floor tiles – The Interiors Addict

Can tiled floors really work for Winter?

Can tiled floors really work for winter? Yes, if you know a few tricks of the trade! When you’re considering floor covering for our temperate Aussie climate, tiles are often on the table as a consideration. The cooler months however can pose a challenge for tiled floor enthusiasts, especially in the southern states. Cold Autumn and Winter temperatures however don’t have to be a problem with an under tile heating system.

Image source: Snow Temp

Under-tile heating is the perfect winter warmer right throughout the house. It keeps a tiled room warmer for longer than other heating solutions, and while it used to be considered a luxury add on, it’s now a budget friendly option with running costs about a quarter of a heat lamp over a year.[i]

“Under-tile heating a large family room will have an upfront cost of about $1200 to $1600 – but the system will pay for itself in energy savings,” says Darcy Shaw, National Buyer, Bathroom ware from Beaumont Tiles. “Not only is it good for the hip pocket, but is a good option for reducing household energy consumption. “It also creates a drier environment by radiating heat to all solid objects and the air is warmed by convection. This means a room stays warm long after the system is turned it off unlike regular heaters where the heat dissipates quickly. “The system is child-safe with no exposed heaters so little fingers won’t get burnt, and for the many families who suffer allergies, under-tile heating is a saviour because it actually prevents mould from building up,” Mr Shaw said.

Concerned about the noise factor? Under-tile heating is silent and there’s no wall space or roof cavity required which means minimal impact on a room design. A touch screen wall thermostat makes it simple to use and enables programming 24/7. Each installation is specifically configured for a particular room so there’s no cold spots, and on average the running costs are as little as 2c an hour per square metre.[ii] A bathroom kit is around $499, and for a large family room it’s about $1200-$1600.

Beaumont sells the Hotwire system, a 3mm thick, spooled electric heating element installed directly under tiles, granite, marble or slate, not in the slab, and with no need to lay any extra expansion joints.“The system heats a room to a cozy 22 degrees and doesn’t need maintenance. In the unlikely event of a cable fault, the damage is easy to find and fixing it doesn’t require ripping up the floor,” Mr Shaw said.

If you’re considering taking the plunge with your reno, check out Beaumont Tiles at www.tile.com.au

[i] The comparisons are based on a 4 bulb Heat Lamp unit at 375 watts per bulb. Hotwire costs based on a 600 watt element heating at full capacity for I hour and then cycling at 50% capacity for the next 2 hours. Running costs are an estimate only and will vary due to site conditions.

[ii] Running costs will be effected by electricity tariffs.

5 design tips for your bathroom renovation

When it comes to renovating your bathroom there are many decisions to make. What is probably the biggest challenge is ensuring your design choices are both stylish and functional, and one of the best ways to guarantee you tick both these boxes is to get expert advice. Below I outline five design tips, with a particular focus on my expertise of tiling, to help make sure your bathroom makeover is a success!

1. Do it properly

My number one rule is if you’re going to renovate, do it properly. If you’re going to tile a bathroom, tile the whole room from floor to ceiling, to really give the space that wow factor.

2. Install a niche

Installing tiling features like niche shelving is a functional and aesthetic addition to your shower. A clever storage solution, a shower niche can eliminate the need to bend down to pick up your shampoo or have a grimy-looking shower tidy hanging by the shower head. Be sure to measure up your favourite bathroom products to be sure they’ll fit in any bespoke shelving. If you have a large space to work with in your bathroom, consider building a tiled niche wall to close off most of your shower. This will eliminate having any kind of shower screen.

3. Use feature tiling

Feature tiling in the bathroom is an absolute must and there are much more effective ways that just a little mosaic strip running up the wall. Consider these three options:

If you’re tiling around a bath area, have the floor tiling continue up the face of the bath to create a clean finish.
Tile the back wall (the first one you see as you walk into the room) with a different feature tile or continue the floor tile up the wall.
For a shower niche, tile the back with a feature mosaic, creating a distinct, stylish finish.

4. Install a stylish grate

Bounty Bermuda Smart Tile 1B — Photo credit: Sannine Bathrooms

Shower and floor drains are often overlooked. However, a modern grate is not only important for drainage but can add an architectural look to your bathroom. When selecting, be sure to look at your options and not just go with a standard square grate. Consider using ‘smart grates’, which are designed with a tile insert in the middle to blend into the flooring. These are designed to give the appearance of an invisible grate and are not only long-lasting and easy-to-clean, but can add a contemporary design element to your makeover.

5. Adopt creativity with your design

Don’t be afraid to think outside the box when it comes to the layout of your bathroom tiles. Consider using timber texture tiles and instead of laying them in a square bond, a herringbone pattern can add an extra creative edge.

— Daniel Picariello is one of Australia’s best young wall and floor tilers, who will be representing Australia in the ultimate trades and skills showdown, the 43rd WorldSkills Competition in Sao Paolo, Brazil.