Floor Tiling: How to Choose Tiles and a Good Tiler

Floor tiling is one of the best upgrades for a Cape Town home. Good tiles are easy to clean, they handle sand and wet shoes, and they last for decades. But a tiled floor is only as good as the tile you pick and the person who lays it.

This guide covers both. First we look at how to choose floor tiles. Then we explain what a good tiler does, and the questions to ask before you hire one.

Choosing floor tiles: start with the room

Each room puts different demands on a floor. Think about water, traffic and sun before you think about colour.

Porcelain tiles or ceramic tiles?

This is the first big choice. Both are made from clay, but they are fired differently.

For most busy floors we suggest porcelain tiles. For a spare bedroom on a budget, a good ceramic floor tile can be fine.

Choosing grout colour

Grout colour changes the look of the whole floor. A grout close to the tile colour hides joints and makes a room feel bigger. A contrasting grout shows the pattern but also shows every bit of dirt. In busy homes and sandy areas, a mid grey is often the easiest to live with.

Floor tiling details to check before you buy

• Slip rating. Ask for the slip resistance rating. Bathrooms, entrances and outside areas need a higher rating than a lounge.
• Wear rating. Glazed tiles often carry a PEI wear rating. Floors in busy areas need a higher rating than walls.
• Size. Large tiles need a flatter floor. Small tiles suit small rooms and floors that slope to a drain.
• Rectified edges. These tiles are cut square and allow thin grout lines. They need careful laying.
• Batch and shade number. Buy all the tiles from the same batch. Different batches can differ slightly in colour.
• Extra stock. Buy about 10 percent extra, or 15 percent for a diagonal layout.

Why tile adhesive and preparation matter

Most floor tiling problems start under the tile. A good tiler spends real time on the floor before laying a single tile.

1. 1
   Check the floor
   The screed must be solid, clean, dry and flat. Hollow or cracked screed must be repaired first.
2. 2
   Choose the right tile adhesive
   Porcelain tiles, large tiles and tiles over old tiles need a flexible, polymer-modified tile adhesive, not a basic one.
3. 3
   Get full coverage
   Adhesive is spread with a notched trowel, and large tiles are back-buttered. Dabs of adhesive in the corners leave hollow spots that crack.
4. 4
   Leave movement joints
   Gaps around the edges and at set spacing on large floors let the tiles move with heat. Without them, tiles can lift.
5. 5
   Grout and seal
   Grout goes in once the adhesive has set. Joints are cleaned and, if needed, sealed.

South African tiling practice follows national standards for design and installation. You can find these through the South African Bureau of Standards.

How to choose a good tiler for floor tiling

The tile is half the job. The tiler is the other half. Here is what to look for.

• Ask to see photos of recent floors, ideally with large tiles.
• Ask how they will check the floor level and fix low spots.
• Ask which tile adhesive they plan to use and why.
• Ask where the movement joints will go.
• Ask who supplies the tiles, adhesive and grout, and what is in the price.
• Make sure the quote covers removing old tiles and rubble if needed.

Experienced tiling contractors will answer these questions easily. If a tiler cannot explain the adhesive or the joints, keep looking.

What affects the cost of floor tiling

• The tile you choose, which can range from basic ceramic to premium porcelain.
• Tile size. Very large and very small tiles both take longer to lay.
• Removing old tiles and repairing the screed.
• The layout. Diagonal and herringbone patterns need more cutting.
• Extras like skirting tiles, stair nosing and threshold strips.

As a rough guide only, labour for floor tiling in Cape Town is often around R180 to R350 per square metre, with tiles priced separately. Prices vary, so always get a quote for your own floor.

Floor tiling for patios, stairs and entrances

Outside floors work harder than indoor ones. They face sun, wind, sand and long wet winters. The tile and the method must suit that.

• Use porcelain tiles rated for outdoor use. Indoor tiles can crack or fade outside.
• Pick a textured, slip-resistant finish. Wet smooth tiles are a real fall risk on steps.
• Make sure the slab has a slight fall so rain water runs off and does not pond.
• Use an exterior-grade flexible tile adhesive and grout.
• Fit proper stair nosing or bullnose tiles on step edges so they do not chip.

In coastal suburbs, salty wind also stains grout faster. A darker grout colour and a grout sealer make cleaning easier.

Common floor tiling mistakes to avoid

• Tiling onto a screed that is still wet.
• Using cheap adhesive for heavy porcelain tiles.
• Skipping movement joints on large open floors.
• Mixing tile batches without checking the shade.
• Walking on the floor before the adhesive has set.

Floor tiling: common questions

A well laid floor will look good for many years. Our floor tiling and bathroom tiling work starts with proper preparation. When you are ready, get a free quote from our team.