Tile is not always the right choice
Tile s great looks and typical long-lasting , easy-to-maintain to install it in their homes. but tile is not a good choice for every application. For instance , a dropped glass will break on a tile floor but it may bounce on a linoleum or cork floor. Children and the elderly may slip and fall on tile floors , and pet claws may scratch up softer stone tiles. Some effects can be mitigated by the use of plastic mats on countertops, and area rugs on floors ,but usually , it is better to choose another material for your installation.
As well like to tel our clients , even Donald Trump has a budget. When you go into a tile store , tell the salesperson how much you have to spend , so they can steer you toward the kinds of tile you can afford . Once you have picked your tile, make sure to check the price of the matching trim. Field tiles can be very inexpensive , but thier associated trim (V-cap , surface bullnose) can cost far more . ( We once did a countertop with a moderately priced field tile that had matching end caps costing more than twenty dollars apiece!)
Is the tile you have picked in stock at the tile store , or does it have to be special ordered or custom made? It is prudent to order twenty percent more special-order tile than you will need , because of possible delays and the possibility that you reorder, the new tile may not match what you have. Once you have picked the field tile you like , check to see which trim pieces are available. Standard ceramic and other popular tiles have wide range of available trim; yet , for many other kinds tile, there is little choice in trim or no trim at all. If you can not get the matching trim you desire , consider substituting other kinds of tile . For example , instead of matching quarter-rounds or bullnose trim , substitute a rope liner (or similar decorative border tile) to finish the edge of a backsplash or wainscoting .
Even if you can get matching trim, the lengths of the most trim pieces do not math the dimensions of the field tiles, which really disturbs some people . Also check to see how consistently the trim matches the color, texture, and/or pattern the field tile.
How much tile to buy
Once you have decided on the kinds of tile to use for your installation, you will need to calculate how much to buy. Field tile is ordered by the square foot , and trim pieces are ordered by the piece or linear feet . For most basic tile , we recommend ordering 10 percent to 20 percent more tile than you actually need. This compensates for breakage , miscut tiels, and future repairs , should tiles get damaged .