Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What do I need to consider when choosing tiles? 

• Home Design - Think about the style of your home – is it modern, traditional, Scandi, Industrial or somewhere in between?  Look through magazines and online for images of tiles you like and that would suit your home’s design.
• Tile Size - Tiles come in a range of unique shapes and sizes, from the smallest of mosaics to oversized pieces. When deciding on the tile size, it is important to think about the rooms dimensions to ensure your selection is in proportion with the space.  It may seem counter-intuitive, but sometimes larger format tiles are a better choice for a smaller room, as they can make the space feel larger.
• Colour – Consider the general feel you want to achieve in the room you are tiling.  Unless you have a feature area such as a splashback, you may like to choose a design that is going to complement other design features of a room. If you are after a relaxed setting, so go for colours that blend well together. If you are wanting to create a statement, choose colours that provide a striking contrast.
• Grout - A contrasting grout will emphasise lines and the design, while a grout in a complementary colour as the tile will give a seamless & subtle effect.
• Texture and pattern – Choosing textured and patterned tiles is another way of introducing character, movement and energy into a space. A patterned tile can be part of the design or the way in which it is installed ie. Herringbone.

Q2. What tools do I need if I want to tile myself?

• Tools - Angle grinder, Bucket, Dust mask, Mixer, Notch trowel, Pencil, Safety glasses, Spirit level, Sponge, Tape measure, Tile cutter, Trowel
• Materials – Tiles, Tile adhesive, Tile spacer, self-levelling system

Q3. Is there a difference between indoor & outdoor tiles? 

• Though durable, indoor tiles are not made to handle things such as frost and direct sunlight. On the other hand, outdoor tiles have the ability to handle these conditions and more. Outdoor tiles should have a texture on their surface that assists them in resisting slips.

Q4. What is the best grout to use? 

• We recommend a quality epoxy or cement grout to ensure the surface remains durable, stain and mould resistant. 

Q5. How do I best clean & maintain my tiles?

• Care and maintenance will help keep your tiles looking their best for many years to come.  Follow these simple instructions when installing and caring for your tiles.

• Prior to installation:
  • Check the product and quantity are correct.
  • Conduct a test run or ‘dry lay’ to determine where cuts will need to be made.

Important note: Final installation of the product constitutes full acceptance.

• Care and Maintenance:
  • Regular inspections are the best ways to keep your tiles in good condition.
  • DO NOT use acid or bleach cleaners on your tiles.
  • We recommend using PH neutral cleaners or natural vinegar diluted with water.

Q6. Do I need to seal my tiles?

• None of our ceramic or porcelain products require any kind of sealing, and with the proper care, they will stay looking great for many years.
• it is recommended to seal natural stone and marble products. 

Q7: How do I determine how much grout I need?

• Step 1: Find your tile size row in the grid section under 'TILE SIZE (mm)'.
• Step 2: Find your grout join width column in the grid under 'GROUT JOINT WIDTH (mm)'.
• Step 3: The intersection between the 'TILE SIZE (mm)' row and the 'GROUT JOINT WIDTH (mm)' column is the square meters coverage for a 5Kg PermaColor Grout Kit.
• Example:  A 100mm x 100mm x 8mm - 'TILE SIZE (mm)' (row 3) tiled at a grout join width of 3mm - 'GROUT JOINT WIDTH (mm)' (column 2) will cover a 6.8 square meter area.

Q8: What surfaces can I tile on?

• Concrete – Ensure the surface is cured before tiled over and that it doesn’t include any hairline or large cracks.  If cracks exist, these will need to be filled, dried and levelled.
• Plasterboard – Waterproofing beforehand is essential.
• Brickwork – This surface should be rendered prior to tiling. 
• Existing Tiles – Only, if the tiles are in good condition.  If the existing tiles are glazed, it is advisable to roughen the surface before laying over them.
• Fibre Cement Sheets – Should be secured and the surface should be clean and dry before tiling.
• Painted Surfaces – Remove any flaking paint and roughen the surface before tiling.
• Timber - Due to the expansion and contraction of the timber, it is never recommended to adhere ceramic tiles directly onto timber or particle board.

Q9: What is the difference between ceramic and porcelain tiles?

• While both porcelain and ceramic are fired at high temperatures, porcelain is fired at even higher temperatures and for a longer time than ceramic. While a ceramic tile is less dense than porcelain tile, it is also a far easier material for do-it-yourselfer homeowners to cut manually, by wet tile saw, or with a snap tile cutter. Porcelain is extremely impervious to moisture, making it a perfect choice for pools.

Q10: How do I measure for tiles?

• Draw the area(s) to be tiled on paper.
• Determine if the tiles are to cover the entire area or part of the area and mark the area to be covered.
• Confirm the tiling pattern (ie. straight, herringbone) and the desired grout spacing.
• Take the area measurements.  For floors, use a measuring tape to measure the length of one side of the room and then the width of another side of the room. For walls, measure the length of the wall up and down and the width left to right.
• Multiply the length and width measurements you obtained in step 4.  This will give you the total square meterage of the wall and/or floor areas.
• To ensure you have adequate coverage, it is important to factor in a buffer to allow for cuts, waste and breaks.  Multiply the square meterage you have by approx 10-15% (depending on the complexity of the pattern and amount of cutting required) - this will be the actual amount of square meterage you should buy tiles for.
• Calculate the amount of tiles required by dividing the total square meterage (calculated in step 6) by the total square meterage of the tiles in the box (see product label/specifications).  For example, if the room is 100 square meters and each box has 10 square meters of tiles inside, you will need 10 boxes.

Q11: What is ‘dry laying’ and why is it so important?

• During the ‘dry lay’ process, each and every tile is placed in its desired position on a horizontal flat surface without the use of mortars or grouts, simulating the end result of the actual finished project.  The greatest benefit of the ‘dry lay’ process is the opportunity to rectify mistakes long before the final installation of the tiles.  You should ask your tiler to carefully dry lay the tiles to ensure the tiles provide ‘the look’ they are after, especially when it comes to the tile pattern (ie. Herringbone).

Q13: What spacing do I need to leave between tiles?

• We recommend spacing 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.

Q14: Where are Sanctuary Makers tiles made?

• The majority of our tiles are made locally in Melbourne, Australia!

Q15: Can I use wall tiles on the floor and floor tiles on the wall?

• Although you can use floor tiles on the wall, you should never use wall tiles on the floor, as they may be a slippery surface and could crack if used in this application.

Q16: Why should I choose tiles over vinyl or timber?

• Although vinyl is cheaper, if you are after a solution that is going to provide you with longevity and years of enjoyment, tiles will be more cost effective in the long run.  In comparison to timber, tiles are low maintenance, don’t require staining or sealing, are perfect for wet areas and are resistant to scratching or fading.

Q17: Are tiles a good choice for a kitchen splashback?

• Tiles are a great choice for a splashback and can really make a statement in a kitchen.  Tiles can add much-needed texture and colour to the room and are extremely practical and easy to clean – especially when partnered with epoxy grout which is stainproof.

Q18: How can I track my delivery?

• When your goods are shipped from Sanctuary Makers, you will receive a confirmation email that includes a shipping reference number. Please refer to this number and keep track of the delivery once shipped.  Before leaving the local depot, you will receive a call to arrange a suitable day and time for delivery. In the event that you are not at home, please arrange an ‘Authority to Leave’ and the driver will deliver the items to a safe location kerbside.

Q19: How will my goods be delivered?

• Deliveries will arrive by a third-party courier on a pallet and will be unloaded at your kerbside using a tail-lift truck or via pallet jack.  Please note, the delivery address requires adequate truck access in order to fulfill the delivery and unload safely.  Due to occupational health and safety and for insurance purposes the driver is prohibited from moving the goods past this point.  Please ensure your builder, tiler or alternative help is available to move the items from this location as required.
• Take caution when removing all packaging to avoid damages and injury. Please assess the weight of the boxes as tiles can be heavy, precautions may need to be made.  For further details see Terms and Condition of Sale.