Mallet Tile Installation’s Expert Advice on How to Avoid
Terrible Tile Decisions (And Impress Your Friends)
Let’s be honest—nobody wakes up in the morning thinking, “Wow, I can’t wait to spend my Saturday learning about TILE!” But here you are, and here I am, about to make tile the most fascinating subject you’ve encountered since discovering that your neighbor’s dog has an Instagram account with more followers than you.
Tile isn’t just something you walk on while cursing the cold bathroom floor in winter. It’s an investment that you’ll stare at every day for the next decade (at least), so choosing poorly is like getting a regrettable tattoo—except you can’t cover it with long sleeves at family gatherings.
At Mallet Tile Installation, we’ve helped countless homeowners turn ordinary spaces into extraordinary showcases of personality and style. We created this guide to help you understand the surprisingly complex world of tile without losing your mind or emptying your bank account. We’ll translate the jargon, expose the tricks, and give you the confidence to make choices you won’t be desperately trying to justify to visitors years later.
Tile isn’t just something you walk on while cursing the cold bathroom floor in winter. It’s an investment that you’ll stare at every day for the next decade (at least), so choosing poorly is like getting a regrettable tattoo—except you can’t cover it with long sleeves at family gatherings.
At Mallet Tile Installation, we’ve helped countless homeowners turn ordinary spaces into extraordinary showcases of personality and style. We created this guide to help you understand the surprisingly complex world of tile without losing your mind or emptying your bank account. We’ll translate the jargon, expose the tricks, and give you the confidence to make choices you won’t be desperately trying to justify to visitors years later.
Tile size matters, and not just because smaller tiles mean more grout to clean (though that’s definitely something to consider unless cleaning grout is your idea of weekend fun).
Small Space Psychology: In smaller rooms, larger tiles can actually make the space feel bigger—fewer grout lines mean less visual interruption. But don’t go extreme; a 24×48 inch tile in your tiny powder room will look like you’re living inside a chessboard with most pieces missing.
Direction Matters: Want your narrow hallway to look wider? Lay rectangular tiles perpendicular to the long dimension. Want to make a room look longer? Run the tiles parallel to the longest wall. It’s like magic, except it’s just basic visual perception.
Multi-Size Mayhem: Using multiple tile sizes can create visual interest, but it can also create a design that looks like it was planned by a toddler with a geometry set. If you’re mixing sizes, stick to a simple pattern and let the professionals handle the layout calculations—unless you enjoy pain and suffering.
Ceramic Tiles: The Toyota Corolla of tiles—reliable, relatively affordable, and gets the job done. Made from clay and fired in a kiln, ceramic tiles are like that friend who’s always dependable but rarely exciting. They’re easier to cut (important for DIYers who value keeping all their fingers), less expensive, and perfectly adequate for many applications.
Porcelain Tiles: Ceramic’s overachieving cousin who went to medical school. Porcelain is fired at higher temperatures, making it denser, less porous, and more durable. It’s like ceramic but with superpowers. The downside? It costs more and is harder to cut. But if you need something that can stand up to water, teenagers, pets, and the occasional dropped cast iron pan, porcelain is your new best friend.
The Water Test: If you’re still confused, remember this: porcelain absorbs less than 0.5% water. Ceramic absorbs more. If you’re tiling a shower or outdoor space in Minnesota, this difference matters unless you enjoy watching your tiles crack during freeze-thaw cycles.
Natural stone tiles are like adopting a show dog—gorgeous but requiring more care than you initially bargained for. Here’s the family breakdown:
Marble: The glamorous diva. Beautiful, classic, turns heads, but throws a fit (stains) when it comes in contact with red wine, lemon juice, or basically anything more aggressive than filtered water. Requires regular sealing and careful cleaning. Best for low-traffic areas where you can admire its beauty without actually using it much.
Granite: The sturdy athlete. Harder than marble and more resistant to stains, but still needs periodic sealing. Comes in amazing patterns that are like abstract art for your floor. Good for kitchens if sealed properly, but can still chip if you drop heavy objects.
Slate: The rugged outdoorsy type. Naturally textured surface makes it slip-resistant (great for bathrooms and outdoor spaces). Comes in earthy tones and has a rustic vibe. Can flake over time if not properly maintained, like your friend who got really into CrossFit and won’t stop talking about it.
Limestone: The sensitive soul. Soft, natural-looking, but extremely porous and susceptible to etching from acidic substances. Requires religious sealing and gentle cleaning. Choose this if you enjoy high-maintenance relationships with inanimate objects.
Dark Colors: Create drama and hide dirt, but can make small spaces feel like elegant coffins. Also show water spots and dust like they’re under a spotlight. Choose wisely.
Bold Colors: Make a statement, but you’d better be sure it’s a statement you want to live with for years. That electric blue might seem fun now, but will you still love it when you’re trying to sell your house to a nice couple who collects beige things?
Grid Pattern: The classic, safe choice. Tiles lined up like good little soldiers. Simple, clean, and utterly forgettable. Perfect for conservative spaces or if you want your tile to be the background actor, not the star.
Herringbone: The pattern that says “I read design magazines.” Adds movement and interest without being crazy. Works beautifully with rectangular tiles. Costs more to install because it makes installers work harder and use more brain cells to cut all those angles.
Basketweave: Traditional but interesting. Like wearing a bowtie to a business meeting—noticeable but not shocking. Great for adding character to classic spaces.
Moroccan/Geometric Patterns:
The life of the party. Makes a big statement and can turn an ordinary space into something special. But like that friend who’s always “on,” it can get exhausting after a while if used in large areas.
Texture in tile isn’t just about looks—it’s about function and feel:
Smooth/Polished: Beautiful and easy to clean, but potentially slippery when wet. Not ideal for shower floors unless you enjoy emergency room visits.
Textured/Matte:
Provides better slip resistance but can grab onto dirt more stubbornly. Think of it as the difference between cleaning a glass tabletop versus a wicker basket.
Texture in tile isn’t just about looks—it’s about function and feel:
3D/Relief Patterns:
Add dramatic shadows and interest, but collect dust and are harder to clean. Like dating someone extremely interesting but complicated— rewarding but requires more effort.
Different tiles require different cleaning approaches, and using the wrong products is like washing your cashmere sweater with bleach—technically cleaning, but ultimately disastrous.
Ceramic/Porcelain: The low-maintenance friend. Regular sweeping and occasional mopping with mild detergent is all they need. No fancy products, no special treatments.
Natural Stone: The high-maintenance celebrity. Needs pH-neutral cleaners because anything acidic (vinegar, lemon) will etch the surface. Requires periodic resealing, sometimes annually. Spills must be wiped immediately, especially from wine, coffee, or anything with color or acid. Basically, natural stone is beautiful but demands attention like a neglected houseplant that’s developed sentience.
Glass/Specialty Tiles: Show every fingerprint, water spot, and speck of dust with amazing clarity. Great for people who enjoy cleaning or have hired someone else to do it.
Grout Maintenance: The unsung hero of tile installations. Unsealed grout absorbs everything like a gossip at a dinner party. Seal it properly and clean it regularly, or watch it transform from “crisp white” to “biological experiment” in record time.
Furniture Pads: Put these under heavy furniture unless you want to play “spot the crack” later.
Entryway Mats: Prevent dirt and grit from being tracked in. Think of these as bouncers keeping the bad elements out of your tile’s nightclub.
Regular Maintenance: Like dental flossing, it’s boring but necessary. Sweep or vacuum regularly to prevent grit from scratching your tiles. Mop when needed with appropriate cleaners.
Quick Spill Response: Clean up spills faster than you respond to texts from your boss. This is especially crucial for natural stone, which can absorb stains quicker than your kid absorbs inappropriate phrases.
When to DIY:
When to Call Mallet Tile Installation::
Curing Time: 24-48 hours before walking on newly installed floors, 72 hours before grouting, and at least 5 days before moving heavy furniture back
Remember: Rushing tile installation is like rushing a soufflé—it ruins everything and makes people cry.
Remove Everything: And we mean everything. Furniture, toilet, vanity, baseboards, your collection of decorative spoons. They’re all in the way.
Surface Preparation: The boring but critical foundation of success. Subfloors must be clean, level, and structurally sound. A 1/8 inch imperfection can lead to cracked tiles and broken dreams.
Address Water Issues: Any leaks, moisture problems, or water damage must be fixed before tiling, or you’ll just be creating an expensive bandage over a worsening problem.
Have a Plan for Living: During bathroom renovations, where will you shower? During kitchen projects, how will you feed the family without resorting to a diet consisting entirely of takeout? Think through these logistics before the first tile is laid.
We’re not just installers—we’re tile therapists, design consultants, and problem solvers with really strong knees. We’ve seen it all: the good, the bad, and the “what were they thinking?” of tile installations.
Our team brings decades of combined experience to every project, ensuring that your dream space doesn’t turn into a nightmare. We’ve invested in the proper tools, training, and techniques so you don’t have to.
1. Consultation: We listen to your vision, assess your space, and provide honest feedback about what’s possible within your budget and timeline.
2. Design Support: Need help choosing the perfect tile? We can guide you through options based on your style, practical needs, and budget without the showroom pressure tactics.
3. Detailed Quote: No surprises, no hidden fees, just clear communication about what the project will cost and how long it will take.
4. Professional Installation: During bathroom renovations, where will you shower? During kitchen projects, how will you feed the family without resorting to a diet consisting entirely of takeout? Think through these logistics before the first tile is laid.
5. Final Walkthrough: We don’t consider the job complete until you’re thrilled with the results and understand how to maintain your new tile.
When to Call Mallet Tile Installation::
We don’t just want to install your tile—we want to be your tile resource for life, the company you recommend to friends with the confidence of someone who’s experienced excellence firsthand.
