Frequently Asked Questions

For all non Porcelanosa products, you can place an order directly from our website (www.stoketiles.co.uk). Simply add the product to your cart and follow the checkout process to complete your order.

For all Porcelanosa products, please email the name of the product, the quantity required and a delivery postcode to [email protected]. We will then respond with a full quotation. If you wish to proceed, we will ask you to confirm a full delivery address then email you a payment invoice.

If you receive damaged or incorrect tiles please inform us within 48 hours of delivery. We will either refund you or send replacements as quickly as possible.We can only accept returns for your full order. We cannot accept returns on part orders or unwanted packs. Delivery costs are non refundable. All return items occur a 35% restocking fee. Stoketiles will not collect any surplus or unwanted goods, the customer will be responsible for arranging the return of goods. Return tiles must be received during regular opening hours (Monday-Friday 8am-5pm) and must be in resalable condition, original packaging and returned within 28 days of purchase date.

Special order items are non refundable.

• Next day delivery is available for orders placed before midday
• A standard delivery takes 2-4 working days
• Special orders take approximately 3-4 weeks
• There is also an option to schedule your delivery in advance

Yes, contact us here and we will be happy to assist. We can also help you calculate how many boxes of tiles you will need.

Absolutely! We have tile experts within our team who have over 20 years experience of tile fitting. They would be more than happy to share their knowledge and expertise with you.

No, we are online only. If you would like to view a specific tile, please get in touch and we will try our best to send you a sample tile.

You can call us directly on 01538 422404 or email; [email protected]. Alternatively, visit our contact page here to complete a contact form.

Stoke Tiles is proud to offer an exceptional tile fitting service in and around Stoke on Trent, tailored to meet the unique needs of your project. Our team of highly skilled and professional tile fitters ensures that every tiling project is completed to the highest standards, delivering quality workmanship and attention to detail from start to finish. Whether you’re renovating a kitchen, bathroom, or any other space, you can trust Stoke Tiles for reliable, expert installation and outstanding results.

We accept all major credit and debit cards, bank transfers, Apple Pay, and PayPal.

We offer free full-size samples for tiles smaller than 60x60cm and can provide a cut sample for larger tiles. Smaller samples can be ordered directly from our website, while cut samples of larger tiles can be requested by contacting us.

There is a small delivery charge for all samples. To order, simply send us an email confirming the name of the tile, your full delivery address, and contact number. We will then email you a payment link to complete your order.

To add more tiles to an existing order, please get in touch as soon as possible. If your order has not been dispatched we will be able to add directly to your order. Any late additions will be subject to an additional carriage charge.

Yes, you can cancel an order after it has been placed if it has not been dispatched. After dispatch, you are expected to accept the delivery of the goods and return them in line with our Terms and Conditions.

Yes, you can order more of the same tiles. However, we strongly recommend that any additional orders refer to the original batch or tile ID numbers, so that we can match them for you. This is important because different batches can produce variations in shade and size.

The best tile for a kitchen wall is typically ceramic or porcelain, as both are durable, easy to clean, and resistant to moisture and stains. Gloss or satin-finish tiles are popular choices because they reflect light and are simple to wipe down, making them ideal for splashbacks and areas prone to splashes and spills. Subway tiles, mosaic tiles, and large-format tiles are all stylish and practical options. Choose a tile that complements your kitchen’s style and colour scheme while offering the practicality needed for everyday use.

The best tile for a bathroom floor is porcelain or ceramic, as both are water-resistant, durable, and easy to maintain. Porcelain tiles are especially popular because they are denser and less porous, making them highly resistant to moisture and stains. For added safety, choose tiles with a textured or matte finish to reduce the risk of slipping when the floor is wet.

Porcelain and ceramic tiles are both made from clay, but there are key differences between them:

A gloss finish on a tile refers to a shiny, reflective surface that gives the tile a polished and smooth appearance. This finish enhances the colour and pattern of the tile, making it look brighter and more vibrant. Gloss tiles are easy to clean and are often used on walls in kitchens and bathrooms to create a sleek, modern look. However, they can be more slippery when wet, so they are less commonly used on floors in areas prone to moisture.

A matt finish on a tile is a non-reflective, smooth surface that gives the tile a soft, understated look. Unlike gloss tiles, matt tiles do not have a shiny or polished appearance, which makes them ideal for creating a more natural or contemporary style. They are less likely to show water spots, smudges, or fingerprints, and they provide better slip resistance, making them a popular choice for bathroom and kitchen floors as well as walls.

A lappato or semi-polished finish on a tile is a surface treatment that gives the tile a partially polished look. The tile is lightly polished to create a subtle sheen, resulting in a finish that is smoother and more reflective than matt but less shiny than full gloss.

A satin finish tile has a slight sheen, which when viewed a certain angle which will offer a small amount of light reflection.

A rectified tile is a ceramic or porcelain tile that has been precisely cut or ground after firing to achieve exact, uniform edges and dimensions. This process results in tiles with perfectly straight edges and sharp corners, allowing for minimal grout lines and a sleek, seamless look when installed.

A wood effect tile is a ceramic or porcelain tile designed to mimic the appearance of natural wood. These tiles are printed with realistic wood grain patterns and textures, often replicating the look of various wood species, colours, and finishes. Wood effect tiles offer the aesthetic appeal of hardwood flooring but with the durability, water resistance, and low maintenance of tile. They are ideal for areas where real wood may not be practical, such as bathrooms, kitchens, or high-traffic spaces.

A stone effect tile is a ceramic or porcelain tile designed to replicate the appearance and texture of natural stone, such as marble, slate, travertine, or granite. These tiles use advanced printing and surface techniques to mimic the unique veining, colour variations, and surface details found in real stone. Stone effect tiles provide the luxurious and timeless look of natural stone but with the added benefits of being more affordable, easier to maintain, and more resistant to stains and moisture.

A metro tile is a small, rectangular ceramic tile, typically measuring 75x150mm (3×6 inches), inspired by the tiles used in early 20th-century subway stations, especially in cities like London, Paris, and New York. Metro tiles are known for their classic, bevelled edges and glossy finish, though they are also available in matt and flat versions. They are commonly used for wall applications in kitchens and bathrooms, arranged in a brickwork or stacked pattern to create a timeless, stylish look.

A marble effect tile is a ceramic or porcelain tile designed to imitate the appearance of natural marble. These tiles feature realistic veining, colour variations, and patterns that closely resemble genuine marble stone. Marble effect tiles offer the luxurious and elegant look of marble but with the practical benefits of tile, such as increased durability, lower cost, easier maintenance, and greater resistance to stains and moisture. They are popular for use on floors and walls in bathrooms, kitchens, and living spaces.

A split face tile is a type of tile made from natural stone or porcelain that has a rough, uneven, and textured surface, designed to mimic the look of hand-chiseled stone. The surface is created by splitting the stone or shaping the tile to give it a three-dimensional, layered appearance. Split face tiles are commonly used for feature walls, fireplaces, and exterior facades, adding depth and visual interest with their rugged, natural look.

Patterned tiles are tiles that feature decorative designs, motifs, or geometric shapes on their surface. These designs can be printed, painted, or inlaid and range from traditional and vintage patterns to modern and abstract styles. Patterned tiles are often used to create eye-catching feature walls, statement floors, or decorative borders in kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, and living spaces. They add character, colour, and visual interest to any area, allowing for creative and personalised interior design.

The main differences between indoor and outdoor tiles are their durability, slip resistance, and resistance to weather conditions.vOutdoor tiles are commonly made from porcelain, quarry, or natural stone, which are more robust and less porous. Indoor tiles can be made from a wider range of materials, including ceramic, which may not be suitable for outdoor environments.

A mosaic tile is a small tile used to create decorative patterns or images. Mosaic tiles are typically made from materials like glass, ceramic or porcelain and are mounted on mesh sheets for easier installation. They can be arranged in intricate designs, geometric patterns, or random mixes of colours and textures. Mosaic tiles are popular for feature walls, splashbacks, shower areas, and decorative borders, adding visual interest and artistic flair to a space.

A bevelled edge on a tile refers to an edge that is cut at an angle, rather than being perfectly square. This angled edge creates a small, sloping surface around the perimeter of the tile, giving it a distinctive, three-dimensional look.

A bull nose edge tile is a tile with a rounded or curved edge, rather than square or sharp. This rounded edge creates a smooth, finished look and is often used for tile borders and steps.

A double bull nose edge tile will have 2 rounded or curved edges in an ‘L’ shape. This rounded edge creates a smooth, finished look and is often used to tile corners.

Shade variation refers to the differences in colour, tone, or pattern that can occur between individual tiles within the same batch or between different batches. This variation is especially common in tiles that mimic natural materials like stone or wood, as well as in handmade or glazed tiles. Shade variation can add depth and a more natural, authentic look to a tiled surface, but it’s important to be aware of it when planning a project to ensure a consistent and pleasing appearance.

Tile adhesive is a type of bonding material used to fix tiles to surfaces such as walls or floors. It is specially formulated to provide a strong, durable hold and is suitable for various tile types, including ceramic and porcelain. Tile adhesives come in different forms, such as ready-mixed paste for wall tiles and powdered adhesives that are mixed with water for floor or heavy-duty applications. The right adhesive ensures tiles stay securely in place and helps prevent issues like slipping, lifting, or cracking over time.

Grout is a cement-based or epoxy-based material used to fill the gaps between tiles after they have been installed. It helps to secure the tiles in place, prevent moisture from seeping between them, and gives the tiled surface a finished, uniform appearance.

A tile primer is a preparatory liquid applied to surfaces before tiling to improve the adhesion of tile adhesive. It helps seal porous or dusty substrates, reduces absorbency, and creates a stable, even base for the adhesive to bond to.

A Hardie backer board is a type of cement-based building board used as a substrate for tiling, especially in areas exposed to moisture like bathrooms and kitchens. It provides a strong, stable, and water-resistant surface for tiles, preventing issues like warping, swelling, or mould growth that can occur with traditional plasterboard or plywood.

A decoupling membrane is a thin, flexible layer installed between a substrate (such as concrete or wooden floors) and tiles. Its main purpose is to absorb movement or stress from the substrate, preventing cracks in the tiles or grout. Decoupling membranes are especially useful over substrates that may expand, contract, or shift slightly over time, such as underfloor heating systems or newly laid concrete.

An expansion joint is a deliberate gap or flexible joint incorporated into tiled surfaces to allow for natural movement caused by temperature changes, humidity, or structural shifts. These joints prevent tiles and grout from cracking or lifting by absorbing expansion and contraction in the substrate or tiled area.

The R slip rating is a classification system used to indicate the slip resistance of floor tiles, especially in wet or potentially slippery environments. The “R” stands for “ramp test,” where tiles are tested on an inclined surface to measure how much grip they provide underfoot.

The ratings range from R9 to R13:

Tiles with an R rating are considered slip resistant to varying degrees, depending on the rating. The higher the R number, the greater the slip resistance.