The tile installation standard states that lipping allowances of between 1 & 2mm depending on whether the tiles are ground flat or have cushion edges can have the curvature in the tiles added to the lipping tolerances.

Few large tiles come near this allowance, however the Australian Tile Council , strongly advise tile re-sellers to check their stock to ascertain their curvature.

If stocked large tiles do not comply with the above mentioned standard, then the ATC suggest that tile resellers should advise their sales staff to inform the consumer of potential lipping problems which would display significant curvature within a brick pattern and therefore inform consumers that, laying the same tiles in a straight pattern would minimizes any lipping.

Move over plain white and beige floor tiles! Today’s floor tile designs feature exciting and bold patterns and are being used in fresh new ways to create stunning interior design schemes.

Whether you opt for the traditional encaustic tiles (that have been a staple in Victorian entryways), Moroccan inspired tiles, modern geometric, or other patterned tiles, the key to pulling off this fresh new look is to let the tiles be the ‘hero’ of the room and working simple, streamlined, architectural furniture and lighting pieces into the space.  This creates a modern look packed with character and artistic flair, with the patterned tiles adding a sense of nostalgia and quality craftsmanship to the design.

For a chic, modern look go for black and white patterned tiles and mix them with natural materials such as wood and concrete and incorporate plenty of white to keep it fresh. Image Source Left: via ‘Japanese Trash‘ Patchwork Evening Cement Tile.  Image Source Right: Photography Lucas Allen for Share Design. Design by Whiting Architects.

Bathroom floors are a great place to add large scale patterned tiles as fewer floor lines equate to less visual chopping, resulting in a larger visual space.  Image Source Left: Fastighetsbyrån. Image Source Right: Photography Matteo Imbriani

Decorative tiles add character and depth to these modern bathrooms. Image Source Left: MHouse Inc. Image Source Right: Photography Sean Fennessy, Styling by Lucy Feagins. Right: tiles by Jatana Interiors

We love the mix of the old with the new, traditional tiles with sleek furniture and unusual curiosities. Image Source Right: via Architectural Digest

Incorporating traditional or new encaustic tiles in your entrance is a great way to introduce a color scheme in your home.  Image Source Left: Balance Design. Image Source Right: Unknown

For something truly unique how about combining tile and wood within the same space? This stunning warehouse apartment was designed by Paola Navone. Image Source: Casa Vogue

While tiles have always been a popular option for bathrooms, kitchens, and entry ways due to their ability to withstand heavy wear and tear and water, it is their use in bedrooms, dining rooms and living rooms which is new – particularly in the not so hot countries. Image Source Left: Photography Filippo Bamberghi  via Casa Vogue. Image Source Right: This living room above oozes sophistication but with a modern sensibility. We particularly love the way the angular chair leg shape and Greta Grossman lamp base mimic the angular pattern in the bold ‘Lattice’ tiles by Fired Earth.

Image Source Left: Design by Sandra Behaumou, Photography MontsegarrigaDesign by Sandra Behaumou,  via Elle Decor España.  Image Source Right: Photography Filippo Bamberghi  via Casa Vogue.

Its all in the mix! These rooms successfully mix retro patterned tiles with rustic and mid-century furniture to create a unique modern look packed with character.  Image Source Left: The ‘Double Ellipse’ light grey granito tiles by Lindsey Lang come in changeable colours and patterns to suit any interior style. Photography Rob Streeter.  Image Source Right: The ‘Clementine 20′ tiles give a slightly period feel to this modern warehouse space. Photography Mauricio Fuertes. Design by Egue Y Seta.

Image Left Source: via Plataforma Arquitectura. Photography Jomar Bragança. Design by David Guerra. Image Right Source: via Dwell Photography Wichmann + Bendtsen, Tiled wet room designed by Paola Navone.

As you can see, tiles are no longer the flooring choice of the past. There are so many wonderful designs available today and plenty of new ways to incorporate them into a home, whilst keeping the look fresh, modern and exciting.

Check out some of our pattern tile range.

For more information see some of our products on offer or visit our award winning showroom to see the full range.

Credit to Jill Brandenburg

Everyone wants the perfect bathroom, and the perfect bathroom is always immaculately clean, stain free and without grime or rust marks on the corners of tiles. To achieve this, you have to prevent grime from building up on your shower tiles and within the grout joints throughout the bathroom floor and wall. It is important to note that grime will build on grout joints faster than on any other surfaces in your bathroom, especially the tiles. It only takes a few months for grime to build up on the tile grout joints, so maintenance is key.

To remove grime, there are many options available to ensure your tile grout joints remain grime free and clean. At Nerang Tiles, we recommend that the most effective method of keeping your tile grout joints clean is to use oxygenated bleach.

What is Oxygenated Bleach?
Oxygenated bleach is a nontoxic and environmentally friendly cleaning agent liquid which is the preferred cleaning substance for removing grime from bathroom and shower tile grout joints. This type of bleach does not contain chlorine unlike regular bleach products which will tend to alos discolour the grout and anything that comes into contact with it, such as your towels or bathroom matt.

Oxygenated bleach however, will not discolour your grout and will still effectively remove any stained grout joints or grime from your bathroom or shower floor tiles.

Cleaning tile grout is a tiring process, especially if the grout lines are wide. If you are planning a home renovation project such as installing a new shower, then your choice of tiles and the spacing between then can make cleaning grout much easier in the future.

To see what options of tiles you can choose for your next bathroom renovation, visit or contact Stone and Tile Centre in Mornington, Victoria. They have been providing excellent stones and tiles products for over 30 years. For more information visit: www.stoneandtile.com.au

SMP Evo is the latest tile adhesive developed by Davco. It has been specially designed for premium stone, marble & porcelain tiles. The main force of SMP Evo is the very fine rendering that it will give to noble stones. It has been formulated for all common substrates; building boards including plasterboard, compressed and fibre cement sheet, rendered brickwork and blockwork, existing ceramic tiles, new concrete cured in 6 weeks and new screed cured in 24 hours, compatible waterproofing membranes and timber floors.

Through continuous technological, scientific and innovative advances, the ceramics industry is making an immense impact on our everyday lives.
 
While this impact is perhaps more obviously seen in familiar products around our homes, there are other products, particularly on the industrial side, which today are also made from ceramics because of the special properties which the material possess.
 
 Throughout, the industry prides itself upon its responsible approach to the environment and social impact of its activities.
 
Companies invest each year in such areas as site landscaping, energy efficient factories, emissions reduction and the recycling of heat and waste and much more.
 
 In addition the industry is passionate about resource efficiency which is the use of the Earth’s limited resources in a sustainable manner. It means producing more value with fewer inputs, and consuming in a more intelligent fashion.
 
The European Ceramic Tile Industry has traditionally been recognised as the world leader in its field with regards to design, innovation and sustainability.
 
 In the production phase, the sector focuses on recycling and energy efficiency through, for example co generation (the production of electricity using waste heat).
 
One of the major characteristics of ceramic tiles is that they are chemically and physically inert, which in use leads to improved health and hygiene through ease of cleaning and, more importantly, no release of dangerous substances to indoor air.
 
Ceramic tiles applications include floor and wall covering and external cladding. Other applications such as ventilated facades and insulating tiles also contribute to the energy efficiency of buildings.
 
Ceramic tiles are highly resistant to mechanical friction and thermal shocks. Their durability makes them one of the most resource efficient construction materials.
 
REF: Tiles, a resource efficient material. (an abstract from http://www.cerameunie.eu/en/publications/brochures)

Regardless of whether a tile is of a small or large size, all rectangular shaped tiles do have some degree of lipping concerns.

As pointed out by the Australian Tile Council "when laid with a brick pattern, the highest part of any curvature correspond with the lowest part of adjoining tiles therefore accentuating lipping'.

During manufacture, the tile product is designed to create the most eye pleasing aesthetic when placed on a wall or floor and a tile with a slight convex central curvature will always appear to be more attractive than a plain flat surface.

This situation is fine, with the vast majority of manufactures ensuring that any given batch of product will have curvature variation - usually limited to a 1mm range as with all other tile measurement characteristic tolerances.

A newer concern has occurred since manufacturers have streamlined their production lines and many manufacturers now only press 600 x600 mm size tiles (or larger) and then cut smaller sizes and shapes as required from them.

The reason for these changes is simply to reduce the number of press die and box changes and hence saving quite a deal of production down time.

The 600 x 600 mm product produces is usually manufactured well within required curvature standards but, once they are cut into the required shape - say 2 off 600 x 300 mm tiles - this will result with tiles with one usually quite straight manufactured edge as well as one cut edge (from the initial tile centre) and very often with a curvature quite different to the manufactured edge.

many installations viewed by Nerang Tiles with lipping concerns in recent times have been where cut rectangular tiles have been placed in a brick pattern.

Customers should be aware of possible problems when placing rectangular shaped tiles - particularly cut tiles - in a brick pattern.

Do you think that porcelain and ceramic tile are essentially the same? Well, you may be surprised to find that they are not. Although both are manufactured of similar ingredients using similar processes, there are some important differences. Familiarize yourself with the characteristics of each of these tile types so that you can choose the kind that offers the right price, durability, and good looks for your tiling project.

What is the difference?
The difference is in the details. Ceramic tile is manufactured from red or white clay mixed with water and minerals, then baked in a type of kiln. It is nearly always finished with a glaze to reduce its natural porosity. Porcelain tile is made from light-colored clays with a fine grain (this gives it a dense body), quartz, feldspar, and a minimal amount of water, is pressed or extruded before being fired at substantially higher temperatures than regular ceramic. It is sold in both glazed and unglazed versions.

Advantages of Porcelain Tile
+  Beauty
+  Long life
+  Crack and stain resistance
+  Durability -- perfect for any use, from decorative wall tiles to rugged heavy-traffic flooring
+  High Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) ratings for hardness and durability
+  Low water absorption (less than 0.5 percent)
+  Usability for outdoor features
+  Frost resistance
+  Superior strength that allows it to be formed into a huge range of sizes
+  Ability to be rectified -- that is, cut precisely to size so that all tiles are uniform and grout lines are minimized

Disadvantages of Porcelain Tile
-  Cost of porcelain tile
-  Necessity for professional installation due to its brittleness, which requires special tools and cutting methods to work with
-  Heavy weight, making it more difficult to transport
-  Sealing required for polished porcelain tile
Advantages of Ceramic Tile
+  Cost of ceramic tile, which is considerably less expensive than porcelain tile
+  Easy cutting and installation
+  Light weight
Disadvantages of Ceramic Tile
-  More limited number of styles
-  Higher porosity, making it more moisture-permeable
-  Susceptibility to cracking and staining
-  Unsuitability for use outdoors in high-frost regions or as flooring in heavy foot traffic areas
-  Lower PEI ratings

Ref: Networx written by Laura Firszt

There are several types of tiles used for residential and commercial applications. Tiles provide one of the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly flooring choices. Tiles are made from natural clay and often from other (recycled) materials. Tile manufacturing does not necessitate the use of heavy chemicals or other harmful substances used to make other flooring types. There are no trees to be cut down as with hardwood floors, and the best part is that tiles are durable and have a long lifespan.

Ceramic tile is the most common tile used in the US in offices, stores and homes. Ceramic tile comes in two forms: glazed and unglazed. Unglazed tile (see below) is referred to as quarry tile. Ceramic tiles are made from clay and then heated. The glaze is added after the firing of the clay tile, which creates the color of the tile. The glazing process allows for the creation of infinite color combinations. Learn more about the benefits of ceramic tile.

Quarry tile is unglazed ceramic tile. It is an inexpensive, durable and natural option for industrial, commercial and residential tile applications. Quarry tile is used a lot in industrial settings because it is so durable and can also be used outdoors. It has some other great qualities as well, such as being less prone to chips and scratches. In colder climates, freeze-resistant grades of quarry tile are used to prevent any weather-related problems. Like almost all tile types, quarry is porous, which means that it can become stained. Those who choose to install quarry in a kitchen generally apply a glaze-like seal or wax finish to help prevent stains and other damage. The color selection is not as vast as with other tile types, but there are several shades of red, orange, brown, gray and more. In residential applications, quarry is used for kitchens and pathways because it has a naturally coarse surface, making it less slippery than some other surfaces when wet. Strong mortar and grout is used during installation to ensure a strong hold between the tile and the floor. Use limited amounts of water when cleaning unglazed or unsealed quarry. Lots of water exposure can lead to mold growth in the grout. The water exposure can also damage the unglazed tiles.

Porcelain tile is a type of ceramic tile. The difference between porcelain and ceramic is that porcelain is fired at a higher temperature, making it more dense and moisture-resistant. Porcelain tiles are also less porous, making them more stain-resistant. For these reasons, most porcelain tiles are suitable for both indoor and outdoor installations. Porcelain tiles are hard to cut due to their density and hardness, so the cost and labor involved is often higher. Porcelain tiles are available in matte, unglazed or a high-polished finish. In recent years, the prices have become closer to those of ceramic tile.

Tile mosaics allow you to be creative with your tile design. Mosaics are most commonly used for smaller areas, such as a bathroom or kitchen backsplash, or even small counter space areas. Mosaic tiles are usually less than six square inches and made of porcelain or clay composition. Many come in squares, octagons, hexagons or other unique shapes. The tiles are also available in pre-mounted paper or fabric mesh sheets.

View some of our Mosaic Tile range.

Marble is a versatile natural stone which has been used for centuries in homes to create a luxurious and unique look. Because marble is a natural stone, there are variations in the color of each tile. Many homeowners like this, as it creates a unique, one-of-a-kind design, while others prefer a more consistent look, like ceramic tile. Marble is porous and must be sealed just like all other tile types.

View our Marble Tile range

There are several types of natural stone tiles which are used for flooring, walls and more. These include:

• Granite – Granite has been used for countertops for years, and it is also used for shower walls and bathroom counters. Granite tiles are naturally antibacterial and aren’t damaged by water contact, which is why they are such a great choice for kitchen and bathroom applications.
• Slate – Slate tiles are growing in popularity due to their versatility. They are even used as roofing shingles. Slate is a natural material and is available in several color ranges, from gray to purple to black. Slate is used outside as well as inside because of its natural look and range of colors.
• Travertine – Travertine is natural beige stone and is used for bathroom flooring, kitchen backsplashes, shower mosaics and more.
  
• Marble (see above description)
• Onyx – Onyx is well known for its creamy, pearl-like look. Onyx is not a common choice for flooring, but it is used on some occasions. It is used more frequently for skirting around bathtubs and mosaics.
• Sandstone – Sandstone, which is extremely durable, has a grainy look and feel. It is often used for wall applications.
  

Porcelain tiles usually cost more than ordinary ceramic tiles.
This is because customers are getting a superior product for the price they pay. Porcelain tiles typically use the finest natural ingredients and the most advanced technology in a rigidly controlled manufacturing process.
 
Harder and Denser
Porcelain tiles are much harder and denser that ceramic tiles since they are made from an extremely finely powdered clay tablet pressed under enormous pressure and heat – several hundred degrees hotter than ceramics. This also allows porcelain tiles to be made in very large formats that would be impossible to achieve in a ceramic tile.
 
Colour
Porcelain tiles will also often have a coloured biscuit that matches the surface glaze, or have a colour and pattern that extends all the way through the tile. This avoids the common problem with ceramics where the glaze gets chipped and exposes the colour of the clay biscuit underneath.
 
Strength
Porcelain tiles are the strongest fired product that you can purchase in tile form and many are commercially rated; strong enough to be used outdoors or in a shopping mall. If you are using the tile for a very high-traffic area like kitchens, a porcelain tile would be a great investment.
 
Stain
 Porcelain tiles have typically 0.5% or less of water absorption which means it is less porous, making it easier to clean and less likely to stain.
 
Durability
As long as the tile does not come to impact with any heavy or sharp objects causing chipping, tiles should last for the life of the home. Tiles were found intact in the ancient ruins of Rome and various other places. After all, it’s made of finely ground stone, and hardened in a kiln. Just basic maintenance and avoiding heavy drops should definitely keep tiles looking great for many years to come. This is true for both ceramic and porcelain tiles, however being denser and stronger, porcelain proves to be more resistance to chipping.
 
Outdoor usage
Frost can damage tiles when water is absorbed by the tiles gradually. The water then cracks the tile when it expands as it freezes. Then when it melts, it takes crumbling pieces of the tile with it. The less the tile absorbs the less damage the water does when it freezes.
Good quality porcelain tiles are usually rated to be frost resistant. This is an important consideration in areas where temperatures can drop to below zero degrees.