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Tile Buying Guide Australia:
Checklist 2024

Are you looking to give your space a stylish makeover by installing new tiles? Great, the journey of this exciting renovation process begins with purchasing the best tiles that can bring out the most in terms of style and aesthetics.

Buying tiles isn’t anywhere close to rocket science. However, it isn’t exactly a walk in the park either, especially for people who are buying tiles for the first time.

There are some terms and tile buying tips that you have to be familiar with before you hit the markets for tile shopping.

So, to help tile enthusiasts like you in buying the best tiles, we have come up with an amazing tile buying guide and checklist through our meticulous efforts.

Royal Tiles has been providing the best tiles in Australia for over 30 years now, so it’s safe to assume we know how tiles work like the back of our hands.

Let’s go through the tile buying guide.

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Tile Buying Guide Australia

Follow this tile buying guide to understand how to buy the best tiles that are not just visually pleasing but also equally good in terms of functionality and durability.

Because good tiles are like an investment that will keep uplifting your living experience for years to come.

Most Popular Tiles in Australia

Before you head out to buy tiles, it’s always handy to know the most popular tiles in Australia. Why? Obviously, because people find these tiles stylish, durable, functional, or budget-friendly.

Hence, it’s always a safe bet to know about these tiles to make your tile shopping easier and quicker.

Tiles have their own characteristics in terms of manufacturing process, materials used, colours, design and functionality. So, the decision is up to you to make the right choice. 

Here are some of the most popular tiles in Australia:

 

Clearly, there is no shortage of tile options when it comes to buying tiles. Each tile category has a smorgasbord of tile options so don’t fear about not finding what you want. This is what makes tile buying such an incredible and exciting experience. 

You can explore your creativity and watch what you have envisioned for your space come to fruition through tiles.

If you are wondering where to buy these tiles, remember Royal Tiles for the best tiles in Sydney. We are one of the largest tile suppliers in Australia and our tile shop in Auburn houses an exclusive collection of tiles imported from different parts of the globe.

What to Look for While Buying Tiles?

Now that you are familiar with the most popular tiles in Australia, it’s time to go through the actual checklist to buy the best and right tiles for your renovation project.

With some many tile options available in the market, it’s easy to get swayed sometimes. If you follow our tile buying checklist, you won’t have to worry about making the wrong choice.

 

1. Location:

Location is by far the most important factor to consider before you buy tiles. Different areas of your property have different tiling requirements. For instance, your living room tiles don’t have to bear the same pressure from liquid as your bathroom tiles or kitchen tiles.

Also, certain areas have higher traffic and movement making the tiles vulnerable to damage and breakdown. So, understand that different locations require tiles with different properties. Choosing the wrong tiles can exacerbate the situation.

The weather conditions of your area are also an important point to be considered while buying tiles.

 

2. Durability

As you may have expected, durability is next on the list because tiles are only as good as their durability and usability. 

So, choose tiles that are durable in nature with properties to withstand extreme weather conditions, liquid pressure, high traffic and drops. Check the PEI rating to confirm the durability of the tiles that you wish to purchase.

 

3. Style & Aesthetics

While durability and usage definitely make it to the top of the tile buying checklist, it doesn’t necessarily mean sacrificing style and aesthetics, does it?

Moreover, with so many stylish and high quality tiles available in Australia, you don’t have to fear sacrificing style over quality anymore.

You can choose from a huge pool of wonderfully crafted tiles and design your space accordingly. Whether you are going for the Victorian look or a more minimalist approach, you can easily find tiles of design and colour that match the aesthetics of your space.

If you are into handmade tiles, you can find a plethora of options under the Moroccan and Mosaic tile category.

 

4. Slip Resistance and Maintenance Difficulty

When it comes to buying tiles, there are no hard and fast rules. You can explore and experiment as much as you desire. However, one factor that you must follow religiously is the slip resistance test.

A stylish space only makes sense as long as it is safe for usage. Hence, make sure you ask your tile supplier about the slip resistance rating.

Also, tiles are better if they are easier to maintain and repair. Let’s be honest, despite all the caution, accidents are inevitable and at some point, you are going to have to replace or repair your tiles.

So, never compromise on the slip resistance standards and maintenance difficulty while buying tiles in Sydney.

 

5. Budget

This one is a no-brainer as budget is always an important consideration no matter what you head out to buy from the market. Tiles are no exception.

Plan your budget beforehand and research whether the tiles you choose are easy to replace and repair if needed in the future.

So, make sure you tick all the boxes before you choose the tiles for your space.

Tile Buying Checklist

Location ✔

Durability ✔

Style & Aesthetics ✔

Slip Resistance & Maintenance ✔

Budget ✔

Popular Tile Sizes in Australia:

Here are the most preferred tile sizes for Australians in the market:

  • Square Tiles (100mm by 100mm, 200mm by 200mm, 150mm by 150mm, 1000mm by 1000mm, 600mm by 600mm etc)

  • Rectangular Tiles (600mm by 300mm, 600mm by 120mm, 600mm by 900mm)

  • Hexagonal Tiles

  • Subway Tiles

  • Herringbone Tiles

Understanding Tile Finishes For Buying Tiles

Every tile comes with a finish or not depending on the nature of the tile. However, these styles are the most popular tiling finishes in Australia.

 

  • Matt Tile Finishing

  • Gloss Tile Finishing

  • Polished Tile Finishing

  • Texture Tile Finish

  • Honed Tile Finishing

  • Natural Tile Finishing

  • Natural Tile Finishing

  • Brushed Tile Finishing

Where to Buy the Best Quality Tiles in Sydney Australia?

If you have reached the end of this tile buying guide, you might be wondering where you can actually purchase the best tiles in Australia?

Royal Tiles is a trusted tile supplier in Sydney with over 30 years of experience in the business. We have an exclusive range of porcelain tiles, ceramic tiles, mosaic tiles, bathroom tiles, kitchen tiles and more, which are some of the most preferred and popular choices for tile buyers in Sydney.

If you are exhausted from visiting multiple tile shops in Sydney just to get your preferred design or choice, then we are glad to inform you that Royal Tiles has the best tile collection in Sydney, Australia all under one roof.

Contact us today or visit our tile showroom to get firsthand experience of the best quality and stylish tiles in Australia.