Frequently Asked Questions

Grout colour is very important as it can make such a difference to the overall look of the floor or wall. Although very much a personal choice, we would always recommend choosing a colour that blends with the stone or tile, so that you are focusing on the tiles not the grout joints. However dependent on the tile you use, there are grout colours available to make the area more of a feature.

Most tiles are assigned a slip rating and based on this rating you can assume which tiles are suitable for your project, for example, a high-slip resistant tile is suitable for a wet environment or external environment where the risk of slipping is greater. There are two different ways slip testing is done with some materials having a PTV rating and some a R rating.

PTV stands for pendulum test value, which essentially measures how slippery a floor surface is when a foot comes in contact with it. PTV also calculates slip-resistance. It is measured with a pendulum that mimics a shoe on a surface. The results will determine the PTV or R rating and thus the suitability of the tile, for example:

PTV 11 - 18 (R9) - low friction. Suitable for dry internal domestic floors such as kitchens, dining areas and hallways.

PTV 18 - 34 (R10) - medium friction. Suitable for internal domestic floors subject to occasional wetting, such as bathrooms.

PTV 34 - 51 (R11) - high friction. Suitable for external areas such as patios, walkways, dressing rooms and pool surrounds.

Two types of rubber are used to measure the resistance of barefoot and footwear. The slides make contact with the tile in the same manner as a human heel would at the point that slips occur. After striking the test surface, the foot swings and a measurement is taken to see how the friction of the surface reduces the energy of the foot. The test is conducted in both dry and wet conditions. A tile with a high slip resistance has a lower probability of a slip.

First of all a ramp is covered with the flooring material that is to be tested. The ramp angle then increases in degrees until the tester, who is either barefoot or wearing a predetermined shoe type, slips. The test is then repeated on dry floors, wet flooring and contaminated floor surfaces. The results of the tests performed are averaged and the floor material is given an R rating.

Tiles should always be installed by a dedicated professional who is used to dealing with these products due to different materials needing different care, tools to cut, and installation. Natural stone and tiles can be cut using a diamond blade – ideally a water-cooled machine. Some porcelain, glass and ceramic tiles can be cut with a scribe and break type cutter. Tiles which are extremely thin, require various specialist tools due to having less surface tension, such as glass cutters and manual tile cutters, along with a tile cutter ruler. A specialist frame used alongside a hand-held angle grinder may also be required.

No unfortunately not. The delivery service we offer is kerbside delivery via a tail lift courier, once unloaded the goods are the responsibility of the site team. The delivery driver is not insured to help handle the goods, move the goods into the property or remove packing, therefore it is essential someone is present to receive the order.