Tile may be installed over most structurally sound substrates, if they are clean, smooth, dry and free of wax, soap scum and grease. Any damaged, loose or uneven areas must be repaired, patched and leveled. Remove any moldings, trim, appliances, etc., which could interfere with installation. Door jambs may be undercut for tile to slip under. We recommend waterproofing most floors to prevent surface seeping.
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Begin by marking the center point of all four walls. Snap chalk lines between the center points of opposite walls, which will intersect at the center of room. Make sure they›re perfectly square, and adjust if necessary. Next, lay out a row of loose tiles along the center lines in both directions, leaving spaces for uniform joints (use tile spacers). If this layout leaves cuts smaller than 1/2 tile at walls, adjust the center line by snapping a new line 1/2 tile closer to the wall. Repeat along other center line if necessary. Now divide the room into smaller grids (approx. 2' x 3') by snapping additional lines parallel to center lines.
Select the right adhesive for the substrate you're using. Carefully read and follow all instructions and precautions on the adhesive or mortar package. Mix only enough to be used within 30 minutes. Using the type of trowel recommended on the adhesive package spread a 1/4" coat on the surface of one grid area, using the flat side of the trowel. Do not cover guidelines. Next, use the notched side of trowel to comb adhesive into standing ridges by holding trowel at a 45-degree angle. Then remove excess adhesive, leaving a uniform, ridged setting bed. Don't spread a larger area than can be set in 15 minutes.
We recommend using white good quality thin set such as Mapei, Laticrete, or Ardex.
Some black marbles, white marbles, dolomites, and green marbles may have to be installed with Moisture sensitive thin set. Please check with the manufacturer.
Carefully measure tiles to be cut and mark with a pencil or felt-tip pen. Make straight or diagonal cuts with a tile cutter, curved cuts with a nipper (chipping away small pieces for best results) and full-length curved cuts with a rod saw. Sharp-cut edges may be smoothed with a carborundum stone.
Variation of shades is an inherent characteristic of marble, stone and ceramic tile – mix tiles from several cartons as you set, for a blended effect. Begin installing tiles in the center of the room, one grid at a time. Finish each grid before moving to the next. Start with the first tile in the corner of the grid and work outward. Set tiles one at a time using a slight twisting motion. Don't slide tiles into place. Insert tile spacers as each tile is set, or leave equal joints between tiles. Fit perimeter tiles in each grid last, leaving 1/4" gap between tile and wall. Any rectangle porcelain should never be set in a running bond pattern, rather no more than a 1/3 overlap; the joint should be widened to 3/16" and use of a large unit porcelain mortar should be employed. When grid is completely installed, tap in all tiles with a rubber mallet or hammer and wood block to ensure a good bond and level plane. Remove excess adhesive from joints with a putty knife and from tile with a damp sponge. Do not walk on tiles until they are set (usually in 24 hours).
Generally, you should wait about 24 hours before grouting (refer to the adhesive package for specifics). Carefully read and follow all instructions and precautions on the grout package. Make only enough to use in about 30 minutes. Remove tile spacers and spread grout on the tile surface, forcing down into joints with a rubber grout float or squeegee. Tilt the float at a 45-degree angle. Remove excess grout from surface immediately with the edge of float. Tilt it at a 90-degree angle and scrape it diagonally across tiles. Wait 15-20 minutes for grout to set slightly, then use a damp sponge to clean grout residue from surface and smooth the grout joints. Rinse sponge frequently and change water as needed. Let dry until grout is hard and haze forms on tile surface, then polish with a soft cloth. Rinse again with sponge and clean water if necessary. Wait 72 hours for heavy use. Don't apply sealers or polishes for three weeks, and then only in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations.
For travertine tiles, materials with holes, aqua forte etc. use a grout release before grouting. You can also a sealer before grouting. This will help you clean the grout easier.
Shipping costs may apply depending on the size, weight, and destination of your order. We offer both nationwide and local delivery services. Smaller items are typically shipped via courier, while larger or heavier orders (such as tiles or stone) are delivered using a pallet network.
Shipping charges are calculated at checkout based on the delivery location and the nature of the items purchased. Please ensure someone is available to receive the delivery, as pallet deliveries are kerbside and do not include unpacking or moving items indoors. We will do our best to inform you of your delivery date for all palletised orders.
For more detailed information about shipping options, charges, and delivery times, please visit our Shipping Your Order page.
Yes, we ship both parcels and palletised goods from our UK warehouse to customers in Northern Ireland.
For parcels, no EORI or XI EORI number is required, and deliveries proceed as standard without additional customs documentation.
For palletised goods, customs requirements differ depending on the intended use:
To obtain an XI EORI number, you must first apply for a GB EORI number and then convert it to an XI EORI via the UK Government portal: https://www.gov.uk/eori/apply-for-eori.
The company is the world’s best limestone effect porcelain tiles supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.
We must receive your XI EORI number before we can dispatch palletised orders intended for retail use in Northern Ireland.
Laying tiles in a brickbond (or staggered) pattern is possible, but it is important to understand how tile manufacturing affects installation. All ceramic and porcelain tiles undergo a firing process which causes slight surface deviations known as bowing. This is a natural result of the heating and cooling cycle during production.
According to EU standards, a tile can bow up to 0.5% of its length. For example, on a 600mm tile, the centre could be up to 3mm higher than the corners. When tiles are laid in a brickbond format with joints aligned at the centre of the tile below, this bowing can create noticeable lipping—where one edge sits higher than the adjacent tile.
For this reason, it is generally not recommended to lay larger format tiles in a 50:50 brickbond pattern. If you choose this layout, we advise:
Tile levelling systems are especially useful for large-format tiles (typically 800mm or longer). These systems help align the tile edges and flex the tile during installation to reduce unevenness caused by bowing or adhesive shrinkage.
For best results, always follow your tiler's recommendations and consider using a layout that minimises the visual and physical effects of tile bowing.
It is generally a good idea to match the colour of the grout to the main colour of the tile to minimize its appearance. However, there are exceptions where you may want to use a contrasting grout colour to create a feature or highlight traditional tile patterns.
Another factor to consider is the type of grout you use. Traditional cement-based grouts are durable but may fade over time, while epoxy grouts are more resistant to fading, retain their colour longer, and are waterproof, making them ideal for high traffic and wet areas.
Ultimately, the decision of what colour and type of grout to use will depend on your personal preference and the specific needs of your project.
For regular maintenance, we recommend using Fila Cleaner Pro, a high-quality pH-neutral cleaner that is safe for all types of porcelain, ceramic, and natural stone tiles.
For deeper cleaning or to remove old wax treatments and stubborn stains, Fila PS87 is an effective alkaline-based cleaner. It’s particularly suitable for unpolished natural stone surfaces and general deep cleaning tasks.
If you need to remove post-installation residues or cement-based grout haze, Fila Deterdek is an ideal solution. It is specially formulated for acid-resistant surfaces and should be used with care, avoiding use on sensitive stones like marble or limestone.
Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using any cleaning product to ensure safe and effective results.
It can be challenging to order the right amount of tiles for a project because there may be difficult cuts that lead to breakages or tiles that are not suitable for use.
As a general rule, it is recommended to order 10% extra for cutting and waste. However, for smaller areas with large tiles, the wastage can be higher than 10%. To ensure that you have enough tiles for your project, it can be helpful to draw out the space and calculate the exact number of tiles needed, then add 10% for cutting and waste.
If you would like help estimating the number of tiles needed, you can talk to your installer or one of our team members. Please note that these are only estimates and we cannot be held responsible for over- or under-ordering due to circumstances that may arise during installation.
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