FAQs
TILE FAQS
“Ceramic” or non-porcelain tiles are generally made from red or white clay fired in a kiln. They are almost always finished with a durable glaze that carries the colour and pattern. These tiles are used in both wall tile and floor tile applications, are softer and easier to cut than porcelain, and usually carry a PEI 0 to 3 rating. Non-porcelain ceramic tiles are usually suitable for very light to moderate traffic and generally have a relatively high water absorption rating making them less frost resistant and they are more prone to wear and chipping than porcelain tiles.
Porcelain tile is a tile that is generally made by the dust pressed method from porcelain clays which result in a tile that is dense, impervious, fine grained and smooth, with a sharply formed face. Porcelain tiles usually have a much lower water absorption rate (less than 0.5%) than non-porcelain tiles making them frost resistant or frost-proof. Glazed porcelain tiles are much harder and more wear and damage resistant than non-porcelain ceramic tiles, making them suitable for any application from light traffic to the heaviest residential and light commercial traffic. Full body porcelain tiles carry the colour and pattern through the entire thickness of the tile making them virtually impervious to wear and are suitable for any application from residential to the highest traffic commercial or industrial applications. Porcelain tiles are available in matt, unglazed or a high polished finish.
The sealers are “impregnators” that penetrate into the tiles and grout to seal them in order to help prevent penetration by oil and water-based stains. They also help stop soiling. The impregnators are not coatings, so there is no film or membrane on the surface of the tiles or grout; therefore, the impregnators will not scratch, peel or flake off.
It will last a lifetime on vertical surfaces. On floors, etc., it will last for years. However, on heavy walkway areas or heavily used areas such as shower recesses, the areas should be checked yearly and re-sealed if necessary.
TIMBER FAQS
Bamboo is “grass”- not wood. It is environmentally sustainable; harvested from the sustainably managed bamboo forest every 5 to 6 years, compared to 50 years plus for hardwood forest – a truly renewable resource to replace traditional hardwood flooring.
- Stability – Bamboo flooring is an extremely stable hardwood, a truly reliable and consistent product.
- Value – Reasonably prices comparable to hardwood timber.
- Termite resistant – 99.5% resistant to termites.
- Healthy – No toxic fumes. With 0.01mg formaldehyde per cubic meter of air. The adhesive is used to laminate the Bamboo strips that form the flooring. Off-gases 16% less than the European Standards (EN) of 0.13mg.
Yes. Our prefinished flooring can be typically re-finished as you would for hardwood flooring. For flooring with stained colour please consults with a qualified trade person.
High heels concentrate a person’s weight on a small point (estimate: 60kg person = approximately 150kg per square centimeter when taking a normal step). This kind of force can damage many types of flooring, fracturing ceramic tiles and perforating vinyl, as well as denting timber floors. While high heels in good condition may not damage bamboo floors, we recommend a ‘no high heel’ policy where practical.
All our solid Bamboo flooring is protected against insects, rot and mildew during the manufacturing process. The surfaces are pre-finished with 8 layers German manufactured water-based Polyurethane. The finishes are standard Semi-Gloss or Matt(High-Gloss by special order). Just like hardwood flooring all care should be taken to protect the finish. It is scratch resistant but damage caused by negligence or improper maintenance would void the warranty.