In the world of decoration, wall tiles play a crucial role. They not only concern the appearance of the wall but also directly affect the overall texture and user experience of the home. Today, let's have a detailed talk about wall tiles to help you avoid pitfalls and choose the ones you like.

I. Selection

1.Material Secrets

Glazed tiles are the most common type. They have a layer of glaze on the surface, which is smooth and shiny, with strong anti-fouling ability. It's very easy to clean in daily life. For kitchens and bathrooms, choosing them is definitely the right choice. Oil stains and water marks can be wiped off easily. Moreover, glazed tiles come in rich colors and can meet various style requirements. Whether it's a simple modern style or a retro European style, you can always find a suitable one.

Full-body tiles, as the name suggests, are the same inside and out, with extremely strong wear resistance. They are suitable for areas with large pedestrian flow and easy to wear, such as hallways and balconies. Although the surface texture is relatively simple, they are durable. If there are naughty children or pets running around at home, full-body tiles can withstand the "torture".

Polished tiles are finely polished and have a very high glossiness, which can make the space look more spacious. They are often used in public areas such as living rooms and lobbies to enhance the luxurious feeling of the space. However, their anti-slip property is relatively weak. If there is water on the ground, you need to be careful. Therefore, they are not recommended for wet and slippery places like bathrooms.

2.Size Matters

Small-sized tiles, such as 100mm×100mm and 150mm×150mm, are more flexible to lay. They can be combined into various creative patterns, such as retro diamond grids and fashionable gradient patterns, which are very suitable for creating personalized feature walls and adding an artistic atmosphere to the space.

Large-sized tiles, such as 600mm×1200mm, 800mm×800mm and even larger ones, are becoming more and more popular nowadays. On the one hand, laying large tiles can reduce the gaps, making the wall look more concise and atmospheric visually, like a whole smooth "canvas"; on the other hand, the construction efficiency is relatively high. However, it should be noted that large tiles have high requirements for the flatness of the wall. If the wall base is not flat, it is easy to cause hollowing and falling off in the later stage.

3.Color and Texture Matching

Nordic and Japanese styles prefer light-colored tiles, such as off-white and light gray, to create a warm and quiet atmosphere. When paired with simple wooden furniture, it's easy to create a healing home space. In terms of texture, thin stripes and plain micro-textures add a sense of refinement.

Industrial and retro styles are fond of dark-colored tiles, such as dark gray and retro brown. When combined with exposed metal pipes and retro ornaments, they are full of personality. Tiles with a distressed effect and imitation brick textures can instantly enhance the historical charm of the space, as if telling the story of the years.

II. Installation

1.Base Treatment is the Key

The wall should be flat, and the error is preferably controlled within 3mm. If the wall is not flat, it is necessary to use cement mortar for leveling first. Moreover, the wall should be clean, free of oil and dust, otherwise the tiles will not stick firmly.

For newly built walls, it is necessary to wait for the wall to be fully dried and the shrinkage to be stable before tiling. Generally, it needs to stand for 1 - 2 months, otherwise the tiles are likely to crack in the future.

2.Laying Technology

The thin-set method is adopted. Using special tile adhesives instead of traditional cement mortar can make the tiles stick more firmly and greatly reduce the hollowing rate. The tile adhesive is evenly applied to the back of the tile. According to the level gauge, find the correct position and lay it. Gently tap it to make it flat. Note that appropriate gaps should be reserved between the tiles, generally 1 - 2mm, to allow for thermal expansion and contraction.

The treatment of external corners is very important. Common processes include 45-degree miter joints and cove joints. The 45-degree miter joint is beautiful and delicate, but it requires high craftsmanship of the workers; the cove joint is relatively more firm, with slightly lower construction difficulty, and can effectively protect the external corners from being bumped and damaged.

III. Maintenance

1.Daily Cleaning

For ordinary stains, just wipe them with a damp cloth. If you encounter stubborn stains, such as oil stains in the kitchen and water marks in the bathroom, you can use a neutral cleaner. Never use strong acid or alkali cleaners, as they will corrode the glaze on the tile surface and make the tile lose its gloss.

There are also particularities in cleaning tools. Soft rags and sponge mops are the first choices. Avoid using sharp tools such as steel wool to prevent scratching the tiles.

2.Regular Maintenance

Every once in a while, you can wax the tiles to enhance their surface glossiness and anti-fouling ability. But don't wax too frequently, once or twice a year is enough. Otherwise, the accumulation of wax layers will also affect the appearance.

Check whether there are any loose or hollow tiles. If any problems are found, contact professional personnel for repair in time to prevent the problems from expanding and causing potential safety hazards.

All in all, the selection, installation and maintenance of wall tiles are interlinked, and every step requires careful attention. I hope everyone can create a beautiful and durable home wall with this guide, making every wall in your home a beautiful scenery in your life.