How Ordering Tiles Works

21 October 2024

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When planning a new project, sourcing and coordinating your materials, finishes and colours is usually the most exciting step in the design journey! When ordering tiles, the process can be broken down to a few simple steps; our guide to ordering tiles runs through each step in the process while outlining a few key points and helpful tips to ensure your tiling project is a success.

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How to Choose the Perfect Tiles

When you’re starting off on your search for tiles, you will notice an endless range of materials, shapes, colours and finishes available to choose from; with so many luxurious options available, it can be difficult to find the perfect fit! Tiles can be placed in a range of different categories that will help you narrow down your options in order to find the perfect solution for your intended application. From pool tiles to floor tiles, wall tiles and outdoor specific tiles, having a better look at these different tile categories will ensure you find the right material and texture.

Porcelain Tiles are a specific tile category you will notice when shopping for your new tiles. These types of tiles are part of the ceramic family; they are baked at extremely high temperatures for an extended period of time, resulting in an ultra-hard surface finish that is almost completely non-porous. Our Norm collection for example, is a quality porcelain tile that can be used in any number of applications throughout your home’s interior spaces, adding a vibrant touch of colour and pattern.

When choosing outdoor tiles for example, you will notice tiles that are specified for outdoor use will often include a roughly textured surface finish that will provide an element of slip resistance. Indoor wall tile collections on the other hand are available in a wider range of finishes including hyper glossy glazed handmade tiles, tiles with 3D elements and other more decorative solutions as these types of tiles do not need to be designed with slip resistance in mind.

Our blog Talking Tiles includes an immense collection of guides to help you find the perfect tiling solution for your application; view out guides to choosing tiles and ordering tiles here or you can get started with the guides listed below:

Ordering Tile Samples

Using tile samples is a crucial part of the tile selection process as this step will allow you to get a better feel for the product itself while also seeing how it will show up when paired with other materials and colours in your home. If you are working on a home renovation for example, we encourage you to take home a tile sample from our Melbourne tiles showroom (or alternatively, you can order your selected tile samples online). With your tile sample in hand, you can then see how the colour and texture will react within your own home’s natural and artificial lighting to ensure it is the best fit. Place your tile sample within the space being renovated and make sure to view it at different times of the day: morning, noon and evening. This will offer you a realistic view of how the product’s colour, finish and texture will show up in your home.

Tile samples will help you test out how your selected tile will show up against your other chosen materials, paint colours and finishes while also allowing you the opportunity to see how your tiles will react to your home’s natural light. It is important to note however, that although every precaution is taken to ensure tile samples offer a consistent look, some discrepancies can occur as tiles are made of natural materials which in turn can lead to differences in the final outcome as a result of the various ingredients present. Handmade tiles such as our luxe Archaic range for example, will especially show differences between the sample and the final product as each individual tile is unique from the next as a result of the handcrafting process.

For those who are building a new home and do not have the opportunity to view tile samples within their existing home’s natural lighting, you can instead create a colour board to see how each of your chosen materials, textures and colours will look together. Pair up your new home’s cabinetry colours, benchtop products, fabrics and paints and experiment with a selection of tile samples to see what works best in your chosen colour palette.

It is important to note that although every necessary precaution is taken to ensure tile samples are as accurate as possible, there can be some slight variation between a sample piece and the final tile. As with most manufactured products, tiles are created in different batches and there is no guarantee that a tile sample and the products included in your final order will be from the same batch. For more information on using tile samples to ensure the best results in your project, see our guide here.

Ordering Tiles to Suit your Project’s Timeframe

When selecting and purchasing your new tiles, it is important to ensure your selection will be available on time to meet your project’s milestones and timeframe. Tiles (especially internationally sourced tiles, custom tiles or designer tiles) will often have a longer lead time than locally sourced products. When selecting your new tiles, make sure to let your Perini Tiles consultant know what your project’s expected timeline will be in order to ensure that your selections are available on site when they are needed.

Specifying Tiles: Layouts & Patterns

After you’ve settled on your preferred tiles and made sure they will suit your project using tile samples, you can then look at available tile layouts or patterns using your selections. Different types of tile shapes and sizes will allow for a range of different looks to be achieved. Subway tiles for example, can be laid in an endless variety of different patterns from the classic brick bond tile layout to vertically or horizontally stacked and plenty more. After finalising your selected tile layout or pattern, it is important to plan out the extent of your tiling (i.e. Which floors will be tiles along with which walls and how high the tiling should go up the wall). If you are working with an Interior Designer, they can prepare a tile layout on your project’s interior elevations to ensure all parties involved in your project are on the same page. This information is not only and important step in planning the aesthetics of your property but also crucial information that will need to be passed on to your Tiler during the quoting stage as different tile layouts can affect the price of laying your tiles. You will find more information on tiling costs in our quick guide here along with our guide on choosing the right Tiler for the job here.

Subway tiles can be laid in a large variety of patterns or layouts thanks to their simple and classic shape. Our Marbella collection is pictured in this elegant bathroom design scheme, laid in a vertically run layout to create a sense of height in the room.

Purchasing your New Tiles: Ordering Tiles & Scheduling Delivery

Once you’ve determined the extent of your tiling along with the tile layout, you can then calculate how many tiles will be needed to properly complete your project. If you need some guidance with this step, your Interior Designer or Tiler can assist you or you can bring your project’s design documentation into our showroom where one of our experienced team members can accurately calculate tile quantities for your project. Perini Tiles recommends adding an additional 10% worth of tiles to your order; this is to allow for any required cuts, breakages or replacements during the tiling process. Any excess tiles remaining after your project is complete can be stored away on site. In the case of any damage down the line, having tiles from the same manufactured batch handy will ensure the closest possible match for any replacements.

Perini Tiles offers tile delivery right throughout Australia; you can place your order either by contacting us, visit our showroom or alternatively, you can place your order in our online tile store. When your new tiles are received on site, it is important to inspect them carefully to ensure your order is correct. Should there be any queries, you can reach out to us within two days of delivery to see how we can best assist you.

What Happens if I Need to Return Tiles?

In the occasion you need to return any excess products after ordering tiles, it is important to reach out to us as soon as possible to ensure we can accommodate your return. Tile returns will need to be approved by our team and are usually dependant on whether or not tiles from the same batch as the products being returned are still available. For more details on returning tiles, see our policy here.

If you do have excess tiles after completing your project, it is recommended that these be stored on site for later use. Should your home require any renovations or repairs later on down the track, using tiles that have been ordered from the same batch as the tiles that have been installed will ensure the closest colour match possible, keeping a consistent look in your home.