Floor Tiles

A fantastic range of looks are made possible with tiled floors. You can lay down all sorts of patterns and even include pictures when you put down a tiled floor.

You can arrange insets to add extra colour and your choice is limitless. If you like the idea of a hand-made design, then it's there for the taking.

If you require a reclaimed floor to fit in with a renovated building, it's just a quick tour of France, Spain or Italy away. Well actually no, someone will have imported it for you, but those are three of the countries from where they are sourced.

The finish on tiles varies enormously. There are matt, unglazed surfaces, high gloss finishes and various sheens caused by the application of different glazes. If you love a particular look, then make sure before you buy your tiles that the finish will not be affected in the sealing process, as some tiles are pre-sealed before they are sold while others are sealed once they have been laid.

There's no question that tiles are hardwearing. But anyone who's walked across a stone-cold floor in the middle of the night might be wondering whether a carpet would offer more comfort. If you can afford it, the best solution to that problem is to install underfloor heating.

The sheer variety of tiles on offer might be a little confusing so let's address a few specifics. For a rustic touch with a grand history turn to terracotta. Colours may vary. You'll find yellow and ochre tiles from Tuscany and rich red designs from Mexico, but one quality that most share is the rough and ready finish to these tiles. Don't be surprised to find slight pitting and areas that have been eroded in the surface of the tiles. You are getting a product that looks like it has lived a little, even if it was only recently manufactured. This of course makes it ideal for areas of heavy traffic where there is nothing better than a surface that doesn't show the dirt. But it also means that if you want the colour of terracotta but with a smoother finish you need to search out very specific extruded designs. These are sometimes confused with quarry tiles but in fact the two are made from different clays. The manufacturing process means that quarry tiles are much harder then terracotta and also less porous.

Ceramic tiles are the first choice for most bathrooms, most kitchens and a mix of other spaces where you want to add colour and pattern to the floor. Because they are made in moulds, they offer a uniformity that makes them easy to work with. Not only can you guarantee straight lines, but they are also simple to cut so can be worked into all sorts of nooks and crannies, curving around pedestals and butting up against waste pipes without too much difficulty. Just a point to bear in mind: if you know that some tiles will need to be cut you should allow for extra when you measure up and order them. If you break some, then go back a week later to the shop for a few extras, these may come from a different batch and you won't be able to guarantee an exact colour match.

Mosaic tiles can be used to stunning effect. Use different colours to create borders in a room, or lay an oblong in a contrasting colour in the middle of the floor or beside the bath to create the illusion of a mat. The different types, including ceramic, marble and stone, can be combined in a floor but it really is best to stick with one type for a uniform finish. You can be as adventurous as you want in creating patterns but you'll need a very patient fitter for a highly detailed design. In fact you are probably better employing the services of a mosaic artist if you are looking for something very decorative.

Part of the attraction of a mosaic floor is the contrast in texture between the tiles themselves and the grouting that holds them in place. This gives a pleasing, slightly rough feeling underfoot which also helps to make it less slippery than a floor covered in larger tiles. That's one of the biggest benefits of choosing it for the bathroom.

Bear in mind when buying mosaics sold by the sheet that the colour and tone of the stones may vary across each sheet. Make sure that if there is a mix of pink and brown tints in the mosaic, for example, that you don't end up with 80 per cent brown sheets and 20 per cent pink. You want to be able to have an even mix across the room, which is pleasing to the eye.


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