Because of porcelain’s lower porosity and higher density, they are considered technically superior to ceramics. However glazed ceramic tiles can often have aesthetic beauty that cannot be obtained on homogeneous porcelain due to lower firing temperatures and glazed ceramic’s ability to take more complex glazes.
Porcelain tiles are stronger and more water-resistant than ceramic tiles. They’re made from finer, denser clay, pressed under higher pressure (up to 4500kg/m²), and fired at hotter temperatures (up to 1300°C). This makes them harder, more durable, and less likely to absorb water or stain—especially if unglazed. The key difference is their low water absorption rate (less than 0.5%), which makes porcelain ideal for wet areas and outdoor use, where resistance to moisture and temperature changes is essential.
Porcelain tiles must be laid with a polymer modified adhesive to guarantee bonding. We recommend the use of Monoflex from Construction Chemicals that is a C2S2 adhesive.
To keep prices as low as possible for our customers all orders are consolidated for dispatch to our stores.
Because of this shipping times are subject to change week to week, you can use the below as a guide.
Auckland Metro: Up to 4 days
North Island: Up to 7 days
Christchurch Metro: Up to 4 days
South Island: Up to 14 days
The tiler, as he will know the cutting requirements. Our store staff can estimate quantities for you but we recommend you have a qualified tiler do a site measure to obtain a more precise measurement
It is ultimately the customer’s responsibility. It is important you check that the correct tiles are delivered and that the tonality (batch) is acceptable as tiles are like fabrics in that there are variations between productions.
There are two reasons we do not take returns. Firstly, we cannot accept over-ordered product back into stock because of batch variations we have between shipments. Secondly, spare tiles are an insurance policy against future tiling needs – if you have a disaster at home, or you want to extend or repair an area – as the batch you have will never be exactly produced again!
Frost resistance is a measure on the number of times a tile or stone can be immersed in water and then frozen and thawed before the tile shows signs of damage. Resistant does not mean frost-proof, as conditions can exceed testing parameters.
Frost damage affects the materials exposed to water in areas where the temperature is liable to fall below zero. Water can penetrate tiles – and therefore a tiled surface – through the body of the tile. If the temperature falls below zero, the water freezes and becomes ice. As ice occupies a greater volume than liquid water, so tensions are created inside the tile body pores. These tensions may become so high that portions of the tile may break off.
When selecting frost-resistant tiles; in an area subject to heavy frost, it is important to ensure that the waterproof membrane is as close as possible under the tile. This will ensure that water cannot pond below a tile, thereby saturating the tile, which exposes the installation to extreme risk of frost damage due to being permanently damp and thereby susceptible to regular freeze thaw cycles.
