How to Buy the Right Tiles in Canberra

How to Buy the Right Tiles in Canberra

April 22, 2020 Off By Helen Olsson

Canberra is the official capital of Australia—not Sydney, though people get things mixed up for some reason. It is also the country’s seat of government. Apart from that, Canberra is also the largest of all the inland cities in the country.

The City of Canberra was established on March 12, 1913, after the colonies of Australia were federalized. The city also boasts of lavish homes and lodgings, with housing and real estate prices at second place to Sydney, with the median house price higher than $700,000.

That is why purchasing materials for house repair in the city can be a bit of a problem. Expect material costs, like tiles in Canberra, to be higher compared to other cities in Australia, but you can also count on it to be of much higher quality. However, the cost of the project is not the only thing that you have to bear in mind.

Important Factors to Consider when Buying Tiles in Canberra

There are several factors that you need to consider when you are in the market for tiles and other construction materials in this city. Some of the factors you have to take into account include:

  • Expected wastage
  • Grout joint widths
  • Substrates that need to be tiled over
  • Types of tiles you will use

Expected Wastage

You need to estimate the possible wastage when you buy tiles in Canberra. Check if your floor or wall is fairly regular or not.

Compute the overall area that needs to be tiled. After that, allot 10% of the total as an allowance for wastage. That is just the minimum for any estimate.

You should also keep in mind the complexity of the surface design. For example, floors or walls that have herringbone designs may require as much as 15% wastage computed over the original cost for tiles.

Grout Joint Widths

Manufacturers usually recommend narrower tile joints; this rule of thumb applies to both wall tiles and floor tiles. You should pay attention to these widths when you buy tiles in Canberra.

If you want to mimic timber or marble flooring using tiles, you should allow 1 to 2 mm widths for the grout joints. The flatness of the substrate will also come into play when you consider the type of tile you will use.

Type of Substrate

When it comes to the type of substrate, remember that you will need a different type of adhesive depending on the type of substrate you are going to tile over. Some of the common types of substrates used in Australia are plasterboard, timber, and concrete.

Call your tile supplier and ask for advice regarding the type of adhesive you should purchase. They will usually ask the type of substrate and will make a recommendation based on it. They need to get a matching water resistance and flexibility to make that recommendation.

Type of Tile

Different types of tiles have unique qualities. For instance, a porcelain tile can have either a polished or unpolished surface. Some porcelain tiles even have glazed surfaces.

Some porcelain tiles may be more porous than others. Note that those tiny pinholes can also harbour grime or liquid.

Some tiles have rectified edges while others have round edges. Note that rectified tiles have very precise dimensions that you will have to consider when placing them on your wall or floor.

These are some of the most important factors to consider when you are in the market for tiles. Merchants in Canberra will be more than happy to answer your inquiries, so make sure to call before you go to a store to buy a batch.