, your postcode and the type of tile you have in mind make a quote much easier to put together. If you haven't chosen tiles yet, that's fine: say so, and Robert can talk through what suits the job.

Once tiling is finished, give the adhesive and grout time to cure before heavy use, showering or sealing: follow the manufacturer's instructions for the products used. Clean with a pH-neutral cleaner, check the silicone around baths, showers and worktops from time to time, and reseal natural stone as the manufacturer recommends.

Guides are listed on this page as they're published. The service pages also explain how each type of job is done, from bathrooms and wet rooms to kitchens, floors and repairs, and the areas page shows where we work.