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Tilers - what you need to know

Typically you’ll see tiles in bathrooms, kitchens, patios and hallways, but it’s not uncommon to find them anywhere around the house these days. You’ll also see them on walls as well as floors.

A tiler will mark out the area that needs tiling, which will allow them to estimate the amount of tiles and adhesive they’ll need – this is known as ‘setting out’.

After that they’ll use special tools to cut the tiles to shape, before preparing the surfaces and levelling them off with plaster, sand or cement. The tiles will be applied, with any necessary grouting as well.

When choosing your tiles, have a look at where they’re going, then take some inspiration from the colours that are nearby – paints, furniture and so on. An experienced tiler will be able to talk about the options available to you, as well as what works well in combination with each other, so don’t be afraid to ask them. You could also consider using an interior designer.

In wet areas, it’s important that your tiles don’t become slippery when water has been splashed about. Glazed tiles are waterproof but may need a coating to make them non-slip. Unglazed tiles are porous so need to be sealed to avoid stains or any build-up of liquid residue.

If you’re buying the materials yourself, it’s always a good idea to have more tiles than you need. This makes sure you’ve got enough to cover the area, and enough in case any get broken. If any get cracked over time, you can easily replace them too with exactly the same shade or pattern.

Types of tiles

Ceramic – made from clay and can be glazed or unglazed. They come in all sorts of colours, shades and patterns.

Terracotta – unglazed and must be sealed if they’re going to be used in bathrooms or other wet areas. Usually available in earthy tones.

Mosaic – small tiles made from stone, glass or ceramic. They’re set into a base to create patterns and designs.

Marble and granite – very durable and low maintenance. If polished, they may become slippery in wet areas.

Porcelain – fired at very high temperatures which makes them waterproof. They come in a glazed or matte finish and can be used both indoors and outdoors.

Quartz – very durable and available in a wide range of colours.

Limestone – popular for floors but needs to be sealed as it can be porous.

Costs for common tiler jobs

Laying new tiles

Grouting

Repairing tiles

The qualifications your tiler needs

Tilers usually gain their experience through courses, apprenticeships or on-the-job training. By all means ask them about their experience, but you can also request references or photos of previous work to confirm their quality.

Planning permission for tilers

Planning permission isn’t usually required for internal decorating. However, if you live in a listed building you should contact your local planning authority.

Insurance for tiling work

Your tiler should have public liability insurance which will protect you and your property should any damage occur.

Building regulations for tilers

Any internal decorating such as tiling, wallpapering, new skirting boards or painting will not normally require approval. There are some considerations when working on external walls though. See the planning portal for detailed information.

Questions you should ask a tiler

• Do they have public liability insurance and what does this cover?
• How long have they been trading for?
• Can they give you up to 3 references of recent work they’ve completed?
• Will they give a guarantee/warranty for the work and how long does it last?
• Will they source all materials and equipment?
• Can they help with colour schemes?

See the latest questions that homeowners have been asking tilers.

Tiling ideas

Check out these ideas for decorative front step tiling as well as loads of inspiration for wonderful wet rooms.