CHOOSING YOUR TILES
Choose your tiles carefully, nip down our showroom in Glasgow or Greenock and have a look at our huge selection of tiles catering for every taste. NEVER choose tiles without seeing them in person first – be aware that not all retailers supply the same quality of tiles as Cosmo Ceramics – what looks great online might not be as good in reality.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FREE ADVICE
Talk to a tiling specialist – it doesn’t cost anything to talk to a member of our knowledgeable staff to help you decide on the right tiles and other materials for your project. We can even provide samples for you to take away and get an idea of how they might look in situ before you commit.
Make sure floor tiles are suitably slip resistant for bare feet in wet conditions and that you have the correct adhesives, profiles, mattings and waterproofing systems to ensure the tiling lasts a lifetime.

WATERPROOF BACKGROUNDS ARE ESSENTIAL
For wet areas such as in showers and wet rooms it is essential to tile onto a water resistant background. Sand/cement render, dense concrete or water resistant tile backer board are ideal backgrounds. Plaster, plasterboard, timber and timber-based products such as MDF or plywood are absorbent and should be made waterproof by the use of a waterproofing or tanking system. Failure to do this is the most common cause of tiling failures in domestic bathrooms.

EXPRESS YOURSELF?
Think very carefully about this – if you are trying to make your home your own then don’t be afraid to be bold. If, as in most homes, your bathroom is very small then nothing will make it look big. Make a statement; why not use this, the smallest room to express yourself. You could go for opulent luxury, off the wall trendy, something to make you smile or stark minimalism.
If, however, you plan to sell your house in the foreseeable future you may want to keep colours and finishes more neutral - bare in mind that your taste may not be everyone’s cup of tea. You can still achieve stylish results with high quality materials and fittings and at the same time add value to your house and make it easier to sell – in the current market the less buyers have to change and spend the more attractive the property.

TILING SUSPENDED WOODEN FLOORS
It isn’t so long ago that tiling to suspended wooden floors wasn’t practical or advisable and this ruled out most bathrooms. With modern adhesive technology the vast majority of wooden floors can be tiled. Speak to one of our staff or your tiler about this before moving ahead with your project.

BIG CAN BE BEAUTIFUL
The latest trend is for very large tiles and they are particularly suitable for large bathrooms or en-suites where you can carry the tiling through into the bedroom. Large tiles are heavy so do check that your walls are suitable. Always get a survey from your tiler and let them know what you have in mind – a good tiler will be able to advise you as to the best course of action.

BUY SMART
An attractive bathroom will add value to your home so be prepared to spend money and time. Pay a little more and get something that really makes your bathroom special. For luxury at a modest price tag you can pick up plain tiles and add stunning borders or mosaics. These vibrant tiles can be a bit more expensive but you will only be using a small amount.
It may surprise you to know that some cheaper tiles can discolour or lose their finish relatively quickly, especially when located in areas of high useage such as a shower. At Cosmo we pride ourselves on the quality of our products so you can be safe in the knowledge that all our tiles meet our own high standards.

UNDERFLOOR HEATING
Underfloor heating will add luxury at a surprisingly small cost. It adds little to the thickness of the floor tiling so can be installed in most cases and it frees up valuable wall space.

DOING IT YOURSELF?
If you are thinking about tiling yourself buy or hire the best equipment, it will save time and money and give you the best results. Before you start visit The Tile Association website and download Tile it Right, a free DIY tiling guide which includes tips on tile selection and calculating to number of tiles needed.
Download The Tile Association Tile It Right guide here

EMPLOYING A TILER
If you are in any doubt about your own tiling skills then think about employing a tiler – taking down tiles once they are up is not the easiest or cheapest job. Not only should they give you a better finished job but, on average, it will take them about 1/3 of the time it takes an amateur. If you don’t already have a recommendation for an experienced tile fixer go to the search facility on the TTA website, www.tiles.org.uk and put in your postcode.

And that’s it – all you need to know to help make your project a success! Good luck.