Shipping costs may apply depending on the size, weight, and destination of your order. We offer both nationwide and local delivery services. Smaller items are typically shipped via courier, while larger or heavier orders (such as tiles or stone) are delivered using a pallet network.

Shipping charges are calculated at checkout based on the delivery location and the nature of the items purchased. Please ensure someone is available to receive the delivery, as pallet deliveries are kerbside and do not include unpacking or moving items indoors. We will do our best to inform you of your delivery date for all palletised orders.

For more detailed information about shipping options, charges, and delivery times, please visit our Shipping Your Order page.

Yes, we ship both parcels and palletised goods from our UK warehouse to customers in Northern Ireland.

For parcels, no EORI or XI EORI number is required, and deliveries proceed as standard without additional customs documentation.

For palletised goods, customs requirements differ depending on the intended use:

• If the goods are not intended for retail in Northern Ireland, no further customs information is required.
• If the goods are intended for retail in Northern Ireland, you must provide a valid XI EORI number so we can complete the necessary customs procedures before dispatch.

To obtain an XI EORI number, you must first apply for a GB EORI number and then convert it to an XI EORI via the UK Government portal: https://www.gov.uk/eori/apply-for-eori.

We must receive your XI EORI number before we can dispatch palletised orders intended for retail use in Northern Ireland.

Laying tiles in a brickbond (or staggered) pattern is possible, but it is important to understand how tile manufacturing affects installation. All ceramic and porcelain tiles undergo a firing process which causes slight surface deviations known as bowing. This is a natural result of the heating and cooling cycle during production.

According to EU standards, a tile can bow up to 0.5% of its length. For example, on a 600mm tile, the centre could be up to 3mm higher than the corners. When tiles are laid in a brickbond format with joints aligned at the centre of the tile below, this bowing can create noticeable lipping—where one edge sits higher than the adjacent tile.

For this reason, it is generally not recommended to lay larger format tiles in a 50:50 brickbond pattern. If you choose this layout, we advise:

• Offsetting joints by no more than one-third (1/3) of the tile length
• Using a tile levelling system to minimise lippage and maintain alignment

Tile levelling systems are especially useful for large-format tiles (typically 800mm or longer). These systems help align the tile edges and flex the tile during installation to reduce unevenness caused by bowing or adhesive shrinkage.

For best results, always follow your tiler's recommendations and consider using a layout that minimises the visual and physical effects of tile bowing.

What finishes can I achieve on terracotta tiles?

There are two main methods to seal terracotta tiles. A liquid sealant method gives a more natural look, while a boiled linseed oil and wax method provides a more antique, traditional finish. For the full guide, see our blog: How Best to Seal and Maintain My Terracotta Tiles.

Liquid Sealant Method (FILA products)

1. Before grouting, deep-clean with the acid-based cleaner Fila Deterdek Pro to remove building or adhesive residue.
2. Apply a pre-grouting impregnator, Fila PRW200, with a flat brush, fully saturating the surface. Allow to dry for 24 hours.
3. Grout the tiles, removing as much residue as possible with clean water. Let the grout set for 24 hours.
4. Clean again with Fila Deterdek Pro using a light abrasive emulsifying sponge or white nylon brush; rinse with clean water.
5. When fully dry, apply two coats of Fila MP90 Eco Xtreme or Fila W68. Wait 15 minutes between coats and remove any excess with a damp, wrung-out cloth.

Liquid Sealant Method (Sarsen products)

If you’re installing our Marlborough Terracotta, these Sarsen products are recommended:

1. Deep clean with Sarsen Home Deep Clean (dilute 1:10). Work in manageable areas, leave 5–10 minutes, scrub with a white pad, then rinse and sponge up residues.
2. Allow the surface to dry completely.
3. Before grouting, apply Sarsen Home Stain Block Eco generously with a brush, roller, or pump sprayer; allow to absorb and dry, then repeat after 2 hours. Leave to cure overnight.
4. After grouting and removing residues, apply Sarsen Home Stone Shield. Let each coat dry (approx. 45 minutes) and apply additional coats until the desired finish is achieved (keep off surface until fully dry; approx. 4 hours).

Boiled Linseed Oil & Wax Method (LTP products)

1. Thoroughly clean with LTP Grimex diluted 1:10. Leave 15 minutes, scrub with a white pad, and sponge up residues; rinse.
2. Apply LTP Boiled Linseed Oil with a brush or roller, working into the pores. Apply further coats at 4-hour intervals until fully saturated.
3. One hour after the final oil coat, dry-buff to remove excess. Allow a minimum of 12 hours to dry before waxing.
4. Apply LTP Antique Wax evenly with a soft cloth.
5. Allow ~20 minutes to dry, then buff to a shine. Repeat wax/buff for extra sheen if desired.

Boiled Linseed Oil & Wax Method (Sarsen products)

1. Clean with Sarsen Home Deep Clean (dilute 1:10), leave 15 minutes, scrub with a white pad, then rinse and sponge up residues.
2. Apply Sarsen Home Boiled Linseed Oil, working it into the pores. Allow to dry a minimum of 12 hours before waxing.
3. Apply a generous coat of Sarsen Home Beeswax Antique Wax with a soft cloth.
4. Allow ~20 minutes to dry, then buff to a shine and grout the joints. After removing residual grout with Sarsen Home Cement, Grout & Salt Residue Remover, apply a further wax coat over tiles and joints. Buff again after 20 minutes. Allow light traffic for the first 12 hours; avoid washing for 3 days.

Will I need to reseal my terracotta tiles?

Yes. Sealers naturally break down with wear and cleaning. As a guide, high-traffic areas (e.g., hallways, kitchens, living rooms) may need resealing about every 18 months. Lower-traffic areas (e.g., bathroom panels, splashbacks) may only need resealing every 4–5 years, depending on care and use. See more in our blog article.

Everyday maintenance

Use a high-quality pH-neutral cleaner safe for terracotta, such as Fila Cleaner Pro, which also helps protect wax finishes.

1. Dilute Fila Cleaner Pro at 1:200 (25 ml in 5 L of water). No rinse needed for light cleaning.
2. For stubborn dirt, use a more concentrated solution, scrub, then remove residues with a cloth or liquid vacuum.
3. Rinse after heavy cleaning.

Important note

Always test products on a small, inconspicuous area first. Terracotta is a natural, porous material and may react differently depending on tile type and porosity.

Porous tiles—such as all of our natural stone products, including floor tiles, wall tiles, and feature mosaics—should be sealed to protect them from stains and wear.

In addition to natural stone, crackle-glazed ceramic wall tiles and certain polished porcelain tiles can also benefit from a protective sealant. Sealing these surfaces helps prevent staining, simplifies cleaning, and extends the life of the tile.

In some cases, even porcelain tiles with anti-slip or exterior finishes may benefit from an added protective barrier.

It is generally a good idea to match the colour of the grout to the main colour of the tile to minimize its appearance. However, there are exceptions where you may want to use a contrasting grout colour to create a feature or highlight traditional tile patterns.

Another factor to consider is the type of grout you use. Traditional cement-based grouts are durable but may fade over time, while epoxy grouts are more resistant to fading, retain their colour longer, and are waterproof, making them ideal for high traffic and wet areas.

Ultimately, the decision of what colour and type of grout to use will depend on your personal preference and the specific needs of your project.

For regular maintenance, we recommend using Fila Cleaner Pro, a high-quality pH-neutral cleaner that is safe for all types of porcelain, ceramic, and natural stone tiles.

For deeper cleaning or to remove old wax treatments and stubborn stains, Fila PS87 is an effective alkaline-based cleaner. It’s particularly suitable for unpolished natural stone surfaces and general deep cleaning tasks.

If you need to remove post-installation residues or cement-based grout haze, Fila Deterdek is an ideal solution. It is specially formulated for acid-resistant surfaces and should be used with care, avoiding use on sensitive stones like marble or limestone.

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using any cleaning product to ensure safe and effective results.

It can be challenging to order the right amount of tiles for a project because there may be difficult cuts that lead to breakages or tiles that are not suitable for use.

As a general rule, it is recommended to order 10% extra for cutting and waste. However, for smaller areas with large tiles, the wastage can be higher than 10%. To ensure that you have enough tiles for your project, it can be helpful to draw out the space and calculate the exact number of tiles needed, then add 10% for cutting and waste.

If you would like help estimating the number of tiles needed, you can talk to your installer or one of our team members. Please note that these are only estimates and we cannot be held responsible for over- or under-ordering due to circumstances that may arise during installation.

We always recommend using an S1 flexible adhesive. All our adhesives are S1 flexible.

The choice between standard and fast-set tile adhesive depends on several factors, such as the tile type, surface, and working conditions.

• Offers a strong bond with flexibility during installation
• Ideal for large format tiles and porcelain
• Commonly used for wall tiling to allow more working time

• Sets quickly — great when time is limited
• Not usually recommended for large format tiles (over 600x600mm), unless specified by the manufacturer or used with additives
• Commonly used for floor tiling to allow for quicker "walk on time"

Need help? Contact us for expert advice on the best adhesive for your project.