My Tile Market FAQ

Ceramic and porcelain tiles are both made from clay. Porcelain is baked in the kiln at a higher temperature than ceramic, making it a denser and stronger tile. For this reason, we often recommend laying porcelain tiles on floors, and ceramic tiles on walls.

Porcelain and ceramic tiles are low in porosity, are durable and easy to maintain. Regular household cleaners and detergents are suitable for everyday cleaning. For stubborn stains and scuff marks, we recommend using diluted phosphoric acid.

Please note that My Tile Market provides Slip Rating classifications as a guide, based on a slip test report produced by testing in laboratory conditions. It is possible that the environment in which tiles are laid affect their slip rating. Factors such as grouting, wear and tear, build up of residue or wet weather can affect the slip resistance of tiles. If there is any doubt as to the level of slip resistance of any tile, or its suitability for the intended application, it is the responsibility of the client to perform their own tests. Please refer to he Australian Standards (Table 3), which indicates locations that correspond to the relevant Pendulum and/or Ramp ratings. It is the responsibility of the end user to provide information to clients that all floor tiles can be slippery, especially when wet. Many tiles which can be slippery when wet are commonly used in wet areas, such as bathrooms and kitchens. Arch Stone therefore cannot provide any warranty or accept liability for personal injury or accidents that arise from slipping or falling on tiles, under any circumstances.

Before laying, it is important to check whether sufficient quantities of tiles have been ordered. Arch Stone cannot guarantee that subsequent supplies of the same tile will match in shade. With each production of the same tile, there are inevitable colour variations at factory level. For this reason, we recommend adequate tiles are kept as spares in the case of future repairs.

Stone tiles are a product of nature and therefore, no two pieces are ever the same. For this reason, all natural stone tiles are subject to variation in calibration, colour, grain structure and veining, as well as pitting, fissures and cracks. Natural fossils, minerals and oxides may remain in stone tiles and therefore extra allowance for wastage should be made when using natural stone tiles. Variation in shade and veining can be minimised visually on site with professional blending by an experienced natural stone tiler. A tiler should never take the tiles straight from the crate and install in the order they were removed. Any tiles with dramatic variation within each tile should be used for cutting. If you do not want variation in colour and veining, and you prefer a uniform and consistent look, perhaps consider porcelain tiles. Porcelain tiles are machine manufactured, where the design constrains colour shifts and any veining is printed to a standard.

Regular household cleaners should be avoided when cleaning natural stone as they will damage the surface of the stone. Instead, a pH neutral detergent formulated especially for stone should be used with a soft, damp mop or cloth. Click here to see our range of cleaners for natural stone, including heavy duty cleaners for leaf marks and rust stains.

All natural stones are porous, and must be sealed. Depending on the quality of sealer used, stone tiles require resealing every 1 – 15 years. My tile market recommends that all natural stone tiles be sealed with a penetrating sealer. Penetrating sealers soak into the stone, causing very little change to the colour and texture of the stone. Sealers do not make make the stone completely resistant to stains, however it will make it easier to clean and maintain the surface, as well as providing protection from common forms of stone damage, such as staining and efflorescence.

If you find that your tiles are chipped or broken upon purchase, please notify us within 36 hours of delivery or pickup. You will be required to provide photos of all damaged tiles. My tile market will investigate the claim and replace any damages that are at the fault of Arch Stone. Please note that chipped tiles can still be used for off-cuts.