FAQ

What should I do first?

Once you have decided to start a project at home think a bit more specifically about the finer details about exactly what you want. We can offer advice, but a lot of decisions will come down to your personal preferences. Next contact us, and we will give you a written quote explaining what will need to be done, amounts of tiles required and products needed.

Is everything included within the price?

Generally, our price includes all the labour and material costs required to complete the job. For example glues, grouts, concrete, etc. It is your task to provide tiles and bathroom products such as baths, vanities, toilets, etc. We can organise these items, but find that customers have certain preferences in the design/style of these products and then know exactly how much they are paying for them.

What do we do if we only have one bathroom?

In these instances we can provide a modern portable amenities. We have stand alone showers with instant gas hot water services and clean "cool-to-touch" chemical toilets.  When quoting your job we can see if this could be a option for you.

How can I pick a good tile?

As the old saying goes, "You get what you pay for". Unfortunately there is a lot of cheap, poorly made tiles with little quality control coming from the Asian countries. Not to say that all are bad. Beware of very cheap tiles because ultimately you will be disappointed with the end result. We have been encountering tiles that are bowed, with colour, size, thickness variations and chipped edges. Italy and Spain are well known for good quality tiles but you will pay more for them. Tiles should be the same size, batch and colour. Check on ceramic tiles, that the glaze covers edges and lighter tiles should have lighter biscuit shades.

How do I keep my new tiles clean?

Tiles are a great product, however they won’t stay clean by themselves. Always keep your tiles clean - trapped dirt can be very abrasive and this sand and gritty dirt is likely to damage any tiled surface. Cleaning should always begin with the gentlest means possible, which may include sweeping or damp mopping or vacuuming to reduce grit. Do not use abrasive cleaners including powdered cleansers and even "mildly" abrasive creams. We suggest diluted methylated spirits with water 1:10 and a microfiber cloth.

How can I have my wall/floor tile laid?

Straight, on the diamond, checkerboard, brick pattern, with a border, insert or other feature.

Can I lay on my timber floors?

Yes, but they need to be dry, sound and not falling apart. Our preference is to attach CTU (ceramic tile underlay) a cement sheet by mechanical means and then use the appropriate glue. Some adhesive companies claim to have glues to directly stick to wood, but we use the above method as a tried and proven way of getting a good result.

Do my tiles need to be sealed?

Possibly, depending on the product. Typically, natural products need to be protected with a sealer. Most ceramics do not. The best people to ask would be the tile shop you buy from. Sealing can be a hidden cost. Higher quality Italian tiles can come sealed whereas cheaper ones aren’t.

What is the hardness rating?

The hardness rating system ranks tiles from 1-5 and determines the suitability of the tile for certain areas. The rating 1 is only suitable for the bathroom. No shoes can be worn on this surface. 3 is considered the minimum standard for other areas of Australian homes. Ratings of 4 and 5 are for high traffic and commercial applications.