FAQs

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  • Cleaning and caring for your tiles

    Everyday cleaning

    To remove environmental dust, use a dry dust mop. It is not advisable to use wax-based products or self-shining wax.

    To care for the flooring properly, use a thorough neutral detergent like Fila Cleaner.

    In the course of time, after continuous use of the tiled surface, it can be given a thorough clean if necessary by following the cleaning process used when it was first laid.

    Care and maintenance

    In rooms with direct access from outside, some system should be used to collect dirt on the soles of shoes (doormats or similar), so that the tiles conserve their visual appeal for longer.

    Do not clean the tiles with detergents or corrosive products. If necessary, there are specific products for removing different types of dirt. Always follow the instructions of the product in question.

    Removing stains

    Remove any stains just after they occur. Do not allow them to dry.

    Before applying any kind of stain remover to polished porcelain tiles, carry out a test on a small, unnoticeable area of the floor to make sure that it does not affect the shine or colour. Cement, lime scale, scratches by metal objects, oxides Wash with water as soon as possible and rub the area gently with a cloth.

    Remains of epoxy grouting wash with water as soon as possible and rub the area gently with a cloth.

    • Fila CR10 - Fat, grease, food, rubber, ink, felt tip pen etc Wash with water as soon as possible and rub the area gently with a cloth.
    • Fila PS87 Pro - Graffiti Wash with water as soon as possible and rub the area gently with a cloth.
    • Fila No Paint Star - Coffee, tea, juice, soft drinks Wash with water as soon as possible and rub the area gently with a cloth.
    • Fila SR95 Stain Remover - Candle wax, tree resin, remains of adhesive tape Wash with water as soon as possible and rub the area gently with a cloth.

    For more information please call us on 01604 419894.

  • Laying large format slab tiles

    1. Preparing the worksite.

    Find a place to work with enough room to move the tiles freely.

    Prepare a working surface that is flat and stable, with dimensions that are equal to or larger than the tile.

    Make sure that you have a completely flat surface to work.

    2. Treating the surface where the tiles are to be laid.

    There are many different kinds of substrates: concrete, conventional partition walls, plasterboard partition walls, existing tiled surfaces, natural stone, wood etc. In each case, special recommendations and a particular type of adhesive apply.
    The substrate should be stable and flat, with no cracks.

    Any remains of dust, lime, cement or dirt should be removed and the substrate should not be at all damp.

    The flatness of the substrate should be checked, using a spirit level or similar. If necessary, level it with a suitable levelling product.

    The substrate should be given a coat of primer using a roller, whether it is newly made or an existing one.

    4. Spreading the cement adhesive.

    The floating and buttering method should be used, covering both the substrate and the underside of the tiles with cement adhesive. In this way, the whole surface will be covered in bonding material.

    Spread the cement adhesive over the entire underside of the tiles, using a 3mm / 0,12”, notched trowel. Do not forget to apply sufficient adhesive on the corners and edges of the underside of the tiles.

    Using a 10 mm / 0,39’’ - 12 mm / 0,47’’ notched trowel, comb the floor with cement adhesive.

    Once the tiles have been laid, the final thickness of the adhesive should be about 6 mm / 0,24”.

    In both cases, always perpendicular to the long side of the piece so that any air that may be below can escape.

    5. Tile-laying large slabs.

    For placing the pieces using the frame and two operators.

    The levellers and spacers should be positioned between the tiles, pressing down on the former with the gun supplied with the levelling set. Several different levelling systems can be found, such as Raimondi, Tile Level by Rubí, the Tuscan Levelling System or Planfix Italmond.

    The number of levellers used on each side of the tiles will depend on the tile format.

    Thanks to this kind of product, it is quicker and easier to lay the tiles.

    6. Tapping the tiles lightly in place with a rubber trowel.

    To remove any air bubbles in the cement adhesive, move the tile horizontally and then tap it into place with a rubber trowel.

    Leave the cement adhesive to dry as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Do not tread on the tiles while the cement adhesive is drying.

    Once it has set, remove the levellers with the aid of a gun.

    7. Grouting with suitable grouting material for slimline

    Tiles.
    The joint (> 2 mm / 0,08”) between the tiles should be free of dirt. Once grouted, remove any surplus grouting and leave the grouting material to set as per the drying time specified by the manufacturer.
    It is important to comply with drying times, removing any surplus material within the stipulated time limits.

    Important:
    When grouting polished porcelain tiles, do not use grouts coloured with “lamp black”, since the pulverized coal used to formulate them will penetrate the surface pores of polished porcelain tiles, making it very hard to remove.

    8. Cleaning (see cleaning advice).

    Removing cement remains

    When the tiles have been laid and grouted, the surface will be covered in an opaque cement film that masks its real appearance.

    The surface must be thoroughly cleaned to remove any surplus grouting material or dirt from the tile-laying process.

    A slightly acidic detergent should be used (such as Fila Deterdek) which does not give off any toxic vapours, damage the tile joints or tiles, or have a harmful effect on users.

    Follow these steps in all cases:

    • Before proceeding to clean the surface, wait until the tile grout is fully set. The manufacturer will specify the required setting time.
    • Mop the surface with plenty of clean water.
    • Dilute 1 part of cleaning agent in 5 or 10 parts of water, depending on the amount of dirt. Spread the solution over the floor and leave it to act for a few seconds.
    • Use a clean sponge. Do not use a scouring pad or other materials that might scratch the surface of the tiles.
    • Rinse the surface several times with lots of clean water to remove any waste material or dirt.
    • If the dirt (cement) remains are very dry or there are a lot of them, repeat the above procedure as many times as necessary.

    Always carry out a prior cleaning test on an unlaid tile before cleaning the tiled surface.

    Protection porcelain tile flooring during building work.

    After laying and grouting the tiles, it is crucial to protect the tiled surface by covering it with sheets of cardboard to prevent direct contact with the remains of building materials, tools, work machines etc.

    Do not drag furniture, electrical appliances or any other heavy object directly across the floor, as it could get scratched.

    For more information on fitting your tiles or speak to opur expert tile fitters please call us on 01604 419894.

  • What is the continua porcelain tile making process

    Following Twinpress and Monolithos, Continua completes a comprehensive range of porcelain tile production technologies.

    Unlike traditional press feed systems, Continua combines high productivity with outstanding flexibility thanks to a technology that allows modification of both aesthetics and size.

    The innovative powder compaction system provides both surface and full-body decoration. Randomization of decoration makes each tile unique, and improvements on traditional press filling systems have sped up output and augmented line flexibility, allowing production of large slabs sizes of up to 3200mm x 1600mm that can then be reduced to any required size. Continua produces tiles with through-body effects, does not bind the producer to the geometry of the grating, and eliminates the problems of powder remixing and poor definition of effects.

    For more information please call us on 01604 419894.

  • What is the difference between glazed and full bodied porcelain tiles

    Glazed porcelain stoneware is a product with a front surface that has been further enhanced by glazing. It is a material that these porcelain tiles are is particularly suited for use in residential use. Full-bodied porcelain stoneware, on the other hand, is a product whose surface colour is the same all the way through the porcelain tile.

    This specification means that in the rare event of the tile porcelain tile being chipped, the damage can hardly be seen at all.

    The high aesthetic value and the special features of this product means it is particularly suited for use in domestic and light commercial traffic contexts.

    For more information please call us on 01604 419894.

  • Full-bodied porcelain tile characteristics

    Fine porcelain stoneware tiles are manufactured using extremely pure, selected raw materials obtained from highly advanced extraction and sorting techniques.

    The result is a top-quality fine porcelain stoneware tile, obtained by wet grinding the raw materials, partially spray-drying them, storing them in silos to unify their properties and then compacting them in high power presses reaching specific pressures of over 500 Kg/cm2.
    After being fired at temperatures of over 1200°C, these very high pressures create a ceramic body that is extremely compact and strong, with very low water absorption (lower than 0.1% according to UNI EN ISO 10545-3) and a superior level of average mechanical resistance that reaches as high as 50 N/mm2 instead of the obligatory 35 N/mm2 required by the UNI EN ISO 10545-4 standard.

    Thanks to their low porosity, these tiles are frost-proof and rated in the BIa UGL class according to the UNI EN 14411 Standard, which requires water absorption ≤ 0.5%. Its chemical resistance to acids and basic concentrations (in compliance with UNI EN ISO 10545-13) means it is particularly suited to environments where aggressive products, like chemical agents, are used, such as hospitals, chemical and pharmaceutical factories and food processing plants.

    All of our ranges of porcelain tiles are supplied in a number of sizes from 600mm x 600mm to 3 meters x 1 meter and a number of finishes including natural, polished, honed, satin and slate-cut.

    For more information please call us on 01604 419894.

  • What does rectified edge mean

    Normal porcelain tiles vary slightly between production runs which is why boxes are marked with the calibration on them. Sizes change between batches and this means is that mixing and matching different production batches is seldom possible.

    Rectified edge porcelain tiles are deliberately made over size, and are then cut with a diamond wet saw at the factory to an exact size (caliber). This then creates a square edge to the porcelain tile.

    Porcelain tiles being rectified means you can install the tiles with narrower grout joints between tiles and result in a more clean cut contemporary finished look.

    Rectified calibration also means that rectified tiles will still work together when modular sizes are mixed. Rectified products have increased in popularity over recent times. All of the tiles at Concept tiles are rectified edge.

    For more information please call us on 01604 419894.

  • Porcelain wood effect floor tiles

    Over recent years porcelain wood effect floor tiles have become very popular in the UK.

    With advances in tile making technology it is now possible to reproduce porcelain wood effect tiles that perfectly replicate natural wood. At Concept tiles we believe we have found the very best porcelain wood effect floor tiles available on the market today and its name is Light Wood.

    We know this is a big claim but trust me when I say, I guarantee that you will not find a more authentic looking porcelain wood effect floor tile. Light Wood is made with the very latest ink jet technology that guarantees that every tile will look different to the next and have a real lift look to the tile. Light Wood is available in tile sizes 1200mm x 200mm and features the unique 1800m x 200mm tile size. Light Wood is available in white, beige, sand, canella, cognac, brown and ash.

    Light Wood has rectified edges so the tiles can be laid with only a 2mm grout line.

    Light Wood is perfect for use with underfloor heating and extremely hard wearing.

    For more information on this and any other range of porcelain tiles on our website please call us on 01604 419894.

  • Large format porcelain floor tiles

    Large format tiles have become very popular over recent years. But now due to the advances in tile making technology, porcelain tile sizes are changing they are getting even bigger.

    There was a time when 600mm x 600mm tile were classed as big. But now 1.2m x 1.2m tiles are available.

    At concept tiles we believe that size matters that is why we have put together what we believe to be one of the best collection of XXL porcelain floor and wall tiles in the country.

    Ranges:

    We have the stunning Lounge range of 1.2meter x 1.2meter full bodied polished porcelain tiles that are perfect for that modern and contemporary. Lounge is available in 5 subtle soft tones white, almond, cream, and beige and taupe.

    Our 1.2 meter x 1.2meter polished concrete style porcelain floor and wall tiles are very popular. These are continuous body porcelain that really do create a real life look to the tile and are the perfect choice if you are looking for a polished concrete floor but without the hassle of polished concrete.

    We also have 2 ranges of large format limestone effect porcelain tiles. Stone Project and B-Limestone both are in our opinion up there with the very best limestone effect porcelain tiles on the market. These ranges are available in sizes ranging from 1.2meter x 1.2meter to 900mm x 900mm and even 600mm x 1.8meter and as with all porcelain of our porcelain tiles there is no need for the tiles to be sealed like with conventional limestone.

    For more information please call us on 01604 419894.

  • Polished Concrete Tiles

    Advantages of polished concrete tiles.

    With polished concrete floors becoming more and more popular. Italian and Spanish tile manufactures have produced convincing copies of polished concrete.

    This is helped by the fact that porcelain tile manufacturers can now produce Extra-large porcelain tiles of up to 1.2m x 1.2m square and large slabs 2.7m c 1.2n with Inkjet technology changing all the time the surface patterns are endless.

    Our Polished Concrete and Micro Cement effect porcelain tiles are made by a total new process called continua. This means the pattern on the surface of the tile runs continuously through the body of the tiles and the top surface is embedded into the surface of the tiles. So the surface of the tile actually looks like it is polished concrete.

    This process guarantee’s no 2 tiles will ever look the same.

    Polished concrete porcelain tiles are perfect for use with underfloor heating. Unlike polished concrete that is prone to cracking.

    Our ranges of polished concrete porcelain tiles are stain proof and acid proof so are very low maintenance and easy to keep clean.

    And most importantly are more cost effective than polished concrete.

    For more information on all our range of porcelain tiles please call us on 01604 419894.