Archive for October, 2010

How to Remove Old Wall Tiles

Monday, October 18th, 2010

Removing old wall tiles is never the easiest DIY job – especially if you’re a novice. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a single tile or a whole wall, the task can time consuming and at times frustrating. Patience and persistence are two of the main tools you’ll need in abundance when you start this project, but those alone won’t remove the wall tiles. Here at Online Tiles, we want the removing of tiles to be as easy as picking out the new ones you want and if you follow our simple “how to” guide it can be.

When removing old wall tiles (as with any DIY project) the first thing to do is make sure you have the right tools:

•    A hammer

•    A bolster chisel

•    Safety goggles

•    Sandpaper

•    Heavy duty scribe

Make sure you’ve prepared the area too. We recommend covering any surfaces, with a large canvas tarp – this will stop any falling tiles from causing damage. Once the area is prepared and you have the tools to hand, the fun work can begin.

Starting at one end, use a heavy duty scribe to scrape out the grout. Follow this up by whipping on the safety goggles (to project your eyes from the flying shards of tile) and getting the bolster chisel as parallel to the wall as possible (by doing this, at Online Tiles we’ve found you’re less likely to damage the plaster, meaning re-tiling will be easier) and then hammer away.

Once your old wall tiles have been removed, finish the job by sanding down the walls.

Happy with your handy work and ready to continue your DIYing? Why not look through our website to see the huge selection of quality wall tiles we have from all over the world. If you know what you want and you want to complete the job, visit one of our partner showrooms.

Mosaic Tile Companies

Tuesday, October 5th, 2010

Anyone that has refurbished their own home will know that it is crucial to choose products that are not only aesthetically pleasing but functional too. This doesn’t just mean that they should be easy to maintain and suitable for the homeowner’s lifestyle, but they should also be easy to install – particularly if the project in hand is one that involves a spot of DIY. At Online Tiles Direct we stock arguably some of the finest floor, wall and mosaic tiles available today and offer invaluable help and advice to homeowners applying them themselves.

Mosaic tiles have grown in popularity over the past decade, they add a dash of contemporary style into any bathroom and many are available in a selection of luxurious natural shades such as, chocolates and creams. The only drawback to this variety of tile is that they have a reputation for being difficult to apply.

However, with the correct tools, materials and guidance we believe that they are in fact easier to apply than other types of tiles. Through our easy to use online store, DIY enthusiasts and contractors alike can find a vast selection of items including grouts, silicones, adhesives and tile spacers.

The tiles within our range are from leading manufacturers across the globe and are handpicked for their quality. Whether a homeowner is looking to create a vibrant appearance in their kitchen or a relaxing atmosphere in their bathroom, a combination of mosaic tiles is guaranteed to create an individual look.

Our friendly team have many years experience within the tiling industry and are more than happy to offer advice and guidance to any customer that is planning to tile their own kitchen or bathroom. So if you love the look of mosaic tiles but you are worried about the tiling process, give us a call on the number on our website.