Expert Services for Kitchen Tile Installation in South Auckland
Looking to modernise your kitchen with new tiles? We’ve got you covered. Kitchen tile installation in South Auckland is our specialty, and we’re here to help transform your space.
Our team of experts offers top-notch tiling services for both residential and commercial kitchens across South Auckland. We take pride in our work and strive to exceed your expectations with every project. From sleek modern designs to classic patterns, we can bring your vision to life.
Thinking about a full kitchen renovation? Tiles play a big role in the look and feel of your new space. We work closely with you to choose the perfect tiles that match your style and budget. Give us a ring today for a free quote on your kitchen tiling project. Let’s create a beautiful, functional kitchen you’ll love for years to come.
Benefits of Kitchen Tile Flooring
Kitchen tile flooring offers many advantages for homeowners. It’s a smart choice that combines practicality with style.
Durability and Longevity
Kitchen tiles are tough as nails. They can take a beating from foot traffic, spills, and dropped items. We’ve seen tiles last for decades with proper care.
Porcelain tiles are especially hardy. They resist chips, cracks, and scratches better than many other flooring options.
High-quality tiles won’t fade or wear down quickly. This means your kitchen floor will look great for years to come.
Tile flooring can handle heavy appliances without denting. You won’t need to worry about moving the fridge or oven.
Water and Stain Resistance
Spills happen in kitchens. Luckily, tiles are waterproof because a glazed coating.
Glazed tiles have a protective layer that stops liquids from seeping in. This makes clean-up a breeze.
Many tiles also resist stains from food, wine, and other common kitchen messes. A quick wipe is often all you need.
For areas prone to spills, like near the sink, tiles are a great choice. They help prevent water damage to the subfloor.
Variety of Design Options
Kitchen tiles come in countless styles. You can find the perfect look for any decor preference.
Colours range from crisp whites to bold patterns. Sizes vary from tiny mosaics to 1200 x 600 large format tiles.
Some tiles mimic other materials like wood or stone. This gives you the look you want with tile’s benefits.
You can mix and match tiles to create unique designs. Borders, inlays, and feature walls are all possible.
Tile flooring lets you express your style while keeping your kitchen practical.
Ease of Maintenance
Keeping tile floors clean is simple. Regular sweeping and mopping do the trick.
Unlike carpet, tiles don’t trap odours or allergens. This is great for kitchens where cooking smells are common.
Grout lines might need extra care, but sealing them helps. We recommend this to make cleaning even easier.
If a tile gets damaged, we can often replace just that one. This is cheaper than replacing a whole floor.
With the right care, tile floors stay looking fresh for years. It’s a low-fuss option for busy kitchens.
Types of Tiles Suitable for Kitchens
Choosing the right tiles for your kitchen is crucial. We’ll explore four popular options that offer durability, style, and easy maintenance.
Ceramic Tiles
Ceramic tiles are a cost effective choice for kitchen walls. They’re affordable and come in many colours and patterns.
Ceramic tiles are easy to clean and resist stains. This makes them great for busy kitchens. They can handle spills and splashes.
One downside is that ceramic tiles can chip or crack if heavy items are dropped on them. But they’re easy to replace if damaged.
We recommend ceramic tiles for budget-conscious homeowners who want variety and practicality.
Porcelain Tiles
Porcelain tiles are tougher than ceramic. They’re made from denser clay and fired at higher temperatures. This makes them more water-resistant and harder to chip or scratch.
These tiles work well in high-traffic areas. They’re perfect for kitchen floors that see lots of use. Porcelain tiles also come in many styles, including ones that look like wood or stone.
While pricier than ceramic, porcelain tiles last longer. They need less replacement over time. This can save money in the long run.
For busy families or keen cooks, porcelain tiles are a smart investment.
Natural Stone Tiles
Natural stone tiles bring a touch of luxury to kitchens. Options include:
- Marble
- Granite
- Slate
- Travertine
Each type has unique colours and patterns. No two stone tiles are exactly alike. This gives your kitchen a one-of-a-kind look.
Stone tiles are tough and can last for decades with proper care. But they need regular sealing to prevent stains and water damage.
These tiles can be slippery when wet. We suggest choosing textured or honed finishes for better grip.
Natural stone suits homeowners who want a high-end, timeless look in their kitchen.
Glass Tiles
Glass tiles add sparkle and depth to kitchen splashbacks. They reflect light, making spaces feel bigger and brighter.
These tiles come in countless colours and finishes. You can choose bold patterns or subtle accents. Glass tiles are non-porous, so they resist stains and bacteria.
Cleaning is a breeze – just wipe with a soft cloth and mild cleaner. But glass can scratch or chip more easily than other tile types.
We recommend glass tiles for splashbacks or decorative accents. They’re less suitable for floors due to their smooth surface.
Glass tiles are perfect for those who want to add a modern, eye-catching element to their kitchen design.
Preparing for Tile Installation
Getting ready for tile installation involves key steps to ensure a smooth process and great results. South Auckland Tilers know how to check your subfloor, use the right tools and materials, and plan your tile layout.
Assessing the Subfloor
Before laying tiles, we need to make sure the subfloor is solid. A solid foundation is crucial for a lasting tile installation. First, we check if the floor is level. Any dips or bumps over 3mm need fixing.
We also look for cracks, loose boards, or water damage. These issues need sorting before we can start tiling. For concrete floors, we might need to grind down high spots or fill low areas. Wooden floors may need extra support to stop them from flexing.
Moisture is another big concern. We use a moisture meter to check levels are safe for tiling. If it’s too damp, we’ll need to fix that first.
Using Necessary Tools and Industry Leading Materials
To do a professional job, we use the right gear.
- Sigma Tile cutter
- Notched trowel
- Levelling System spacers
- Level
- Adhesive Mixers
- Bucket and sponge
- Safety gear (goggles, gloves, knee pads)
We also supply the right adhesives and grouts for the job. This depends on the tile type and where we’re installing them. For wet areas, we use waterproof materials.
Don’t forget the tiles! South Auckland Tilers recommend you order about 10% extra to allow for cuts and breakages.
Planning the Layout
A good layout is key to a professional finish. We start by finding the centre of the room and marking it. From there, we lay out a row of tiles in each direction to see how they’ll fit.
Our aim is to avoid tiny cuts at the edges of the room. We might need to shift our starting point to get a better fit. We also think about focal points in the room, like a fireplace or kitchen island.
For tricky patterns, we do a dry layout first. This means laying tiles without adhesive to check the design. It’s a bit of extra work, but it helps avoid costly mistakes later.
Step-by-Step Guide to Installing Kitchen Tiles
Installing kitchen tiles can transform your space when done professionally. We’ll walk you through each stage of the process South Auckland Tilers complete , from applying adhesive to sealing the finished work.
Mixing and Applying Thinset Adhesive
To start, we need to prepare the thinset adhesive. We mix it according to the manufacturer’s instructions, aiming for a consistency like toothpaste.
Using a notched trowel, we spread the adhesive on the wall and floor. We work in small sections to prevent the adhesive from drying before we can place tiles.
We hold the trowel at a 45-degree angle and create even ridges in the mortar. This helps ensure proper adhesion of the tiles.
Laying the Tiles
Now it’s time to install the tiles. We start from the centre of the area and work our way out.
We press each tile firmly into the adhesive, giving it a slight twist to ensure good contact. We use a level spacer system to maintain even gaps between tiles and keep them flat.
As we go, we check that the tiles are level using a spirit level. If a tile is too high, we remove it, add or remove adhesive, and reset it.
Cutting Tiles to Fit
For edges and corners, we often need to cut tiles. We measure carefully and mark the tile where we need to cut.
We use a tile cutter for straight cuts. For more complex shapes, we use a grinder with an ultra thin diamond blade.
Safety is crucial. We always wear protective gear like safety glasses and gloves when cutting tiles.
Grouting the Tiles
After the adhesive has set (usually 24 hours), we can start grouting. We mix the grout to a toothpaste-like consistency.
Using a rubber float, we spread the grout over the tiles at a 45-degree angle. We make sure to fill all the gaps between tiles.
We wait about 15-30 minutes, then clean off excess grout with a damp sponge. We rinse the sponge often to keep it clean.
Sealing the Grout
The final step is sealing. This helps protect the grout from stains and moisture.
We wait for the grout to cure fully – usually 48 hours. Then we apply the sealer with a small brush or applicator.
We focus on covering the grout lines thoroughly. For natural stone tiles, we also seal the tile surface.
We allow the sealer to dry completely before using the tiled area. This usually takes about 24 hours.
Sealing is an optional service that you can discuss with South Auckland Tilers.