The creative tiler

Ida Thell has been working as a tiler for the past eight years and loves the freedom and creativity of the job. We met up with her late one afternoon at her current work location to talk about her work, her thoughts on the building industry and the importance of good workwear.

Ida has always been interested in working with something practical and creative. That’s why she chose to apply for the Building programme at senior-high school.
​​​​​​​“I got to try out several hands-on professions, for instance as a painter and decorator, carpenter and plater. But in the end, I thought that tiling and bricklaying was the most interesting and fun path to choose.”

Ida is in her eighth year as a tiler and bricklayer but after moving to a new job six months ago, she works only with tiling. Her workdays take in a mixture of large construction sites and short jobs ordered by private customers.

“I’ve mostly been working on larger construction projects over the past few years, but sometimes we do smaller jobs as well. I like the freedom and creativity of the job, no one tells me how to set the tiles – it’s up to me.”
Another thing that Ida appreciates about the job is the variation, although there are some jobs that are very repetitive with many similar rooms that have to be tiled. According to Ida, the most boring part of the job is applying the grout.

“But it is also a very important step in the finish so you can’t stress it,” she says.

Ida has always played soccer and in the last year she has started to work out regularly at the gym. However, as her work is very physical, she stays in good shape from that alone. In order to avoid work-related injuries, she uses knee pads and tries to not lift more than necessary. If she has a bad day at work, music is her saviour.

​​​​​​​“I try to listen to music, if it’s possible where I am working. Otherwise there’s a chance I might just throw something at the wall,” she says laughing.

At her current workplace Ida is the only female tiler. Of the 50 workers at the company there are only two women, Ida and one other woman who works as a carpet layer.

“I believe the building industry suffers from a bad reputation and that makes many women reluctant to even consider this profession. That’s just too bad, but I do believe things will be better in the future when today’s younger generation start working.”

Being the only female tiler comes with some benefits though. For example, she gets to choose her own work trousers. And her favourites come from the Fristads range.

“I love the work tights. They are very comfortable and follow my every move. I’ve had this pair for almost a year and they still have much to give. The only feedback I have is that the pockets are too tight on the shorts.”
When asked how important Ida thinks it is that there is workwear with a female fit, her answer comes immediately.

“It’s very important. Your workwear needs to fit you properly, so you are comfortable. For my body, the Fristads assortment for women fits perfectly.”