FAQ's

Our FAQ's provide lots of information to help you select and use the right tile product for your home.

Rectified and Non-Rectified Tiles

What is a rectified tile?

The market is filled with so many different types of tiles, and each one has its own advantages and disadvantages. 

Even if you haven’t heard the term ‘rectified’ before, you’re probably familiar with how they look. Our tile experts are here to answer all your questions about rectified floor tiles and wall tiles.

Rectified tiles are ceramic or porcelain tiles with near-perfect straight edges and exact dimensions after they have been ground and machined. They provide a very clean, symmetrical appearance and allow for extremely fine grout lines of no more than 3mm

To protect Rectified tiles from edge chipping, a very fine bevel is added to the edge. 

Advantages of Rectified Tiles

  • Tiles can be laid with grout joints of 1-2 mm;
  • Different formats, colors, finishes, and even collections can be combined;
  • The actual size is always known and all tiles will be the same
  • Rectified tiles are a perfect choice for hinged, ventilated facades;
  • A large variety of formats are available (60×60, 20×120, 60×120, 80×80, 80×160, etc.).

Since rectification requires additional manufacturing processes, non-rectified tiles are less expensive. A casual, natural-looking installation might benefit from non-rectified tile edges because they are less sharp.

What is a non-rectified tile?

After firing, non-rectified tiles are usually sorted according to their actual dimensions and calibers. Generally, we recommend non-rectified porcelain tiles with grout joints between 3mm and 4mm along the edges.

Advantages of Non-Rectified Tiles

  • More affordable prices;
  • Smaller format tiles (less than 600x600mm Tiles).

Conclusion 

Choosing rectified tiles is definitely recommended if you’d like your tiles to have minimal, nearly invisible grout joints, or if you’ll be using large format tiles (600x600mm and greater).

Tile Types and Materials

What is a porcelain tile?

Porcelain tiles are a type of ceramic tiling. Porcelain tiles are fired at a higher temperature,
making them stronger and more durable than traditional ceramic tiles. As a
result of the difference in manufacturing, porcelain tiles are less porous,
with a water absorption rate of 0.5% or less. Porcelain tiles are perfect for
high traffic areas, both indoors and outdoors, due to their density, strength,
and low water absorption.

Porcelain Tiles:  How to Maintain them

Porcelain tiles require little maintenance, are easy to clean and are more resistant to stains
and/or damage due to their density. The best way to keep your Porcelain tiles
clean is to vacuum or mop them once a week.

 Full body porcelain tiles carry their colour throughout the thickness of the tile.  If a full
body porcelain tile gets chipped, you will not see the ‘biscuit’ showing
through!

Keep in mind if your Porcelain tile is a print and it gets chipped, you will see the biscuit.

 Porcelain tiles come in a huge variety of styles and colours, whether you’re tiling a small
room, a bathroom, an entire living room or an external space. Whether you want
a traditional, modern, minimalistic or a more natural look, the extensive range
of porcelain tiles available will let you create any style you want. The
finishes of porcelain tiles include polished, grip, gloss, matt, and lappato.

The team at The Tile Supply will help you decide on the best porcelain tile to match your needs. Drop by our showroom or visit our room by room ranges including Bathrooms, Kitchens,  Living Rooms and Outdoors.

What is a ceramic tile?

Ceramic tiles are made from clay that has been baked at extremely high temperatures. After the clay has been moulded and cut into the desired shape and size, it is baked or fired in a kiln, usually at 1000° Celsius until it is hard. Depending on the finish required, this method may vary.

There are many ways you can use ceramic tiles around your house (e.g. as floor tiles, splashbacks, etc.).  Make sure you choose the right ceramic tiles for your project. The type and rating of the tiles determines how durable and watertight they are.

Most ceramic tiles are coated with glaze on the surface of the tile. Tile glazes are used for a variety of reasons:

  • Improved waterproofing – In most cases, unglazed ceramic tiles are quite porous, which means they easily absorb moisture. The glazes on the tiles help to make them waterproof, making them more suitable for wet areas.
  • Improved strength – When glazes bond to a tile’s surface, they form a strong outer shell, which makes the tile stronger and more durable.
  • Decoration – Glazes give ceramic tiles their colours, patterns, and finishes (eg gloss finish). Tiles can be decorated with multiple layers of glazes to create patterns and colours.

Ceramic tile color and tone differences

Different firings produce subtle variations in hue and tone, arguably contributing to ceramic tiles’ charm. It is therefore important to buy tiles from the same batch whenever possible.

It’s also important to buy more tiles than you need, so that if anything goes wrong, you’ll have some replacements that match the ones you’ve already installed. It’s a good idea to buy 10% more than you’ll need to cover whatever wall or floor surface you plan to tile – this is called wastage in the industry.

In order to ensure that these subtle variations are blended carefully, tiles are normally laid from different boxes.

Ceramic tile ratings

Ceramic tiles are rated according to their resistance to wear and tear. Ratings range from 1 to 5:

  • Class 1: Areas with low traffic, such as bathrooms and bedrooms
  • Class 2: Areas with medium traffic, such as living rooms
  • Class 3: Areas with high traffic, such as corridors, kitchens, balconies, and lobbies.
  • Class 4: Areas with high traffic, such as busy porches, work areas, etc. (typically non-residential)
  • Class 5: Areas with high traffic, such as commercial floors in shops.

Is porcelain a type of ceramic?

In technical terms, porcelain is a type of ceramic. However, porcelain tiles are made differently and have different properties, so they’re referred to specifically as porcelain tiles rather than ceramic tiles.

Since porcelain tiles are tough and waterproof by nature, they don’t usually need to be glazed like ceramic tiles unless for decorative purposes.

How much do ceramic tiles cost?

Ceramic tiles are generally the most affordable type of tile because they are made from inexpensive materials and can be manufactured quickly. However, it is possible to pay much more for nicer, elaborately finished ceramic tiles.

The most expensive part of tiles is usually the installation process, which is not that complicated but can be labor intensive (particularly for smaller tiles). 

Advantages of Ceramic Tiles

  • Ceramic tiles are often cheaper than other tile materials
  • There are endless design options available with ceramic tiles
  • Ceramic Tiles are generally waterproof if glazed

Disadvantages of Ceramic Tiles

  • It is possible for ceramic tiles to vary in colour from batch to batch
  • In general, ceramic tiles aren’t as strong as stone tiles

P Rating

What is a P Rating on tiles?

What is Slip Resistance on Tiles

Tiles have Slip Ratings so you can determine if they are suitable for the bathroom, kitchen, outdoor area, or even around the pool.

Tile Edges

What is a pressed/cushioned edge?

Pressed Edge (or cushion edge) tiles have finished, rounded edges.  The Pressed / Cushion edge is created during the manufacturing process. 

Pressed edge tiles require more grout between the seams, therefore the grout is more noticeable.

Traditional tiles often feature Pressed / Cushioned Edges

What is a rectified edge?

The edges of rectified tiles have been precisely ground and machined to have near-perfect straight edges and exact dimensions. Ceramic and porcelain tiles with rectified edges have a clean symmetrical look and allow for grout lines of 3mm or less.

Tile Finishes

What is a grip tile finish?

External Tiles

Often, outdoor tile designs mimic outdoor elements, such as stone look, timber look, and cement look. The textured surfaces of outdoor tiles create a slip-resistant surface, such as Grip and Smooth Grip and P4 or P5 slip ratings.

Tiles used outdoors are more durable and able to withstand direct sunlight and harsh weather conditions.

What is a lappato tile finish.

Tiles with a Lappato finish (also known assemi-polishedtiles) have a softly polished finish. Compared to matt tiles, they are shinier, but not as shiny aspolishedor gloss tiles. Lappato tiles are the perfect balance between matt and polished finishes.

What is a matt tile finish?

A matt finish is less prone to the visual effects of scratching and is an easy to clean polished finish.

What is a smooth grip technology tile finish?

The tile industry is constantly innovating the design and manufacturing techniques used to produce this versatile product.

One of the ‘holy grails’ of tile design is to produce a tile that is smooth to touch, but has anti-slip qualities, combined with the usual features of inert hardness and stain-resistance.

Biomimicry is a practice that learns from and mimics the strategies found in nature to solve human design challenges.

Scientists looked for inspiration in solving this riddle by looking under a microscope at the adhesive pads of frogs and geckos, which allow these animals to have strong contact with wet surfaces.

The surface of their footpads is evenly covered with fibres the dimensions of which decrease as they approach the outer surface, allowing moisture to drain on contact, giving the skin pad grip.

Tile Patterns

What is mosaic tile pattern

Popular choices include:

  • Penny Rounds

What is herringbone tile pattern?

A herringbone pattern is made up of equal-sized rectangular tiles arranged in a staggered zigzag pattern. Each rectangle is cut precisely so that the end of one tile meets the side of the next.

Fishbone – uses a longer thin tile in the same layout.

What is double herringbone tile pattern?

Double Herringbone is simply a double layer of Herringbone.  

What is basketweave tile pattern?

The Basket Weave pattern is a repeating pattern of two rectangular tiles laid horizontally against two other rectangular tiles laid vertically. 

The Basket Weave pattern enhances spaces with it geometric symmetry and traditional look.

It is a popular laying patterns for floors, splashbacks and feature walls.

What is subway tile pattern?

A subway tile is a rectangular tile that is typically 75×150 millimeters in size. There are various types of subway tiles, including ceramic, porcelain, gloss, marble, slate, withmattor gloss finishes. During the early 1900s, subway tiles were used to cover the walls of New York subway stations.

What is chevron tile pattern?

The Chevron tile pattern is popular in Bathrooms, Kitchens and smaller spaces where the desired look is to make a small space seems larger and more open.

Each V in the Chevron tile pattern is identical to the one before, creating a zigzag pattern.  Porcelain, ceramic, and glass tiles are moisture-resistance, heat-resistance, stain-resistant materials that are great for splashbacks.

Splashbacks – Adding Chevron patterns to your Kitchen can create a sense of personality or a focal point. 

Bathrooms – Traditionally, Chevron Tiles are installed along the length of a wall to create a feature or visually break up a space or create height.

What is vertical stack bond tile pattern?

Popular Tile choices are Kit Kat or Popsicle Tiles.

Tile Shapes

What is large format tile shape?

Large format tiles have become one of the hottest design trends. Due to their versatility, large format tiles can be used both inside and outside, flooring, walls, and even building facades.

Common large format tiles include:

1180×2360

1200×1200

1200×2400

1200×2600

1600×3200

Benefits of large format tiles?

  • Choosing large format tiles has the advantage of fewer grout joints. Tiles with a larger size require less grout, resulting in a smoother, cleaner finish
  • Large tiles with less grout lines are also easier to clean and maintain than small tiles with more grout lines.
  • Large Format tiles create the illusion that the space is bigger and more open. Therefore, they are increasingly used in domestic bathrooms and kitchens, where space is often limited.

Australian Tile Standards

As 3958.1-2007 ceramic tiles - Guide to the installation of ceramic tiles.

https://www.saiglobal.com/pdftemp/previews/osh/as/as3000/3900/3958.1-2007.pdf 

This Standard is part of a series that covers ceramic tiles, as follows:

  • AS 3958 Ceramic tiles
  • AS 3958.1 Guide to the installation of ceramic tiles (this Standard)
  • AS 3958.2 Guide to the selection of a ceramic tilting system
  • AS 3958.3 Guide to the selection of a stone tiling system


Overview of the
Queensland Standards for Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles

Standards and
tolerances for floor and wall tiling in accordance with Queensland Regulations
The following is a brief summary of the different standards and tolerances that
exist for floor and wall tiling in Queensland. This information is essential
for new tilers and homeowners and are concerned about defects that may occur.

Floor and Wall Tiling

Tiling work
materials must comply with AS 3958.1: Ceramic tiles – Guide to the installation
of ceramic tiles, AS 3958.2: Ceramic tiles – Guide to the selection of a
ceramic tiling system, and the manufacturer’s installation instructions for the
selected materials, unless otherwise documented.

Often, new tiles cannot be matched to existing tiles during renovations,
alterations, or repairs. If a tile is slightly different in colour, size,
texture, etc., it is not defective.

To separate non-matching tiles, a joint location such as a separating doorway,
intersecting wall, or a change in wall direction is recommended.

Contractor - supplied
floors and wall tiles

Where the supply of
tiles and laying of tiles is by the contractor as part of the building
contract, the failure of the following may be considered a defect:

  • failure of tiles
  • failure of substrate
  • failure of adhesive 
  • failure of grout

If tiles supplied
by the contractor do not meet AS ISO 13006 Ceramic tiles – Definitions,
classification, characteristics and markings or AS 4459 Methods for sampling
and testing ceramic tiles, they may be considered defective.

Tile supplied by a contractor may be considered defective if the tile is not
suitable for the intended use (e.g. decorative feature tiles must not be used
as floor tiles, unless specified by the manufacturer.)

 A tile that displays reverse water staining is defective if it is used in a wet area.

Owner supplied Floor and wall tiling for laying by contractor

Failure to install tiles correctly within 12 months from completion is deemed defective if caused by the contractor’s negligence.
Any defects in the tiles are the owner’s responsibility, except in cases where the contractor should have known about them during installation.

Tiles that are cracked, pitted, chipped, scratched or loose

A tile is defective if it is cracked, pitted, chipped, scratched or loose within 12 months of its completion unless the cracked, pitted, chipped, scratched or loose tiles are due to the actions or inactions of the owner or others not within the contractor’s control.

In the first 6 years and 3 months following the completion of the work, cracked, pitted, chipped, scratched or loose tiles are defective if they allow water penetration into the building or compromise the health and safety of the occupants.

Grout
Within 12 months of the work being completed:

  • If the grouting is not installed according to AS 3958.1 Ceramic tiles – Guide to the installation of ceramic tiles, then it is defective.
  • Grout lines are defective if they are not, as far as practicable, a consistent width.
  • When the finished grout is not uniform in colour and smooth, without voids, pinholes or low spots, finished flush with square edged tiles and flush with cushion edged tiles, it is defective, except for tooling in accordance with AS 3958.1 – Ceramic tiles – Installation Guide.
  • Loose or dislodged grout is defective.

The use of flexible sealants at junctions

When flexible or waterproof sealants are not installed at junctions within 12 months of completion of the work, they are defective if they are not installed according to BCA and AS 3958.1 Ceramic tiles – Guide to the installation of ceramic tiles, or according to the manufacturer’s requirements.

Tiling that is uneven

Tiles that are not uniform, of even width, aligned or in the same plane within 12 months of completion of the work are defective, except if they have distortions inherent in the manufacture. In order to achieve the required falls, large tiles may need to be cut in order to fall and drain to a floor outlet.

Tiling is defective within the first 12 months after completion if, when measured with a straightedge, the finished surface is not flat or true within 4mm of the desired plane.

During the first 12 months, lippage between two adjacent tiles is defective if it exceeds 2mm; for tiles with polished surfaces, it exceeds 1.5mm; and for joint widths of 3mm or less, it exceeds 1mm.

Control Joints

As specified in AS 3958, floor tiling is defective if it is not installed with movement joints or control joints at the following locations:

  • Substrate joints located above movement or control joints
  • A joint that separates a tiled element from a fixed object such as a column or wall
  • Intermediate joints that subdivide large tiled areas into smaller ones:
  • Any internal floor that is not exposed to sunlight and is not greater than 9 m should be spaced evenly at 4.5 m
  • Any internal floor that is exposed to sunlight should be evenly spaced at 4.5 m intervals if its dimensions exceed 6 meters.
  •  External floors should be evenly spaced at 4.5 m centers if any dimension exceeds 4.5 m.

This website is intended to provide general information only about the various goods and services available in the tile industry and at The Tile Supply. Neither the content of this website nor any opinion expressed on it should be construed as professional advice.

Neither The Tile Supply nor its employees are liable for any loss, damage, lawsuit, claim, or expense incurred by anyone using the information provided on this site. Furthermore, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, The Tile Supply shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, special, exemplary, punitive, aggravated, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of the use of this information contained or connected to this website, even if such damages were anticipated.

QBCC Standards and Tolerances Guide.

https://www.qbcc.qld.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/guide-standards-tolerances.pdf

12. FLOOR AND WALL TILING

12.1 Floor and wall tiling

Unless documented otherwise, tiling work and materials must comply with AS 3958.1: Ceramic Tiles – Guide to the Installation of Ceramic Tiles, AS 3958.2: Ceramic Tiles – Guide to the Selection of a Ceramic Tiling System and the manufacturer’s installation instructions for the materials selected.

In renovation, alteration or repair work where new tiles are to be used to match existing tiles, it may be impossible to match the new to existing work. The use of a tile that is slightly different in colour, size, texture etc. is not a defect.

Where non-matching tiles have to be used, a joint location such as the aluminium channel of a shower screen, a separating doorway, an intersecting wall, a change in wall direction or similar should be selected to separate the different tiles.

12.2 Floor and wall tiling where the contractor supplies the tiles

Where the supply and laying of tiles is by the contractor as part of the building contract, the failure of the tiles, substrate, adhesive or grout is a defect.

Tiles supplied by the contractor are defective if they do not comply with AS ISO 13006 Ceramic Tiles – Definitions, Classification, Characteristics and Markings and AS 4459 Methods for Sampling and Testing Ceramic Tiles. Tiles supplied by the contractor are defective if they are not fit for their intended purpose (e.g. wall tiles must not be installed on the floor etc.)

Tiles used in wet areas are defective if they exhibit reverse water staining.

12.3 Floor and wall tiling where the owner supplies the tiles for laying by contractor

Within the first 12 months from completion of the work, faulty installation of tiles is defective if caused by the contractor’s workmanship.

Any fault in the tiles is the responsibility of the owner – except where faults in the tiles should have been apparent to the contractor at the time of laying.

12.4 Cracked, pitted, chipped, scratched, or loose tiles

Within the first 12 months of completion of the work, tiles are defective if they are cracked, pitted, chipped, scratched, or loose unless such cracking, pitting, chipping or scratching has been caused by actions or inactions of the owner or others outside of the contractor’s control.

Within 6 years and 6 months from the completion of the work, cracked, pitted, chipped, scratched or loose tiles are defective if they allow water penetration into the building, or compromise the health and safety of those who use the building.

12.5 Grout

Within the first 12 months of completion of the work:

  • Grouting is defective if it is not installed to the requirements of AS 3958.1 Ceramic Tiles – Guide to the Installation of Ceramic Tiles.
  • Grout lines are defective if they are not, as far as practicable, of consistent width.
  • Finished grout is defective if it is not uniform in colour and is not smooth, without voids, pinholes or low spots and finished to the cushion on cushion edged tiles and flush with square edge tiles, except for tooling in accordance with AS 3958.1 – Ceramic Tiles – Guide to the Installation of Ceramic Tiles.
  • Grout is defective if it becomes loose or dislodged.


12.6 Flexible sealants to junctions

Within the first 12 months of completion of the work, flexible or waterproof sealants to junctions are defective if they are not installed when required by the BCA and AS 3958.1 Ceramic Tiles – Guide to the Installation of Ceramic Tiles, or in accordance with the requirements of the manufacturer.

12.7 Uneven tiling

Within the first 12 months of completion of the work, except where tiles have distortions inherent in the manufacture, tiling is defective if it has joints that are not uniform, of even width, aligned or in the same plane. Large tiles could present problems when required to fall and drain to a floor outlet and may need to be cut to achieve required falls.

Within the first 12 months from completion of the work, tiling is defective if, when measured with a straight edge, the finished surface is not flat or true within a tolerance of plus or minus 4mm in 2m from the required plane.

Within the first 12 months, lippage between two adjacent tiles is defective if it exceeds 2mm and for tiles where the surface has been ground flat, e.g. polished tiles; tiles are defective if the lippage exceeds 1.5mm, and for joint widths of 3mm or less, 1mm.

12.8 Control joints

Floor tiling is defective if it has not been installed with movement or control joints as required by AS 3958.1 including at the following locations:

  • Joints located above movement or control joints in the substrate
  • Joints that separate the tiled elements from fixed elements such as column and walls
  • Intermediate joints that sub-divide large tiled areas into smaller sections:
  • In internal floors not subject to sunlight where any dimension of the floor exceeds 9m and should be evenly spaced at 4.5m.
  • In internal floors subjected to sunlight where any dimension exceeds 6m and should be evenly spaced at 4.5m centres.
  • In external floors where any dimension exceeds 4.5m and should be evenly spaced at 4.5m centres.