FAQ

The process of making tile is dependent upon which materials are being used. ceramic and porcelain tiles are man-made products produced from clay and fired in a hot kiln at various temperatures. Stone is a natural substance resulting from the processes and physics of nature.

While ceramic and porcelain are both man-made tiles produced from firing clay and other minerals, the main difference is that porcelain is more resistant to moisture, staining and water due to a blend of fine-grain clays and other minerals fired at a much higher degree temperature than ceramic tile.

• Yes, ceramic and porcelain tiles are environmentally friendly because they are:

• Low maintenance products, making them easy to clean with just water instead of harsh chemicals or cleaners that are often needed to treat or clean other flooring options.

• Fired in kilns to extremely high temperatures, eliminating volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from finished products. VOCs contribute to a wide variety of health problems, making ceramic and porcelain tiles a better option for maintaining/improving indoor air quality.

• Inhospitable to dust mites, Mould, germs and bacteria when sealed and maintained properly. Tile is often used to replace carpet for people with allergies and asthma.

• Ceramic and porcelain tiles are some of the longest lasting flooring products on the market, making them longer lasting than carpet, vinyl, or laminate flooring when they're properly installed and maintained.

Factors such as level of foot traffic, primary users of the space, and regular exposure to water will affect the suggested application for each product. Please refer to the recommended applications, which are displayed on each product tag in store and on Prosurface's website product pages.

There are various types of stone that are used for flooring and decorative purposes. The most well-known are marble, granite, travertine, limestone, and slate.

Mountains are the largest source of natural stone. Riverbeds and the sea are also sources of natural stone.

Each stone type has different minerals, which give various properties to the stone.

Each type of natural stone has unique characteristics that make it harder, softer, or shinier. Depending on your application, there are some design preferences for one type of stone over another. For example, limestone tiles are not suitable for high-traffic areas but will be perfect for wall applications.

Prosurface only selected natural stone tiles and decorative natural stone products, which are suitable for interior or exterior floors and walls.

Each tile project is unique and will require a different amount of material depending on your vision. Some of these factors may include: the area being tiled, types of trim and finishing pieces being used, pattern being installed, etc.

Yes, it’s recommended to order 10%-15% extra based upon pattern layout to accommodate for cuts and future repairs. Availability and style of tiles are always changing so having an extra box or two on hand is highly recommended.

The difference between sanded and smooth grout is silica sand. The sand acts as a filler and adds strength for application in grout joints larger than 3mm. smooth grout is for grout joints 3mm or smaller. The width of your grout joint will determine what grout should be used. Both sanded and smooth will work in 1-3mm grout joints. Suggested grout and finish may be contingent upon material type, such as polished marble, travertine and glass. For more advice about your specific project please contact us.

Grout is as much a personal option as selecting your tile. We can make suggestions based on what's commonly used but we strongly suggest that you select the colour that is right for you and your design objective. For more advice about your specific project please contact us.

Slip Resistance of Pedestrian Surfaces 

Tables 3A and 3B describe slip resistance considered suitable for particular applications, based on the wet pendulum test method and oil-wet inclining platform test method as specified in AS 4586—2013.

For other applications not listed herein, guidance may be obtained from various scientific papers, references, overseas Standards and the like. This includes values derived from the wet pendulum test, wet barefoot inclining platform test and oil-wet inclining platform test. 

NOTES TO TABLE 3B:

1. The slip resistances of pedestrian surface materials set out in Table 3B are intended as guidance in the context of design for pedestrian safety, taking account other factors including abnormal wear, maintenance, abnormal contamination, the presence (or otherwise) of water or other lubricants, the nature of the pedestrian traffic (including age, gait and crowding), the footwear (or lack thereof), slope, lighting and handrails.

2. The contents of Table 3B are subject to further review by Committee BD-094, in its on-going project to provide guidance on the specification and testing of slip resistance.

3. The minimum classifications listed in Table 3B are P1 and R9. It is inappropriate for Table 3B to list the lower classification, P0, since there is no lower limit on Classification P0. Notwithstanding, some smooth and polished floor surfaces, which do not achieve Classification P1, may be considered to provide a safe walking environment for normal pedestrians walking at a moderate pace, provided the surfaces are kept clean and dry; however, should these surfaces become contaminated by either wet or dry materials, or be used by pedestrians in any other manner, then they may become unsafe. Therefore, the type of maintenance, the in-service inspection of floors, other environmental conditions and use should be taken into account when selecting such products.

4. When using the oil-wet inclining platform ‘R’ classifications, consideration should also be given to the determination and use of volumetric displacement ‘V’ classifications. In some cases, a specifier may choose either a particular combination of R and V values, or a more severe R value alone. For example, either R10 + V4, or R11.

Wet Pendulum Test

The wet pendulum test method is a relatively inexpensive test and may be performed either in a testing laboratory or on site. The test instrument utilises a pendulum slider contacting the test surface over a prescribed distance and measures the quantity of resistance to the motion of the pendulum created by the contact. The contact surface of the slider material is prepared to a consistent level of smoothness prior to each group of tests.

Except in the case of internal textile floor coverings, AS 4586—2013 requires that the test be performed under wet conditions and refers to it as the wet pendulum test method. The terminology ‘wet pendulum test method’ is adopted throughout this Handbook, notwithstanding that internal textile floor coverings are tested dry.

This test provides the greatest flexibility to designers and specifiers and enables verification of classifications either during manufacture and/or at the completion of construction.

Clause 5 of this Handbook describes the design of pedestrian surfaces using the classifications given in Table 1.

NOTES:

1. The test is known as the ‘wet pendulum test method’, reflecting the fact that it is commonly applied to hard or resilient surfaces to which water is applied. One exception is for internal textile floor coverings, which are tested dry.

2 .While either Slider 96 or Slider 55 rubbers may be used depending on the material and its intended application, the test report requires that the rubber that was used be specified.

3. For surfaces that are particularly slippery, it is appropriate to use slider 96 rubber.

Ramp Test (Oil-Wet Inclining Platform Test)

Pedestrian surfacing products, intended for a range of industrial applications, may be classified by the oil-wet inclining platform test method.

Test operators, wearing regulated footwear with highly profiled soles, walk down (forward) and up (backwards) the test surface on the platform using half steps. Prior to conducting each test, the test surface is coated with oil. The operator controls the gradual increase in platform angle.

Similar to the wet-barefoot inclining platform test, the oil-wet inclining platform test classifies surfaces by the specific angle at which slip occurs on the material under controlled laboratory conditions. The measurement and reporting of this angle provide a means of classification and is not a suggestion that the material is safe to walk on at the slope reported in the test results. Pedestrian surfaces should not be installed at the angles reported in this test.

There are a number of Australian testing laboratories with the necessary testing apparatus, thus enabling the laboratory verification of an overseas classification if required. 

Oil-wet inclining platform tests performed overseas may be deemed compatible with AS 4586—2013, in the appropriate circumstances and with appropriate quality assurance.

Wet Barefoot Inclining Platform Test

Pedestrian surfacing products intended for applications, which become wet during normal usage and are subject to barefoot traffic, may be classified by the wet-barefoot inclining platform test method. Barefoot test operators walk down (forward) and up (backwards) the test surface on the platform using half steps. During the test there is a continuous regulated flow of water (with wetting agent) on the test surface. The operator controls the gradual increase in platform angle. The wet-barefoot inclining platform test classifies surfaces by the specific angle at which slip occurs on the material under controlled laboratory conditions. The measurement and reporting of this angle provides a means of classification, and is not a suggestion that the material is safe to walk on at the slope reported in the test results. Pedestrian surfaces should not be installed at the angles reported in this test. 

What products should I use to clean my tile?

We recommend using a non-acidic, anti-bacterial cleaner for man-made materials like ceramic and porcelain as well as natural stone materials. Tile Neutral Cleaner and/or Anti-Bacterial Cleaner are safe options for everyday use for both categories of tile. Should your natural stone require deep cleaning or special attention, as some stones are sensitive to certain cleaning agents.

How do I repair cracked tiles?

For unexpected situations such as this, we always consider saving at least one box of tile depending on the size of your project; this is because tile dye lots change and may not be available if you need a replacement. Always use proper safety equipment including eye protection. We suggest removing all grout around the damaged tile before removing it. Using a hammer, strike the tile in the middle, fracturing into small pieces. Utilizing a power scraper, strike tile from the sides. Be careful not to damage any tile surround the damaged piece.

Should I seal my grout?

Yes, we highly recommend sealing your grout. Unsealed grout is more vulnerable to stains and will most likely need to be replaced overtime. Be careful not to clean your grout with harsh acidic cleaners to avoid stripping the sealer on the grout.

How do I prevent staining on my natural stone tiles and grout?

The first step to protecting your investment is to seal the stone with the right sealer. Once this has been done, remember to use a PH balanced cleaner, such as Grout and Tile Neutral Cleaner and/or Anti-bacterial cleaner. Never clean with any type of acidic cleaner as this could strip the sealer over time. Acid can also etch polished natural stone. We also suggest using these neutral products to maintain the grout joints on any ceramic, porcelain, or glass tiles.

How often should I seal my stone and/or grout?

When properly maintained, the sealer should have a lifespan similar to what is stated on the label, however, this will vary depending on the traffic and use of the space where the tile is installed. For a general idea, Gold choice sealer from Aquamix last up to 15 years with proper care. The easiest way to determine if your stone or grout needs to be re-sealed is to lightly spray it with water. If the water beads on the surface, the stone and/or grout is still in good condition. If the water is absorbed, sealer should be reapplied properly.

How do I keep my grout clean?

Grout, like stone, is a porous material. Maintaining a sealed product is important to keep your product looking new for a longer period of time. The Tile Shop offers two great neutral pH cleaners for general upkeep. Neutral pH cleaners are non-acidic and are important because acid could potentially etch polished stone and/or strip sealers.

What is the difference between sealing and enhancing?

Sealing and/or enhancing your product will determine its appearance after it's been sealed. Premium Gold choice sealer (Aquamix)is penetrating sealer, simply seal your stone or grout product without altering the appearance of the material. Enhancers will "enhance" the appearance of the material, giving it a "wet look" in addition to sealing it. To test out the enhanced look before making it permanent, take a damp cloth or lightly mist your stone and blot/buff dry to remove the shine. If the enhanced look is something you prefer, protect and maintain your stone with our Enhance & Seal product.

How do I get rid of grout haze?

There are a few methods for removing grout haze depending on when the grout was applied. Grout haze removal (Aquamix) should get rid of the grout haze, contact us for a full how-to guide on how to remove grout haze.

What type of sealer for natural stone?

Sealer’s Choice® Gold – Rapid Cure is a premium grade, high performance penetrating / impregnating stone, tile & grout sealer. It is a low VOC, water-based sealer formulated to provide maximum stain protection, especially in food preparation and serving areas. Ideal for all interior and exterior natural stone (including around salt water swimming pools), tile & grout surfaces. This premium sealer also includes built-in Microband – Cured Sealant is Mould & Mildew Resistant, and this sealer lasts up to 15 years.

There are many different sealers available on the market. Penetrating/Impregnating sealers are generally used on all natural stone; however, stone enhancers can be used if a richer colour is preferred. Consult your manufacturer for specific product information and instructions.