Tile Patterns: The Good, The Bad—The Ugly

the ugly. To help you determine the good from the bad from the ugly…here are some of our favourite patterns: The Good The best tile patterns we’ve seen are those that follow an effective pattern that matches the tiles’ natural grain, colours, style and size.

• Running bond patterns, which use an offset pattern, starting at the midway point of the tile.
• Checkerboards, that are done in a classy pattern—where the two colours are well-matched on the colour wheel. When done correctly they can look truly exceptional—whether the tiles are laid in a straight or diagonal pattern.
• Pinwheel aka hopscotch patterns where smaller tiles (often in a complementary colour) are surrounded by larger tiles.
• The basket weave is another classic favourite of ours (although hard to lay!) as the square tiles mixed with the rectangular tiles create a basket-weave pattern that looks exceptional with certain tile types.

  The Bad Unfortunately, tiling jobs can go wrong, very quickly. Generally, ‘the bad’ tiling jobs are simply installed poorly—which is common in DIY tiling patterns that are too complex for a DIY project. Some of the worst examples we’ve seen are…

• Modular patterns that have been installed poorly. These occur frequently as modular patterns are extremely difficult due to their complexity. When they are done right however—wow.
• Herringbone is another complex pattern that provides a beautiful texture to your floor—if done correctly. When installed poorly, it looks like hot mess.
• Windmill patterns are tiles with a small square tile engulfed by four rectangular tiles. And as for their success…well, ditto.

  The Ugly OK—so there is no ‘ugly’ when it comes to tile patterns as each has it’s own merit. The only really ‘ugly’ ones we’ve seen are horribly-botched DIY projects and tile patterns that have no pattern whatsoever. Elements of ‘the ugly’ includes:

• Poorly-planned tile patterns that start at the edges and corners of the room and radiate inward towards the centre of the room. This ‘pattern’ (or lack thereof) never meets up perfectly in the centre…which creates a ‘thrown-together look that homebuyers hate.
• Another tile killer is rough tile edges, which gives the pattern an unfinished look.
• A ‘random’ or ‘chaotic’ pattern almost never turns out well as they simply look like random, end-of-the-line tiles that were used to save money.

Of course every tile pattern and tile project is unique. The above is just a basic guidelines and it can never replace decades of artistic experience. So—before your next tile job, give us a call here at Tony’s. Our tiling experts can help point you in the right direction.]]>

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Frequently Asked Questions

What should Toronto homeowners know about tile patterns: good, bad—ugly?

When considering tile patterns: good, bad—ugly, evaluate durability, maintenance requirements, and cost per square foot for your specific needs. Tony’s Flooring Centre at 268 Royal York Rd offers expert advice and free estimates to help you make the right choice for your Toronto home.

What is the best flooring for Toronto homes?

The best flooring depends on your lifestyle, budget, and room usage. Hardwood offers timeless appeal and high resale value. LVP provides waterproof durability at a lower price. Cork and marmoleum are excellent eco-friendly options. Visit our showroom at 268 Royal York Rd to compare all options.

Does new flooring increase home value?

Yes, new flooring is one of the top home improvements for ROI in the Toronto market. Hardwood typically returns 70-80% of its cost at resale. Even replacing worn carpet with LVP can significantly increase your home’s appeal and selling price.

Need Help Choosing the Right Flooring?

With over 60 years of experience, Tony’s Flooring Centre makes choosing the right floor easy. From hardwood and carpet to eco-friendly cork and marmoleum, we carry it all. Visit us at 268 Royal York Rd, call (416) 255-9631, or contact us online.