Tile FAQs

Measure the area in square metres, then add around 10% extra for cuts, breakages and offcuts - closer to 15% for large-format tiles, diagonal layouts or patterns like herringbone. That spare also comes from the same batch, so you’ll have matching tiles on hand for any future repairs. Send us your measurements and we’ll help you calculate quantities when we quote.

Both are fired clay, but porcelain is made from a denser, more refined clay fired at a higher temperature, which makes it harder, less porous and more water- and frost-resistant. That’s why porcelain suits floors, wet areas and outdoors, while ceramic is a great, often more affordable choice for walls and splashbacks. We’ll always point you to the right body for the job.

As a guide, aim for around R10 (or P3+) on a bathroom floor, and a higher R11-R12 (or P4-P5) for pool surrounds and outdoor paving where bare, wet feet are common. Walls don’t need a slip rating, so you can use a polished tile up high. Tell us the space and we’ll steer you to a compliant, comfortable finish - there’s more detail in our bathroom and pool guides on the blog.

PEI is a tile’s surface abrasion (wear) rating, from 0 to 5. For most homes, PEI 3 suits general residential floors and PEI 4 is a safe choice for busy areas, hallways and entries. PEI 5 is built for commercial traffic. Walls have no PEI requirement, so wall-only tiles can have a lower rating. We’ll confirm a tile is rated for where you’re using it.

Real marble is beautiful but porous and acid-sensitive, so it stains, etches and needs regular sealing - a lot to manage in a bathroom or kitchen. Marble-look porcelain gives you the veining and elegance with none of that: it’s non-porous, stain-proof and never needs sealing. We’d steer most Sydney homes to marble-look for wet and high-traffic areas; see our marble-look range to compare.

Yes - that’s one of their biggest advantages. Timber-look porcelain is completely waterproof, so it works in bathrooms, laundries and outdoors where real timber can’t go, and you can even flow the same plank from inside out to the deck. For outdoor and pool areas, just choose a slip-rated exterior version. Browse our timber-look range to see the options.

Usually yes for floor-rated tiles - running one tile across the floor and up the walls is a popular way to make a bathroom feel calm and larger. The reverse isn’t safe: many wall tiles aren’t strong or slip-rated enough for floors, so always check a tile is floor-rated before using it underfoot. Ask us and we’ll confirm what each range is suited to.

Larger tiles with fewer grout lines tend to make a small bathroom feel more open, and light, consistent colours bounce the light around. Running the same tile up the walls and across the floor removes visual breaks too. For shower floors you’ll still want smaller mosaics or a textured tile for grip and drainage. We’ll help you balance the look with slip safety.

Plenty - from mosaics and classic 300×600mm tiles up to large-format panels of 600×1200mm and beyond, plus timber-look planks and 20mm outdoor pavers. Finishes include matte, polished, lappato (semi-polished) and structured anti-slip surfaces, many with rectified (precision-cut) edges for fine grout lines. Tell us your space and look and we’ll match you to the right size and finish.

Rectified means the tile is precision-cut to an exact size with crisp edges, which allows very thin, neat grout lines and a seamless look - ideal for large-format. On finish: matte is soft and non-reflective with better grip, polished is glossy and reflective (best on walls and dry floors), and lappato is a semi-polished, part-honed finish that sits in between. We’ll recommend the right finish for each room.

We carry leading designer ranges including Andrea Giorgini (Cloud, Royce), RAK Ceramics (Crystal White, Rapolano Marble, Murano, Portofino, Surface 2.0 and more), Onix glass mosaics, and our own house ranges such as Dunes, Galaxy, Terrazzo and Cotto & Cuero. We carry more in-store than online, including the full Onix mosaic collection, so if you can’t see something just ask.

Yes. We deliver right across Sydney - from the Eastern Suburbs and Inner West to the North Shore, Northern Beaches, the Sutherland Shire, the Hills and Western Sydney. Delivery is quoted with your tiles based on the quantity and your address. You’re also welcome to collect by arrangement if that’s easier.

tile.sydney is an online designer-tile retailer serving all of Sydney - browse the full range online, add what you like to a quote, and we’ll send pricing, samples and availability. We deliver Sydney-wide and offer showroom visits by appointment. It’s designer porcelain, stone, terrazzo, timber-look and glass-mosaic tiles, with honest advice for homeowners, renovators, designers and trade.

Our Sydney showroom is open by appointment, Monday to Friday. It’s the best way to see ranges at full size and compare finishes side by side. Get in touch and we’ll arrange a time that suits.