Why choose a ceramic tile?

The term ‘ceramic’ descends from the Greek word meaning ‘pottery’ and little has changed today; made from natural clay, sand and water, the material is moulded into shape and then baked in a kiln at a high temperature to remove most of the moisture.

A glaze protects the tile’s surface whilst adding a decorative finish; patterns are either painted or printed onto the surface depending on the required finish. The development in technology means that inkjet printers can print realistic designs that replicate natural materials like wood and stone, including their texture.

Predominately used on the wall, ceramic tiles are perfect for adding colour and pattern to a space, including but not limited to, shower walls and kitchen splashbacks; they can often work on the floor too and work well in conjunction with underfloor heating.

It’s important to get matching batches when installing tiles to ensure the colour variation (shading in the glaze), the size and thickness are all the same. If you’re using tiles from different batches, or tiles that feature intentional variation in the design, dry lay these tiles first to make sure you’re happy with the overall look.

Make sure you’re tiling onto the correct substrate that can hold the weight of the tiles, adhesive and grout, speak to one of our in-store specialists for guidance on substrates. Alternatively read our comprehensive guide on prepping your substrate.

Selecting the right adhesive for your chosen tile ultimately depends on the substrate but also the size of the tile. A powder based adhesive is recommended above 30x30cm or you can use the new ready mixed adhesive BAL All Star up to and including 60x60cm. Never use a ready-mixed adhesive on the floor.

You’ll most likely need to cut your new tiles during the installation, make sure you have the right size cutter for the size and thickness of your tiles; a manual cutter can be used for straight cuts and an electric cutter is best for right angles and curved edges. See the cutter manufacturer’s guidelines on which blade to use with what tile. Read more about cutting in our knowledge base.

When it comes to laying your tiles, select the right sized trowel for the size of your tile and then install the tiles as per the manufacturer’s guidelines. When grouting, use Fila’s Porcelain Cement Residue Remover to remove any adhesive, grout or installation residue. As for ongoing cleaning and maintenance, ceramic tiles don’t need sealing due to the surface glaze however you should use a specialist tile cleaner to avoid any overly acidic or alkali products affecting the grout.