Before you start shopping for ceramic tiles and other bathroom accessories for your ceramic tile installation, here are some tile shopping tips for you. If you read them carefully they could save you some cash and trouble.
A budget is usually a consideration when installing ceramic tiles yourself. A reason that many people become DoItYourselfer's is to reduce the cost of ceramic tile installation.
Make a list with all the Tiles and accessories you require for your bathroom tile installation. Put them in a table of items with the various places where they are available, the quality of material and the price you have to pay for it. This way you have all the information together and can easily compare before you decide where you're going to buy your ceramic tiles and accessories.
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You'll probably need to consider such things as; ceramic tiles, ceramic soap holders, ceramic toilet paper roll holders, ceramic bathrobe hooks, ceramic towel hangers, ceramic shelves etc. You don't need all the accessories to be ceramic but they look nice when combined tastefully.
You should decide the overall color scheme: There are a huge variety of colored ceramic tiles and accessories on the market as well as different themes to combine with the colors
The Internet has given a new meaning to window-shopping for a ceramic tile installation. You can see the hundred of ceramic tiles, compare the prices and find the ones that suit your ceramic tile installation best. However, you should only use it as an information tool. You need to see your ceramic tiles with your own eyes before deciding which ones you want in your bathroom.
When you visit a dealer, you want to be able to get the feel of tiles and other accessories. It's worthwhile viewing the ceramic tiles and accessories in natural light and artificial light such as tube lighting. Some tiles and accessories may look different in natural light than when under artificial light.
If you don't have any idea what the bathroom tile installation will look like when completed, you should go through the manufacturer's catalogue for some ideas and help.
When choosing the product, take your time shopping around to compare the alternatives available. Very often you'll see something you like but soon find something better so don't worry about changing your mind, just remember it'll be worth the effort when you see your new bathroom tile installation finished just to your taste.
If you are still not satisfied then some manufacturers may be able to make a special design customised for you. However that can be rather expensive.
The bathroom size and the size of the tiles should be carefully considered as they are closely linked. The size of ceramic tile and the design of the tile make a big impact on the finish to the bathroom ceramic tile installation. Did you realise that in small bathrooms big tiles and large designs make your bathroom look even smaller so smaller tiles are more suitable?
One consideration for floor tiling may be slip resistance or polished finishes.
A certain percentage of extra tiles are always required beyond your ceramic tile installation requirements. This is due to breakages, wastages, and damage in other ways. You should order a minimum of an extra 1 % of plain tiles and 2 or 3 extra pieces for future replacement. This is important as tile manufacturing is a batch process and there are minor variations from batch to batch so it'll be impossible to get matching tiles from the same manufacturer later.
by Manuel Kupka
