Tiles Appear Different To What Was Ordered

Tiles are manufactured using natural materials that are kiln fired and processed. Every time a batch of tiles are made they tend to vary slightly in shade or size in comparison to the last batch made. The slight variances can be due to any of the following:

• kiln temperature;
• room temperature;
• atmospheric conditions;
• slight changes in glaze mix;
• material composition (colour, density, origin); and
• many more factors.

These causes are referred to as the tonality (shade and colour) including the calibration (size) of tiles.

The natural occurring variation in tiles are inherent characteristics of ceramic and porcelain tiles. This is because tiles are made from natural clay and silica that react differently to the manufacturing and firing process. More information on tile characteristics can be found here or under the Tile Knowledge banner.   

Sometimes the tiles that are selected at any tile showroom can be a different shade to the tiles supplied. This can occur frequently due to the time difference between showrooms creating displays and delivering a tile to site. Nerang Tiles updates its tile samples and displays frequently to ensure the most accurate batch is available. This assists in ensuring your and our designs are as accurate as possible for colour matching and design purposes. 

Nerang Tiles always recommends that a current batch sample be requested and viewed before ordering to ensure you are satisfied with the tonality of the current batch. Naturally, Nerang Tiles cannot be held responsible for any variation in shade after the tiles have been installed.  

How Can The Tile Appear Different

Sometimes tiles can appear different in a tile showroom to when it is viewed on site and then in a completed space. Factors affecting this can be:

• lighting (cool or warm lights);
• shadows created by furniture and natural light
• your choice of grout colour
• paint colour;
• polished or matte finished tiles. Even matte tiles can reflect or absorb the colour of surrounding materials. For example, a pink wall reflected on a white polished tile will make the tile appear a warm white, pink or even beige;
• size of the room; and
• much more.

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It is important to remember that a tile's appearance can change dramatically as soon as a room is completed. It is important to take samples home to preview as close as possible how the tile will appear in the completed space with any other colour swatches such as wall paint, bench top material and other materials used in the space. 

The shade variation inherent in all ceramic and porcelain tiles can also be the cause. It is important to view a current batch sample and check tiles delivered to site to ensure they are the correct colour that was selected.

For natural stones and natural terracotta, the size, colour and profile of bull noses or stair noses can also differ for each batch. This is because these products are made from natural materials that are porous and are subject to mother nature's determination of how they will appear. Manufacturers do attempt to produce consistent products however it is important to always view the current batch sample. 

Naturally, once the tiles have been installed, Nerang Tiles cannot be responsible for any variation in shade to the original selection, particularly if a sample of the current batch was not requested.