Style & effects FAQs

Textured tiles add depth and character to your space by creating a dynamic, almost 3D effect on your walls. With modern grooves or uneven finishes, like fluted or rustic styles, they play with light and shadow, transforming the ambiance of the room. These tiles work well with both traditional and contemporary designs, offering a range of looks from vintage to modern. Whether you’re aiming for a cozy, rustic feel or a sleek, bold statement, textured tiles can elevate any room without breaking the budget, making your space feel more layered and visually interesting.

Our patterned tiles are designed to cater to a wide range of design preferences, offering both contemporary and traditional options that suit various tastes and budgets. Whether you’re drawn to the bold, geometric patterns of modern styles or the timeless elegance of classic designs, there’s something in our collection to complement your vision.

These tiles are versatile enough for both floors and walls, allowing you to create a cohesive design throughout your space. We offer a variety of formats, including unique hexagon shapes and classic square styles, so you can choose the perfect fit for your layout. Whether you’re aiming for a striking focal point or a subtle backdrop, our patterned ceramic and porcelain tiles offer endless possibilities to elevate your interior design.

Fluted tiles are a trendy and stylish choice for adding depth and visual interest to any space. Their distinctive textured design creates a sophisticated, tactile surface that catches the eye and enhances the overall ambiance of a room. When paired with dramatic lighting, the texture of fluted tiles truly comes to life, casting intriguing shadows and highlights that transform the space depending on the light. This dynamic effect makes them perfect for creating a focal point or accenting key areas like feature walls. The on-trend appeal of fluted tiles lies not only in their contemporary aesthetic but also in their ability to blend with a variety of interior styles, from modern to more classic designs. Whether used in a living room, bathroom, or kitchen, fluted tiles bring a touch of elegance and a sense of luxury, making them an ideal choice for anyone looking to elevate their interior design.

We offer a wide variety of tile options to help you achieve the timeless chequerboard look, catering to different preferences and design styles. For a bold, classic approach, our collection includes crisp black and white tiles, that create a striking contrast, ideal for making a statement in any room. If you’re looking for a more subtle, sophisticated take, we also offer softer, tonal natural stone tiles that give the chequerboard pattern a more refined, earthy feel.

For additional inspiration on chequerboards, read here

If you’re looking for a subtle yet stylish way to introduce pattern into your interior, chevron tiles could be the perfect solution. This distinctive, graphic design adds movement and visual interest without overwhelming a space. There are plenty of ways to incorporate chevron tiles into your home; opt for a single shade for a more understated, cohesive look, or mix light and dark tones to create contrast. Whether you prefer a random layout for a softer effect or a bold zig-zag stripe for a statement feature, chevron tiles offer versatile design possibilities for walls, floors, and even splashbacks.

Brick tiles are a versatile and stylish option for bathrooms and kitchens, offering a clean, classic look that’s both modern and timeless. Whether you opt for slim, elongated designs or the classic subway style, brick tiles can be arranged horizontally or vertically to suit your space and desired aesthetic. This flexibility allows you to customise the layout based on room dimensions. Additionally, brick tiles are durable, easy to maintain, and resistant to wear, making them a practical choice for high-traffic areas. They combine both beauty and functionality, making them perfect for any kitchen or bathroom.

Herringbone tiles are incredibly versatile, making them a perfect choice for both modern and traditional interiors. Their graphic and elegant design has a timeless quality that blends seamlessly with a wide range of aesthetics. Whether you prefer the clean lines of larger elongated brick designs or the intricate pattern of herringbone mosaics, these tiles add a sophisticated touch that complements various design schemes. The herringbone pattern works well in contemporary settings, where its sharp angles and bold design can create a striking focal point, while also enhancing traditional spaces with its classic, refined appeal. With their ability to harmonize with both modern and classic tiling styles, herringbone tiles create a cohesive and stylish look that never goes out of fashion.

Terrazzo-effect tiles are an excellent choice for high-traffic areas. Unlike traditional terrazzo, our porcelain alternatives offer superior durability, low maintenance, and resistance to wear and tear, making them ideal for spaces with heavy foot traffic. These tiles beautifully replicate the classic look of marble chips embedded in cement, finished with a smooth, matt surface. Thanks to modern manufacturing technology, many options are “through-bodied,” meaning the decorative chips extend through the entire tile, including the edges. This not only enhances their resilience but also adds visual interest to exposed edges, all without the need for sealing.

Wood effect tiles feature intricate grain variations, texture, and sophisticated details that make them nearly indistinguishable from real wood. Combining the warmth and charm of natural wood with the durability and resilience of porcelain, these tiles offer a highly practical, low maintenance, and cost effective alternative to timber. Easy to clean and resistant to marks or dents from things like high heels, wood effect tiles are also ideal for use with underfloor heating. While our range is concise, we pride ourselves on offering tiles with realistic graphics, high repeat patterns, and exceptional quality.

Our terracotta effect tiles beautifully replicate the look, feel, and warmth of traditional terracotta, while offering the strength and durability of porcelain. These tiles provide the earthiness and authenticity of terracotta, without the need for sealing or regular maintenance. Available in a range of colours, from classic orange and red hues to modern grey and black tones, our terracotta effect range also offers various colour combinations and patterns for added visual interest. This makes them a versatile and low maintenance option for achieving the timeless charm of terracotta in any space.

Thanks to the latest digital technology, our porcelain stone effect tiles closely replicate the beauty of natural stone. Whether you’re looking for a rugged, traditional look or a sleek, polished finish, these tiles combine the practicality of porcelain with the textured, natural aesthetic of stone. With minimal variation in appearance, our stone effect tiles eliminate the need for sealing and offer a more consistent surface. Additionally, they allow for large format installations without the limitations of uneven thickness, making them a versatile and low-maintenance choice for any space.

If you’re looking for a unique and striking alternative to marble tiles, our onyx effect tiles collection is the perfect choice. Natural onyx, known for its elegance and distinctive bands of colour, adds a dramatic touch to any space. Our porcelain onyx effect tiles replicate the beauty of this stunning stone using advanced technology that mimics the rich, translucent look of onyx, with intricate veining and subtle tonal variations. These highly realistic tiles capture the luxurious and captivating appeal of onyx, offering the same striking visual impact without the high cost or upkeep of natural stone. Ideal for both walls and floors, our onyx effect tiles combine the elegance of onyx with the durability, easy maintenance, and affordability of porcelain, making them a practical and sophisticated choice for any space.

Our slate effect tiles are expertly designed to replicate the natural texture and rich tonal variations found in quarried slate. With a range of formats that make them suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, these tiles offer incredible versatility and durability. Available in a variety of shades, from soft light greys to deep anthracites, they provide a sophisticated, modern look that complements any space. Whether you’re updating your living room, kitchen, or outdoor patio, slate effect tiles combine the timeless beauty of natural slate with the practical benefits of porcelain, offering a low maintenance, high performance solution for a range of design styles. Their robust, textured surface makes them an ideal choice for high traffic areas, while their sleek, natural appearance adds depth and elegance to both residential and commercial spaces.

If you want a bold and distinctive option for your floors or walls, our metal-effect tiles make the ideal choice. These porcelain tiles mimic the appearance of sheet metal with intricate surfaces, offering a bold, industrial aesthetic. Available in shades like sleek silvers, bronzes, and deeper metallic tones, they bring a modern edge to any space. The reflective, textured finishes add depth and dimension to both walls and floors. Not only do these tiles provide a high impact look, but they are also more durable and low maintenance than actual metal, making them a practical choice for both residential and commercial settings. Ideal for creating a contemporary or urban vibe, our metal effect tiles work well in various settings, from accent walls to feature floors and smaller areas like bathrooms or kitchens. They offer a versatile, long lasting solution that elevates any design style.

Our marble effect tiles combine the beauty and elegance of real marble with the durability, low maintenance, and practicality of porcelain. These tiles offer incredibly realistic designs, with intricate veining, textured surfaces, and subtle tonal variations that make it hard to distinguish them from natural marble. Ideal for all areas of the home, these tiles provide a luxurious yet cost effective solution for achieving the marble look. They are not only easy to maintain but also serve as a timeless, minimalist backdrop that complements a wide range of interior styles. Durable and sophisticated, our marble effect tiles bring the opulence of marble without the high cost or upkeep.

Concrete effect tiles are a timeless and versatile choice for modern homes due to their neutral, industrial aesthetic that complements a wide range of design styles. These tiles expertly mimic the look of real concrete, capturing its raw, textured appeal without the maintenance challenges of actual concrete, like cracking or staining. Their durable, low maintenance nature makes them ideal for high traffic areas, as they resist stains, moisture, and wear. Whether used on floors or walls, in living spaces or outdoor areas, concrete effect tiles create a cohesive, minimalist look that transcends passing design trends. With a variety of finishes and textures available, they offer an authentic, modern look that adapts to both contemporary interiors and exterior designs, ensuring lasting style and functionality.

When choosing tiles for your home or project, the finish plays a key role in defining both the look and functionality of the surface. Each type of finish, whether smooth and glossy or rustic and textured, offers its own unique aesthetic and practical benefits. From the high-gloss elegance of polished tiles to the natural charm of riven or tumbled finishes, understanding these options helps you select the perfect style to suit your space, lifestyle, and maintenance preferences.

Below is a breakdown of the most common tile finishes and what makes each one distinctive:

Polished: A polished finish is characterised by a shiny, mirror-like surface created through an intensive process of grinding and buffing the tile with progressively finer abrasives. This removes surface imperfections and results in an exceptionally smooth, high-gloss finish that beautifully reflects light. Polishing enhances the tile’s natural colour, veining, and pattern, giving a luxurious and sophisticated appearance. However, because of their glossy surface, polished tiles can be more slippery when wet and may show smudges or scratches more easily than matt finishes, so placement and maintenance should be considered carefully.

Tumbled: Tumbled tiles undergo a special finishing process designed to create an aged, weathered appearance. The tiles are placed in a drum with abrasive materials like sand, grit, or small stones and gently tumbled until their edges are softened and surfaces worn. The result is a rustic, textured finish with rounded corners and subtle surface variations, giving each tile a unique, old-world charm, perfect for creating a natural, organic look.

Riven: A riven finish is formed when stone is split along its natural layers, producing a textured surface with ridges, grooves, and natural variations that reflect the stone’s geological character. Commonly used for slate and other layered stones, riven finishes have a raw, rustic appearance and offer excellent slip resistance, making them ideal for outdoor spaces or interiors with a rugged, earthy aesthetic.

Honed: A honed finish features a smooth, matt surface achieved by grinding and buffing with fine abrasives. Unlike polished tiles, honed tiles have a soft, satin-like sheen that gives a subtle and elegant look. They are smooth to the touch but less reflective, offering a contemporary, understated aesthetic. Honed tiles are also more slip resistant and less prone to showing scratches or water spots, making them a practical yet stylish choice.

Brushed: A brushed finish is created by treating the surface of natural stone with steel or hard nylon brushes. This gently wears the surface, producing a smooth yet textured finish that retains the stone’s natural character. The brushing process softens sharp edges, enhances colour, and brings out veining and patterns, giving the tile a refined, slightly weathered look. The result is a finish that blends elegance with rustic charm.

Provence: Provence is a broad term which encompasses various finishing methods used to achieve a traditional antique floor effect. Each piece of stone is finished by hand; some pieces will have a soft stippled surface, whereas others will have smooth undulations or pillowed edges. These finishes generally create the most authentic looking time-worn floors.

Heritage: This finish offers a soft tumbled and sandblasted finish which gives a perfectly time-worn aesthetic. The addition of the sandblasting creates a durable stone that is a pale cream shade rather than the usual deeper and more sandy tone. The sandblasting process also produces a light texture to the surface revealing characterful pits where shells once were.

The term honed filled applies to our travertine products, which naturally contain surface pits and holes formed during the stone’s creation. These cavities are typically pre-filled at the source using a stone resin, and the tile is then finished with a honed surface. However, some pits and holes may remain partially unfilled, so additional filling with grout might be required during installation to achieve a smooth, even finish.

Each tile finish offers different benefits and considerations for bathroom use:

• Polished: Polished tiles can be used in bathrooms, but they are generally not recommended for floors due to their slippery surface when wet. Their high-gloss finish adds a luxurious and reflective appearance, making them ideal for walls, vanity backsplashes, or shower surrounds where they won’t pose a slip risk.

• Tumbled: Tumbled tiles are an excellent choice for bathroom floors, shower enclosures, and walls. Their naturally textured and slightly uneven surface provides superior slip resistance, making them a safe option for wet environments. Aesthetically, they bring a rustic, weathered charm that suits traditional, Mediterranean, or vintage-inspired designs.

• Honed: Honed feature a smooth, matte surface that provides a good balance between style and safety. Without a glossy finish, they offer enhanced slip resistance compared to polished tiles, making them ideal for bathroom floors and other moisture-prone areas. They deliver a subtle, elegant look that complements both modern and classic interiors.

• Brushed: Brushed tiles offer moderate slip resistance, combining smoothness with enough texture for safe use in bathrooms, kitchens, and utility rooms. While not as grippy as heavily textured tiles, they perform well when properly maintained and kept dry. Their finish provides a refined yet practical appearance suited to everyday use.

In summary for bathroom floors, tumbled and honed tiles are the safest and most practical choices due to their slip resistance. Brushed tiles are also suitable with mindful maintenance, while polished tiles are best reserved for walls or decorative areas where water exposure is minimal.

Polished tiles, especially those made from natural stone, require sealing to protect the surface from staining, moisture, and everyday wear. Because the polished finish can make the surface more porous and susceptible to marks, applying a quality sealant is essential for maintaining their glossy appearance. Regular sealing not only helps preserve the tile’s shine and colour but also extends its lifespan, keeping it looking pristine for years to come. This is particularly important in high traffic or moisture prone areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and entryways.

Though they have an antique charm, brushed finishes also suit minimalist or rustic modern designs by adding warmth and texture. In minimalist interiors, the subtle sheen and tactile surface of a brushed finish can introduce visual interest without overwhelming the clean lines and neutral palette. In rustic modern spaces, the finish complements natural materials like wood and stone, enhancing the cozy, lived-in feel while maintaining a refined, contemporary edge. This versatility makes brushed finishes a timeless choice across various design styles.

Yes, honed tiles do have a natural appearance. Unlike polished tiles, which have a glossy, reflective finish, honed tiles feature a smooth, matt surface that enhances the stone’s natural texture and colour. This finish brings out the organic beauty and subtle variations in the material, giving the tiles a more authentic and understated look, ideal for creating a soft, natural feel in any space.

Honed tiles are versatile and can be used in a wide range of applications, including kitchen countertops, bathroom floors, shower walls, and even some exterior spaces like patios or walkways. Their smooth, matt finish offers a refined look while providing better slip resistance than polished tiles, making them particularly well-suited for areas exposed to water or heavy foot traffic. Because they don’t show water spots, fingerprints, or scratches as easily, honed tiles are a practical and stylish choice for both residential and commercial environments that require durability without sacrificing visual appeal.

Riven tiles can be installed on walls to create a natural, rustic look that adds depth and texture to any space. Their rough, uneven surface gives walls a distinctive, organic feel that works especially well in feature walls, fireplaces, and exterior facades.

Provence is a broad term that refers to a range of finishing techniques used to recreate the look of traditional, time worn limestone flooring. Each piece is hand finished, resulting in natural variations, some may feature a soft, stippled texture, while others display gentle surface undulations or subtly pillowed edges. The result is an authentic, aged appearance that closely resembles reclaimed stone floors.

Slight variations in thickness are normal with riven finish tiles due to the natural splitting process, and this should be taken into account during installation.

Riven natural stone tiles work well with underfloor heating systems, as their dense composition allows them to retain and evenly distribute heat, creating a warm and comfortable surface underfoot. The textured, uneven surface of riven tiles doesn’t affect their compatibility with heating systems, but it’s important to ensure that proper insulation is installed beneath the heating elements to maximise energy efficiency.

Riven finish tiles are versatile and suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Their naturally textured surface provides excellent slip resistance, making them especially ideal for areas that benefit from extra grip, such as patios and bathroom floors. Beyond their practical advantages, riven tiles add a rustic, natural charm that enhances the character of any space.

Our porcelain finishes include Satin, Honed, Brushed, Gloss, and Matt, offering a variety of options to enhance the aesthetic and functionality of your spaces.

• Satin – Known for its soft, understated shine, the satin finish adds a refined elegance to any space without being too glossy. It’s perfect for creating a contemporary look with a touch of sophistication, ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and living areas.

• Honed -With a smooth, matt surface, the honed finish provides a more natural, stone-like feel. It’s durable and slip resistant, making it an excellent choice for both indoor and outdoor applications. Honed porcelain is perfect for creating a timeless, minimalist look.

• Brushed – Featuring subtle textures that add depth and character, the brushed porcelain finish is ideal for creating a rustic or industrial-inspired design. Its tactile surface provides both visual interest and practicality, especially in high traffic areas.

• Gloss – For a bold and sleek appearance, the gloss finish offers a reflective surface that brings light and brightness to your space. It’s perfect for modern interiors, providing a clean, polished look that’s easy to maintain and enhances the vibrancy of any room.

• Matt – The matt finish delivers a soft, non-reflective surface that’s easy to clean and maintain. Ideal for creating a calming, understated ambiance, it’s great for both floors and walls, offering a modern and durable solution that fits a wide range of interior styles.

Unfilled travertine showcases its natural pits and pores, giving it a raw, rustic appearance. In contrast, filled travertine has these surface cavities filled with resin or cement, resulting in a smoother finish that’s well-suited for indoor flooring and walls where a more refined look is preferred.

When selecting tiles for outdoor use, it’s crucial to choose finishes that provide durability and slip resistance to ensure both safety and long-term performance.

Polished tiles are generally not recommended for outdoor areas. Their smooth, glossy surface can become dangerously slippery when wet, making them unsuitable for patios, walkways, or pool surrounds. In addition, exposure to weather elements like rain, sun, and temperature changes can cause polished surfaces to deteriorate or lose their shine over time.

Honed tiles, with their smooth but matt finish, are a better option for outdoor use. They offer improved traction compared to polished tiles, making them safer underfoot. However, it’s essential to ensure the stone is rated for exterior applications, as some materials may be more prone to moisture absorption or weathering. Proper sealing and maintenance can enhance their durability outdoors.

Riven finish tiles have a naturally split, textured surface that offers excellent slip resistance, making them ideal for outdoor areas such as patios or garden paths, as well as indoor wet areas like bathrooms. They also bring a rustic, natural aesthetic to any setting.

Tumbled tiles are also a great outdoor choice, thanks to their rough, aged surface that provides strong slip resistance. They’re commonly used in walkways, courtyards, and other outdoor living spaces where safety and character are important.

Choosing the right finish ensures your outdoor space is not only beautiful but also safe and built to last.