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Confused? We can help!
With there being so many choices of tiles out there it can sometimes get a bit confusing. On this page you will find descriptions of various stones and there usage, helpful professional advice on tile selection and fixing.
If you have any questions please remember you can always telephone us for professional advice.
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Shade Variation
It is common practise to check batch numbers on wallpaper. Please apply the same care before fixing ceramic tiles. Shade variation is an inherent feature of some ceramics and it is therefore imperative that you visually check blends prior to fixing. Care should be taken to ensure that sufficient tiles are purchased within the same batch to complete the job, as no claims for variations or quality can be entertained after fixing.
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Full Bodied Porcelein
Full bodied Porcelain falls outside the PEI wear rating categories and is considered suitable for all domestic and most commercial applications. Porcelain tiles should be fixed with specialist cement based adhesive, consult your fixer or retailer for specific applications. Porcelain tiles can be extremely difficult to drill through when fixing accessories. Specialist drill bits will be required. Frost resistant floor tiles fixed outdoors must be fixed with a solid bed of adhesive to protect against frost damage. Tiling to timber floors requires particular attention. Please discuss your specific requirements with Kevin or Brian prior to fixing. Co-ordinating floor tiles are made using differing glazes to the corresponding wall tile and will be different in appearance. Please check acceptability prior to fixing.
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Glass & Metal Tiles
Glass and metal tiles featured within this web site will require different fixing procedures. You must ensure that these surfaces are protected prior to grouting. Clean tiles with a neutral detergent and soft cloth; never use abrasives that may result in unsightly scratches.
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Natural Products
We offer a wide range of natural stone products. Their beauty and versatility has made them an increasingly popular choice. We offer the following guidance towards the successful choice and installation of natural stone materials.
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1.
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Before purchasing your stone, please check that it is suitable for the application you wish to use it for.
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2.
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Ensure that the walls and floors are structurally sound and are able to support the weight of the natural stone and its adhesive bed.
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3.
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Surfaces must be clean, dry, sound and free of contamination.
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4.
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Wet areas such as showers should be tanked with Shower Kit or Tanking System prior to tiling.
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5.
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All Natural stone has a varying degree of porosity, it is advisable to seal the tiles with the appropriate product prior to grouting as this will protect the stone from staining during the installation.
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6.
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Use the solid bed fixing method, incorporating an appropriate notched trowel and fill any voids in the back of the tile prior to applying the tile to the adhesive bed.
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7.
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Assuming the wall is structurally sound, it is advisable when fixing to skimmed plaster or gypsum plasterboard that the wall is primed prior to tiling.
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8.
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Ideally fix natural stone with a rapid setting cement based adhesive. Due to the porosity of certain stones, staining can occur if a normal setting adhesive is used.
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9.
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White adhesive should always be used with pale stones and when using a light coloured grout. Either Larsen or Granfix adhesives can be considered as suitable for most backgrounds on floors and walls.
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10.
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It is advisable that Larsen or Granfix is used for overlaid timber floors.
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11.
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Assuming the tiles have been suitably protected, then grouting of stone can be done in the same way as any other tile.
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12.
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Standard cement based or polymer modified grouts can all be used.
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To avoid damaging the surface finish of the tile, care should be taken not to use any abrasive or corrosive substances. It is advisable to check to see which is most appropriate for your application.
Ensure that any grout residue is removed from the surface before washing the tiles with the manufacturers recommended solution. Further sealing maybe required after grouting to achieve the desired finish to the installation, it should be noted that the use of sealants may change the final look of any natural stone and it is advisable to do a small sample test before completing the whole installation.
In order to maintain your natural stone tiles it is important to use the correct cleaning solutions; products with a detergent, abrasive or acidic content should be avoided.
When installing natural stone we recommend using a professional tile fixer.
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"If you have any questions on Wall or Floor tiles contact us for FREE professional advice"
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Travertine
Travertine is formed by water travelling through limestone and emerging at hot springs, then cooling rapidly. The minerals it collects on its journey are captured as rich and creamy colours, frequently complemented by tiny shell patterns. Its use in the Roman Coliseum proves travertine is hard-wearing and versatile. At home on both walls and floors.
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Limestone
Limestone is formed by layers of marine organisms, deposited on the sea floor and compressed over millions of years to create a stone of intriguing texture and character.
As if this wasn't enough to assure its popularity, limestone is also durable, practical and highly versatile.
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Marble
Marble is the result of extreme heat and pressure applied to limestone, capturing many beautiful colours that range from classically cool to rich and warm. It can be highly polished, creating the lustrous illusion of depth that the Romans so prized for their villas and most revered buildings.
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Sandstone
Sandstone is a sedimentary rock formation of coarse sand quartz and cementing materials such as clay. Sandstone is often distinguishable by region and colour variations including grey, yellow, red and white.
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Slate & Quartzite
Slate and quartzite are fine grained rocks formed from layers of shale and clay deposits, quartzite being subject to particularly high temperatures. These layers can be detected in the delicate tracery of its texture and in its enchanting palette of colours. Far more than several shades of grey, slate often has hints of green, russet, hazel and plum, giving it enormous potential for fascinating floors and walls both inside and out.
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Tile Finishes
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Aged
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The stone is tumbled then distressed.
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Antiqued
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The stone is honed to mimic an aged look and then tumbled.
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Bevelled
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The surface of the stone is honed with the bevelling applied to the edges.
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Brushed
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After honing the stone is wire brushed, giving a consistent textured finish.
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Bush hammered
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The surface of the stone is texturised with hammers to create a finish that resembles naturally weathered rock.
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Chipped
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The edges of the stone are chipped, the stone is then softened by light brushing.
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Distressed
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The flagstone has a pillowed effect with a smooth finish and worn aged edges.
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Filled
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Naturally occurring holes in the stone are filled and the surface then honed.
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Hammered
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The stone is bush hammered and brushed, achieving an anti-slip surface.
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Honed
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Abrasives are applied to the surface of the stone giving an even, smooth and generally matt surface.
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Natural cleft
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A natural riven finish achieved by splitting the stone.
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Pillowed edge
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The stone is honed and then its edges are gently and evenly rounded across the length and breadth of the stone.
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Riven
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An uneven surface to mimic that of a natural cleft stone.
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Sawn edge
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Cut straight and usually in conjunction with a honed tile this edge gives an uncluttered and contemporary look.
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Tumbled
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The stones are placed in large tumbling machines whose action gives an aged finish to surface and edges.
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Water worn
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The stone is honed and lightly bush hammered to create a slightly undulating finish to mimic the passage of water over the stone over many years.
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Rectified
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Rectified tiles have their edges manually squared to emulate real marble. Great care must be taken when fixing to ensure tiles are fixed flat and not lipped.
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Usage
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Domestic
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Low wear resistance, suitable only for light domestic use after sealing.
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Light commercial
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Medium wear resistance, suitable for domestic and light commercial use.
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Commercial
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Good wear resistance, suitable for domestic and commercial use.
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