What is bush hammered? A bush hammer is a tool which is used to impart a texture to stone and concrete which in the case of porcelain or ceramic tiles is replicated during production. The end result is an attractive, albeit roughlooking, pockmarked surface which apart from changing the appearance of the otherwise plain looking tile, imparts a degree of slip resistance.
Can I use glass mosaic on the floor? Yes you can, but we strongly recommend using an anti-slip tile in this situation, particularly in wet areas such as showers, wetrooms and around swimming pools.
What is HYDROTECT? A patented process which permanently sinters (or fixes) a chemical into the glaze which in combination with light and water creates a self-cleaning effect. In simple terms the tiles become more resistant to dirt, stains and fats which simply do not adhere to the surface of the tile. The process is quite harmless, anti-bacterial and odourless and in conjunction with anti-slip tiles (notoriously difficult to maintain) now become easier to clean, retaining their original appearance for longer. FREE explanatory DVD available on request. (Please note that this process is factory applied (ie non optional) and only available on JASBA ceramic mosaics).
What does wear grade mean? In simple terms, walking on floors causes abrasion. On glazed floors (including mosaics) this can result in scratching and dulling of the glaze and consequent change in colour, loss of gloss and ultimately wear. Some wear and tear is unavoidable although regular cleaning, mats at points of entry for example can reduce wear potential. Please note that full bodied porcelain tiles (such as our large format Project series) are not subjected to this test as there is no glazed wearing surface. For this reason, the letters N/A (not applicable) are shown.
Glazed tiles and their resistance to wear undergo a surface wear test (PEI test) according to IOS 10545-7 and are grouped into six wear resistance categories according to the degree of wear shown. Disregarding groups 0 and 1, the lowest rated tile within our glazed range is:
Category 2 - suitable for floors in areas used with soft-soled or normal shoes, infrequently or minimally subject to abrasive dirt e.g. living rooms and bathrooms.
Category 3 - suitable for floors more frequently used with normal shoes with little abrasive dirt e.g. hallways, corridors, kitchens, balconies and terraces.
Category 4 - suitable for floors used more intensively than categories 1 to 3 in relation to dirt and foot traffic frequency e.g. entrances, corridors, terraces, sanitary and utility rooms, sales and display areas, and restaurants.
Category 5 - suitable for glazed ceramic floor coverings with very high traffic load and exposed to heavy wear e.g. shops, restaurants, counter areas.
Adhesives and grout We stock a range of products from leading manufacturer ARDEX, which is the product of choice of virtually all our customers who fix tiles professionally in swimming pools and wet areas such as showers. The company has been at the forefront of the tiling, flooring and rendering industries for over 40 years, as a result of which the experience of the ARDEX group and it's Reserach and Development facility are second to none.
If you are in any doubt, we are happy to discuss your specific tiling requirement with you or alternatively solutions can be found on the ARDEX website WWW.ARDEX.CO.UK. You will also find an adhesive and grout calculator to help you decide the quantities needed for your particular installation.
What is the difference between paper faced and meshbacked mosaics? When you buy mosaic tiles, they are mounted either paper faced or meshback, both of which are self explanatory - however, if fixing mosaic tiles into a swimming pool or other "wet" area, we do recommend paper faced. WHY? British Standards require that no more than 25% of the back of the tile is covered by the meshbacking and adhesive, whereas with paper, there is always 100% adhesion. Tile fixers will always have their own preferences, often based on experience of one kind of mosaic mounting or another, which is why we try to offer our most popular products in both forms.
How can I cut tiles? If you are planning on carrying out the work yourself, then both ceramic and glass mosaics can be cut in much the same way but you will need a special cutter or at the very least, a scribe and tungsten tipped pliers. We recommend using eye protection and possibly wearing thin gloves when attempting to cut tiles as glass and ceramic shards can be dangerous. Alternatively, it is possible to hire an electric cutter which uses water for cooling the blade but obviously this is not always possible with small mosaics.
If your budget permits, we would recommend using a professional tile fixer who will have all the right tools and equipment and the necessary experience. Go to WWW.TILES.ORG.UK to find a qualified fixer in your area.
How can I cut sheets of mosaic? Whether mounted on fibre or paper mesh back, or paper face, use either a pair of scissors or a sharp craft knife to cut between the tiles.
How much should I allow for cutting and wastage? As a general rule we recommend 10%, but depends very much on individual installations. We STRONGLY recommend that any tiles left over should be retained in a safe place in case they should be needed in the future e.g. for repairs, re-positioning of sanitaryware or furniture etc.
What is "Jointpoint" A unique technology used by Spanish producer Ezzari for mounting the individual mosaic tiles onto a sheet prior to fixing. The process ensures even spacing between the tiles, is strong and makes installation an easy process. Visit www.jointpoint.es for further information.
If your question isn ot shown here, you can call us on 01480 474714 Monday to Friday between 9 am - 5 pm.
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