Prior to Installation

Prior to Installation – Porcelain Tiles

Please check our ‘Conditions of Sale’ for a full summary

Please check all materials are the correct quantity, colour and as ordered prior to installing them. No claims can be made after tiles are installed. Installation is full acceptance of the product.

Please check the boxes are all displaying the same Shade/Tono number. Make a note of this number for future ordering although if you are short of tiles no guarantee can be given the same shade will still be in stock.

Optical Hazing – In addition to the guide you can access by clicking this link it is important that you check POLISHED tiles in various lights to ensure you are happy that this phenomenon is acceptable. It is rare but can occur on Polished Porcelain showing itself as a slight ‘misting’ or ‘clouding’ on the surface.

Natural Bowing – or slight warpage, in porcelain tiles is a common occurrence, particularly in larger formats, resulting from the firing and cooling process. While it’s a natural characteristic and often within acceptable standards, it can lead to lipping, especially in staggered or brick bond patterns. It’s crucial to consider this when planning tile layout and installation.

Causes and Characteristics:

Firing Process: Porcelain tiles are fired at high temperatures, and the subsequent cooling can cause slight warping.

Tile Size: Larger tiles (over 75cm) are more prone to bowing.

Production Variations: Natural variations in production can also contribute to slight differences in flatness and straightness.

Standard Tolerances: There are industry standards for bowing (e.g., ± 0.5% of the diagonal size) this can equate to a 6.6mm gap behind the tile on a 60 x 120cm format.

Lipping: Bowing can lead to lipping, where the edges of adjacent tiles are not flush, particularly when tiles are laid with a staggered or brick bond.

Minimizing Issues:

Tile Layout: Avoid brick bond patterns on tiles with significant bowing, or stagger joints by a maximum of 30% to minimize the effect.

Levelling: Ensure the sub-base is level and use levelling wedges during installation to compensate for any slight bowing.

Joint Thickness: Use appropriate joint thickness (e.g. 2-5mm) to minimize the appearance of lipping.

Substrate Preparation: Ensure the substrate is properly prepared and cured.

Prior to Installation – Wood Flooring

It is important to understand that wood is a natural product and can vary considerably within batches. Rustic grades of wood are particularly susceptible to this variation and it’s colour, knotting and sap content can be very different to samples seen or previously supplied.

It is therefore essential that prior to installation you open a few packs from your order to ensure you are happy with the overall look you wish to obtain. Fitting of the supplied wood is its acceptance. No claims can made after the product is installed.

Flooring substrates vary enormously and it is the installers responsibility to ensure the subfloor and method of installation are suitable for the site conditions.

Ensure fitting instructions are obtained when installing over underfloor heating.