Colour variation may occur in varying degrees with handmade tiles. This is caused by a number of factors including the where the tiles are placed in the kiln, the temperature of the kiln and the weather conditions at the time of firing. Colour can add dimension to a large wall or floor, this variation appeals to the eye and sets a hand-crafted tile apart from a machine made tile.

Measure the space you want to tile to find the square meterage. The amount of tiles per square meter differs with each size of tile.

When ordering tiles, allow space for grout lines (about 3-4mm wide) and order a few extra tiles for cutting. Some recommend that you order 10% extra tiles. In the end, it is better to over order and have a box of tiles left at the end of your project, than to run out.

Remember, if you accidentally crack or ruin a tile in the future, you may not be able to find an exact match.

The size of the grout lines is a matter of personal taste. In the showroom we tend to make our grout lines 3mm-4mm wide. This ensures a secure bond between tiles, creates texture on your wall and grip underfoot.

If you want to make grout a feature of your wall then white and black grouts tend to stand out and vie for attention with the tiles. If you want a more subtle look, a light grey or dark grey grout is more suitable. How light or dark the grout should be depends on how light or dark the tile of your choice is.

It is important to seal grout lines as they are not inherently waterproof. There is a huge range of quality penetrating sealers available these days which are effective at protecting grout, long term. One company that specialises in such products is NanoPhos which also has sealers that break down organic material in UV light meaning your bathrooms and kitchens are easier to keep clean.

Different areas need different adhesives. On walls we suggest you use a non-slump adhesive. Make sure that you choose the right adhesive for your area and don’t skimp on it. It is important, when tiling an area near a heat source, such as a fireplace or a splashback, to choose a high quality adhesive that can withstand high temperatures. Adhesive can literally be the make or break of your tiling project.

All of the tiles that we make at Middle Earth are suitable for wet areas. Glazed tiles do get slippery when wet but there are ways of getting around this. Smaller tiles and mosaics work well on areas such as a shower floor because the grout lines add grip for your feet and they can form around curved areas.

Tiles have an added bonus in that they are sterile and easy to clean. Ideal!

We don’t recommend that you use solely glazed tiles for an outdoor area. They become slippery when wet and this can be a hazard.

If you cannot resist a dash of colour, the best way to tile an outdoor area is by interspersing glazed tiles with terracotta tiles or cobbles. There are so many options for this stunning combination. You can design your tiled area in an orderly fashion or choose a tiler who specialises in organic Hundertwasser style tiling.