We have seen luxurious marble and reflective surfaces being used to lighten interior spaces and have found plenty of opportunities for interior and exterior designs to dial up the creativity. Whilst trends can inspire fresh new designs, it is also essential to remember that the quality and durability of the tile will always transcend short-lived fads. Correctly preparing and installing your tiles with the right tools and materials is crucial to ensure a flawless and lasting finish, so today we want to explore how no matter the trend or current fashion, starting from a strong foundation is the only way to guarantee stunning results.
Marble and Crystal
Kicking off the 2024 trends we have seen marble continue to remain a timeless favourite that has been coupled this year with crystal-like finishes for a modern reflective twist on a classic luxury material. By enhancing marble tiles with these subtly reflective surfaces designers have found a way to add brightness, depth, and elegance to the interior of bathrooms and living spaces and drip the room in an opulent and refined style that will never go out of fashion.
Stoneware
We have seen stoneware tiles make a comeback this year as the appeal of the rugged charm of natural stone has found itself revitalised by modern production techniques which can provide stoneware tile with more consistent finishes and shapes. Stoneware tiles are loved for how they bring an organic and earthly feel to the spaces they fill and have found popularity amongst those who wish to bring the outdoors indoors and begin to blur the lines between nature and home. You can expect to see stoneware tiles in muted and neutral tones that provide a calming and understated elegance.
Natural and Manmade Materials
2024 then, has been a seamless blend of natural and manmade materials, a coming together of the natural world and human innovation to provide modern living solutions that offer both comfort and a feeling of being connected to the world around us. Tiles have come to combine the raw aesthetics of stone, wood, and clay, with the precision-engineered finishes that have been gaining popularity this year.
Hybrid tiles have been offering the best of both worlds, with tiles like SPC (stone polymer composite) offering the perfect blend of natural and manmade materials, that create tile and flooring solutions that suit any and every home.
We expect to see this trend continue to grow in spaces that aim for sustainable, eco-friendly and nature-centric designs.
What Transcends Trends?
But amongst all these trends based on aesthetic factors, one thing remains that determines the quality and longevity of your tiling installations, and that is the quality of materials and installation. To us, this will always trump the passing of trends as the number one thing to consider in any tiling project, here’s why:
1. Proper Preparation is Key
It should be noted that the most beautiful tiles are also in vain if the tiling base is not prepared properly. This means you need to lay high-quality tile backer boards so that the surface is level, free from any moisture, and can support the ceramic tiles being installed. For wet areas, like bathrooms or kitchens, opting for products like NoMorePly tile backer boards can prevent issues such as water ingress, mould, and tile cracking over time. Compliance with British standards, particularly when boarding onto timber, is essential to ensuring the longevity of your tiling project.
2. Correct Installation
The installation process is critical in ensuring that your tiles stand the test of time. This includes using the correct tools—such as those from Beava—to cut tiles accurately, apply adhesives evenly, and secure tiles without causing damage. Skipping on quality tools or adhesives can result in uneven surfaces, poorly adhered tiles, or grout lines that crack over time. Beava’s tiling tools, from tile cutters to trowels, provide the precision and durability needed for a flawless installation.
3. Quality and Durability Over Time
The best tiling projects transcend trends because of their quality. By using high-quality materials, such as fibre cement boards from STS, you ensure that your tiled surfaces remain structurally sound for years to come. Even as tile designs evolve, a well-prepared and installed foundation means you won’t have to deal with issues like cracking, water damage, or tiles falling out of place.
Conclusion
So, as we can see the tiling trends this year have been all about mixing natural materials with modern techniques to create a seamless blend between the two and to blur the lines between nature and construction. And yet, whilst these trends can inspire beautiful spaces and new aesthetics, it is the quality and preparation of your installation that will truly stand the test of time and is required to showcase any shifting trend in the greatest light.
By utilizing top-grade materials like STS’s fibre cement boards and investing in the right tools for the job, then you can ensure that your tiling project does not only fit in with the trends but is also built to last.
For more information and to browse our selection of high-quality tiling tools and materials, visit STS-UK today.
