Tag: tiles

Job security is a big worry for most people, and we live in a society that changes so quickly. Technology gives us so much, but as it evolves, people wonder if their chosen career will even exist in a few years.

This post will explore whether tiling is a viable career option and reveal the demand for tilers in the UK.

Why Is It Important to Consider Your Career Options?

The internet was a relatively new prospect just twenty years ago, and smart technology was nothing but a possibility. So much has changed, and our lives are dominated by technology, including how we eat, socialise, relax and work.

As AI (Artificial Intelligence) gets more advanced, specific industries will suffer. According to TechRepublic, in 20 years, the retail, insurance and transportation industries will cease to exist and instead will be automated with AI, so it’s no wonder that people are worried about their futures.

One industry that will continue to thrive in the construction sector. As you can see from the data published by the National Office For Statistics, the sector remains stable, and there was only a 1% drop in building work during the Covid-19 pandemic.

If you’re looking for stability and a long-term assurance that you won’t be queueing up at the Job Centre, working in construction opens up plenty of career opportunities and broadens your prospects.

Tiling is one of the most popular jobs within the construction industry because it gives people the flexibility to work for themselves or become part of a larger team of builders.

An article published by Marketing Donut shows that tiling is, in fact, one of the most in-demand skills. Still, there’s a shortage of skilled professionals that can complete complex jobs and maintain the standards set by large construction companies.

It’s clear that tiling is a popular industry, but you need to work hard to ensure you can provide your clients with clean finishes and perfect your skills when it comes to complex jobs.

What Skills Do Tilers Need?

Tilers should have a range of skills, including strong attention to detail, working with tools, and understanding tiling techniques. However, customers will also expect you to provide them with support and advice on which tiles are best and what they can afford for their budget.

If you plan to go into business alone, you’ll need to focus on your business acumen and handle your finances. Time management, the ability to multitask and manage others, is essential to running a successful business. While many tilers decide to branch out, some prefer working for others or operating as sole traders.

Most importantly, tilers need to have a lot of dedication to their craft and accept critique from construction managers and customers. It’s an intricate job, and of all the construction trades, tiling requires more creativity and the ability to work well with your hands.

As new trends emerge, your customers will demand more from you, and only the most committed tilers will be able to offer a complete service.

What Can You Do With a Tiler Qualification?

Gaining a tiling qualification can be highly beneficial to your future, especially when you think about how many people use tiles in their homes. There is a range of courses you can do, but we always advise our clients that it’s best to focus on qualifications that build your knowledge and let you take on more challenging roles.

Many of our tilers go on to start their own business or work for a construction company, and there are plenty of opportunities to build a successful career. Some also choose to specialise in specific areas, including:

● Tile Installation
● Grout Specialist
● Tiling Instructor

There’s also the opportunity to progress as a site supervisor or manager within the construction industry. Whatever you choose, it’s essential to invest in tiling courses that will equip you with the skills you need to succeed.

Will Tiling Continue to Be a Popular Career?

It might surprise you to learn that the art of tiling began over 25,000 years ago, to 4700 BC in Egypt. The Romans also used ceramic tiles for much of their building work, and archaeologists found old tiles used by the Romans at a site in Wittenham in 2004.

Professional tilers also received a lot of work during Mediaeval times because they were particularly popular in churches, which continued until the 16th century.

After that time, tiling lost its popularity, but it would make a comeback during the Victorian period.

The industrial revolution made it much easier to mass-produce ceramic tiles, and it’s probably the most important era for us tilers.

Today, most homes use some form of tiling, and it’s prevalent in bathrooms and kitchens. Think about every pub or restaurant you’ve been to in the past year. You’ll notice that most have tiles in the bathroom or kitchen, so there’s always going to be a demand for tilers.

There are so many tiling options available today, and contemporary tiles can come in a sleek and simple design or be an intricate spectacle. Depending on your customer’s preferences, you might be asked to work with small tiles and keep to a particular pattern, so improving your skills is central to making it as a professional tiler.

Are You New to Tiling?

If you’re considering a career as a tiler, it’s essential to understand that you need to develop your practical skills and knowledge. While many online courses are available, they won’t give you the hands-on experience you need to make it a tiler.

We offer a range of in-house tiling courses designed to equip you with everything you need to build a successful career. Our entry-level course is perfect if you’d like to explore a career in tiling or complete a home renovation, but we also offer professional development courses for experienced tilers.

Studying with us means you get to learn from tilers with years of experience at a cost-effective price. Your learning journey will help you get that dream job, set up as a sole trader or start a construction business.

Contact us here today to learn more.

Porcelain tiles are known for their aesthetic appeal and versatility. While they achieve a high-end allure, they’re one of the cheaper floor and wall options available, which is why so many people use them.

In this post, we’ll reveal some incredible benefits of using porcelain tiles. Let’s dive straight in.

Low Maintenance

Kitchens and bathrooms are high traffic areas, and they have to deal with potential water damage and food stains. If you have pets or children, you’ll know all too well the mess they seem to attract! Whether it’s muddy shoe and paw prints or knocking things over, your flooring can take a real beating.

Porcelain is naturally stain resistant, so it’s easy to clean. All you need to do is give it a sweep and wipe, and it’s clean. While stone tiles also have stain resistant qualities, they need to be sealed, making porcelain much easier to maintain.

Highly Durable

If you love ceramic tiles but are worried about their durability, porcelain tiles are the best for your needs. Porcelain isn’t as durable as natural stone, but it can still last you for up to 20 years, which is why it’s such a great option.

As porcelain doesn’t require any sealant, it’s easy to install, and because porcelain is so versatile, it can resemble natural stone – but it is a much cheaper option.

All tiles are rated on their durability, so if you manage to find a porcelain tile with a high rating, it can last for around 50 years.

Less Wear and Tear

Every household has high traffic areas, and you’ll often notice the flooring in your living room, kitchen, and bathroom wears down quickly. This is because they’re more susceptible to water and food spillages.

Porcelain is easy to clean, and it’s also a highly durable material. While it still needs basic maintenance, you’ll find that porcelain tiles are much better than carpets and laminate flooring.

Fireproof

Carpet and laminate flooring are both highly flammable, so if there’s even a small fire in your household, it can quickly spread and cause more damage. Porcelain is a fire-resistant material, which means it’s not going to catch fire and won’t produce smoke or fumes.

While fires can still happen in any household, porcelain isn’t flammable, so it can limit the damage caused to your property.

Safety Features

One of the main draws of porcelain is how shiny it is and the fantastic finish it offers. However, while it might seem that porcelain must be slippery, most manufacturers make sure they add slip-resistant glazing to ensure the tiles are safe.

It’s usually a gritty texture, which stops people from slipping on the tiles. The glazing is unnoticeable, so you can still enjoy the aesthetic appeal of porcelain tiles without worrying about accidents.

For households with young children or older relatives, this is invaluable because slipping on the kitchen and bathroom floor is one of the leading household accidents in the UK.

By installing porcelain flooring, you can rest assured that people won’t slip on the tiles, particularly useful in bathrooms.

Low Moisture Absorption

The biggest worry for the flooring in your kitchen and bathroom is how it will withstand water damage. Bathrooms particularly have a lot to deal with, especially if you have children and pets. Luckily, porcelain tiles are a cost-effective solution if you want waterproof tiles.

With a high water-resistant rating, porcelain tiles can withstand kitchens and bathrooms easily, so you won’t need to worry about too much maintenance.

Versatility

Porcelain tiles come in all shapes, sizes and designs, so there’s something for everyone. Modern technology has given us so many incredible inventions, and if you want to benefit from the style and flexibility of this durable material, you won’t be disappointed.

For example, if you like the rustic look, you can choose wood style porcelain, and marble themed porcelain looks great in contemporary interior design.

You can also replicate the natural stone look and add a touch of luxury to your flooring. There’s so much you can do with porcelain tiles, and they’re a more cost-effective solution than other flooring types.

Things to Consider

Whether you’re buying porcelain tiles for your home or are a professional tiler looking for practical but stylish solutions for your clients, porcelain is an excellent all-around solution. Not only is it cost-effective, but it looks high-end, so nobody regards it as a budget option.

Here are some things you should consider when deciding whether to invest in porcelain tiles.

Are you aware of tiling practices?

Tiling is a specialist job, and while porcelain is easy to work with, you’ll still need to know what you’re doing. If you’re not a professional tiler, we recommend taking a fast track tiling course to improve your knowledge and give you practical experience.

Even if you don’t plan on becoming a specialist tiler, you can use the skills as a side hustle or renovate other rooms.

Is authenticity really important?

For some people, nothing but the real thing will do – even if it’s more expensive! Natural stone is a costly material because it requires sealant to make it waterproof. While it might seem better to use it over porcelain, nobody will be able to tell the difference, and porcelain is a lot easier to work with and maintain.

What’s your budget?

Porcelain tiles come in a range of designs, so there’s something for everyone. But the sheer diversity of the tiles also applies to the cost. You can get budget tiles and high-end designs, so it’s best to make sure you know how many tiles you’ll need and set aside some extra money for spares.

Doing this means you’ll be able to stay within budget, instead of spending more money than you planned.

Hopefully, this post gives you some great ideas of why porcelain tiles are an excellent solution for both households and workplaces. If you’d like to learn more about our courses, please feel free to contact our friendly team. Our trainers are always available to offer advice and signpost you to the right course.

Tiles are a cost-effective solution for any wall or floor because they last for a long time, are relatively simple to source and have a magnetic aesthetic appeal. Homeowners choose tiles because they provide long-term value for money, and with so many designs and materials available, it isn’t easy to know where to start. 

One of the most important things you should consider when purchasing new tiles is whether they’ll be strong enough for your floor.

This post will look at the best tiles for floors and the essential things you should look for. Whether you’re renovating your property or are a professional tiler that wants to give customers the best possible service, this post will clear everything up. 

Why Does Tile Strength Matter?

When it comes to redecorating, there’s always an initial investment, but people are willing to spend money on their homes because it’s the place they sleep, relax, and raise a family. The decor and materials people choose depending on their preferences and available budget. 

For example, families with pets or young children will probably avoid white carpets, and older adults might prefer carpet to laminate flooring because there’s less chance of slipping. 

But tile strength also makes a big difference to how long your flooring will last, especially in high-traffic rooms. Most people use tiles for their kitchen and bathroom, which are cooking, cleaning and eating areas. 

Most kitchens also lead to the back garden, which means you also have to contend with people and animals regularly walking across the floor. 

If you want to make a sound investment in your tiles, it’s essential that you consider which strength you’ll need. 

Let’s take a look at the different tile types and how they measure up for high-traffic rooms. 

Natural Stone Tiles

Most people choose natural stone tiles because they’re so attractive and add an air of elegance to any property. The most popular stone tile types include granite, limestone, travertine, marble and slate, but only two are suitable for high-traffic floor areas. 

Both slate and granite are strong enough to withstand kitchens and bathrooms, and as long as you buy them from a reputable manufacturer, they’ll last for a long time. 

While slate has a textured surface, some tiles are smoothed down to create a uniform look. If you’re a fan of darker tones, you’ll love slate, but it’s not very versatile in terms of designs. 

Granite is more speckled in appearance, and it’s incredibly strong when it’s polished, so you can be sure that scratching your granite flooring will take a lot of effort. 

Ceramic Tiles

There’s always some confusion about whether ceramic and porcelain tiles are the same, and the explanation isn’t exactly straightforward. Most manufacturers class ceramic tiles as tiles that contain clay and are kiln-fired, so porcelain is technically a subgroup of ceramic tiles. 

While both go through a similar process, ceramic tiles are quicker to produce, which means they have less strength than porcelain. 

Most people use ceramic tiles for decoration or on their walls, not on floors, because ceramic isn’t durable. The material itself is easy to cut through, so while ceramics are great if you want to make an artistic statement, we’d recommend you don’t use them for your flooring. 

Porcelain Tiles

Porcelain tiles are kiln-fired at high temperatures, and manufacturers use the dust-pressing method to strengthen each tile. Doing this makes the porcelain a lot more durable, and they’re also ideal for outdoor areas because the tiles don’t absorb much water. 

Of all the tile types available, porcelain is the strongest, beating wood and even cement, so it’s easy to see why so many households choose it. Each tile has a rating from the Porcelain Enamel Institute that lets people know if it’s suitable for commercial properties. 

While ceramic tiles have a low PEI rating, porcelain tiles are ranked between PEI 3-6, all of which are suitable for any foot traffic. 

Things to Consider

So, now you know about the different tile types available for your flooring needs, it’s time to decide. Here are some things you should consider before you buy your tiles. 

Do I Have the Skill?

Tiling is an intricate task, and some types of tiles are easier to work with than others. Porcelain is a high-strength tile, which means it can be challenging to cut, and many people will struggle to lay it correctly. 

However, as porcelain is such a quality material, we recommend you either use the services of a specialist tiler or take advantage of porcelain tiling courses, which give you the vital skills and hands-on experience to succeed in any tiling tasks. 

What’s The Budget?

When choosing floor tiles, your budget is a significant factor in decision-making because you need to balance price with quality. There’s no point in buying cheap ceramic tiles only to find they crack a few months down the line, so think about how long you want your flooring to last. 

In our opinion, it’s always better to spend a little bit more money upfront if it means your tiles will last a few years longer. Ultimately, it’s your decision, but while porcelain and natural stone might be more expensive choices, they do offer higher levels of durability. 

Are My Needs Likely to Change?

Are you planning on having children soon? Or how about adopting a pet? Ceramic tiles might seem like a good idea at first, but if your household is likely to change, then it’s best to choose a tile type that will grow with your family. 

Pets and children have two things in common; they need a lot of care and make a lot of mess. Porcelain tiles are designed to withstand heavy footsteps, spillages and everything else your kitchen and bathroom could be exposed to. 

The Bottom Line

Tiled floors can enhance the aesthetics of your home and make a real statement. Hopefully, this post gives you an idea of the strongest tile for floors, and you’ll be able to go away and choose a design and colour that suits your decor preferences. 

Don’t forget to follow our blog. We regularly post essential tips, tricks and trade secrets for the world of tiling.