Tiling

Floor and wall tiling in Melbourne

We tile bathrooms, ensuites, laundries, kitchen splashbacks and floors across Melbourne, as a standalone tiling job or as part of a larger renovation. Set-out, falls and substrate preparation are planned before any adhesive is mixed, so the finished surface looks straight and drains the way it should.

Get a tiling quoteSee where we tile

Most of good tiling happens before the first tile

Tiles show every shortcut. A wall that is out of plumb, a floor that is not flat or a layout that starts in the wrong corner will all be visible once the grout goes in, and they are hard to fix without starting again.

We plan each tiled surface first: where the cuts will land, how the joints line up with the vanity, niche or benchtop, and which way the floor needs to fall. Then the right adhesive, grout and movement joints are chosen for the tile and the location.

In a bathroom renovation, tiling sits on top of the waterproofing. Because we coordinate both, the membrane, the drains and the tiles are planned as one system rather than handed between separate trades.

What we can help with

Where we tile

Book us for a single job, such as a new splashback or a retiled entry, or for the tiling within a complete bathroom, kitchen or laundry renovation.

Bathrooms and ensuites

Shower floors and walls, feature walls, niches and full-height tiling, laid over a waterproofing membrane.

Kitchen splashbacks

Subway, mosaic, handmade-look or large-format splashbacks, with clean cuts around power points and windows.

Laundries

Hard-wearing floors and splashbacks behind tubs and benches, where water and detergent are part of daily use.

Floors in living areas

Entries, hallways and open-plan areas where a durable, easy-clean floor is wanted instead of timber or carpet.

Choosing tiles

A plain-English guide to tile types

The tile you choose affects where it can go, how it is cut and fixed, and how it wears. Here is how the common options compare.

Porcelain
Dense and low in water absorption. Suits floors, showers and high-traffic areas, and is the usual choice for large-format tiles.
Ceramic
Softer and easier to cut than porcelain. Widely used on walls and splashbacks where it does not take foot traffic.
Natural stone
Marble, travertine and similar stones. Each piece is unique, and most need sealing and more careful cleaning.
Mosaics
Small tiles on a mesh sheet. Useful on shower floors because they follow the fall to the drain, and popular for feature areas.
Rectified edge
Tiles machined to precise, square edges so they can be laid with narrower grout joints.
P rating
Slip resistance under Australian Standard AS 4586. Ask for it on any floor tile, especially for wet bathroom floors.
The details that show

What separates a good tiling job from an average one

  • Set-out

    Planning where the full tiles and cuts fall, so you do not end up with thin slivers at a doorway or an off-centre line behind the vanity.

  • Falls to the waste

    Shower and wet-area floors are graded so water runs to the drain instead of pooling at the glass or the doorway.

  • A flat substrate

    Large-format tiles need a very flat base. Levelling the floor or wall first helps avoid lippage, where one tile edge sits proud of the next.

  • Movement joints

    Flexible sealant at internal corners, changes of plane and where the floor meets the wall lets the building move without cracking grout or tiles.

Step by step

How we approach a tiling job

01

Site check and measure

We measure the areas and check walls and floors for level, plumb and soundness.

02

Tile selection and layout

We help you confirm the tile, grout colour and pattern, and plan the set-out around fixtures.

03

Preparation

Old tiles come off where needed, surfaces are repaired and levelled, and wet areas are waterproofed.

04

Laying

Tiles are fixed with an adhesive suited to the tile and substrate, checking lines and levels as we go.

05

Grout and seal

Joints are grouted, movement joints are sealed, and stone is sealed where the product requires it.

06

Final check

We clean the surface, check the finish with you and explain how to look after it.

Questions

Tiling questions, answered

What is the difference between porcelain and ceramic tiles?

Porcelain is denser and absorbs less water, so it suits floors, showers and busy areas. Ceramic is softer and easier to cut, and is commonly used on walls and splashbacks.

Do bathroom tiles need waterproofing underneath?

Yes. Tiles and grout are not waterproof on their own. In showers and other wet areas, a waterproofing membrane is applied under the tiles to stop water reaching the walls and floor structure.

What slip rating should bathroom floor tiles have?

Floor tiles in Australia are given a P rating for slip resistance under AS 4586. For wet bathroom floors and showers, P3 or higher is commonly recommended. Check the rating with your tile supplier before you buy.

Can you tile over existing tiles?

Sometimes, if the old tiles are sound and well bonded. It raises the floor height, which can affect doors and thresholds, and in a shower it does nothing to fix old waterproofing. Most bathroom jobs are stripped back so the membrane can be redone.

Are large-format tiles suitable for floors?

Yes, and they mean fewer grout lines. They need a very flat base and careful set-out, so floor levelling is often part of the job.

Do you take on tiling jobs outside a full renovation?

Yes. We quote tiling as a job on its own, for example a kitchen splashback, a laundry floor or a tiled entry. Where a wet area needs retiling, the waterproofing underneath is assessed as part of the quote.

How do I get a tiling quote?

Send us the areas you want tiled, rough measurements or a plan, photos of the space and your chosen tile if you have one. We confirm the details on site.

Choosing between tiles and boards for a living area? Read about timber flooring, or check the areas we service.

Looking at a wider renovation? See all renovation services

Start with a measure

Tell us what you want tiled

A bathroom floor, a splashback or a whole wet area: send us the details and a few photos and we will be in touch to arrange a site visit.

You can also call (03) 7065 0017 or email info@pacificedgehomes.com.au.

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