Frequently Asked Questions
General
This really depends on what area is going to be tiled and to some extent
the budget. For open plan living areas, kitchens, indoor-outdoor areas we recommend using large format 120x120cm tiles. Using large tiles means fewer grout lines, which will give you a cleaner finish, making the area feel more spacious. This is particularly important for the ground floor where the aim is to try create a feeling of space and continuity from one room to the next. For bathrooms, the theory is the same, large tiles create a more seamless look. However, for statement walls, colour and pattern, consider using smaller tiles.
This all depends on the type of tile to be grouted. If using tiles where you want to minimise the visual effect of a grout line, for example using large tiles to make a space feel bigger you should opt for a grout as close to the tile colour as possible. However if you are laying a tile in a pattern, for example in a herringbone design or a wood-effect tile, sometimes using a darker coloured grout will emphasise the shape of the tile. Our team is here to help when you choose your tiles, and we have grout samples in the showroom for you to see. Grout can be added to your order and delivered with your tiles to ensure your tiler uses the right one.
Absolutely! Porcelain is the most durable material you can use for floors, walls and worktops both inside and out. At SACW a majority of the tiles we sell are porcelain, as they don’t require the maintenance that other materials do, such as natural stone or concrete. Porcelain is stain resistant, frost-proof and can withstand high temperatures (making them great for kitchen worktops). They come in a huge range of colours and designs, and in various finishes which can be smooth or highly anti-slip for external use.
Many bathrooms and ensuites are small, but this doesn’t mean you can’t make them look incredible. Our expert team can help you choose the right tile for your space. Contrary to popular belief, using a large tile in a small room can create the feeling of space, as larger tiles result in fewer grout lines and a cleaner finish. If you like small format tiles, using them on one feature wall combined with a larger tile throughout the rest of the room will help. And, by keeping the wall and floor tiles mainly the same creates continuity, adding to a spacious feel.
These rooms can be small, but they are often the most used toilet in the whole house, especially if you frequently entertain guests! For this reason it can be fun to go all out in this room and do something really dramatic, such as a dark, bold veined marble or colourful onyx. If the thought of tiling the whole room in a dark colour makes you nervous, consider tiling in a more neutral tone to half height then use paint or wall paper above (and on the ceiling!) to create the drama and interest. This can be changed more easily if required.
For large scale projects we recommend calling ahead to book an appointment with one of our team to ensure we can fully concentrate on you and your design needs. We advise you to bring your plans with you or send them to us ahead of the meeting. If you have samples of kitchen units, perhaps a worktop, bathroom unit colours – basically anything already chosen which may help hone down what tiles to use, we suggest you bring it with you. We can go through each room one at a time and come up with a full tile design for your home. Tile samples can be taken away so that you can reflect on the various options, and once you’ve chosen your tiles, we can then start to draw up quotes. We understand different rooms may have different budgets, and we can help select the most appropriate ranges for each area.
Please e-mail us your full company details including telephone number to gen@sacw.co.uk and we can look into it for you.
We supply porcelain that can be fabricated into worktops, bathroom vanity tops, bath surrounds and much more. We can put you in touch with a local, trusted fabricator who can take care of all templating, fabrication and fitting of the material. Once an order is placed we work in conjunction with the fabricator to co-ordinate getting the material into stock on time, and they will keep in touch with you regarding dates for templating and fitting.
Yes, porcelain can be used as a kitchen worktop both inside and outside thanks to its low porosity. Here are some other reasons to consider porcelain rather than other materials:
- Resistance to high temperatures – porcelain is fired in a kiln that is far hotter than your oven at home, this means you can place very hot pots and pans that have come directly from the hob or oven directly on to your worktop without fear of damaging it.
- Low porosity-means it will not absorb water and is easy to clean. If desired, harsher everyday cleaners such as limescale remover, degreasing products and other chemicals can be used to clean the worktop.
- Antibacterial – porcelain surfaces ensure maximum hygiene as they do not allow growth of bacteria, mould or fungi. They also do not release any harmful elements making this material suitable to be in contact with food.
- High stain resistance, with the matt and honed finishes offering the best resistance. Polished surfaces are also very good, but due to the nature of the polishing process extra care should be taken to wipe up spillages as soon as they occur.
- Scratch resistance, again the matt and honed finishes are the most robust, and whilst all surfaces have great resistance to deep abrasions small surface scratches can occur in polished finishes, so care should be taken not to cut directly on the polished surface.
- Frost resistance – porcelain is the best choice for your new outdoor kitchen worktop, and you won’t need to worry how it will fare over the cold winter months, your worktop will stay as good as new.
- Resists UV rays and other harmful elements – porcelain will not fade or show signs of wear due to sunlight even when directly exposed. It is also not affected by salt, making porcelain a great material for your outdoor kitchen if you have a house by the sea.
- Sustainably source – our major supplier of porcelain worktops provides us with porcelain that is made of up to 60% recycled content
On the whole porcelain is far more durable when compared with other non-porcelain products on the market.
Generally speaking no, cracking occurs when tiles have been poorly fitted either on to a badly prepared surface or lacking full coverage of adhesive. Cracking can also be a result of thermal shock, when heating is turned on too quickly after tiles have been laid.
Natural stones such as limestone, travertine and marble do require a level of maintenance in order to keep them looking great. These materials, unlike porcelain, are porous and need to be sealed during installation. They should be cleaned with PH-neutral cleaners suitable for use with natural stone. They should not be cleaned with other household cleaners such as limescale remover, vinegar, bleach and other chemicals. For this reason, some choose not to use this type of material and opt for porcelain or ceramic instead. However, with the right sealing and cleaning regime these tiles can remain looking great for a very long time. After all, stone floors and walls have been used for centuries! Just look at the materials used in religious buildings throughout the world as an example.
Many of our tiles can be used inside and outside. If you visit our showrooms we can show you which ranges of tiles are available, and feel the difference in textures to the touch. You can also see the indoor/outdoor section of our website by clicking here. For outside use, tiles come in 1cm and 2cm and should be chosen depending on what you are laying the tiles on to. Click here for more information ……(link to installation of external tiles)
Tiles have different slip ratings, and the technical specification can be provided upon request. Most tiles with a PTV 36+ can be used externally but do speak to a member of our team to make sure your preferred tile is suitable.
We can help with this, we will require more information about the nature of the use in order to provide the most suitable product. Should you require a specific slip rating for your project this should be made known at the time of enquiry and placing your order for us to guarantee the PTV rating for the batch supplied.
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Ordering
Yes, two!
Yes you can order up to 4 free samples from the website. If you would like more please call us on 020 8993 5545 and we can arrange for more to be sent. You will be charged postage on 5 or more samples.
Yes, if you bring your plans/ideas into the showroom, one of our experienced team will work with you to generate ideas and create the look that you want to achieve. If it is a big project it is worth booking an appointment (call 020 8993 5545), to ensure that someone is available to help you, particularly at weekends.
Working out tile quantities can be daunting if you’re not used to doing it! If unsure, we are able to help calculate how many tiles you need based on measurements or plans provided by you. We recommend quantities are checked by your installer prior to placing your order.
We recommend ordering 10-15% extra, depending on the tile size and design to allow for cutting and breakages, and in case you need to carry out any repairs in the future.
Orders cannot be cancelled once an order is placed with a deposit. This especially relates to non-stock, special order items that have been ordered in for you.
If you have already chosen your tiles and know the quantity that you require, you can either place your order in person in the showroom, call us on 020 8993 5545, or e-mail us at gen@sacw.co.uk.
We accept all major debit and credit cards, except American Express. You can also pay us by bank transfer, please ask for our bank details and advise if you are making an international payment.
Delivery and Returns
We provide a free of charge kerbside delivery within most West London postcodes on orders over £200+VAT. However, we can deliver further afield nationally and internationally, and charges vary depending on quantity and delivery address.
Upon receipt of a quote and placing an order the lead time for the tiles will be confirmed. You will have the opportunity to book a delivery when you place an order, or you can place the items on reserve with a deposit and book in a delivery date later.
We keep many items in stock for quick delivery. However, if the tiles are not in stock the lead times can vary by around 2-4 weeks, depending on the item and quantity required.
Yes, when your tiles have been delivered, please check that they are the product that you are expecting and that none of the tiles have been damaged in transit.
Installation constitutes acceptance, no claims can be made after installation of the tiles.
In the unfortunate event that any of the tiles in your order are damaged, please alert the driver before he leaves and make sure that the Delivery Note has the number of damaged tiles written on it.
All breakages noticed after the driver has left should be photographed on the day of delivery with tiles still on the pallet and e-mailed to the showroom. These will then be replaced free of charge as soon as is practical. No claims will be entertained beyond this timeframe.
Very occasionally tiles may receive some major damage in transit, check with your installer to see if these can be used for cuts.
Yes we do. When you are ordering your tiles, you will need to give a delivery address and the delivery cost will be calculated based on the destination. We can ship anywhere, and we will handle all the paperwork involved so you don’t have to.
Once your tiles have been fitted, if you have any full, unopened boxes of tiles left over, after allowing for spares, you can return them within 1 month of delivery to our warehouse to get a refund. This only applies to stock items in their original, undamaged packaging, and up to 20% of the amount ordered of each tile. Please ask if you are unsure.
Installation
Check with your installer as to whether you need to provide the fixing materials for your project, as this can sometimes be included in their quote to you.
In addition to tiles we also stock:
- Kerakoll adhesive
- Mapei grout
- Mapei silicone
- Lithofin sealers and cleaning products
- Dukkaboard
- Ditra matting
- Warm Up underfloor heating
Yes, a list of recommended tilers can be supplied once an order has been placed with us.