Bathroom Tiling

Tiling that looks right and lasts

Tiles are the most visible surface in any bathroom. They set the colour, texture and mood of the room, and they take daily punishment from water, steam, cleaning products and foot traffic. Good tiling is about much more than sticking tiles to a wall. It depends on a solid substrate, careful planning of the layout, correct falls, the right adhesive and grout, and attention to the details that make a room look finished.

We tile bathrooms, ensuites, laundries and powder rooms throughout Morwell and the Latrobe Valley, always as part of a properly prepared and waterproofed room.

Planning the set-out

Before the first tile goes down, we plan the set-out. That means working out where cuts will fall, how tiles will line up with the niche, vanity, window and shower screen, and where the grout lines will run. Good set-out avoids thin slivers of tile at edges, keeps patterns balanced and makes the room look considered.

Choosing tiles

Floor tiles

Floor tiles need appropriate slip resistance for wet areas, especially in showers. We recommend porcelain tiles with a suitable slip rating, and we help you balance safety with the look you want.

Wall tiles

Wall tiles offer more freedom. Gloss, matte, textured, patterned, large-format or small mosaics can all work, depending on the style and size of the room.

Shower floors

Shower floors need to fall to the waste. Smaller tiles follow falls more easily with a centre waste, while larger tiles suit a linear drain with a single fall.

Feature tiles

A feature wall or niche in a contrasting tile can add interest. We help you decide where a feature will have the most impact.

Tile sizes and formats

• Large-format tiles reduce grout lines and suit modern rooms, but need very flat substrates.
• Subway and rectangular tiles suit classic and contemporary rooms and can be laid in many patterns.
• Square tiles are versatile and work well in many layouts.
• Mosaics follow shower falls easily and add texture.
• Hexagons, fish-scales and other shapes create a distinctive look.

Laying patterns

Tiles can be laid in a straight stack, a brick pattern, herringbone, vertical stack or other arrangements. Each changes the look of the room. We show you examples so you can choose with confidence.

Grout

Grout fills the joints between tiles and affects both the look and the maintenance of the room. Cement-based grouts are common and come in many colours. Epoxy grouts are more resistant to staining and suit showers and busy family bathrooms. Grout colour can make tiles blend together or stand out.

Movement joints

Buildings move, and tiles need room to move with them. We install movement joints at internal corners, wall-to-floor junctions and changes of plane, filled with flexible sealant rather than grout. Without them, tiles and grout can crack.

Substrate and waterproofing

Tiles are only as good as what is beneath them. We make sure floors are stiff and walls are flat, and that the waterproofing has been completed to AS 3740 and fully cured before tiling.

Niches and shelves

A recessed niche keeps bottles off the floor and out of the way. We plan niche positions so they are easy to reach, line up with the tiles and sit away from the direct spray of the shower where possible.

Edges and trims

Exposed tile edges can be finished with metal or PVC trims, mitred corners or bullnose tiles. We choose the finish that suits the tile and the room.

Tiling in older homes

In older Morwell homes, walls are often out of plumb and floors uneven. We correct these before tiling so the finished surfaces are flat and true.

Retiling

Sometimes clients ask whether we can retile over existing tiles. In most bathrooms, we do not recommend it, because it hides problems underneath, adds height and weight, and does not address the waterproofing.

Caring for your tiles

• Clean with a mild, pH-neutral cleaner.
• Squeegee shower walls after use, particularly on hard or tank water.
• Run the exhaust fan to reduce moisture.
• Check silicone joints regularly and replace them when needed.

Common questions

Can large tiles be used on a shower floor?

Yes, with a linear drain that allows a single fall. With a centre waste, smaller tiles are usually better.

Should I choose light or dark grout?

Light grout gives a clean look but shows marks. Darker grout hides marks but can look busy with some tiles.

Do you supply the tiles?

We can, or we can help you choose from local suppliers.

Tile adhesives and beds

The adhesive holding a tile in place matters as much as the tile itself. Different tiles and substrates need different adhesives, and large-format porcelain in particular needs a flexible adhesive with full coverage on the back of the tile. We follow the manufacturers’ recommendations, check the coverage as we go, and allow adhesives to cure before grouting. Tiles that are not fully bedded can sound hollow and crack under load, especially on floors.

Tiling around showers

The shower is where tiling work is tested hardest. Floor tiles need to follow the falls precisely so water drains without pooling. Wall tiles need to line up with the niche, the mixer and the screen fixings. Around the floor waste or linear drain, cuts must be neat so water flows straight into the grate. We take particular care in these areas, because small errors here are seen every day.

Tiling on timber floors

Many Morwell homes have timber floors, which move more than concrete. Before tiling, we make sure the floor is stiff enough, using additional joists, noggings or a thicker substrate where needed. A floor that flexes will crack grout and tiles, so this preparation is essential for a long-lasting result.

Heated floors

Electric in-floor heating can be installed under tiles during a renovation. It keeps the floor warm underfoot, helps the room dry quickly and is popular in the Latrobe Valley’s cool winters. The heating mat is laid over the waterproofing or substrate, then covered in adhesive and tiled. We plan the controls and power supply with the electrician.

Tile samples and quantities

We encourage you to see tile samples in your own home, because colours often look different under different lighting. When ordering, we allow a sensible extra quantity for cuts and breakages, and we recommend keeping a few spare tiles after the job in case a repair is ever needed.

Tiling laundries and powder rooms

Laundries and powder rooms often suit a different tile from the main bathroom, though carrying the floor tile through can make the house feel connected. In laundries, durable floor tiles that hide marks are a sensible choice. In powder rooms, a bolder tile can add character to a small space.

Matching tiles in older homes

Clients sometimes want to keep tiles in one part of a room and replace them in another, or to match tiles in an adjoining laundry or toilet. Exact matches for older tiles are often impossible to find, because colours and sizes change over the years. Where a match cannot be found, we suggest a complementary tile or a clear break, such as a change at a doorway, so the difference looks intentional.

Tiling for slip resistance

Slip resistance is especially important on shower floors and in bathrooms used by children or older people. Tiles are rated for slip resistance, and we recommend ratings appropriate for wet barefoot areas in showers and for general bathroom floors. Textured or matte finishes are usually more slip resistant than gloss.

How long before I can use the shower after tiling?

Grout and sealants need time to cure. We will tell you when the shower can be used, based on the products used.

Where we tile

We tile bathrooms, ensuites and laundries from Morwell out to Traralgon, Churchill, Moe, Newborough, Yallourn North, Tyers and the farming districts in between, always over a waterproofed, cured substrate.

Setting out before the first tile

Good tiling starts with set-out. We plan where cuts will fall so the room has even, balanced edges, with no thin slivers beside doorways or at the top of walls. Niches, shelves and tapware are aligned with grout lines wherever possible for a neat, considered finish.

Book a design consultation

If you are planning a new bathroom, ensuite or laundry, book a design consultation. We will help you choose tiles that suit your home and lay them over a properly prepared room.

Areas we service

• Boolarra
• Churchill
• Glengarry
• Hazelwood North
• Hazelwood South
• Jeeralang Junction
• Moe
• Morwell
• Newborough
• Toongabbie
• Traralgon
• Tyers
• Yallourn North
• Yinnar