Tiles

Ceramic tiles are a great all-round tile. They have a hard protective layer, which makes them water-resistant and resistant to most stains.

They can be used both indoors and outdoors, as a floor tile or wall tile. They can also be used in wet areas such as bathrooms and showers.

Porcelain tiles may chip, but not as easily as ceramic tiles. They are baked at a much greater temperature than ceramic tiles, which makes them exceptionally durable and resistant to chipping and scratching.

Porcelain tiles won’t naturally chip unless they are subject to a force, such as something heavy being dropped onto them.

Porcelain tiles are the best flooring tile.

They are heavier and less porous than ceramic tiles and are, therefore, more durable. Their high density makes them more water-resistant, scratch-resistant and chip-resistant than ceramic tiles. As such, they offer better longevity. Because of these properties, they are the recommended choice for high-traffic areas such as kitchen floors and hallways.

Mosaic tiles are very small tiles, typically less than 100mm square and are most commonly known as splashback tiles due to their popularity as a finish for kitchen and bathroom splashbacks. They are available in many different materials including porcelain, ceramic, glass, natural stone and others. They also come in various finishes.

Commonly sold pre-mounted on mesh or paper sheets around 300x300mm in size, these sheets can be cut down to generate a pattern when mixed with other tiles. For example a 300x300mm sheet of 50x50mm mosaics could but cut down into narrower strips and joined together end to end to create a feature in a shower wall.

Key benefits of mosaic tiles include:

• Mosaics are used generally as feature tiles to enhance a room.
• They can be used as splashback tiles in kitchens and bathrooms.
• They are bright and can add character without being over-powering.
• They can be a bold and dynamic statement reflecting the home owner’s personality.

It’s advisable to add 10% to the total number of tiles when planning for straight tiling. For diamond pattern, 600mm x 600mm or larger tiles, it’s recommended to add 15%. We also recommend purchasing an extra box or two before the project starts. It can be difficult to match the same tile or batch if you’re going to request it years after the job is complete. This will make the process of replacing tiles a lot easier in the future.

For a basic square or rectangular room, you need to measure the length and the width in metres. Then, get the total square meters by multiplying the length by the width. To subtract areas that you don`t want to tile, use the same method to calculate the area and then subtract it from the total area.

When a tile is “rectified” its edges are cut at the factory after it is baked. The natural, pressed and somewhat rounded edges of the tile are cut and machined to produce a fairly sharp, precise edge with a micro-bevel and a flat surface at the perimeter. This procedure is common for porcelain floor tile but is also sometimes performed on large format ceramic wall tiles. With this precision the tiles can be set with a 2 mm to 3 mm grout joint and due to the flatness at the edges the joints are less visible.

No. Wall tiles have a weaker glaze and body and will wear prematurely. It is also not as resistant to impact and stress when used as a floor finish and may scratch, chip and crack. However, a floor tile can definitely be used on walls.

Today, most floor tiles on the market are porcelain. A porcelain tile is essentially a ceramic tile in the architectural world, that is, there are two classifications of ceramic tiles, porcelain and non-porcelain. The latest styles and designs are only manufactured as porcelain products. Porcelain floor tiles have a more dense body and, typically, harder glazes than ceramic floor tiles. In its manufacture, higher temperatures and finer clays are used and an extra mineral component is added to make it a porcelain tile.

A polished porcelain tile, usually rectified, is produced by applying a thick glaze, machining it smooth and polishing it. Glazes are necessary for printing broad digital inkjet designs onto the tile. Unglazed porcelain, which can also be highly polished, is not suitable for most digital inkjet designs.