DIY Info | Tile Space

Not all tiles are created equal and our prices are some of the best around. So before you select a cheap tile compare the quality and price of a Tile Space tile. We believe our tiles represent the best value for money in New Zealand.

In order to make even more savings - install your own tiles. Many tiling jobs aren't difficult, we have a full range of tools and materials available in store.

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Information about Wall Tiling

Information about Floor Tiling

Materials	Tips
Tiles	Choose from over 1000 different tile styles at Tile Space.
Fibre Cement Board / Tile Underlay	Used when tiling onto timber, particle board or plywood floors designed to protect the finished tile floor from movement that occurs naturally in such floors.
Waterproofing Membrane	Required for wet areas. As it is very important for waterproofing to be done correctly, we recommend getting a trades person who is certified for waterproofing.
Threaded Nails	For installing underlay
Levelling Compound	Applied when the substrate surface is uneven.
Primer	Must be used on the area to be tiled before tiling.
Tile Adhesive	Many different types available depending on the type of substrate the tiles are to be laid on. If unsure, please check with a trade consultant.
Spacers	To keep grout lines even between tiles. We recommend the Raimondi Levelling Spacers which easily make sure spacing is even and that the tiles are level when laid.
Grout	Various colours are available and we would advise working with your tile design consultant to pick out the right colour when selecting your tiles.
Epoxy Grout	Recommended for swimming pools and high traffic areas where grout fading and maintenance can be issues. Also recommended for shower recesses as it resists mould.
Grout Additive	Aids in greater adhesion and is needed when tiling over timber floors and areas where extra resilience, stain resistance and mould resistance is needed.
Grout Sealer	To protect the grout colour and for ease of cleaning.
Silicone	Creates a flexible grout joint. Must be used around the perimeter of rooms, wall corners, or where the tiles meet other surfaces. Available in a range of colours to match grout colours.
Tile Sealant	Seals porous tiles such as un-glazed ceramic tiles, stone, slate, marble terracotta etc. against dirt and liquid to make them easier to maintain. Porcelain tiles do not tend to require sealing as they are far less porous, and some of our tile ranges are factory-sealed.
Trim	Usually aluminium, for covering the exposed edges of tiles.
Epoxy Cleaner	For cleaning up after epoxy grout application. We highly recommend Epex Wash.

Materials

Tips

Tiles

Choose from over 1000 different tile styles at Tile Space.

Fibre Cement Board / Tile Underlay

Used when tiling onto timber, particle board or plywood floors designed to protect the finished tile floor from movement that occurs naturally in such floors.

Waterproofing Membrane

Required for wet areas. As it is very important for waterproofing to be done correctly, we recommend getting a trades person who is certified for waterproofing.

Threaded Nails

For installing underlay

Levelling Compound

Applied when the substrate surface is uneven.

Primer

Must be used on the area to be tiled before tiling.

Tile Adhesive

Many different types available depending on the type of substrate the tiles are to be laid on. If unsure, please check with a trade consultant.

Spacers

To keep grout lines even between tiles. We recommend the Raimondi Levelling Spacers which easily make sure spacing is even and that the tiles are level when laid.

Grout

Various colours are available and we would advise working with your tile design consultant to pick out the right colour when selecting your tiles.

Epoxy Grout

Recommended for swimming pools and high traffic areas where grout fading and maintenance can be issues. Also recommended for shower recesses as it resists mould.

Grout Additive

Aids in greater adhesion and is needed when tiling over timber floors and areas where extra resilience, stain resistance and mould resistance is needed.

Grout Sealer

To protect the grout colour and for ease of cleaning.

Silicone

Creates a flexible grout joint. Must be used around the perimeter of rooms, wall corners, or where the tiles meet other surfaces. Available in a range of colours to match grout colours.

Tile Sealant

Seals porous tiles such as un-glazed ceramic tiles, stone, slate, marble terracotta etc. against dirt and liquid to make them easier to maintain. Porcelain tiles do not tend to require sealing as they are far less porous, and some of our tile ranges are factory-sealed.

Trim

Usually aluminium, for covering the exposed edges of tiles.

Epoxy Cleaner

For cleaning up after epoxy grout application. We highly recommend Epex Wash.

Tools	Usage
Tape Measure	To measure the area to be tiled to work out the number of tiles and how the tiles will be laid out.
Chalk Line	For marking long, straight lines on relatively flat surfaces.
Builders Square (Framing Square)	Helps align and position tiles at 90 degree angles.
Spirit Level	To ensure the tiles are perfectly level and for creating level markings.
Tile Marking Pencil / Chalk	To mark cuts onto the tiles.
Tile Cutter	A variety of options are available in store for sale and hire.
Tile Saw / Angle Grinder	For shaping curved tiles to fit around obstructions, such as water pipes, wash basins or baths. Available for hire at selected Tile Space stores.
Tile Drill / Hole Saw	For drilling holes through tiles to accommodate pipes or fittings.
Tile Nippers	Aids tile cutting. Used for making very narrow cuts, removing waste from a curved cut or for cutting individual mosaic tiles.
Glass Cutter	Used for scoring smooth surface glazes, allowing the tile to be snapped.
Nail Gun	For nailing down underlay.
Notched Trowel	Used to apply the adhesive. Normally an 8mm or 10mm trowel is required for floor tiling and 4mm or 6mm for wall tiling.
Grout Float / Squeegee	Rubber edged tool for applying and spreading grout.
Caulking Gun (Silicone Gun)	Used to apply silicone.
Sponges	To clean up after grout application and wipe off excess grout.
Rags	For wiping up drips.
Floor Protection	To protect floors while wall tiling or when moving tiling materials around the area. We recommend Ram Board.

Tools

Usage

Tape Measure

To measure the area to be tiled to work out the number of tiles and how the tiles will be laid out.

Chalk Line

For marking long, straight lines on relatively flat surfaces.

Builders Square (Framing Square)

Helps align and position tiles at 90 degree angles.

Spirit Level

To ensure the tiles are perfectly level and for creating level markings.

Tile Marking Pencil / Chalk

To mark cuts onto the tiles.

Tile Cutter

A variety of options are available in store for sale and hire.

Tile Saw / Angle Grinder

For shaping curved tiles to fit around obstructions, such as water pipes, wash basins or baths. Available for hire at selected Tile Space stores.

Tile Drill / Hole Saw

For drilling holes through tiles to accommodate pipes or fittings.

Tile Nippers

Aids tile cutting. Used for making very narrow cuts, removing waste from a curved cut or for cutting individual mosaic tiles.

Glass Cutter

Used for scoring smooth surface glazes, allowing the tile to be snapped.

Nail Gun

For nailing down underlay.

Notched Trowel

Used to apply the adhesive. Normally an 8mm or 10mm trowel is required for floor tiling and 4mm or 6mm for wall tiling.

Grout Float / Squeegee

Rubber edged tool for applying and spreading grout.

Caulking Gun (Silicone Gun)

Used to apply silicone.

Sponges

To clean up after grout application and wipe off excess grout.

Rags

For wiping up drips.

Floor Protection

To protect floors while wall tiling or when moving tiling materials around the area. We recommend Ram Board.

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