White Tile Bedroom
Wall Tiles
Thanks to their functionality and intricate design, ceramic tiles achieve excellent results as a surface for challenging spaces in terms of aesthetics and functionality.
Variety of wall tiles for all types of spaces
In an endless range of colours, sizes, textures and finishes, ceramic wall tiles are a great ally when putting together the ideal design for a room, whatever the predominant style of the overall project may be. Tiles with intriguing reliefs, modern slabs that recreate the sober feel of natural stone, warm wood-effect surfaces or special products such as the extra-thin XLight ceramic tile, among others. The versatility of these tiles is perfect for attractive architectural solutions, such as the continuous effect between floors and walls using the same surface material, or the visual fusion of exteriors and interiors using identical surfaces inside and outside.
Characteristics of ceramic wall tiles
Ceramic has unique properties as a construction material, is appropriate for a variety of uses and can be placed in different environments without deteriorating due to its great strength and durability. Ceramic tiles are often used in spaces that require high durability due to frequent use, such as bathrooms and kitchens, as they are highly waterproof and are easy to maintain and clean at a low cost. Furthermore, the material is highly effective at insulating both heat and electricity, meaning it provides considerable resistance against high temperatures, chemicals and aggressive atmospheric agents.
FAQs regarding Wall Tiles
At PORCELANOSA we always recommend using a qualified installer, preferably with demonstrable experience, to lay wall tiles.
That said, the main aspects to take into consideration when installing wall tiles are as follows:
- Before starting to lay wall tiles, check the information on the packaging and strictly follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
- Make sure the wall is completely flat and stable and check that it is clean, dry and levelled (using a spirit level).
- Tile joints shall be at least 2 mm in interiors and 5 mm in exteriors. The use of self-levelling spacers is recommended.
- The adhesive choice depends on the type and format of the ceramic tile, the fixing background and the intended use. Don't worry if you don't know which type of adhesive to use for which type of tile. You will find the recommended adhesive for each tile on the product page (under "You will need").
- The most recommended tile installation system is thin-bed tile installation, using a notched trowel for spreading the mortar onto the substrate. For tiles larger than 1,000 cm2, the double gluing technique is recommended.
- Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the adhesives preparation and use. Apply the bonding material with a notched trowel suitable for the size of the chosen tile; check the wetting capacity of the adhesive and press the tile onto the bonding material using a back-and-forth movement.
- Likewise, follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the preparation and use of jointing materials. Make sure that the material and tools chosen will not damage the surface of the ceramic tiles.
- Wait until the grout starts to dry and clean it with a sponge dampened with clean water, before the jointing material hardens completely.
- When cleaning, use products that are suitable for the chemical resistance of the tiles; check with the manufacturer for advice on which product to choose. More detailed information can be found in our blog and in the Laying Instructions that come with the PORCELANOSA catalogues.
How to tile a wall
A tiled wall when executed correctly will last a lifetime and requires little maintenance. Whether a DIY enthusiast or a complete novice it pays to know a little about the correct procedure behind tiling a wall.
Removing ceramic wall tiles is simple, although very labour-intensive. Follow the instructions below:
- Removing ceramic tiles produces a lot of dust and debris, so it is recommended to close the work area with plastic sheeting and tape.
- Removing ceramic tiles produces a lot of dust and debris, so it is recommended to close the work area with plastic sheeting and tape.
- Remove mouldings, doors and door frames that may interfere with tile removal.
- Protect yourself with dust masks, safety goggles, ear protection and work gloves. Pay special attention to ceramic fragments, as they can cause cuts.
- Use metal tools that allow leverage under the tiles, such as scrapers or chisels, hammers or iron mallets, shovels and use wheelbarrows to remove debris.
- Find a point from which the underside of a tile can be accessed and from which it can be levered out. If this is not possible, break one tile with a sledgehammer to get started.
- The ease of removing a tile will depend on how it has been glued. Look for hollow areas under the tiles to make it easier.
- Use a chisel and hammer to remove any adhesive residue fixed to the substrate.
- Remove ceramic and bonding material residues, taking special care to avoid cuts.
- Before laying new tiles, check that the stability of the substrate and fixing surface are suitable to receive the new tiling. Where necessary, waterproof again. There are primers, adhesives and other materials available that can be used directly on the ceramic wall tiling, without the need to remove the tiles. In order to use them, you need to assess the state of the ceramic tile installation and whether the load-bearing capacity of the substrate allows for this.
Grouting tile-to-tile joints is easy, but requires specific tools and techniques. The basic procedure for grouting wall tiles with a cementitious grout is as follows:
- Allow the bonding material used in laying tiles to dry, then check the grout joints are dry, and clean and have a uniform depth.
- Protect all elements sensitive to cement mortar abrasion, such as aluminum profiles or bathroom decoration, with light masking tape to prevent damage.
- Prepare the grout mixture according to the manufacturer's instructions, taking special care with the amount of water used for mixing.
- In case of high temperatures, strong draughts, or porous ceramic tiles, wet the joints with clean water before applying the grout.
- Spread the product and press using a hard rubber trowel, until the joints are completely filled. Pick up the excess with the same trowel, making movements diagonally to the pieces. Do not use metallic tools that may scratch the tile surface.
- Before cleaning the joints, wait a few minutes until the mortar begins to dry, but do not allow it to harden completely. The waiting time may vary depending on water absorption, ambient temperature and ventilation.
- Wipe off excess with a slightly damp, fine-finish stiff sponge, mounted on a trowel, to cleans without emptying the joint.
- Clean diagonally against to the joint pattern, with a well-wrung-out sponge. Rinse in clean water as many times as necessary.
- Once the tiles have been cleaned, wipe the joints with a dry cloth to avoid changes in tone from the surface moisture.
For more information, please refer to this blog post, in which we explain the step-by-step and present the tools and materials to be used in the grouting tiles process.
How to grout tiles
When it comes to laying tiles the importance of the grouting and its professional execution is hard to over estimate. Whether it be flooring or wall tiling the choice of grout will impact greatly on the aesthetics and the performance of the finished surface.
Floor tiles can also be used on walls, as long as the substrate can support the weight of the ceramic. However, the use of non-slip models on walls is not recommended due to the difficulty of cleaning. Most wall tiles cannot, in principle, be used on the floor due to their lack of mechanical strength and abrasion resistance. However, it is recommended that you contact a supplier for further information. The tile adhesive is removed from the wall in the same way as ceramic tiles are removed: by using a chisel and a hammer. It is therefore recommended to follow the instructions explained above. In case the tile adhesive proves to be very difficult to remove, or if doing so the fixing substrate is damaged, consider replacing it with a prefabricated panel suitable for the weight of the new ceramic tiling. There is no general rule that explains how to cut a wall tile, as it depends on the size and type of tile you want to cut. Therefore, we recommend you ask the supplier which tools to use and how to use them before you get started. Currently, the most commonly used tools for cutting tiles are manual dry cutting machines. Choose the machine size according to the maximum length of the cut to be made and the appropriate roller for the hardness and relief of the tile. That said, the basic cutting procedure is as follows: When drilling tiles, different tools are used depending on the diameter of the hole to be drilled: The fixing background or substrate must have the following characteristics in order to lay ceramic tiles: If these conditions are not met, they should be corrected as follows: It depends on the type of adhesive. It can be used if it is a cementitious or reaction resin adhesive and is recommended by the manufacturer for the type of tile and substrate used. However, if it is a ready-to-use dispersion adhesive, it should not be used on the floor. PORCELANOSA provides an easy to use area calculator on the product page to help estimate quantities of tiles. Please note, in order to use this calculator, you will first need to know the square metres (sqm) of the area to be tiled. If you do not know this figure and don't know exactly how to calculate it, here is a square metre calculator, equally valid for wall tiles and floor tiles. This guide also considers different types of tiles and explains how to calculate quantities for specific tiling projects. Leaving 10% for wastage and stored replacements for future uses is recommended. The one mistake that is most frequent when embarking on a construction or refurbishment project is miscalculating the building budget.
Calculate how many tiles do you need for your project
Source: https://www.porcelanosa.com/uk/tiles/wall-tiles
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