Realstone Slate – Shell

Glazed porcelain tiles have had a layer of silica (glass) applied to the surface during the manufacturing process. This is then fired at the same time as the tile body, creating a glazed glossy surface over the tile face.

You will find that all polished tiles are more slippery by their very nature than other finishes such natural matt or honed tiles, but if you take care walking on them in wet conditions, they are still suitable for most areas of the home. All major tile manufacturers will have technical data sheets, that state the slip rating of their tiles, you need a COF (Coefficient of Friction) of 6 or better to be slip resistant enough for a floor.

The polished surface on Porcelain tiles is made by grinding the surface of the tile with a diamond disk with a grit of 800 and over. This is undertaken at the end of the production line after the tiles have been fired and rectified and just before packaging.

Glazed porcelain tiles are extremely easy to keep clean, due to their non-porous nature and shiny surface, but with proper care, unglazed and textured porcelain tiles can be maintained without anything more than regular maintenance.

Porcelain will normally have a matt or polished surface that is mechanically applied after printing and firing. Glazed porcelain tiles have a layer of silica applied to their surface and are fired for a second time to achieve a glossy surface finish.

Yes. We have a full range of Tile Adhesives and Grouts for use by professional tilers and DIY’ers alike as well as a full range of Sealants and Cleaners

We have branches across the South Coast of England, including Poole in Dorset, Winchester, Tadley, Romsey and Portsmouth in Hampshire. Internal showrooms are available to view in Poole and Portsmouth and external displays are available at Portsmouth, Poole, Winchester and Tadley.

Please visit our contact page for further information.

Yes. Our opening hours and address are found on the Contact Us page. We have fork-lift trucks for loading onto suitable vehicles at all sites, and staff are always available to help with loading of smaller items. We highly recommend that you call your local branch, before visiting, to confirm the items you wish to collect are available.