The major differences between porcelain and ceramic tiles boil down to the process of making them. Porcelain tiles are made with a special, high-density clay, fired at a high temperature, and glazed with a liquified glass coating. Ceramic tiles are made with a coarser clay fired at a lower temperature and then glazed.
Due to the differences in density, porcelain tiles are more water-resistant than ceramic tiles – making them the preferable option for high-traffic commercial applications.
Tile variation means that slight shade and pattern differences will exist between individual tiles, even if they are the same product. This is completely normal and occurs naturally because of the materials used in tile manufacturing.
The amount of variation depends on the product and batch and is a factor to consider when deciding how visually consistent you want your tiled surfaces to appear. If you like your tiles to look uniform and consitent, then a tile with little or no variation may be what you are after.
We understand that sometimes things change on site and you get more creative and neeed extra tiles! We can absolutely help you with this. Please give our showroom a call, or email your original sales consultant, and we'll do our best to get these tiles in for you.
Your original order of tiles will have a Shade or Batch number which is recorded during the manufactuting process. When we order extra tiles for you, we'll request the same shade. However, stock levels change constantly and we can't always guarantee that the same shade will be available (plus, there may also be lead times to allow for).
Hot tip: it's always a good idea to order a few boxes more for those 'just in case' moments.
While we'd love to say yes, the simple answer is, no (sorry). All of our tiles are specially ordered in for your project and take approximately 2 weeks to arrive at our Geelong warehouse if they're in stock at the time of ordering.
Some tiles have longer lead times if they need to be custom made or ordered from overseas, but we'll let you know.
This depends solely on the kind of tile you've selected, the lay pattern, and where you're planning on using it. As a general rule of thumb, you can use the following as a guide, but you should always consult your tiler first:
- Standard 300x600 or 600x600 porcelain: +10%
- Small format subway: +10%
- Mosaics: +15%
- Large format 600x1200 and larger: +20%
It is best to have your builder or tiler measure on site to give you the most accurate quantity required. As tiles are sold by full box lots only, you want to ensure that you estimate the correct amount. Keeping in mind that you will always need extras for cutting, breakage, corners and it's always handy to have a few spare in case you ever need to replace a few down the track.
Some tiled areas experience more traffic than others, so are more prone to accumulating grime. We recommend regular cleaning by initially sweeping or removing loose dust, before wiping down the grout with a cleaning solution like EzyClean and microfibre cloth. Sealants are available to protect your grout from major staining.
The short answer is because they are made individually by hand by an artisan. In regards to Moroccan tiles, these are crafted from a particular clay and made into slabs which are then cut and shaped into unique individual tiles. The process is much more laboursome and time consuming in comparison to larger porcelain and ceramic tiles that are manufactured by machinery on mass.
Not every tile requires sealing - yay! The majority of ceramic and porcelain tiles are glazed and non porous, meaning they won't need to be sealed. Natural stone, marble, terrazzo, unglazed, encaustic, and crackle glazed tiles will require sealing to help maintain the tiles and stop them from absorbing moisture. The frequency in which you should seal these tiles will depend on the product and application.
Visit our Care & Maintenance page for more information on sealing.
There is no exact response to this as there are multiple reasons why you would choose one or the other. Each finish works for most rooms applications. A consideration to make is the balance of reflective and matte surfaces in the home or the room. This may help you make your decision if you're unsure of which way to go. Gloss can reflect more light which helps in darker spaces with no windows. Many people also use matte on the floor as they can feel less slippery in comparison to gloss. It all comes down to personal taste, really.
A rectified tile features straight edges, allowing for smaller grout lines to achieve a clean and crisp finish once laid. A non-rectified tile is pressed into shape and has a slight curve to the edge meaning a larger grout line is required. Whilst one style isn't better than the other, most tiles on the market are rectified due to their overall contemporary look.
Rough-in items refer to the initial plumbing infrastructure that generally gets installed within the wall or floor cavity before plastering. Think in-wall cisterns for your toilets, wall mixers, floor-mounted mixers, and even underfloor heating. These are required before the internal walls are put in place so that the external fit off items can then be installed. Your plumber or builder will ask for these items first as they are needed early on in the build or renovation.
Electroplated finish tapware is made by coating a product in a different metal using its electrical properties. It is a very common and long-used method of finishing metals. PVD or physical vapour deposition finish tapware is made by depositing a film of a solid material that has been vaporised onto a surface in a vacuum environment. The process of PVD gives an extremely thin, durable and clean finish. Finally, organic finish tapware is made from essentially a living material, meaning the colour will evolve and 'patina', that is, change with use. Each have their benefits and choosing which is right for your project mostly comes down to personal preference and which finishes are used by the tapware manufacturer of your choice.
Yes you can! We have access to many suppliers specialsing in bathroom cabinetry like ADP and Timberline who not only have standard sized vanities but vanities that are also customisable to suit your needs.
We keep Cité by GT&B tapware in stock at our Geelong warehouse making your tapware selection easy. Most items in various finishes from this collection are available to take on the day and if not, it won't take long to arrive once we order it in for you. We also have a select range of other rough-in items in stock to get your plumbers started on site.
Yes we do! We have access to Nood Co as well as locally made concrete products from Concrete Republic and Mayde Concrete. Concrete is a natural product and therefore some colour and textural variations can occur between samples and the final product. Our concrete products come pre selaed by the manufacturer for your peace of mind.
Hot tip: Concrete is heavy! Keep this is mind when organsing pick up or delivery.
Timber grade refers to the classification of wood products by their structural properties. Generally this includes timber strength, appearance, and durability. Grading timber helps you to choose a suitable product for your project needs.
The majority of the timber products we offer either use a tongue and groove or 5G click sytem. The locking system will depend on the timber product you choose for your project. As the installation method for each locking system may differ, we advise that you speak to your trades prior to purchasing to see which system best suits your needs.
In order to keep your timber flooring in its best condition it is important to keep up maintenance. Use soft bristled brooms for regular sweeping and wipe up any moisture or spills immediately. We stock a range of BONA products which are world renowned for their superior cleaning properties.
While engineered timber may give the same classic appearance as your traditional hardwood flooring, it definitely has its advantages. The way engineered timber is manufactured means that there are multiple layers of wood, making it more durable and able to be sanded and refinished if required. This layered structure makes it easy to install using a variety of methods. Engineered timber also comes in a wide range of styles and plank sizes that may not be otherwise available, giving flexibility and options at price points to suit.
We also offer hybrid flooring as an alternative to engineered timber. Hybrid planks have the look and feel of timber, but they are 100% waterproof, hard-wearing, scratch-resistant, and require no maintenance.
Available in entry-level to high-end luxury ranges, hybrid flooring can suit any budget. If you're looking for the timber look at a competitive price and with greater convenience, hybrid may be the flooring solution for you.
All of our timber flooring is supply only. We've done this with you, our customer, in mind because those supply & install packages arent always the best value for you (hidden costs etc.). But if you're in need of an isntaller, let us know and we'll point you in the right direction.
Depending on what you've ordered, your Sales Consultant will provide you with an estimated leadtime at the time of quoting. You will then receive an email notification once all items have arrived at our warehouse.
If you'd like an update on specific items on your order in the meantime, you can follow this up with your sales consultant.
Yes, we can absolutely hold your items in our warehouse until you're ready to collect them. Let your Sales Consultant know when the goods will be required and we will take care of the rest.
Absolutely! Whether you're a builder, interior designer, or DIYer renovating your home, our talented team will help bring your vision to life through a range of selections to suit your needs. Our range of easy selections looks something like this:
CURATED SELECTIONS
Give us your plans, colours, inspirations, and ideas and we'll curate a selection just for you. Choose between 30, 60, or 90-minute appointment times depending on your needs.
THE ATELIER
Interior designers & architects, this one's for you! The Atelier is a private personal studio for you to wow your clients. It also makes the perfect solution to your design studio needs with onsite experts ready to assist as required.
BUILDER SELECTIONS
Builders, you'll get the extra pair of hands you need to give your client the best of the best. Our team will source products that will perfectly fit your client's build specs, timelines, and desired aesthetic (of course!).
Sound good? Book your preferred selection today by clicking here. Oh, and did we mention our selection services are FREE?
The easiest way to get your order under way is to reach out to your sales consultant to confirm the availability of all items and organise payment. From there, your order is in motion and will be sent onto our purchasing team!
You can collect your order from our Warehouse at 292 Yarra St, South Geelong.
Please ensure you arrive with an appropriate vehicle (ute, trailer, truck) to collect your order. Upon your arrival, our warehouse team will assess the suitability of your vehicle to carry your order.
If our warehouse team deem your vehicle unsuitable, you will be asked to either come back with a suitable vehicle or arrange delivery of your order.
Not a problem! We're able to facilitate this for you, as long as your order is paid for in full.
We can certainly deliver your order to site. We deliver all across the Geelong & Surf Coast regions, through to Melbourne and regional Victoria.
To arrange delivery, all you'll need to do is email logistics@gtandb.com.au with your request and our logistics team will arrange this for you.
Please note that delivery fees are determined once your order arrives at our warehouse and is based on packaging, weight and delivery location. Interstate deliveries can be arranged by request.
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