T.R.A.C’s Tiling provides a full range of tiling and under floor heating services to Bedfordshire and the surrounding counties. Fully accredited, qualified tiler and under floor heating specialist, providing a professional, friendly and first class service. All types of tiles, including marble, slate and ceramic fitted to your walls and floors, kitchen, bathroom and conservatory.
Victorian Tiling
Trained in the specialist art of Victorian geometric tile laying. We can also supply Victorian tiles at competitive prices.
Please click here to see examples of our work with Victorian Tiles
T.R.A.C’s Tiling is committed to providing the highest standards of workmanship and is an approved member of “Bedfordshire Borough Council” Trading Standard Scheme.
We are a local and friendly company based out of Clapham Bedfordshire. We provide a comprehensive service in the laying of wall and floor tiles to all areas of your home or business.
TRAC’s is a Trading standard approved company and has also been appointed as an approved fitting company for Elstow Ceramic Tiles.
The type of tiles we can lay range from ordinary ceramic to porcelain, limestone to marble and most other natural stone tiles.
TRAC’s tiling also lays electrical undertile heating systems, ply lines wooden floors which helps stop tiles from cracking, lays levelling compound, waterproofs walls and floors for wet rooms and on request can provide a comprehensive advice package for D.I.Y tilers.
No additional work will be carried out without consulting the home or business owner first and only then with their explicit instructions.
Our services at a glance.
Wall and floor bathroom tiling.
Wall and floor Kitchen tiling.
Wall and floor tiling to all areas of the home and business
Conservatory floor tiling.
All type of natural stone tiling including marble, slate, granite, travertine to name but a few.
Ceramic and porcelain tiling.
Tanking (water proofing) walls and floors for wet rooms.
Levelling floors using levelling compound.
Ply boarding floor to help minimise the cracking of tiles.
Plastic ply boarding (only 2mm thick) to help minimise the cracking of tiles
Laying Victorian geometric floor tiles.
Removal of wall and floor tiles.
If the service you require is not listed please contact T.R.A.C’s Tiling
TRAC’s Tiling – Contact us
T.R.A.C’s Tiling
Steve Vallance
91 Knights Avenue
Clapham
Bedford
Bedfordshire
MK41 6DG
The Olde English geometric tile collection has been created with versatility in mind.
Recreate a period look, modernise an old design, or develop a pattern of your own. Olde English tiles come in a variety of shapes and sizes and an unprecedented range of colours.
Unlike some other geometric tile ranges Olde English tiles are fully vitrified and are therefore extremely hard wearing. The tiles are frost resistant and suitable for both interior and exterior use.
This work was carried out by Tracs Tiling of Clapham Bedford.
If you are interested in a Victorian floor installation.
Choosing furniture for your house can be a lengthy and difficult process, especially if you want to have a coherent design throughout your home. The same goes for the rest of the design factors, including tiles and wallpaper.
But have you ever thought about considering mirrored furniture and tiles? Many haven’t, and that’s why we’re going to take your through some of the ways you can use mirrored furniture and tiles to enhance certain aspects of your interior design ideas. Read on to find out more about this little-used technique!
Why use mirrored furniture?
There are plenty of reasons why wooden furniture fits the bill for most interior design concepts. You can get it in so many colours and finishes that you’re bound to find something which suits your style. But what about going for something a little different? Using mirrored furniture is a very modern way to decorate your room, and it’s definitely going to turn heads as visitors come into your house.
Another good thing about mirrored furniture is that it’s very easy to coordinate with other objects in your room. It’s very neutral, so it will bend in to existing design you have in your house. It can add a really great modern edge to your home when used with whites and greys to make a real contemporary feel. Take a look at the mirrored furniture offered byHomes Direct 365 for some great contemporary ideas.
Don’t think that mirrored furniture is only good for modern homes though, it can also be used in traditional homes for some really eye-catching effects.Canonbury antiques deal in some amazing antique mirrored furniture which can blend in well with period interior design.
What about mirrored tiles?
One step beyond mirrored furniture is having mirrored walls. As with mirrored furniture, this is a really underused technique in interior design.
The main plus of using mirrored tiles is that it can make a room seem a lot bigger than it really is. This is perfect for small bathrooms, or if you live in a relatively small flat and want to make it feel more spacious. The same also goes for mirrored furniture, although the effect will be less powerful.
The type of mirror tiles you go for will really have an effect on the feel of the room. If you go for shiny, well-polished mirror tiles, you’ll definitely be enhancing that contemporary vibe, but if you go for ones that are tinted with an antique finish, then you’ll be adding a sense of history and character to the room.
You can have your mirrored tiles custom cut by a specialist such as this:
They also come in a lot of different pre-made shapes and sizes. Circular mirrors add a softer touch to the room, whereas geometric mirrors, such as hexagons or squares, will create a more contemporary feel.
So, what are you waiting for? If you can’t decide what that little extra something your room needs is, or you need to make a room feel more spacious, mirror tiles and furniture are the answer you’re looking for!
For more tile interior design ideas, check out our blog or visit our floor or kitchen tiles pages to find out more about the sorts of tiles we can offer you!
Ceramic tile backsplashes are incredibly common in kitchens all over the world, and it’s not surprising. Ceramic tiles are durable, cheap, and easy to clean. Kitchens see a lot of action, especially around the sink and stove, and this makes ceramic tiles perfect for the job. But the best thing about ceramic tiles is the sheer number of colours and styles they come in. You can find a ceramic tile backsplash to suit any style, mood, or design ideas you might have. Read on to get some inspiration for your own kitchen backsplash!
The sophisticated look
If you want to create a contemporary look, ceramic tiles can help compliment the rest of your kitchen if you choose neat rectangular tiles in a simple grey colour. Or, if you want to go for something a bit more alternative, you could try getting some textured tiles like the ones in the picture below. This wavy look will make your kitchen stand out and add a more interesting edge to your backsplash.
Cosy and hearty
Ceramic tiles have been used in kitchens for decades, so it’s easy to go for a look which speaks ‘home comforts’. Going for something like a patterned tile can evoke the kitchens of yester-year and make the room feel cosy and homely. All you’ll need to do is combine it with some brass pots and pans, and you’ll have the makings of a cute, cottage kitchen.
Coastal cottage
Sticking with the cottage theme, you could be going for a more costal theme in your kitchen. Sticking to a pale blue backsplash will evoke the sea and also make your kitchen feel bright and airy. Combine it with white cupboards and a few sea-side trinkets and your kitchen will take on that calmness we often associate with the sea.
Traditional
Similar to the cosy look, you may want to go for a very simplistic traditional kitchen look. This can be achieved by having a backsplash made up of white tiles and dark grout. This was a common look in the kitchens of Victorian stately homes, as well as farm house kitchens. It makes a look that’s surprisingly contemporary when combined with the right kitchen fittings.
Eccentric
Now one for those who like to do things a bit differently, and stand out from the crowd. The dazzling array of ceramic tiles on the market makes it easy to pick something unique and eye catching. If you’re going for a kitchen which says eclectic and eccentric, you could try some shiny silver tiles or maybe even some glittery ones. Aside from that, tiles with loud colourful patterns will really make your backsplash the centre of attention, rather than something that just melts into the background.
We hope this short list has given you a bit of inspiration for your backsplash re-vamp, and convinced you that ceramic tiles really are the best way to go. With the vast choice out there, you’re bound to find a look so suit your kitchen style!
Are you looking for a unique and beautiful way to design your kitchen or bathroom? Using a ceramic tile backsplash is a great way to add aesthetic to counters and walls using materials that are fully sanitary and easy to clean. Having a strong strip of ceramic tile can also protect the area from water damage caused by sinks or toilets.
Whether you’re redesigning your bathroom or customising your kitchen, it’s possible to install a ceramic tile backsplash in a few simple steps without the need for calling a professional.
Things You Might Need
A tile cutter
A tile nipper
Measuring tape
Painter’s tape
Utility knife
Step One: Examining Your Space
You’ll need to figure out where you’re going to install the tile, how much of the wall it will cover, and how much of the overall space it’s going to fill. This will help you determine how many materials you need to buy.
Measure everything with a tape measure and write down the dimensions of the whole counter space and wall. This will also play a role in the type of tile pattern you choose. If you’re not covering the whole space, you’ll need to draw a centerline with a straight edge to help align your tile strip.
Step Two: Choosing a Design and Colour
Depending on where you go shopping, you’ll likely have a large variety of tile colours and designs to choose from. Aside from the actual pigment on the tile, there are also different sorts of textures and patterns that you can use based on your personal preference.
You’re going to be looking at the tile on a daily basis, so it’s important to consider the design before installation.
Step Three: Preparing for Installation
Once you have all of your materials and measurements, it’s a good idea to lay out the tiles to see what they look like when fitted together before actually installing them. Make sure your countertop is completely free of items and fully cleaned, sanitised, and dried.
Protect the edges of your counter with painter’s tape and make sure to turn off all electrical outputs in the area. Your wall should have no holes or gaps; if so, clean the wall more thoroughly and use a sander if needed.
Step Four: Applying the Base and Installing the Tiles
Create your mortar mixture as explained by the instructions. Using a trowel, spread the mortar evenly as possible and comb in one direct to ensure the tiles will be even. Apply the tiles as you go. You may need to cut some of the tiles with a utility knife to work around outlets.
Step Five: Drying and Sealing
After the tile sits and dries for at least 30 minutes, you’ll need to seal it with grout sealer and clean the tile. In another day or so, add the grout to the tile. Grouting an important process because it ensures that all the spaces between the tiles are filled, so consider investing in a higher quality grout mixture.
Step Six: Enjoy the Benefits
Installing tile backsplash yourself is a great way to save money and add style and function to any kitchen or bathroom. Consider installing a custom backsplash for your next DIY project! For a more visual representation of how to install your own blacksplash, check out this super helpful video!
We hope you found this information useful – let us know via our Twitter or Facebook what you’d like to learn more about, or what you found most interesting!
We use tiles in various areas of the home, such as the kitchen or bathroom. In rooms such as these, tiles are ideal for walls and floors, as they are hardwearing, easy to clean and maintain, and offer protection in rooms where there is a lot of moisture. In order to make sure your tiling looks good, you need to make sure that they are properly fitted and that the gaps between the tiles are filled in with grout.
You can buy grout in powder form or in a pre-mixed form with a choice of colours available. When it comes to your tiling, you need to familiarise yourself with how to clean your grouting as well as how to re-grout or remove grout from your tiles.
Tips that can help
There are a number of tips that can help you when it comes to cleaning grouting, re-grouting and removing grouting from tiles. This includes:
Cleaning grouting:
You need to ensure you keep the grout between your tiles clean, as otherwise it can harbour bacteria, start to wear more quickly, develop mildew and mould, and look generally unappealing. Cleaning grouting is a pretty simple process. You have two options – you can buy a ready-made grout cleaning solution, or you can use a home-made one. This includes using a solution made from 50 percent vinegar and 50 percent warm water. All you need to do is use a spray bottle to spray your cleaning solution onto the grouting between your tiles. If you are using a homemade solution, you can over the grouting with a paste made from baking soda and water first before spraying on the solution. Once you have sprayed the cleaning solution on, leave it for five minutes. All you need to do then is use a stiff brush to scrub the grout lines – a toothbrush is ideal for this. You can then rinse down with warm water, and the job is done.
Re-grouting:
There may be a number of reasons why you need to re-grout between tiles. This includes changing the colour of the grout, replacing damaged grout, or replacing stained/mouldy grout. The task at hand is a pretty simple one with the right tools – some DIY retailers sell re-grouting kits that contain all the tools you need to re-grout quickly and efficiently. In order to re-grout, you first need to remove the old group. You can do this with a specialist grout rake, which can save you a lot of time and effort. Remove the old grout to a minimum depth of 2mm otherwise the new grout may not stay in the joints.
Once you have removed the grout, use a stiff nylon brush to get rid of any loose grout and debris from between the joint. You will then be ready to apply the new grout. You simply apply the grout using a grout application tool or even a damp decorator’s sponge. Spread it around so that the joints are completed filled. Of course, this will leave grout marks and residue on the tiles, but you don’t need to worry as they can be cleaned with ease. You then simply wait for the grout to harden.
Removing grout from your tiles:
When you apply grout between your tiles, it is inevitable that some level of mess will be left behind on your tiles. Cleaning grout from your tiles is simple. Proving you don’t wait too long, you can simply use a clean, damp sponge to wipe it away. Once the tiles have dried off, you will notice a residue forming, and in order to address this, you simply need to rinse out the sponge and wipe the tiles over again. You may need to repeat this several times to get rid of the grout residue altogether.
If you’re looking for visual help, have a watch of this super helpful video showing their technique of cleaning out grout from tiles.
We hope you found this information useful – let us know via Facebook or Twitter what you’d like to learn more about, or what you found most interesting!
What better way to decorate your floor than with everyone’s favourite guilty pleasure? Spanish designed Alberto Sánchez has come out with his latest ceramic tile design which is based on chocolate.
They’re called ONZA tiles and they’re made by the design studio MUT. The tiles consist of three ceramic pieces with invisible joints, so there are loads of ways to configure them. This means you can make completely unique floor patterns that suit your style and available space.
There are three different designs in total – dark chocolate, white chocolate, and milk – and we’ve put a picture of each kind below for you to drool over.
The main benefit of this design is the freedom it provides you. You can arrange the tiles in any way you want and truly personalise your floor. You can simply repeat the same tiles for a uniform look, or you can mix it up and create a more playful design.
The tiles’ minimalist design means they’ll go great with any minimalist rooms you may have in your house. But it also means they can add a subtle sophisticated element to a busier room, so the room won’t feel overcrowded, or like different parts of the room are competing with one another.
The tiles come in three colours – their official names being grey, terracotta, and white – so they’ll fit in with whatever style you’re trying to achieve. The white is perfect for achieving a clean and simple look, whereas the grey adds an air of sophistication. The terracotta, on the other hand, harkens back to the tiles on traditional Spanish houses.
But don’t just take our word for it, below are some others in the industry curious with MUT Design’s latest tiles.
MUT is a Valencia based design studio who specialise in minimalist furniture and decorations. Founded by Alberto Sánchez in 2010, its main aim is to redefine everyday objects based on the principles of emotive design.
One of their previous tile designs, called SCALES, is a great representation of their vision. The aim was to imitate the vibrating movement of fish scales. Each tile was white with coloured edges, so when placed together they create an amazing iridescent effect. The picture below shows exactly what we mean.
This meant that what could have been an otherwise plain and uninspiring design – ie. just plain white – was turned into something pretty unique, and certainly visually interesting.
Let us know what you think about some of these quirkier designs: would they fit in your home? Or are you more traditional in your style? Don’t forget to share it with your friends on Facebook or Twitter – I mean, who wouldn’t want to hear about walls made of chocolate?
Victorian and Mosaic Floor Tiles – what makes the style?
Choosing between Victorian and modern mosaic floor tiles is a tough decision. When you are faced with such a situation you need to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of both the styles, so that you can choose the one which suits your needs and preferences best. The final decision you take will be based on your aesthetic sense and the creativity of your interior designer. Today we’ve put together this Strengths and Weaknesses Guide to Victorian vs. Mosaic Tiles to help you be aware of the unique characteristics of both patterns. Continue reading →
Word-perfect walls, now available in a stylish new range of colours! Featuring a new, more modern font on a beautiful crackle glazed tile, pick your perfect phrases and words and make your home décor unique to you.
N.B. Set photography images are from the same range but may not be the same colour or size.
Please note, Elstow Ceramics, refuse to print any word they deem offensive.
Odyssey range of glass tiles, we are proud to introduce the NEW Odyssey Splashback collection.
Ideal for creating a flawless backdrop to basins, hobs and work surfaces, the Odyssey glass Splashbacks range offers the same five stella colours but in a 600 x 750mm format.
The precision-engineered design means every Splashback is toughened, easy to clean and has no grout lines.
The Odyssey Splashbacks are created to compliment the 600 x 300mm and 50 x 50mm tile ranges, and work wonders as part of a completely tiled wall, or makes an equally stylish statement as a stand alone accessory.
Odyssey – send your interiors into orbit.
Tile Material: Glass Tile Finish: 3D effect Tile Suitability: Indoor Sold By: Tile Tile Type: Wall Suitable Rooms: Bathroom, Kitchen.
TRAC’s tiling also lays electrical undertile heating systems, ply lines wooden floors which helps stop tiles from cracking, lays levelling compound, waterproofs walls and floors for wet rooms and on request can provide a comprehensive advice package for D.I.Y tilers.
