Frequently Asked Questions
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Tonic Tiles (as a branch of MC Tiles Ltd) endeavours to source the best quality and design tiles available from around the world. This means we can confidently guarantee the quality of our tiles.
Tonic Tiles guarantee its First Grade tiles for 10 years. This guarantee covers the cost of the tiles supplied or a resupply of any First Grade tiles supplied by Tonic Tiles which are defective or wear excessively within 10 years of installation. This guarantee does not extend to ‘natural stone’ tiles or Second Grade tiles. Tonic Tiles is not liable for the cost of removing and re-laying any tiles or any loss of profit or consequential loss/damages.
- To be covered by Tonic Tiles’s guarantee, all tiles must be installed in accordance with best tiling practice, manufacturer’s directions, guidelines and relevant New Zealand building standard. Tonic Tiles takes no responsibility for tile failure caused directly or indirectly from failing to observe any such direction and standards.
- Tonic Tiles’s guarantee becomes null and void if the tiles are installed onto an unsuitable substrate or in a location or manner that in any way contributes to the tile failing. The correct adhesives and grouts must be used for the tile installation. Not all tiles are manufactured or are suitable to be installed in all applications.
- Tonic Tiles’s guarantee only relates to the tile and does not extend to installation of the tiles whether or not we have referred a tradesman to you.
- Tonic Tiles’s guarantee does not cover severe or harsh wear, any impacts, unusual conditions, or improper use of the tiles.
- Tiles do vary in colour, shade and texture and this does not mean the tile is faulty. Tiles may be returned if they have obvious defects or blemishes, or were supplied but were not the selected shade or colour. Such tiles must be returned before the tiles are laid. Once the tiles are laid then you are deemed to have accepted them and Tonic Tiles will not accept any return or claim in respect of tiles that are discoloured, incorrect shade or have blemishes once laid. If you have a concern that the tile surface may be blemished or discoloured you must advise Tonic Tiles before the tiles are laid.
- Tonic Tiles recommends you retain a number of spare tiles in case they are required in the future.
- All claims must include a copy of the original invoice and be submitted in writing to Tonic Tiles.
- NOTE the Tonic Tiles’s guarantee is non-transferable and cannot be assigned.
Generally speaking most floor tiles can be used on walls also however some tiles are specifically designed to be applied to walls only. Below are the differences between Wall and Floor tiles. If you are unsure about a specific tiles ability to be used in a certain way please contact us and we will advise you.
WALL TILES
Different tiles can be made from different types of clay, and different types of glaze. Tiles produced exclusively for walls are inherently not intended to be load bearing. They are often lighter and thinner than floor tiles. The glazes used in the manufacture of a wall tile are also different, and are not designed to resist abrasive forces from foot traffic.
FLOOR TILES
Floor tiles are made from materials that are suitable for installing on the floor. The glaze is super durable, and they’re up to 20% heavier than wall tiles. They can of course be installed on a wall.
GRIP
These tiles have a very textured finish, with ridges and dips; they are often used in external applications because of their anti-slip properties
MATT/NATURAL/HONED
Following the firing of the raw materials the tiles are then cooled and packed with no further finishing, the surface being left matt.
SEMI POLISHED
Also known as Lappato are glazed tiles that have had the surface given a light buffering to partially but not completely remove the glaze and create a partially shiny, partially matt surface.
HIGH GLOSS
High gloss or polished tiles are polished using small brushes in the same way as natural stone to remove the rough surface and create a smooth, fine finish. They are then often rectified to remove any bevelling on the edges.
SHADE VARIANCE
Shade variation is inherent in all tile products, including porcelain & ceramic. Shade and texture will vary significantly from piece to piece to within production runs. V1 shade variation has little or no change from piece to piece where a V4 will have a large variety of colour and/or texture changes.
Differences among pieces from the same production run are minimal
Noticeable differences among pieces from the same production run
Similar colours, amount of colour/pattern will vary between pieces
Random colour, texture and pattern differences from tile to tile.
Non-Rrectified Tiles
A non-rectified tile is any tile that has natural edges that have not been mechanically straightened after cutting, which results in each tile having a plain, square edge. Because of this imprecise process, each tile is not the exact same size. From an installation perspective, that means larger grout lines will need to be used to correctly fit these tiles together, fill in the gaps, and hide their little differences.
Rectfied Tiles
Rectified tiles are ceramic or porcelain tiles that have been precisely ground and machined to give them near-perfect straight edges and exact dimensions. These tiles provide a very clean, symmetrical look, and allow for extremely fine grout lines of 3mm or less.
Rectified tiles usually also have a very fine bevel around their top edge too, to help reduce the chance of their sharp edges chipping.
