Find tilers near me

How do I find professional tilers near me?

The best way to tell a good tile contractor is to talk to them about their experience and ask to see some of the current (or past) projects they are working on near you.

The best tile fitters are time-served, experienced and able to talk in detail about their work, how they’ll approach the project, advise on materials like adhesives and grout, explain any potentially complex parts of the project and how they’ll overcome them.

If your project is particularly unique or complicated, ideally, you should hire a tiler near you with experience in similar projects.

When you find a tiler, check their reviews online. Ask if your tile fitter has any qualifications or certifications or are members of any trade associations.

What will a professional local tiler do?

Competent tiling contractors will have the knowledge and experience of tiling any wall or floor inside or outside of a home.

They’ll know the extra preparation it takes to tile a wet area like a shower, how to work with complicated tile layouts like herringbone, how to lay large format patio tiles in your garden, and everything in between.

There are several benefits of hiring a professional tile fitter near you rather than tiling yourself.

Let’s look at some of the key steps they’ll work through.

1. Surface preparation

Tilers know how to ensure your wall or floor is ready for tiling. Knowing how to make a floor level and repair wall cracks or waterproof areas like showers before tiling commences is crucial to a high-quality, long-lasting finish.

2. Material knowledge

There are an array of adhesives out there suitable for various situations. Your local tile contractor will ensure they use suitable materials for the job.

Things like the material your tile is, where they’re installed, their weight, size and surface substrate all affect which adhesives, levelling compounds and grout are required.

3. Setting out

Setting out is the process of planning where each tile is laid. If not done correctly, it can lead to thin tiles requiring to be cut to fit into small gaps at the edge of your floor or wall. This is difficult to tile, and the end result is unsightly.

4. Appropriate tile cutters

Some tiles require more specialist tools to cut them. Usually, these tile cutters are expensive and tricky to use correctly. Professional tilers in your area will know how to cut tiles to a good standard and minimise tile breakages.

5. Tile fitting

Laying tiles flat and evenly is tricky. It takes experience to be able to achieve consistent spacing and grout lines.

More complicated tiling projects that include mosaics, patterns, herringbone or shaping around features like toilets and door frames, for example, all add to the skills required to achieve a good-looking finish.

6. Grout lines

Good local tiling contractors will know the best type of grout for your situation and how to apply it correctly.

Smooth, clean grout lines are the finishing touches that will leave you underwhelmed if not done correctly.

What are the pros and cons of different types of tile?

There are a range of tile materials to choose from; let’s look at the options available and the pros and cons of different types of tile.

Ceramic tiles

Pros:

• Cost-effective tiles
• Wide range of design and colour options
• Simple upkeep and stain resistance
• Attractive and versatile

Cons:

• Prone to chipping and cracking under substantial impact

Porcelain tiles

Pros:

• Robust and dense
• Great for high-traffic areas
• Water resistance ensures enduring quality
• Minimal maintenance required

Cons:

• The hardness of porcelain tiles may present installation challenges

Glass tiles

Pros:

• Contemporary look
• Light-reflecting properties enhance aesthetics
• Resilient against stains and moisture

Cons:

• Fragile and intricate to install

Marble tiles

Pros:

• Timeless style
• Distinctive patterns

Cons:

• Expensive
• Can be susceptible to scratching

Granite tiles

Pros:

• Very durable
• Resistant to scratches and heat
• Low-maintenance

Cons:

• Expensive
• Limited colour choices

Limestone tiles

Pros:

• Elegant aesthetics
• Soft feel underfoot

Cons:

• Porous in nature
• Susceptible to stains
• Requires regular sealing

Travertine tiles

Pros:

• Natural charm
• It can be used indoors and outdoors

Cons:

• Due to its porosity it requires ongoing care
• Susceptible to scratches

Slate tiles

Pros:

• Rustic appeal with a natural appearance
• Good slip-resistant qualities

Cons:

• Irregular surfaces
• Limited colour options

Natural stone tiles

Pros:

• Varied and unique aesthetics
• Durable

Cons:

• Requires sealing
• Limited availability for certain types

Natural clay tiles

Pros:

• Warm and rustic
• Durable and long-lasting

Cons:

• Potential for cracking
• Limited range of colour options

Quartz tiles

Pros:

• Non-porous and stain-resistant
• Requires minimal maintenance
• Extensive colour and pattern choices

Cons:

• High price tag
• May lack heat resistance

Tiling FAQ’s

Can I do the tiling myself?

Yes, but generally, it is not advisable.

Only the most competent DIY’ers should consider installing their tiles. It takes professional tilers years to gain the necessary experience to fit tiles to a good standard, ensure correct preparation, set them out correctly, lay them evenly, and achieve clean grout lines.

Common problems experienced by DIY tilers are:

• Surfaces not level: This can lead to lipping (where a tile protrudes).
• Poor tile adhesion: This can lead to loose tiles.
• Poor set out: This can lead to irregular tile alignment.
• Inconsistent grout lines: These are obvious to the eye.
• Cracked tiles: A higher likelihood of cracked tiles over time.

Hiring an experienced tiler is generally worth the money because the quality of finish is likely to be much better.

Also, the cost of a tiling project going wrong is high; it is not something that you can start again unless you want to purchase more tiles, which account for a large amount of the cost of tiling.

Will a local tiler remove old tiles?

Yes, a tiler will remove old tiles. Discuss whether this is included in the tiling costs, as it can be laborious if the surface area is large. In addition, there are waste removal and disposal costs to factor in, which tile fitters may or may not include as standard.

Do all tiles need grouting?

Yes, in almost all cases, with a few exceptions.

The benefit of grout is that it seals the gap between your tiles, meaning moisture won’t penetrate and cause damage.

There are a small number of groutless tiles on the market. If you choose groutless tiles, check their suitability to your tiling scenario to ensure they are appropriate.

Can you grout straight after tiling?

No, a good tiler will wait for the adhesive used to bond the tiles to set properly first. Usually, this is at least 24 hours.

If a tiler starts to grout too soon, they risk moving the tiles or dislodging them altogether.

Why do I need to buy more tiles than we need?

Any tiling project creates wastage. Wastage in the world of tiling are offcuts that are left over. There are three main reasons why you should buy at least 10% more tiles than you need:

1. Tile layout: Some tiles require cutting in order to fit at the edge of walls or floors or around features. Not all offcuts will be the right size for the same project.
2. Broken tiles: Some tiles will inevitably break during the cutting process.
3. Complicated patterns: Some patterns and layouts naturally produce more wastage. Herringbone layouts are a good example where wastage tends to be higher.

In addition to the above it’s always a good idea to have at least a few spare tiles left over to store in your shed in case a replacement tile needs to be fitted in the future if one were to crack.

Is there a trade association for local tilers?

Yes, there is The Tile Association. It has existed for over 20 years and has over a thousand members across the UK.

Tile contractors are not obliged to sign up and be a member, but if they are, it is a good sign that they are committed to high standards and staying up to date with new products and best practices within the tiling industry.

Is the floor or wall tiled first?

There’s no correct answer here. Many tile contractors prefer to do the walls first because if they tile the floor first, they risk damaging the floor tiles whilst installing the wall tiles.

The opposite argument says it makes sense to tile the floor first because the wall tiles then overhang the floor tiles a little, which helps keep wet areas adequately sealed.

How many tiles will I need?

To work out how many tiles you’ll need to measure the area you’re tiling to calculate the total surface area in square metres that needs tiling, here’s how:

1. Measure the area: Measure the length and height of your wall (or the length and width of your floor), then multiply them together to get the total surface area.
2. Divide into smaller sections if necessary: For irregular shaped walls or floors, divide them into smaller sections and measure that way.
3. Substract windows and doors: To account for windows and doors – measure the whole wall and calculate the surface area. Then measure the surface area of the windows or doors and subtract them.
4. Add wastage: Add at least 10% extra to the surface area for wastage (specific tile patterns tend to create more wastage, like brick bond).

If you’re not confident in taking the measurements yourself, ask your tile fitter to do it instead.

Will local tilers tile over existing tiles?

Yes, your local tile contractor can tile over existing tiles for you. It may seem a good way to save on time and cost, but it has its downsides. Let’s look at the pros and cons.

Pros of tiling over existing tiles:

• Saves a little bit of time.
• Saves a little bit of money.

Cons of tiling over existing tiles:

• The existing tiles must be well bonded and secure, if they’re not you’re likely to experience issues with cracking or tiles falling off.
• Existing tiles must be very clean and free of grease.
• There may be weight considerations if the original wall substrate is plasterboard (plasterboard can only hold a certain weight per square metre).
• It tends to create problems for aesthetics (e.g. the new tiles may protrude more around door frames and skirting boards).
• If tiling a floor, it may end up noticeably higher than the neighbouring room, something to consider when thinking about thresholds that bridge the gap between one room and another (e.g. tile to carpet). Nobody likes a stubbed toe!

Can I paint over tiles?

Yes, it is possible to paint over existing tiles.

There are two essential aspects to consider:

1. The tiles and grout must be thoroughly cleaned to provide a good surface for the paint to adhere to.
2. It is important to use the appropriate paint, so it is specifically suitable for painting over tiles.

Naturally, the finish won’t look as good as new tiles, but it’s a far cheaper option if you’re on a very tight budget.

I’m ready to find a tiler near me, what next?

We hope you found the above information helpful and now understand the process of tiling better, as well as some of the options available to you.

Perhaps you’re thinking, ‘I need a good tiler near me’ to make my project a reality?

Next, to kick your project off, post a job to get quotes from local tile contractors.