Measure carefully!
To determine your square footage, measure (in inches) the lengths and the widths of all the areas you have to tile. Try to break the area into manageable  shapes and measure these separately. Multiply the length by the width, then divide by 144 (the number of square inches in a square foot). Keep in mind, if there are a lot of tiles needing to be cut, please add an extra 10% for cuts and breakage. If you're laying the tile in a diagonal pattern, ensure an extra
15% because a lot more tiles will need to be cut in this instance.

Square/Rectangle: Length x Width / 144 = Square Footage
Triangle: Base x Height / 2 / 144 = Square Footage
Circle: Pie x (Radius squared) / 144 = Square Footage

NOTE: If you measure in feet, instead of inches, skip dividing by 144!

Bring samples!
In order for us to get a better idea of what you're looking for, we need clues!
Bring counter top, cabinets, paints, floorings, fabrics/upholsteries, appliances, trims, and anything you want to match or compliment.  Remember that the lighting in our showroom compared to yours at home may be worlds apart. Be prepared to take tile samples back home with you as well.

Check out other installations!
Get a general idea of what you'd like in your own home by viewing catalogues, web-sites, show-homes, even friend's homes for design concepts. We'll gladly help you elaborate on these. For inspiration, see our installation section or for pictures of some of our tiles you can visit our Tile library

It's very important for “Do-it-yourself”-ers to make sure they've got all the materials and time required for a proper installation. If the area is the only bathroom or entryway in your home for instance, a professional installer may be your best option. Tile-setters can complete jobs like these in a couple days time, leaving you the freedom to worry about your “day-to-day” issues. By not hiring a professional you can save money, but beginners don't necessarily have the expertise to manage the whole project by themselves.

IF YOU WISH TO HIRE AN INSTALLER

Please ensure you have all the tiles and materials required by your installer in your home prior to scheduling the work. There are hundreds of uncontrollable circumstances which could cause the installation to be postponed: back order lead times, border-crossing delays, port delays, worker's strikes, natural disasters etc. To avoid being upset, please do not book time with your installer until you're sure everything is ready.

Please take the time to download and print our checklist of supplies. This list is for your installer to fill out ahead of time with the materials your job requires. Bring this list with you when you visit Tile Town, and we’ll be happy to help fill and explain the order to you. Click here for Materials check  list

Our basic do-it-yourself tips and a list of tools you should have at home BEFORE you start tiling:

1. Make sure your area is clean, dry and is not painted. Exterior-grade plywood, fully-cured concrete or cementious backerboard are some ideal surfaces for tiling. Do a “dry-run” by laying out the tiles beforehand to ensure you're happy with the pattern and that you're aware of cuts/problem areas. Start tiling in the corner opposite the entryway to the room. Freshly installed tiles can not be walked upon for at least 24 hours, so this way you will avoidtiling yourself into a corner!

2. Mix your mortar in a bucket with a drill and mixing paddle to manufacturer's specifications. Spread your mortar or mastic on the wall or floor using a notch-trowel, then, using the flat side of the trowel, fill the back of the tile to guarantee proper coverage. Place the tile in the mortar bed and give it a wiggle to get all the air bubbles out. Use the spacers to balance the grout joints between the tiles.

3. Leave the installation for 24 hours before grouting. Dry-mix your grout powder first to evenly distribute the pigment. Mix your grout in the same manner as the mortar, but be sure you mix all the grout you're going to need at once. Mortars can be mixed in small batches to eliminate wastage. With grout however, colours might not be consistent between different batches, even if the powder comes from the same bag. Spread the grout across the tile diagonally opposed to the grout joints. This makes it easier to squeeze in as much grout as possible.

4. Once you're finished spreading, come back to the starting point and begin washing the excess grout from the tiles with your sponge. Be careful not to wash excessively as this will remove too much grout from the joints. Don't worry if your first few washes don’t remove all the haze off of the tiles; this is usually easily buffed-off with a dry cloth the next day.

5. Approximately 7 days after you've finished the installation, the grout will need to be sealed. In the case of natural stone installations, the entire face of the tile as well as the grout joints will need sealing. Glazed tiles don't require sealing. However, the grout in between glazed tiles still needs to be done. Once the installation is sealed, make certain you're cleaning the area with cleaners designed for sealed surfaces. This will lengthen the life of the seal.

   If you need more information please click  here to contact us