Useful Information
DIMENSIONS, COLOUR & SHADING
Although we have made every effort to display the colours accurately, we cannot guarantee that this printed brochure directly reflects the colours of the actual product. As products can vary slightly from these images, we advise you to order a sample for true colour representation. Please note that tiles are created in batches and some shade variation may occur between batches. Products with the same colour name, such as “grey”, are not necessarily the same exact colour shade as another product with “grey” in its name. Please do not order using colour names or product names as your guide to colour. Our tiles are manufactured to extremely tight tolerances, however due to the nature of the manufacturing process, sizes, weights, capacities, dimensions and measurements indicated may vary slightly.
GOODS
We take care to ensure that all of our Goods leave us in perfect condition. All orders must be examined on delivery and any shortages, damages or other discrepancies should be brought to our attention before installation. Confirm that all products have been inspected and approved before installation begins, as the installation of the product signifies acceptance.
MAINTENANCE
Glazed porcelain, ceramic or glass tiles and mosaics can be cleaned using mild household cleaners, taking care not to scratch the surface. Do not use harsh chemicals, such as those designed to remove limescale, or abrasive cleaners which may damage the surface of the tile. Natural stone or polished porcelain tiles should be cleaned using a sealer which is suitable for the material to avoid damaging the surface or removing the protective coating of the sealer. For outdoor porcelain tiles, sweep the area to clear away dust, dirt and debris. Fill a bucket with warm soapy water. We recommend using a porcelain cleaner – do not use acid based or abrasive cleaning products. Wet a scrubbing brush with the soapy water and scrub the surface of the tiles until clean. Leave to dry naturally.
GUIDANCE ON ADHESIVES, GROUTS AND CLEANERS
Please ensure that the correct adhesives, grouts and cleaners are used with your tiles and fitted according to BS standards. Grouts especially dark grouts can stain tiles. Always conduct a sample test before grouting. A grout protective sealer may need to be applied prior to grouting. Seek technical advice from qualified sources prior to carrying out any work to ensure a finish you’re happy with.
MOSAICS
Like natural stone tiles, mosaic sheets that contain stone pieces will require sealing to prevent staining. Mosaics that contain metal pieces should not be installed in areas where water may collect. When fixing any mosaics it is important to use an adhesive and grout that are specified for the material content of the mosaic sheet. For mosaics containing glass pieces use a suitable adhesive specified for glass mosaics and the substrate they are to be fixed to. If fixing in wet areas we recommend using an epoxy adhesive and grout following the manufacturer’s instructions.
SLIP RESISTANCE : R RATINGS
These are German test methods that require an operator with standard footwear (DIN 51130) or barefoot (DIN 51097) to walk on the test surface. This is fully recognised and adopted in the UK. Known also as the ramp test, the inclination angle of the test surface, can be varied under the control of the operator, the test surface can be sprayed with liquid contaminant at a prescribed rate, motor oil (DIN 51130) or a soap solution (DIN 51097). The operator, wearing a fall restraint harness gradually increases the inclination of the ramp until he or she feels insecure or slips when walking up and down the slope. The “R” values range from R9, which has a small degree of slip resistance, up to R13 which is the highest slip resistance. R9 & R10 ratings are suitable for indoor domestic areas, whereas R11 ratings and above are also suitable for external applications. We don’t recommend R9 rated tiles to be used in wet areas, such as wet rooms.
• R9: Angle of 6-10°
• R10: Angle of 10-19°
• R11: Angle of 19-27°
• R12: Angle of 27-35°
• R13: Angle of of >35°
SLIP RESISTANCE : THE PENDULUM TEST
The Pendulum Test simulates the action of a shod foot slipping by swinging an imitation heel clad with standard soling rubber over the test surface. BS 7976 Pendulum testers defines the apparatus and test method, while other standards, eg. BS EN 14231 Natural Stone Tiles, refine the test method for particular floor coverings. PTVs can be obtained for dry surfaces and surfaces contaminated with water. Research has proved the pendulum test to be accurate and reliable and it has been adopted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as the standard test for the assessment of floor slipperiness in dry and contaminated conditions. It also has the advantage of being portable and therefore capable of producing in situ values. The HSE emphasises that pendulum operators need to be fully trained to obtain consistent results.
• PTV of 0-24: High risk of slip
• PTV of 25-35: Medium risk of slip
• PTV of 36+: Low risk of slip
SLIP RESISTANCE : DIN 51097 ABC RATINGS
The tile slip rating DIN 51097 is a classification system used to measure the slip resistance of floor tiles when they are wet. This standard is specifically relevant for tiles that are intended for barefoot areas, such as showers, swimming pools, and changing rooms. The classification is based on the angle of inclination at which a person begins to slip while walking on the tile surface. The rating is divided into three categories:
- A (Angles 12°-18°): These tiles have the lowest slip resistance and are suitable for areas where only minimal slip resistance is required, such as dry changing rooms.
- B (Angles 18°-24°): These tiles provide medium slip resistance, making them appropriate for areas that occasionally get wet like pool surrounds.
- C (Angles >24°): These tiles offer the highest slip resistance, ideal for continuously wet areas, such as inside swimming pools and communal showers.
The higher the classification (A to C), the greater the slip resistance, ensuring safety in wet conditions.
PEI RATINGS
PEI is the abbreviation for Porcelain Enamel Institute. A PEI Rating is given to a tile product based on the hardness of its glaze. This hardness is determined by the manufacturer using a standardised test. The results of this test will determine the proper usage of a product. It is important to note that the PEI Rating is the result of testing glaze wear only, and not slip-resistance. Natural Stone and other unglazed products are not glazed and are therefore not rated.
• N/A: A PEI rating for this tile is not available
• Group 1: Suitable only for residential / commercial walls, not suitable and/or recommended for foot traffic – examples include bathroom walls, backsplashes and accent walls
• Group 2: Suitable for general light residential traffic – examples include bathrooms, formal dining rooms, formal living rooms, etc. NOT suitable for residential areas subjected to continuous foot traffic
• Group 3: Suitable for all residential and light commercial areas – examples include residential kitchens, foyers, laundry rooms, commercial offices, reception areas and boutiques
• Group 4: Suitable for residential, medium commercial and light institutional applications – examples include restaurants, hotels, hospital lobbies and corridors
• Group 5+: Suitable for heavy traffic in both residential and heavy commercial applications – examples include mass transit, airports, malls, schools, etc.
TILE VARIATION
Tile shade variation refers to the differences in colour, tone, and texture among tiles. This variation is categorized into four levels, from V1 to V4, to help architects and designers understand what to expect in terms of uniformity and diversity of tile appearance.
- V1 (Uniform Appearance):
Tiles have minimal to no variation in colour, tone, and texture. - V2 (Slight Variation):
Tiles exhibit slight differences in colour and texture. These variations are generally subtle and create a more natural, but still fairly consistent appearance. - V3 (Moderate Variation):
Tiles show noticeable differences in colour and texture. The variations are more pronounced and can vary from tile to tile. - V4 (Substantial Variation):
Tiles have a significant variation in colour, tone, and texture, with each tile potentially looking quite different from the others. This can include strong contrasts and a wide range of shades.