Mosaic Tiles

FAQs

• Do your porcelain mosaic tiles come sheeted?

  Yes. All our mosaic tiles are supplied sheeted as standard, in sheets of approximately 300x300mm (size varies slightly depending on the shape and size of the individual tiles). Custom colour orders are also supplied sheeted.

• Can your porcelain mosaic tiles be used on walls?

  Yes. Our vitrified porcelain mosaic tiles can be used on any horizontal or vertical surface. This includes bathroom walls, swimming pool walls and floors, building columns, and building facades.

• Can we customize a standard mosaic tile pattern with our own choice of colours?

  Yes. All our patterns can be modified by replacing the standard colours with others from the range. There are 32 plain and 26 speckled colours in the range to choose from.

• Can you replicate a tile pattern I’ve seen?

  In most cases we can. It depends if the pattern to be replicated consists of shapes that are standard to our collection. There are over 16 shapes in our mosaic range. N.B. not all shapes in all colours are kept in stock. Lead time is 12+ weeks.

• Can they be used outdoors on verandahs or paths?

  Yes, our mosaics are made from dry-pressed porcelain that is fired at approximately 1,200 degrees celsius. They meet or exceed all European standards, including those for impact, abrasion and slip resistance.

  Vitrified porcelain mosaics have been used on the paths and verandahs of period homes since the late 19th century and are able to withstand heavy foot traffic. One of the best examples of a mosaic floor - in a public space - is that of the Block Arcade in Melbourne’s CBD, laid in 1893 and still looking spectacular today.

• What are the options of patterns/colours/sizes?

  Olde English Tiles has a library of hundreds of mosaic patterns that can be realized using our unique collection of vitrified porcelain mosaics, which are available in 32 plain & 26 speckled colours and over 16 shapes & sizes, plus 17 accessory and anti-slip tiles including coving, step treads and round edge pieces. There are nearly 70 standard patterns shown on our website, which are only the tip of the iceberg. As you can see, the variations are unlimited.

• Do your porcelain mosaic tiles need to be sealed?

  No. Our mosaic tiles are manufactured by Winckelmans in France from fully vitrified unglazed porcelain, with a porosity level of 0.1%–0.5% — below the European standard. This makes them virtually impervious to staining, and sealing is not required in most applications. If you choose to seal, wait a few days after installation until the cement film has been fully removed, and use a sealer designed for vitrified porcelain.

• Where are your mosaic tiles made?

  Our mosaic tiles are manufactured by Winckelmans in France, one of the world's oldest and most respected producers of vitrified porcelain tiles. Winckelmans has been producing tiles since 1894. Olde English Tiles is the exclusive Australian importer of the Winckelmans mosaic range, and most patterns are sheeted locally in Sydney for quick turnaround.

• What is the lead time for a custom colour order?

  Custom colour orders — where you select your own colours from our range of 32 plain and 7 speckled options — are sheeted locally and are typically ready within four weeks.

• What is the difference between vitrified porcelain and standard ceramic mosaic tiles?

  Vitrified porcelain is fired at a higher temperature (approximately 1,200°C) than standard ceramic, which makes it denser and far less porous. Our Winckelmans mosaics have a porosity level of 0.1%–0.5%, compared to standard ceramic which can range from 3% to over 10%. This means our tiles are virtually stain-proof, do not require sealing, and are suitable for outdoor use including verandahs, paths, and pools.

• Can mosaic tiles be used in a swimming pool?

  Yes. Our vitrified porcelain mosaic tiles are suitable for swimming pool floors and walls. They meet or exceed all relevant European standards for impact, abrasion, and slip resistance. Their low porosity (0.1%–0.5%) makes them resistant to the chemicals used in pool maintenance.

• What size are the individual mosaic tiles?

  Our mosaic tiles are available in five shapes and sizes: 20mm square, 25mm hexagon, 50mm square, 50mm hexagon, and 18mm round. All are supplied pre-sheeted in sheets of approximately 300x300mm.