Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Dec 28, 2014 2:17 pm Hey guys, To be honest.. Up til now.. I've wanted spotted gum engineered timber in all living areas and theatre.. But recent visits to my in laws (who have this type of flooring), I've decided to keep my options open (as I saw some faults in the wood, and they've just installed it 13 months ago!!!) So need some advice and pictures if you have any (not ones from magazines, ones from your actual home or you know of someone).. I was thinking of tiles, porcelain.. 600x600.. Light grey or dark grey.. Some questions! If they have some sort of patterns, would it be look too busy? Bare in mind we're going to furnish the house with modern furniture (black, metal, glass, white etc).. I'm thinking the lighter the colour the more it look more spacious, dark grey would make the house look smaller? Im thinking we need to screed it and I'm looking to spend less then 120 per sqm for tiles and installation (including grout and screed) for about 102sqm.. Would that be reasonable? I've seen pictures from all sorts of tile places.. Do I have to worry about tiles whether they're made in China.. Cos I've heard they can be problematic (as quality is not there).. What else do I have to look out for? TIA Building: The Maxum Builder: New Generation Homes Estate: Springtime Estate, Xavier ____________________________ Our build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=73924 Re: Porcelain tiles! Advice and questions :) 2Dec 29, 2014 6:43 pm We have unglazed porcelain tiles in living area, 600x600, pale brown patterned with white and definitely not too "busy". I didn't want high gloss cos they show footprints and every speck of dirt, I still get some footprints with my unglazed though I can imagine they would look great in light grey. Choose the highest graded tiles you can for your money ( usually commercial grade) and you shouldn't have too many problems. We also chose mocha grout (which hides the dirt), and had the tiles laid with the smallest grout gaps, an advantage with the straight edge. In this picture you can see the tile pattern, it's quite subtle in a big space: http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b609/WestAussieforeva/1aColourselection_zps1b6145a6.jpg Re: Porcelain tiles! Advice and questions still needed! :S 3Dec 29, 2014 10:19 pm Yours looks so nice Treeseachanger! Love the colour! I went to two tile shops today.. Magic tiles and Craft decor.. Although craft decor is much cheaper when it came to the tiles.. Magic tiles look far more better.. Customer service as well was better in Magic tiles.. The lady at craft decor said she doesn't know much about the tiles as she's only been there for a couple of weeks.. Fair enough but lost our interest almost straight away.. Did look at the tiles and just felt the quality wasn't there.. I fell absolutely in love with these two tiles.. They're both grey.. One darker then the other.. Both matte but one is semi matte and semi polished.. Both feel great on the feet (important as we don't wear shoes in the house).. I like the colour of the dark grey as it's got abit of speckles in it.. But the lighter grey is the semi latte and semi polished! Best of both worlds! Both great and felt quality there.. Both China made too.. Really like the price as well, and she said she can give us further discount so yerh we really need to make decisions asap! Can I ask is yours China made or European? Here are the pictures! Both tiles, looking brown but really they are grey and are on grey tiles too! Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ This is the lighter grey and its semi polished and semi matte. looks and feels really good. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ This is the darker grey and is full matte, love the speckles in it! again looks and feels really good. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ This is both of them on a side angle, could really tell which is matte and which is semi matte and polished! Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Im really drawn to these kind of tiles, the polished ones didnt have any nice colours I did like some more that were matte but they were more expensive as they were european.. More questions! Anybody with european brand porcelain tiles? do yo like them and were they still made in china or europe? Anybody with matte tiles? do you like them and happy that you went with them instead of porcelain? I've been hearing mix reviews for both so far. TIA x Building: The Maxum Builder: New Generation Homes Estate: Springtime Estate, Xavier ____________________________ Our build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=73924 Re: Porcelain tiles! Advice and questions still needed :S 4Jan 01, 2015 7:55 pm Hi and Happy New Year. Just had a look at the spare tiles in a box in the shed...they are 100% dinky di , made in Australia. Have you reached any decision yet? Re: Porcelain tiles! Advice and questions still needed :S 5Jan 01, 2015 8:32 pm Mine are from spain . They were expensive . In my old house they were from china . They had a optical haze in them .which is caused when they are made . But porcelain tiles from china have come along why . Mine are light and polished the only thing I find hard is keeping grout cleaned but im not that ocd about it anymore . I only mop once a week and I find I am the only one that can see the dirt lol . Chose vertified tile so if they chip they colour is through the tile so you dont see the chip . Make sure you ask if they need to be sealed Oh and ask the tiler if he cleans them after as I have been living in my home and they still have a wax on them . And the tile shop are coming out to check them out Would I chose them again . Maybe not polished Re: Porcelain tiles! Advice and questions still needed :S 6Jan 01, 2015 10:22 pm Great post. Why wouldn't choose polished again Melsie ... is it because they show everything? I LOVE the glossy polished look but I definitely won't be mopping more than once a week and I have a big boofy doggie and messy hubby who definitely wont! Procrastinating/stressing about my purchase in the next week or so (Beaumont's have 26% off tiles right now). Beaumont's Adelaide CBD store has the tile we love throughout the whole showroom (600, rectified, polished Alto Taupe). I THINK they said they clean them three times a week. If so I'm guessing Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday (to clean the weekend traffic). I'm in two minds about this: (1) they withstand lots of traffic and still look gorgeous or (2) it's because they have a contractor cleaning them three times a week that has the best equipment and knows the tricks and in my house with me mopping only once a week they're going to look manky all the time What to do ... what to do??? What's the cleaning like? Would I be better with glazed or matt porcelain? Re: Porcelain tiles! Advice and questions still needed :S 7Jan 01, 2015 10:52 pm We have alot of wax on our tile still which I never experienced in my old house but I think thats because they put a polisher over it after they laid them .this time the laid them they left them all dirty .. I was told that vacuuming them once a day is very good to do . Moping floor too many times makes grout dirty quicker . And I have 200sqm of them im not moping 3 times a week .lol . I have actually also been told that polished is more easier to clean .do matt ones have bumps in them so they are not exactly flat . And the dirt can get trapped in them . ( I probley dont even know what im talking about ) I havent worked out which way it is better to clean them .they dont like alot of water .I have tried enjo with a enjo cleaner and also tried metho and a tiny bit of moringfresh . I thing I know you clean them and they look dirty in 5 min . But I do have 6 kids . I hope once I get tge wax off they will look more cleaner when I mop them .but for now its too big of a job and I cant afford likeover$1000 to get someone to clean them . Just do check to see if you need to seal them as my tile shop said they didnt need to but when my daughter vomited on them they stained. After mopping them a few times tge stain has gone away a bit but the tile shop are coming back to have a look .but the look is timeless .and if you dont mind them looking 100% clean all the time then go for it .trust me the more you are in your home the more you live in it like it is your home and eventually you let go of the new feeling . Its like having a new car after a month or two you forget its new .lol Re: Porcelain tiles! Advice and questions still needed :S 8Jan 01, 2015 11:08 pm thanks Melsie. That's helpful. I'll probably stick with the polished; find out how to scrub off the wax and get a Robomaid to do the vacuuming every day. Those things look cool Re: Porcelain tiles! Advice and questions still needed :S 9Jan 02, 2015 12:26 am I find vaccuming is the best. I vaccum first, then I mop if needed and in between do spot cleaning- atm that's because I have 3 dogs who shed running around on them plus DH always leaves tea and coffee spots or splashes everywhere cos he fills his mug too full so leaves a trail to wherever he is going I have a robot which helps out with the dog hair too. I like the unglazed tiles, they are still shiny, just not high gloss: they aren't actually matt finish. I don't know about the ones Melsie mentioned being matt, maybe these are ceramic, not porcelain? Ceramics sometimes have "pits" in them. . . Re: Porcelain tiles! Advice and questions still needed :S 11Jan 02, 2015 2:28 am Treeseachanger Hi and Happy New Year. Just had a look at the spare tiles in a box in the shed...they are 100% dinky di , made in Australia. Have you reached any decision yet? Hey treeseachanger! Happy new year to you too! Whow I've never heard of tiles made in Aus! Where did you get your tiles and at how much.. Sorry I just want to know what I'm in for Building: The Maxum Builder: New Generation Homes Estate: Springtime Estate, Xavier ____________________________ Our build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=73924 Re: Porcelain tiles! Advice and questions still needed :S 12Jan 02, 2015 2:34 am Melsie68 Mine are from spain . They were expensive . In my old house they were from china . They had a optical haze in them .which is caused when they are made . But porcelain tiles from china have come along why . Mine are light and polished the only thing I find hard is keeping grout cleaned but im not that ocd about it anymore . I only mop once a week and I find I am the only one that can see the dirt lol . Chose vertified tile so if they chip they colour is through the tile so you dont see the chip . Make sure you ask if they need to be sealed Oh and ask the tiler if he cleans them after as I have been living in my home and they still have a wax on them . And the tile shop are coming out to check them out Would I chose them again . Maybe not polished Hey melsie! I've read your thread! Omg I love your house! I know what you mean about the optical haze.. I was looking at the porcelain tiles in craft decor and it was just shocking.. The designs when looked closely looks very hazey! How expensive per sqm is it if you don't mind me asking? I think that's why we're wanting a slight dark colour as we're super lazy haha, and don't wanna clean too much.. Once a week mopping should be alright though.. When you mean vertified do you mean rectified? Thanks for replying And the advice Building: The Maxum Builder: New Generation Homes Estate: Springtime Estate, Xavier ____________________________ Our build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=73924 Re: Porcelain tiles! Advice and questions still needed :S 13Jan 02, 2015 2:39 am Hey all, Just wondering.. What kind of vacuum do you guys have? Because I have a 2006 Dyson upright vacuum (which probs needs to be upgraded.. But im scared the vacuum will scratch the tiles or something.. So just want some suggestions for vacuum.. I've been tipped of the Roomba.. But It's expensive.. And I can't see how a robot vacuum can do a better job then a person using their hands to vacuum! Lol.. Hope that makes sense hehe! Building: The Maxum Builder: New Generation Homes Estate: Springtime Estate, Xavier ____________________________ Our build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=73924 Re: Porcelain tiles! Advice and questions still needed :S 14Jan 02, 2015 10:30 am Thanks izzy and ozzy. I m learning to love them more each day lol as I let go a bit .lol I have a pro silence bosh vacuum .was half price $300 a couple of years ago . I yuse to hate it . But I love it now . My tiles where on sale $75 sqm grom $110 ( butyou know sales probley werw never that price lol) . My partner chose them I was fighting him the whole build not to go so light . Didnt win . Vertified means colour is throughout the tile and rectified means square edge so they can be layed close together with minimal grout What are your kitchen colours . Re: Porcelain tiles! Advice and questions still needed :S 15Jan 02, 2015 1:11 pm Melsie68 Thanks izzy and ozzy. I m learning to love them more each day lol as I let go a bit .lol I have a pro silence bosh vacuum .was half price $300 a couple of years ago . I yuse to hate it . But I love it now . My tiles where on sale $75 sqm grom $110 ( butyou know sales probley werw never that price lol) . My partner chose them I was fighting him the whole build not to go so light . Didnt win . Vertified means colour is throughout the tile and rectified means square edge so they can be layed close together with minimal grout What are your kitchen colours . Thanks for the the info melsie! I haven't made a decision yet.. Cos even though I love the tiles from magic, I need to see what else is out there! Haha never give a girl options! Hehe.. Our builders range are Crosby's and European ceramics.. So want to look at them cos we never looked at main flooring choice as we were going for timber flooring.. How things change haha! Kitchen colours! Black and white! Galileo essastone with waterfall island edging and polar white silk finish! Building: The Maxum Builder: New Generation Homes Estate: Springtime Estate, Xavier ____________________________ Our build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=73924 Re: Porcelain tiles! Advice and questions still needed :S 16Jan 02, 2015 1:46 pm I have a Rainbow, love it It's probably the most expensive on the market but saves me from massive sinus problems with dust so it's worth it. I once had sinusitis for 5 years using conventional vaccums. I think when new they are about 3 thou! Ours is around 16 years old and still fine. I once bought a vaccum which boasted 5 filters but it's still not as good as the Rainbow... The original robots are actually sweepers. The latest ones now also vaccum. I bought my floor tiles over 4 years ago (on sale) and stored them until the house was built. From memory they were between 45-50per sqm at the time. We had to wait 3 years 3 months for the titles on our land so did a lot of stuff beforehand. Of course we didn't know how long it would take to title or we might have pulled out!! Re: Porcelain tiles! Advice and questions still needed :S 17Jan 02, 2015 4:32 pm Treeseachanger I have a Rainbow, love it It's probably the most expensive on the market but saves me from massive sinus problems with dust so it's worth it. I once had sinusitis for 5 years using conventional vaccums. I think when new they are about 3 thou! Ours is around 16 years old and still fine. I once bought a vaccum which boasted 5 filters but it's still not as good as the Rainbow... The original robots are actually sweepers. The latest ones now also vaccum. I bought my floor tiles over 4 years ago (on sale) and stored them until the house was built. From memory they were between 45-50per sqm at the time. We had to wait 3 years 3 months for the titles on our land so did a lot of stuff beforehand. Of course we didn't know how long it would take to title or we might have pulled out!! Whow a rainbow!?! They're amazing! I've seen a demo by totally lost interest by the price lucky me hubby and I don't have a sinusitis problem, and hopefully won't ever hehe! Wow you're really organised! Wish we were as much as you hehe.. We've just got to wait for certification of titles.. Only had about 4 months delay hehe typical Building: The Maxum Builder: New Generation Homes Estate: Springtime Estate, Xavier ____________________________ Our build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=73924 Re: Porcelain tiles! Advice and questions still needed :S 18Jan 02, 2015 7:07 pm Rainbows are the bomb if you suffer from allergies or asthma, anything like that. It deodorizes my mattresses, mops floors, cleans the air and shampoos rugs or carpet as well. 4 months wait for titles- so good!!! (the current thread I'm using is investment build.. We got our keys for our home :"our half acre heaven" thread in April 2014- so I am now working on the little investment). Re: Porcelain tiles! Advice and questions still needed :S 19Jan 03, 2015 5:33 pm IssyandOzzy I've been tipped of the Roomba.. But It's expensive.. And I can't see how a robot vacuum can do a better job then a person using their hands to vacuum! Lol.. Hope that makes sense hehe! We have an old 530 model Roomba, we call him "the little man" and he does a great job but we only have hard floors (vinyl tiles, burnished concrete, tiles in bathrooms). Probably does a better job than me because he cleans under the bed every time. We have matt white floor tiles in a bathroom and it shows every fleck of dust or hair. Put the Roomba in for 10 minutes and he cleans every speck. The only spots he misses are the corners so I bought a duster with a long handle for $1.00 and just flick out any dirt so he can get to it. I can't see how a Roomba would do the same job as a regular vacuum on carpet, not enough suction, but ours is brilliant on hard floors. If you consider getting one be patient because at times you can pick up superseded models. We got ours a few years ago from Big W for under $300. As for the suggestion of vacuuming everyday, I must be much older or just much lazier than some because I know that would last about a day with me. Versaloc is a mortarless besser block system that still needs a properly engineered footing. If you just do a 400x200 footing it will fail in time. At 17m long you need it… 1 18220 Hi All, I engaged a tradie to install concrete retaining wall 600-800mm high over 32 meters in Victoria. Sleepers are 200*75*2000 mm installed over 17 steel posts. I… 0 6917 Building Standards; Getting It Right! 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