Lead Time on Products in our Shop
Please note that not all products listed in our Shop are stocked at our store locations. If you are working on a restricted time frame we recommend contacting us via our Contact page and including the store location for collection and products you require so we can assist you with an ETA asap.
Stock availability or discontinued tiles
Occasionally, due to unforeseen circumstances, tiles may become unavailable or discontinued. Armanti Tiles and Bathware apologises for any inconvenience caused. This may occur with short notice as we generally get little notice from our suppliers. We will always do our best to find you a very similar replacement.
Can I get a quote on the same day as I make my selection?
The quoting process is quite involved but our team endeavours to send quotes within 5 days of your product selection. In some instances your sales consultant may be able to give rough guidelines, however this is an estimate only and cannot be considered a final costing. All final prices can only be authorised in writing via a formal quotation. This quotation is valid for 30 days from the date of issue.
I would like to complete extra tiling in my bathrooms after handover – can I purchase extra tiles?
The tile manufacturing process is not dissimilar to cooking. You may follow the exact recipe each time, but many other factors will affect and contribute to the final outcome. Each time a batch is made there may be shade variations which can make purchasing extras after handover difficult. The supply in tiles may be a different batch, or even discontinued.
For this reason it is not possible/recommended to purchase extra tiles after handover.
Why should I tile higher?
Have you taken the time to see what your tiling heights are? We encourage you to do so prior to visiting our showroom. It is also worth visiting Display Homes to look specifically at the tiling heights and the difference that it makes to the bathroom. Please familiarise yourself with your builder’s inclusions for tiling heights within your addenda.
Large format wall and floor tiling – why is extra labour needed?
Today’s technology sees tiles being made larger and larger. On top of this, they are often polished and are being rectified. Rectification means their edges are being lightly ground to make the tiles almost exact for size. A slight bevel may be applied to the top edges, and some are being sold with sharp square edges.
When tiles are perfect for size and they are big in format (i.e. greater than 500mm2), there are fewer joints for the tiler to make up any variation from square and straightness in the area being tiled. With small tiles the tiler has additional joints to ‘humour’ the tiles. With large tiles there are fewer joints, making it is harder to hide any discrepancy. The larger tiles therefore require additional labour time and more adhesive to achieve the required finish.
For example, a larger tile on the floor will need sand and cement screed as well as a flexible adhesive in some cases, in order to achieve the appropriate adhesion required. It is also more difficult to obtain the required fall to the floor waste.
Will all of the wall and floor grout joints line up?
In most cases the joints will not line up. Even if you are choosing a wall and floor tile from the same range, there is no guarantee that they will line up, even if they say they are the same size. Remember that once the bathroom is completed there will be fittings and items that will distract the eye from the joints so this will not be as noticeable.
What about porcelain tiles?
Porcelain tiles are among the hardest tiles in the world. This, along with their limitless colours and textures make them one of the most desired hard floor coverings.
Given the type of tile and its square edge, the tiler needs to ensure that the tile finish level meets the Australian Standards. The tiler will need additional time, materials and tools to achieve this finish. As such, an additional cost may be incurred to achieve the desired finish.
What is tile wastage and why do I need to include this?
Armanti will always include tile wastage when measuring up your plans. Depending on the type of tile and how/where it is being laid, you may need to allow up to 20% for wastage. This does not mean that the goods are actually wasted, they are actually used for cuts, etc as tile formats will hardly ever fit exact in a space.
How do I know how many tiles I need?
This is one of the most common questions we get, but it’s actually very easy to work out by following the six steps below for each surface you want to tile:
- Measure and re-measure the length (or height) and width of your space carefully.
- Record your measurement in millimetres (this is how we measure tiles).
- Divide the length of your space by the length of your tiles.
- Divide the width of your space by the width of your tiles.
- Multiply the number you got in step 3 by the number you got in step 4. This is the number of tiles you need for this surface!
- Add an extra 10-20% to allow for cuts, breakages and spares.
What surfaces can I tile on?
You can tile over most wall and floor surfaces you find in your home including concrete, timber, brickwork, plasterboard and more.
Because each surface type has its own characteristics (such as rate of expansion and contraction, moisture absorption and ‘dimensional stability’), some surfaces may require special preparation and different surfaces will require different adhesives.
Please contact us if you would like some advice for your upcoming project.
I want to lay polished porcelain tiles. Is there anything special I need to know?
Laying porcelain tiles is virtually the same as laying ceramic tiles but there are two things you should keep in mind:
- Porcelain tiles can be much denser and stronger than ceramic tiles, which can make cutting them more difficult if you haven’t had much experience.
- If your selected tile has not already been pre-sealed, we always recommend that polished porcelain tiles are sealed to protect and extend the life of the tile.
What adhesives can I use?
When you start a DIY tiling job, you will naturally want the best tiles, but it is equally as important to choose the right adhesives and grout for the job as well.
There are three main things to take into consideration when choosing your adhesive:
- What kind of surface are you tiling?
- What are your tiles made of and how large are they?
- What kind of area are you tiling? Think about the purpose of the area. This could include things like wet areas, outdoors, or carports.
What is dry laying and why is it important?
The number one thing that scares DIY tilers is worrying about making a mistake that will become permanent when the tiles are laid with adhesive.
“Dry laying” is laying tiles without any adhesive to determine if you have enough, if you’re happy with the way they’re arranged and if there are any problems. Basically, it’s a test run that allows you to experiment and work out exactly how you want to lay your tiles before you stick them with adhesive. This is also the perfect time to look at your tiles carefully to ensure they’re what you expected and that there are no issues with them.
What do I do if I think there’s something wrong with my tiles?
If you think there is a problem with your tiles or they are different to your expectations, the most important thing to do is contact the Armanti store you bought them from before you lay them.
What grout spacing do I need between tiles?
We usually recommend between 3mm and 5mm for floor tiles and no less than 1.5mm for wall tiles. Grout spacers are a fantastic way to ensure your grout lines are level and even, and are available from Armanti stores.
Do I need lots of special tools for tiling?
Most of the tools you’ll need for a tiling job will probably already be in your toolbox or shed. There are a few specialist tools you might need to buy or borrow but most of these are small and very affordable. There are a couple of tools such as tile cutters that are available for daily hire from your local hire outlet, should you need them.
What is the difference between ceramic & porcelain tiles?
The terminology can be confusing. Ceramic and porcelain tiles come from a traditional and efficient production method of kiln-firing. Most types of tiles that are made from clay or a mixture of clay and other materials are considered to be a part of the larger classification called ‘ceramic tiles’. These tiles can be split into two groups, porcelain tiles and non-porcelain tiles. Non-porcelain tiles are more commonly known as ceramic tiles.
Ceramic tiles are generally made from red or white clay and have a durable glaze which can carry a vast array of textures, colours, patterns and are available in many shapes and sizes. The glaze makes for easy cleaning and maintenance requiring only a simple surface clean by sweeping, vacuuming and regular washing. Being hygienic and easy to clean, ceramic tiles are recommended for all areas where high sanitary standards are required. Ceramic tiles are a tough and enduring floor and wall covering material and are usually suitable for very light to moderate traffic areas.
Porcelain tiles are classified as a form of ‘ceramic tiles’. Whilst the production method of both tile types are similar, it is the dust pressing and firing process of the porcelain tiles which results in superior characteristics, including being much stronger and less porous, with a water absorption rate of 0.5% or less. The two main types of porcelain tiles are full-bodied or through-bodied porcelain and glazed porcelain.
Full-bodied porcelain refers to the tile being consistent in composition throughout the body of the tile. The colour and pattern runs through the entire thickness of the tile making them virtually impervious to wear and suitable for any application from residential to the highest traffic commercial or industrial areas.
Glazed porcelain tiles are manufactured initially in the same way as the full-bodied tile. The difference is that their surface is coated with a liquid glass, which is then baked into the surface of the clay. The glaze is an impervious surface finish which protects the tile from stains and moisture, making for easier maintenance. Glazed porcelain tiles are much harder and more wear and damage resistant than non-porcelain ceramic tiles, therefore are suitable for any application from light traffic to the heaviest residential and light commercial traffic. The glaze allows an unlimited array of colours, patterns and designs especially with the new inkjet technology, where tiles can be produced to have an accurate recreation of the look of natural stone, woods and metals.
Porcelain tiles are available in many finishes, including polished, semi-polished, matte, honed, rock, structured or textured. Tiles, whether porcelain or ceramic have a longer life cycle when compared to most of the other flooring materials. They are a hard wearing material and are resistant to harsh cleaning agents, scratches, stains, fading, heavy loads, fire and frost.
How can I best look after my tiled floor?
Firstly, we recommend sealing the grout on all tiled floors after laying.
General tile care depends on the type of tile. Ceramic and porcelain floor tiles don’t need a great deal of aftercare cleaning or maintenance. Regular cleaning is easy using a natural cleaning liquid with warm water and a mop.
Natural stone requires more care and we highly recommend that the stone (and not just the grout) is both sealed and regularly maintained. Stone floors should be vacuumed or dust mopped to remove abrasive agents such as sand or pebbles. Never use acidic products on your stone floors – clean them with a pH neutral cleaner or a mild dishwashing detergent and rinse with warm water.
How can I minimise wear and tear on floor tiles?
Below are some simple tips you can apply to keep your tiles looking smart for years to come:
- Bleach, harsh chemicals, steel wool or wire brushes are not recommended. Any harsh cleaning agent may harm your tiles.
- Use only recommended cleaning products and sealants, and make sure they are specific to the tile purchased. The products sold by National Tiles cover every type of tile.
- Spill alert! To avoid grout stains, get onto floor spills straight away.
- Consider using floor protectors on the legs of furniture items to prevent tile damage.
For further information on the range of trade products Armanti has available please follow the links below: