Installation guides
Practical notes for you and your tiler. Always follow the adhesive and grout manufacturer’s instructions.
Check every box is from the same batch, and open several boxes to mix tiles as you lay them. Make sure the surface is flat, clean, dry and structurally sound, and that wet areas are waterproofed to Australian Standard AS 3740 by a licensed waterproofer.
Use a flexible cement-based adhesive suited to the tile size and substrate. Large-format tiles (600 mm and over) need full adhesive coverage, back-buttering and a levelling system. Typical grout joints are 2 to 3 mm.
Seal the stone before grouting to stop grout staining the surface, then again once installed. Use a white or light adhesive for pale stone to avoid shadowing. Cut with a wet saw and a fresh diamond blade.
Lay with tight joints (1 to 2 mm) and accept the natural lippage; it’s part of the look. Seal glazed handmade tiles before grouting if the edges are porous, and use an unsanded or fine grout.
Use a white adhesive for glass mosaics. Press sheets in with a grout float, check alignment between sheets, and clean excess adhesive from joints before it sets.
Choose tiles rated for outdoor and wet use, with a slip rating to suit. Allow for movement joints, falls to drainage, and use adhesives and grouts made for external or submerged areas.