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Ceramic Tile Installation Instructions

GNS Ceramics recommends that our retail shops pass on the following instructions to the installer and end-user.

 

Ceramic tiles are only one component of a much larger building system. It is our experience that failure of any tiling system is very often the result of a combination of factors. For example; inappropriate design, type of substrate, surface preparation, temperature during installation, adhesives, incompatibility of products, product failure, environmental factors skill and knowledge of the installers etc; the latter being supplied or controlled by a variety of manufacturers and tradesmen. GNS Ceramics has no involvement in the design, selling and installation processes and once goods have been dispatched from our warehouse we have no control over where and how these products are used. As a result the project manager, and or the tiler are the only people in a position to ensure that all the components used in a project are compatible and that the product is installed in accordance with the Australian Building Code and the Australian Standards.

 

Please scroll down for the type of installation required:

Ceramic Tiles

1. Before commencing work.

  • Check with the end-user to ensure the tiles you have been contracted to lay are the correct colour and design.

  • Owing to the manufacturing process size and shade variations are inherent in all ceramic tiles. Check the nomenclature on every carton to ensure that you have been supplied with tiles from the same batch.

  • Spread tiles from several boxes to ensure that the end-user is happy with the blend.

  • Please ensure you have sufficient tiles to complete your job. We cannot guarantee that extra tiles of the same colour and shade will be available at a later date.

  • It is recommended that a small quantity of tiles be kept on site for any required future maintenance. It can be difficult to match tiles if repairs are necessary at a later date.

  • All tiles must be laid in accordance with the Australian Building Code and the appropriate Australian Standards.


2. During installation.

  • We strongly recommend that hidden areas (under stoves, fridges, in pantry cupboards etc) or detached areas (toilets and laundries) are tiled last so that if extra tiles are needed, batching will not be crucial.

  • Keep an eye on your work as you progress, so that no defective tiles are laid and the blend and effect is maintained.

  • It is crucial that if you have any doubts or notice concerns as you continue; stop tiling and contact your tile supplier immediately.


3. After installation

  • Retain an original box in case you require further tiles, so that all attempts to resupply can be made.

  • Ensure that the tiler removes all grout and grout residues.

  • The act of laying the material means that it is accepted for colour, quality, size and shade. Our guarantee is limited to the replacement of goods found defective prior to laying. GNS Ceramics cannot accept any claims for consequential losses resulting from poor quality control and poor workmanship.

Glazed Porcelain

  • Follow instructions 1 – 3 for installation of ceramic tiles.

Polished Porcelain

  • Follow instructions 1 – 3 for installation of ceramic tiles.

  • Sealing these tiles is at the discretion of the consumer. It is recommended, however, that the tiles should be sealed if the area in which the tiles are to be laid is prone to excessive spills or requires ease of cleaning for maintenance purposes.

  • Prior to sealing; the tiles should be thoroughly cleaned of grout, grout residues and wax.

Natural, Honed and Unpolished Porcelain

  • Follow instructions 1 – 3 for installation of ceramic tiles.

  • Sealing these tiles is at the discretion of the consumer. It is recommended, however, that the tiles should be sealed if the area in which the tiles are to be laid is prone to excessive spills or requires ease of cleaning for maintenance purposes.

  • Prior to sealing; the tiles should be thoroughly cleaned of grout, grout residues and wax.

High Gloss Glazed Floor Tiles

  • Follow instructions 1 – 3 for installation of ceramic tiles.

  • These tiles scratch easily! To prevent disappointment you may wish to offer such tiles as “soft shoe’ only. Should the consumer choose to use them on bathroom/ensuite floors, they should be warned to protect the tiles from tradesmen during construction.

  • Tradesmen should be advised that they should take great care when using sand and cement. Sand is an extremely abrasive substance and used carelessly may cause major scratching.

Extruded Tiles & Terracotta

Extruded terracotta tiles inherently have greater variations in colour, size and shade than standard ceramic tiles.For detailed laying instructions and general information about extruded and terracotta tiles please select the link below:

20mm Porcelain Pavers

Porcelain pavers are able to be installed on several different materials; sand/gravel, grass, pedestals and concrete.For detailed installation instructions, please select the link below:

Woodstock Hybrid Flooring

The KREM Woodstock Hybrid Stone Polymer Composite (SPC) plank is floating floor system.

For detailed installation instructions, please select the link below:

For Care & Maintenance guideline, please select the link below:

Glass Tiles

  • Follow instructions 1 – 3 for installation of ceramic tiles.

  • When installing glass tiles we recommend that a white adhesive suitable for fixing glass is used. Apply the adhesive by using a combined method of notched trowel on the substrate followed by the buttering of the back of the tile. Press the glass tile into the adhesive removing all voids to achieve 100% coverage.

  • When making a straight cut we recommend that the tile be scored on the front and back of the tile using a normal tile cutter and then gently snapped. When cutting a right angle we recommend that a glass bit be used to drill a hole in the corner of the right angle. This should be done using a slow speed starting the hole on one side, then turning the tile over to finish the hole; this will prevent any splintering of the glass. Once the hole has been drilled score the glass starting at the hole and moving to the perimeter of the tile and then snap gently. Alternatively a wet saw with a glass blade can be used.

  • Do not use abrasive cleaners on glass as scratching will occur.

Lighting Systems

The Australian Standards recommend that where possible the lighting at the time of fixing should not be appreciably different from the ultimate permanent lighting. The reason for this is that marks, blemishes, shade variation and minute differences of plane between adjacent tiles can be highlighted significantly by some forms of oblique lighting.

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GNS Ceramics cannot accept claims for any consequential losses occurring as a result of mixed batches or defective tiles being fixed in poor lighting.

Storing Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tiles are a brittle building material and when stowed flat will break. All ceramic tiles should be stowed on their edge and strapped tightly to minimise movement.

​Mosaic Tiles

Due to the manufacturing process, mosaic tiles may be subject to greater degrees of shade variation than other ceramic tiles. Please advise tilers and end-users to lay out several square metres prior to laying to ensure the degree of variation is acceptable. We will not accept claims after the tiles have been fixed.

Fibreglass Swimming Pools and Spas

Because of excessive movement and extremes in temperatures GNS Ceramics considers the tiling of fibreglass swimming and spa pools high risk and prone to failure. We do not recommend tiling fibreglass swimming and spa pools.

Mosaics for Swimming Pools

GNS Ceramics does not recommend tiling in areas that are affected by abrasion, excessive vibration and movement, impact, thermal and mechanical shock. We do not recommend tiling on a fiberglass substrate.

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Installation
It should be noted that tiles are only one component of a much larger building system. It is our experience that failure of any tiling system is very often the result of a combination of factors. For example; inappropriate design, type of substrate, surface preparation, temperature during installation, adhesives, incompatibility of products, product failure, environmental factors skill and knowledge of the installers etc; the latter being supplied or controlled by a variety of manufacturers and tradesmen. GNS Ceramics has no involvement in the design, selling and installation processes and once goods have been dispatched from our warehouse we have no control over where and how these products are used. As a result the project manager, and or the tiler are the only people in a position to ensure that all the components used in a project are compatible and that the product is installed in accordance with the Australian Building Code and the Australian Standards.

We recommend:

  1. all work is carried out by licensed contractors experienced in the laying of mosaic tiles. Installation shall be in accordance with the Australian Building Code and AS3958 part 1 and 2 “Guide to the installation of ceramic tiles” and “Guide to the selection of a ceramic tiling system” respectively.

  2. our mosaic tiles be fixed utilizing

    • either a combined epoxy grout and adhesive, or

    • a thick bed combined latex fortified cementitious grout and adhesive, in conjunction with the floated method of application.

     

  3. the grout and adhesives used be chemically resistant and suitable for use externally in full immersion with none or low porous materials.

  4. all mosaics are stored in a clean dry space. Do not allow the tiles to get wet or damp prior to installation.


Note: Glass mosaics are translucent. We therefore recommend that grout and adhesives are of the same colour. The use of contrasting or different colours may result in the consumer’s expectations not being met. We also recommend that adhesives be applied with a view to removing voids as these may be visible through the glass.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Do not use abrasive cleaners and chemicals which could permanently scratch and damage the surface of the tile. For daily cleaning we recommend the use of a mild detergent. Should a more vigorous cleaning programme be required we recommend the use of a proprietary tile cleaner from a specialty tile supplier.

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