Frequently ASKED
Answers to Your Tile and Renovation Queries: Frequently Asked Questions
We value our customers and strive to provide the highest level of service, which is why our website includes a dedicated contact page. Reach out to our friendly team directly for personalised assistance, and professional advice, or to schedule a visit to our award-winning showroom. We are here to guide you through every step of your tile and renovation journey.
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
Most good tile retailers will have knowledgeable staff who can assist you with direction on your renovation projects. At Modern Tiles, we have the latest ranges and materials in-store from renowned manufacturers worldwide. Using these materials, our experienced staff can guide you through from ‘initial concept to finished project’ to make your renovation journey easy.
Pool areas are a situation where the ‘Slip Rating’ of the tile surface is very important. Because of the potential for high volumes of water in these areas and the resulting high risk of slipping over, it is mandatory that a compliant slip rated tile is used in this situation. Speak to one of our team members regarding the applicable slip rating requirement for your situation as there are many certification types and it can become a little confusing.
Small tiling jobs like a kitchen or laundry splash-back or a small patio area can be done as a DIY project provided you have the right information, tools and materials. At Modern Tiles we have everything you need to complete a professional looking job as well as expert technical advice so you have the right information before you start the job. Consult with one of our experts today and we’ll send you down the right track.
The main difference between the 2 types is the density of the body. A porcelain body is typically a harder, denser and more durable with much lower porosity than ceramics, which makes porcelains a much more versatile product which can be used in many areas of construction projects. Being a more dynamic material porcelain can be manipulated with technical manufacturing techniques to create different and usually beautiful styles and types. These products are usually called ‘Technical Porcelains’. Because of the overall higher costs of raw materials and manufacturing techniques used for producing porcelains, these products usually will command a higher price and typically are better quality than standard ceramic tiles.
Although there are some porcelain tiles in the market that may require sealing after installation, usually porcelain and ceramic tiles are glazed or already ‘pre-sealed’ so sealing the tiles themselves is not required. However in most cases, the grout that is applied to floors is usually porous and will benefit from sealing – unless it is epoxy grout. Consult your sales attendant during your selections to better understand the requirements of the tiles and grout you have chosen so you know beforehand how to best treat the floor once it is installed.
The easiest and most common way of cutting tiles is with the ‘Score and Snap’ method. This is simply done with a purpose made cutter with a scoring wheel attached to the breaking handle. This is an easy to use machine and with a little practice anyone can get professional results for their own DIY project. Cutters come in many sizes and price points to suit budgets with a few standout brands in the market being Sigma, Ruby and Boss. Speak to one of our team members regarding the appropriate cutter for you.
Depending on where the floor is, whether it is a kitchen, bathroom, BBQ area or main floor … etc – the situation will determine how you should clean and how often you need to clean the area.
Generally in a food preparation area, you will need to clean more often than in other areas, but the basic process for all areas will be as follows :
- First remove all loose dirt and debris by either vacuuming or sweeping.
- Daily cleaning will be with a ph neutral detergent diluted with water. Apply detergent with a trigger sprayer and wipe with a cloth.
- For periodic cleaning this is best done usually with an alkaline detergent diluted with water.
- Allow alkaline detergents to dwell on the surface for a short time to enable surface active ingredients to work. Then scrub lightly with a nylon scourer and rinse well with water.
- For spot staining, use an abrasive creme cleaner (note that some surfaces maybe damaged by abrasive cremes).
For more detailed information on cleaning routines, please speak to one of our team members and we will guide you through the best practices for your situation.
Shade refers to the distinct colour of a particular batch when in reference to tiles. All tiles are kiln fired products and as such will have an inherent variation in the overall colour from batch to batch. All tiles will have a designated shade (usually written on the box) which determines the specific colour variation from the original produced sample. It is important to be aware of this because tile colour may look the same by eye, but when installed side by side will look very different.
With the many different types of tiling situations that can happen, adhesive companies have modified their formulations to change the characteristics of their products to better perform under different conditions. There are now premium formulations of adhesives that are designed to suit 90% of project conditions but please speak to one of our expert staff for more detailed recommendations as your project may need a specific adhesive characteristic.