Tiles, as the saying goes, ain’t tiles... So, it’s important to consider carefully before choosing one of the major, long-term investments in your new home or renovation.

 “There’s a huge range of tiles available now; you have marble, natural stone, travertine, limestone, sandstones,” Dave Shearing from Amber Tiles Orange explained.

“Because of the huge range now available, there’s been a resurgence towards tiles in the past 20 years.

“Tiles are durable and non-porous, because they’re heated to a high-degree, they’re generally sealed as well,” Dave explained.

 “Tiles have replaced carpet in the Australian home, because tiles don’t wear-out”, he said, but remember to consider function before form.

For this reason Amber Tiles keeps as wide a variety of styles, prices, and functions as they can.

“We buy from all around the world, Spain, Turkey, Italy, Malaysia, China… the Italian tiles are the dearest. We have so many on display, the cost can range from very low to very high,” he explained.

Dave said that the normal price range for a square metre of tiles ranges from $22–24 up to $100 for fine Italian tiles. “If you want tiles in a bathroom, kitchen, for flooring, outside, tiles can last as long as you want.”

With 45 years in the building trade and still a licensed builder, Dave says that choosing the tile you want is only the first stage of the process.

“Particularly if you are doing the tiling yourself, there are a number of important rules to remember,” he believes.

“Here’s one important tip, when grouting tiles, use as pure water as you can find; not bore water or tank water. They may be okay to drink, but they will colour the grouting. Use tap-water at least, but for an expensive job, we often recommend distilled water,” Dave says.

He said also to consider the tone, texture, features, and base of each grout you intend to use. “Many people are now going to epoxy grouts, but they are expensive.”

Dave says also to carefully choose the glue you use for fixing new tiles, whether it’s going over wood, hardboard, brick, plasterboard, or even old tiles.

“You’ve got different glues for different surfaces. People reject change but the industry is always developing. You want the correct glue for the correct fixing. Oh, and you can glue over old tiles. I’ve done it myself and it works fine,” Dave said.

When choosing tiles, also judge not only on beauty and aesthetics but practicality. Many expensive hotels feature stunning shiny-tiled surfaces, but these can be unsafe when wet, especially for older guests.

“There’s now an international rating for both slip and ramp (angle at which tiles become unsafe when wet).  You can go up to R-12 (non-slip) all the way down to non-rated.”

Other ratings now include for wear, skid, and uniformity of appearance. “The industry is always changing — you’ve got to keep ahead of it,” Dave said.

He and his wife Diane also have the tradies and contractors in mind with equipment designed to reduce the occupational health risks for professional tilers. This includes two new tile-saws that almost eliminate the fine silica dust that can destroy the lungs of long-time operators in the industry.

One of the dustless saws has a constant waterflow over the blade as used by concrete cutters to eliminate free-floating dust, while the other has an ingenious suction system below the cutting blade that operates on the same principal as a vacuum cleaner.

With tiles now taking over for surfaces previously carpeted, concreted, or veneered, Dave has even seen houses clad in external tiles. “It works, but I’m not sure I’d do it,” he laughs.