Peel and stick tiles are all the rave these days. They offer a cost-effective alternative to permanently altering your home, which makes them great for temporary use. If you’ve been considering peel and stick tiles, two of the most popular brands on the market are tic tac tiles and smart tiles.

Below is a breakdown of everything you need to know between the two brands, so you can decide which is best.


Tic Tac Tiles Breakdown

With the goal of vertically integrating the design, manufacturing, and distribution of simple-to-use self-adhesive home decorating solutions to a growing worldwide customer base of DIYers, Tic Tac Tiles was founded in 2014 in New Jersey by parent firm Standard Corp., which is also the owner of Tic Tac Tile.

Tic Tac Tiles are a fun, colorful way to decorate your home’s rooms without the mess! They’re perfect for adding a pop of color and a clean, traditional appearance to your house’s rooms without hassle.

These peel-and-stick decals are of the finest quality and have a three-dimensional epoxy sheen. Tic Tac Tiles, which are made specifically for renovating your kitchen, bathroom, living room, and other important spaces, come in a variety of colors.

Tic Tac Tiles’ commitment to environmental awareness has been shown in recent years, with the firm committing to give back to our planet in 2019. As a member of 1% for the Planet, Tic Tac Tiles dedicates resources, products, and design programs to support nature and the environment.


Smart Tiles Breakdown

The Smart Tiles are produced in North America and are a do-it-yourself peel-and-stick tile design. Gel-Oâ„¢ is a gel component that lies on top of the adhesive base, helping to give it a 3D appearance.

The tiles are lightweight, simple to handle, cut, and maintain. They’ll stay on your walls as long as you want them to. The tiles may be put up in minutes over a clean, smooth surface with no mess or special equipment required. The tiles are resistant to the heat of stoves and humidity of bathrooms because they are particularly created for kitchen and bath usage.

The goal of Smart Tiles is to provide homeowners with cutting-edge Home Decor products that will make their lives simpler and more beautiful. They believe that your home should be pleasant, inspiring, peaceful, and most importantly, filled with love for all its residents!


Tic Tac Tiles vs. Smart Tiles: Breakdown

Smart Tiles subway tile line is available at Target, as well as other retails. For an 11.56″ x 8.36″ sheet, Smart Tiles is listed at $24.00.

On the contrary, Tic Tac Tiles’ similar subway tile line is listed at $34.00 for a 12″ by 12″ sheet.

So, varying slightly in size, Tic Tac tiles are slightly more expensive than Smart Tiles overall. Even when compared to other designs, colors, and patterns, Smart Tiles tend to be the cheaper of the two options, though only slightly.

Tic Tac has a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Following file examination, they provide replacement of faulty Tic Tac Tiles if necessary. The guarantee also applies to design or manufacturing flaws discovered within one year after purchase.

Tic Tac Tiles provides a 30-day return and exchange policy. Customers may return or exchange goods within 30 days after receiving them for a refund or an exchange. A Tic Tac Tiles representative will require a mandatory authorization number in order to receive a refund or an exchange.

You must return the tiles within 14 days of the company’s response to your return request, or you will no longer be eligible for a full refund. Please also make sure that the tiles are properly packaged since poorly packed tiles would result in a partial or no refund.

Following the 30-day period, you may replace any uninstalled tiles for a different design of equal or lesser value or store credit if desired. If there is a manufacturer problem after one year from the date of delivery, you may also get a replacement of your tiles.

As for Smart Tiles, the company guarantees their tiles will adhere in the place you’ve installed them for as long as you would like. This means the tiles should never come off before that point, and if they do, you may be eligible for a refund or exchange.

Replacements for defective Smart Tiles may be obtained based on file evaluation and, if applicable, following criteria. Nonetheless, you will need to provide evidence of purchase, such as a receipt or invoice or lot numbers. Their guarantee is also applicable if there are design and/or manufacturing issues.

For both companies, improper installation may null the warranty benefits. For example, on both websites, Smart Tile and Tic Tac say their tiles are not suitable for showers or stoves because of the constant contact with heat and water. If you still choose to install in those areas and experience damage to your tiles, the replacements will not be covered.

Depending on the surface they were attached to, Smart Tiles are simple to remove with little or no damage. For easy removal: warm each tile with a blow dryer to loosen the adhesive and pull gently from the corners to make it easier. Clean the wall using a cleaning solution and remove any excess glue remaining from the Smart Tiles.

Tic Tac Tiles are durable enough to stick to specific locations while still being simple to remove, although the surface they’re placed on has an impact. To release each tile sheet, either heat it up with a heat gun or a blow dryer. After that, start with the corner and gradually build up heat. Because some wall surfaces are more fragile than others, please take your time performing this step. Then, using a cleaning solution to wash away any extra glue left on the wall.

The larger tiles and stones have a more powerful adhesive, so they’ll require more time and care to get rid of. If any stubborn glue remains, repeat the heat gun/blow dryer procedure to make it simpler to remove.

So, the two options offer similar removal steps, and the only issue might be with the tiles that have more adhesive.

When it comes to maintenance, both Tic Tac and Smart Tiles offer easy, similar maintenance options. You will simply need to use mild soap and warm water to cleanse the surface of the tiles. Maintenance, therefore, will not play a major role in the decision between the two options because they are too similar.

For Tic Tac Tiles, avoid sticking sheets to untextured, flat, and even surfaces. They are not suitable for outdoor settings nor on the floor. 

Also, these surfaces are not great for application: orange peel textured, brick, stone, gypsum, stucco, plywood, or other wood surfaces.

Instead, opt for painted gypsum, smooth ceramic tile, acrylic wall panel, wall linoleum, mirror, or wallpaper. With proper installation, Tic Tac tiles can essentially be permanent.

As for Smart Tiles, install over an existing backsplash, whether it’s glossy or porcelain, as long as the surface is smooth, sleek, and free of texture. You must also consider the width and depth of your current grout lines since this may have an impact on the outcome.

Smart Tiles has different lines that require specialty installation. For example, Smart Tiles has a line called Oslo, which requires a smooth and sleek surface exclusively. Because of its size, the tile will typically reveal any flaws in the surface. If the surface is somewhat indented, such as a grout line, you must fill any gaps to ensure an even application of the Oslo.

For the Norway Bleached Wood and Blok White, it is highly suggested that they be utilized only on a white and smooth, sleek surface. Because of the huge size without grout, the tile will exhibit any flaws or colors in the surface covered.


Tic Tac Tiles vs. Smart Tiles: Final Showdown

When it comes time to choose a product, both Tic Tac and Smart Tiles offer similar results. The main difference is the price and, of course, the style options. Smart Tiles is the slightly cheaper option on a base level, and Smart Tiles offers a wider stylistic variety.

While Tic Tac has five collections, which are organized into themes, Smart Tiles offers double the option. However, as you scale up in quality with Smart Tiles, the prices can outweigh Tic Tac. 

Editorial Contributors
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Matt Greenfield

Matt Greenfield is an experienced writer specializing in home improvement topics. He has a passion for educating and empowering homeowners to make informed decisions about their properties. Matt's writing focuses on a range of topics, including windows, flooring, HVAC, and construction materials. With a background in construction and home renovation, Matt is well-versed in the latest trends and techniques in the industry. His articles offer practical advice and expert insights that help readers tackle their home improvement projects with confidence. Whether you're a DIY enthusiast or a seasoned professional, Matt's writing is sure to provide valuable guidance and inspiration.

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