Shopping for tile for the first time whether in person or online is like walking into a stunning maze. Every direction is filled with tile displays sleek porcelain, glossy ceramics, textured stone, and colorful mosaics. The variety is impressive, though it can get overwhelming if you don’t know what you’re looking for.
Shopping at a tile shop doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a little preparation, you can turn what feels like an intimidating experience into an opportunity to capture the perfect item for your project. This guide will help you with the tools you need to confidently shop a tile store and make selections that you will be happy with for years to come.
Why Choose a Tile Shop over Big Box Stores
When specialists and seasoned homeowners bypass big box stores, specialty tile shops are chosen for a reason whether they’re browsing online or visiting in person. Here, one can meet one-on-one with a customer who truly understands their craft and possesses the professional knowledge not only in the aesthetic but also in the technical performance of different materials in varying environments: wet areas, high-traffic zones, and exterior spaces. Being able to see and feel the tiles one on one is invaluable, as is the experience of lighting, finishing, and layering to examine different materials. Most importantly, tile shops have better and different materials and exclusive lines not being offered at the big box stores. They are often working tiles directly with manufacturers to be able to offer things that can help your home truly be different.
Prepare Before You Go
Going into a tile store without preparation is like going into a grocery store without a grocery list. You will likely feel confused with the variety and may make an impulse decision and end up regretting it. Beginning with a budget would be even more beneficial, as tile prices vary from a few dollars a square foot to more than $50 for the premium materials. Once you’ve established a budget, accurately measure your space and keep in consideration the square footage for that area, and count in an extra 10-15% for cuts and breakage. More importantly, specialty tile retailers carry specific styles and colors that may require browsing multiple sources whether online or in showrooms to find the right tile for your specific project. Lastly, it’s crucial to know where you will be using the tile, because kitchen backsplashes, patio, and bathroom floors have very different materials and that will narrow your options.
What to Expect
Specialty tile retailers operate differently than big box stores, and understanding this approach whether shopping online or in person will make your experience more productive. A design consultant or sales associate will greet you and ask you to provide some details about the project you are working on. We understand that this may feel a bit intrusive, but it is not. The staff are simply trying to help you more efficiently by guiding you to the right sections within the shop. To tiles available in the show room. Don’t be surprised if at first the tiles available overwhelm you. The staff are there to help you. The show room displays complete installations, which will help you envision how your finished project will look. Lastly, we encourage you to take as many samples as you want. Good tile shops encourage this so that you will be able to see how materials work in your real setting. Many quality tile retailers now offer online browsing with sample ordering programs. For example, Otto Tiles allows customers to explore their full collection online and order samples to evaluate at home, combining shopping convenience with the confidence of seeing materials in your actual space.
Key Questions to Ask
Having the right preparations can make your visit far more productive than just aimlessly browsing. An ideal starting point is to ask which products the employees feel are actually suitable for your specific application, as tile beauty and tile functionality are not always paired. Ask the employees for the PEI rating, which indicates how durable the tile is and can indicate your intended traffic level, and ask for the water absorption rates if you are tiling a wet area like a shower or pool surround. Find out whether the tile you are interested in is in stock or needs to be special ordered and ask how long that usually takes. Ensure that any coordinating trim pieces, bullnose edges, and corners are available in the same style. Needing to tile a space is usually a long process so customers should always ask if they can take sample tiles home, and employees should also clarify the terms of tile returns and exchanges.
Understanding Tile Ratings
The PEI rating indicates the degree of wear resistance the tile has, and it goes from PEI I to PEI V. The tiles in PEI I and II can only be used on walls, while tiles in PEI III can be used on floors in mostly residential buildings with regular foot traffic. PEI IV can handle light commercial traffic, and PEI V can be used for heavy commercial purposes. Water absorption can be an important rating for tiles used in wet areas, and there are several categories: non-vitreous (over 7% water absorption, only safe for dry indoor areas), semi-vitreous (3-7% water absorption), vitreous (0.5-3%, good for residential), and impervious (less than 0.5%, ideal for showers and outdoor use). The grade rating of tiles has to do with the overall quality, with Grade 1 being the most pristine and having the most minor defects, Grade 2 having a few small faults that won’t impact the overall use of the tile, and Grade 3 having more errors, often used for decoration purposes only.
Always Take Samples Home
Once you find a tile that you like at a shop, never agree to a purchase without taking a sample home first. This is the number one rule when buying at a tile shop. A tile sample may blend well in the showroom, but need to also see how it looks in your home. Tiles also look different under each home’s lighting situations when compared to the showroom. See how the tile interacts with the colors of your walls, countertops, and furniture. Place the sample in its actual location to be installed, and be sure to look at it in different lighting situations to see how the tile changes appearance. It’s a good idea to get samples of several tile options, even if you think you have found ‘the one.’ This often highlights contrasts and preferences you may not have expected, ensuring you do not miss out on the chance to save a lot of money.
Making Your Final Decision
After weighing your options and evaluating samples, it’s finally time to do some math and place your order. As tile shop consultants are experts in their field, it’s best to discuss your measurements and how to best calculate your needed material. As a rule of thumb, order 10 to 15% extra material to accommodate any breakage, mistakes during installation, and for future repairs. Discuss the shops’ organization processes, how to handle accounting, and what their methods for distribution are. Finally, double-check that all required components, especially tile trim, transition pieces, and grout, are included in your order. Avoid future misunderstandings by getting your agreement in writing. Use product names and SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) identifiers with quoted prices and requested delivery dates.
Conclusion
When you understand how the process works and how to be prepared, shopping at a tile shop is no longer overwhelming. The value you gain from being able to touch and feel real materials, get professional advice, and explore options is irreplaceable for any renovation. The process is worthwhile, so take your time, ask questions, and bring samples home. The smooth, perfectly tiled surface will be a reminder that your patience and thoroughness paid off every time you enter that tiled space. Now you can visit your local tile shop knowing how to get the professional advice you’ll be happy with for years to come.
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