The Pros and Cons of Bathroom Tiles

Most bathrooms contain tiles, whether it’s on the walls, the floors, or in the shower stall. Some bathroom tile installation looks great, while others not so much. But what is it that makes tiles a good choice and what should you watch out for that may negatively impact your tile installation?

The Good Points about Bathroom Tiles

There is a wide range of shapes, colors, textures, and styles to choose from when it comes to bathroom tiles, so the sky is the limit on what you can choose from. While the price of tiles varies by size, detail, style, and popularity, in general, they are quite reasonably affordable, making them a nice option for any bathroom project. The proper tile installation by experienced tile contractors can provide an amazing finished product that will make your bathroom look stunning.

Tiles are very easy to clean, they are waterproof, and if damaged, they can be swapped out relatively easily by a professional tiler. With all that going for them, tiles are great for a bathroom.

The Drawbacks of Bathroom Tiles

While the product itself is inexpensive, a good tile installer can add to those costs very quickly, possibly making the final cost higher than you initially expected. But at the same time, finding an experienced bathroom tile installation professional that knows how lay tiles perfectly, is difficult to find. Oftentimes, when a single tile needs replacing, it can be impossible to find exactly what you need. This is why purchasing extra tiles and storing them is important.

The bottom line is, bathroom tiles can look great, can be easy to deal with, and they are completely waterproof. But consider who you hire as your tile installer. They can make all the difference between a gorgeous bathroom and a newly renovated bathroom that you hate. So don’t be too frugal when searching for the right tile contractors.

Types of Tiles For Your Home

Tiles are a great, all-purpose material for just about any home. Tile can be used in flooring, countertops, and backsplashes, making it a versatile option if you are considering remodeling. Tile offers many benefits over other materials, too. Tile is extremely durable and inexpensive, meaning it’s a great investment and it will last as long as your home in most cases. It’s also hygienic and non-allergenic, which is ideal for people with sensitivities. All in all, tile is a great choice, but there are lots of different options to choose from. Learn all you can about the different styles before you remodel!

Durable, Long-Lasting, and Easy-to-Clean Options

Ceramic is one of the most popular types of tile. Made from clay, ceramic falls into two categories: porcelain or non-porcelain. Porcelain is typically the preferred option since it is harder and more water-resistant than non-porcelain varieties. Marble tiles are another popular option, thanks largely to its enduring appeal and its incredible durability. Marble comes in a vast array of styles and colors to suit just about any home style. For a different stone option, some homeowners opt for slate tile. This metamorphic rock is another great option for bathrooms since it is incredibly slip-resistant.

Get Creative With Tile Options In Your Home

Faux wood is one of the newer and more trendy options for home tiling. Faux wood is usually actually made from ceramic, with an attractive paint job meant to imitate wood. Faux wood is popular because it offers the natural beauty and aesthetic of hardwood, but also includes the durability and water-resistant properties of ceramic tile. Mosaic is another great style which can add color and flair to your home. A very popular choice, mosaic consists of several small tiles laid together to create a larger pattern or image. These tiles can be glass, stone, ceramic, or any combination of these materials!

Choosing the best kitchen tiles

How to choose the best tiles for your kitchen?

Choosing tiles for your new or renewed kitchen is not an easy task. After all, they must serve you well for years to come while being pleasant to look at. The first thing to do when considering any tiles for your kitchen is focusing on where they will be installed. Glossy tiles will not serve you well on the floor as they are too fragile and unsafe. For that, you might want to go for ceramic or porcelain tiles which can take a pounding.

If you are able to pay twice as much, you can also invest in cement or stone tiles. However, keep in mind that stone requires some extra maintenance as it can be damaged when exposed to water. Porcelain is also perfect for backsplash and walls, especially if you’re searching for different styles such as mosaics. It is a highly adjustable material and therefore comes in many shapes and colors.

Some things to consider before making the order

One key thing to keep in the back of your head is your budget. Vinyl or linoleum tiles are beautiful but they are also the most costly ones. Unfortunately, the usually ‘cheapest’ ceramic tiles can also get pretty costly if you decide to go for a custom design. Remember also that the type of tiles can influence the cost of installation. You might, for example, order cement tiles which are pretty uncommon nowadays and find yourself with an installer who is not used to working with them.

Another important thing to keep consider is your household’s lifestyle and family habits. Will your tiles have to take a pounding from heavy traffic, pets or be ready to be spilled with water? Also, remember to double-check that the tiles you order for the floor are actually ‘floor tiles’. Their coefficient of fraction will be higher than that of other tiles which will enable safe walking. But most importantly, choose tiles you will not regret seeing every day!

Tile installation process

Laying the Foundation

The tile installation process begins with the structure underneath the tiling area. Whether walls or floors, the structural integrity must be solid. We first make sure the foundation is sound: for example, we strip the old flooring back to the subfloor. If this is not solid, we may have to replace it, possibly even repair joists or beams underneath. Once the wall or subfloor is level and solid, we add the substrate. Some situations require this waterproof board to be attached with cement mortar and then screwed down; in others, we simply screw it to the subfloor or wall board underneath. Next, we mud and tape the seams of the substrate material. Without this critically important step, cracking of the tile can result over time. Once all this is completed, the foundation is ready for the tile installation.

Let the Tiling Begin

Tile that’s been outside needs to acclimate to the interior temperature for several hours, otherwise, adhesion issues may arise. We lay out the tile; corners and edges are considered and planned. Next, we mix the thinset, trowel it on and apply each tile with a pushing and twisting motion. Spacers are used to ensure a uniform gap between tiles. We cut and fit any odd corners and joints. It is important to not have any foot traffic on the tile for several hours, usually overnight, while the tile “sets”. Removing the spacers and cleaning out the joints is the next step. Finally, we mix up the grout and apply it, pushing it into the joint, then skimming off the excess. After about ten minutes, we sponge and wipe with clean water. After the tile has “hazed over”, we wash the tile with clean water and sponges again, and the grouting is complete. Several days later, usually a about a week, we apply sealer to the grout, to make a watertight seal. At this point, the tiling process is complete.

Tips for choosing bathroom tile

5 tips how to choose a perfect tile for your bathroom

Tile is one of the most versatile and durable materials you can choose for your home. In addition to its many uses and applications, tile comes in a lot of different styles, materials, and can fit into all types of home décor. Before settling on your next tile installation in Chicago, take a look through these tips from leading tile contractors regarding your tile choice.

Pick Your Favorite First

When putting together a new tile installation, consider whether or not you have any particular tiles you really want in your home. It might be an intricate, unique type of tile or it could be something simple like gray tiles. Either way, begin with this tile and build the rest of your tile installation in Chicago around that.

Limit Your Selections to 3 Tiles

Three is the magic number when it comes to a variety of styles. Beginning with your favorite style, build outward from there. If you’re starting with an intricate design, talk with your tilers in Chicago about some other, more subtle tile options which can draw attention to the focal point. If your first choice is simpler, consider adding some intricate designs to offset its simplicity.

Stick to One Eye-Catching Piece

There’s a lot of really attractive tile options to choose from, but try not to get carried away. Adding a lot of different colors and styles to your tile installation can be tempting, but this will almost always lead to clashing styles or a confusing style.

Carefully Consider Maintenance

Different materials have different maintenance requirements. Ceramic and porcelain tiles, for instance, are very low-maintenance, making them perfect for showers and sinks. Natural stone tiles are much more demanding, so they might be better used in flooring than in wet areas.

Consider Tile Scale

Large-scale tiles seem to be all the rage lately, as tile contractors in Chicago will attest. While you may be a fan of bigger tiles, consider breaking up the style by using varying tile scales in addition to different colors and styles.

Kitchen Backsplash Installation Cost Chicago, IL

Do you need affordable kitchen backsplash installers? Our kitchen backsplash combines function and beauty in affordable prices!

If you are considering getting a kitchen backsplash, you may have a few questions. How do you go about doing so? How much does a kitchen backsplash cost? Do you have to install it yourself? These are all excellent questions. Visiting a hardware store such as Andy Tile Installation Chicago is an excellent first step. Here, you can find a wide variety of affordable tile types for your kitchen backsplash. Through Andy Tile, you can also obtain installation services. Andy Tile Installation can offer you high quality services, including kitchen backsplash installation.

So what does Andy Tile Company do for your tile installation? They will measure your room in order to ensure that the room is measured properly and note the need for any special installation requirements. They can offer advice on tile selections. And then, they connect we with excellent tile installation services. Each member of this team is local, licensed, insured, and thoroughly screened.

How much, you may ask, does a kitchen backsplash installation cost? This question can vary depending on the type of tile you choose, the size of your kitchen, and a variety of other factors. Your kitchen backsplash installation requires precision work due to its high visibility. A typical backsplash will cost $300-800 for installation alone, not including the price of tile. Contacting your local contractors or its suggested installers will always be your best bet. Having Andy Tile install your backsplash tile will ensure a high quality finished product at affordable prices!

Our tile backsplash installation in Chicago offers you numerous options to choose from! Call us for more information!