One of the nicest parts of any new build is reaching the final stages and starting to choose fixtures and fittings. For many new homes, tiles are an essential part of les finitions – literally the finishing touches – as they can be used on walls, floors and even ceilings throughout the property. Tiling is also something that can be easily tackled by most people. Saving the cost of employing an artisan also means that there is a bit more money in the budget for the tiled finish that you have always wanted.
Nowadays there is a huge choice of tiles available. As well as traditional ceramic and quarry, tiles also come in stone, slate, rubber, vinyl, glass, cork and polystyrene. All of these come in a huge variety of colours and finishes. Each room or piece in the build, will have it’s own specific requirements, so before visiting a tile shop and becoming dazzled and bewildered by the choice on offer, it is a good idea to make a list of what is needed and where.
Most people will use tiles in some format in their kitchen. These can be wall tiles, carrelage mural, or carrelage sol, floor tiles. With floor tiles it is important to check out la norme PEI. This gives an idea of their resistance to traffic. The scale ranges from 1-5 with 1 being the lowest number and indicating their suitability for light use. However, this scale does not apply to natural products such as slate and stone. By definition, these types of tile will vary in size and thickness and are often best laid by a professional. Slate- or stone-effect ceramic tiles are widely available and give a great result for a lower price. It is also possible to use exterior tiles. These will be very hard wearing and are often available on special offer at times of year when people are not necessarily thinking about improving outside spaces. Kitchen worktops can also be tiled but it is important to use an epoxy-based grout to keep them germ free. By mixing and matching tiles for the splash back or worktop, it is possible to create a really unique look, often for a very reasonable price.
Cheap and easy
Bathrooms are another area where most people will choose to use tiles. As well as ceramic wall tiles think about using mirror tiles which can give a really sleek and streamlined look, as well as adding light. A freestanding shower area can be tiled as well as the base, a receveur à carreler. Squares of ‘pebbles’, which come in a range of colours, shapes and sizes, are an increasingly popular solution for the bases. They can also be used on walls to give a natural type effect. I am told they provide a nice massaging effect underfoot too!
In addition to ceramic tiles, bathroom floors are an ideal place to use vinyl floor tiles which are a cheap and easy-to-lay floor covering. Cork and rubber tiles are another good solution in bathroom areas. Both come in a wide choice of colours and textures, are soft and quiet to walk on and are easy to lay. All of these types of tiles are also suitable for bedrooms, playrooms and so on and may be a better solution especially for families with children.
It is important to think about the overall effect when choosing tiles for any one room in the house. If all the floors throughout the hall, salon, séjour and possibly bedrooms are to be the same, then bathroom and kitchen floor tiles should be chosen to either contrast or coordinate. In continental Europe tiles are often used instead of skirting boards, making floors easy to clean. Many tile ranges come complete with skirting or plinthe tiles; it is also possible to cut your own. When planning the floor, bear in mind that using square tiles throughout will give a more formal effect and highlight any imperfections. Mixing different sized square and rectangular tiles effectively disguises a slightly uneven floor level and can give a more traditional, ‘aged’ look to add character to your new build.
With tile prices ranging from as little as €4 (£2.88) per m² to a staggering €350 (£252) and beyond, deciding on a price range can be difficult. Unless something really special is required, most French stores have a very good choice at reasonable prices.
Huge range
Spending around €20 (£14.42) per m² on floor tiles and wall tiles will fulfil most households requirements. Using plain white rectangular tiles in a ‘brick’ pattern, gives a very stylish result for minimal expenditure. Equally, mosaic tiles are lovely but can be expensive so using a few of these in a small area, perhaps as a border, is another technique that is low on cost but high on style. Keep an eye out for special offers and visit some of the large tile warehouses. These often have ‘bin end’ type products that can be extremely cheap.
Whichever type of tiles are chosen, it is vital to use the appropriate type of adhesive. There is a huge range available these days, all of which are designed for a specific purpose. Terraces, patios and other outside areas require exterior grade adhesive, often known as spécial terrasse. Both interior and exterior tile adhesive comes in haute performance formats. Although this can be a little more expensive, it is generally worthwhile paying a little extra, as it is easier to work with and will perform better. Tiles that are designed to have larger gaps between them need joint large adhesive which can cope with gaps of up to 15mm, while pools, ponds and the like need adhesive which is known as haute résistance à l’eau. Interior wet areas and any area where there is likely to be some movement, for example on top of timber or plasterboard, require flexible adhesive. This is a little more expensive but will prevent cracking or shrinkage. Tiles that are to be laid on top of underfloor heating systems have their own special needs and the products are referred to as being spécial planchers chauffants. As adhesive products and their properties vary widely, always follow the manufacturers instructions. The same points apply when choosing grout. Make sure that the appropriate product is selected and used correctly. Coloured grouts are also available to complement most colour schemes.
Tiling a room, floor or area will really bring the whole build together. Carefully chosen tiles will add hugely to the value of the property. A well-planned and executed tiled finish will add to the overall quality of any new build and bring many years of pleasure.