Surface Australia Volume 3

surface

Pool Surround: Harlem Acero Slip Resistant 596x596mm

E A R P B R O S - S U R FA C E M A G A Z I N E

WINTER 19

From the Editor We live in a global community where the impacts of our decisions as designers, suppliers and consumers have real world effects.

Consideration for both human and environmental health are at the fore yet buildings still account for more than 25 percent of Australia’s emissions, not to mention the significant impacts of overseas construction material manufacturing. We have one of the highest population growth rates anywhere in the developed world, but our emissions targets are 26-28% lower than 2005 levels.

How do we continue to build more buildings while reducing our environmental footprint so significantly?

Thoughtful design with an emphasis on the lifetime impact of materials will be the only way forward if we are to have a positive impact on the future of both our built and natural environments.

In this volume of Surface Australia we take a look at a modern and functional new home designed by Newcastle based firm Webber Architects, and we speak to Brooke Aitken of Sydney based Brooke Aitken Design to uncover her secrets for merging the traditional with the contemporary during the renovation of an original birthing bathroom in an old maternity hospital.

We explore the newest collection Bottega, breaking down the many facets of this contemporary porcelain range including the adaptive advantage of a single material across floors, walls, countertops and cabinetry. Recently awarded as the INDE Awards Asia Pacific winner in The Object category, we review the multifunctional yet minimalist OMNI breeze block designed by renowned Australian industrial designer Tom Fereday.

On top of this, we’ve carefully considered some of the common mistakes we’ve found occur when specifying tiles, combined in a handy ‘Top 5’ list to ensure you avoid them.

With so many changes occurring in both the building materials, design and specification spaces the path can sometimes be challenging - but together we can create healthier, sustainable, more beautiful spaces for both ourselves and future generations to enjoy.

Josh Earp Editor - Surface Australia

Bottega Acero 800x800mm floor tile format and XTONE 12mm slab for countertop

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Contents SUMMER 19 EDITORS LETTER

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A modern & functional residential home

by Webber Architects

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INDE Award winning OMNI breeze block designed by Tom Fereday

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Talking Sustainability with CEO of Global GreenTag International David Baggs

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Bottega: porcelain for every surface

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Traditional meets contemporary renovation

by Brooke Aitken Design

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TOP 5 | Mistakes to avoid when specifying tiles

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XLight Premium. When stunning just doesn’t cut it.

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modern and functional

Floor Tile: Harlem Acero 800x800mm

Floor Tile: Harlem Acero 800x800mm

With over 20 years experience in architecture, urban design, master

sense of what the materials could be. The design process normally takes

planning, and interiors Webber Architects seriously know their stuff. We

a series of meetings to confirm the approach during which time we set

asked the team at Webber Architects about their design choices for one

about creating a storyboard of images, finishes and colours that address

of their latest, and in our opinion most dynamic, residential projects.

the concepts posed in the brief. This board contained images of crisp white interiors that where given a sense of lux and subtle warmth with

What was your brief for this project?

pale to mid-toned timbers, soft patina concrete and splashes of brass.

Webber’s brief for this new home was for a clean, modern aesthetic with

We found the blending of these textures created a timeless aesthetic not

functional and timeless finishes for a busy and vibrant family home. The

dependant on trends. This storyboarding became the reference point

form of the building was not to be a perfect square and the client was

throughout the build and remains a reference now throughout making

open to consider various materials.

further furnishing selections.

The client had previously built a home with crisp white/cool interiors and

What were your sources of inspiration when designing this home?

felt comfortable with this aesthetic but felt they wanted to bring warmth

The corner site gave the opportunity to play with the client’s idea

and natural elements in with this build so we set about addressing both.

of incorporating various angles. Previous work with simple plan arrangements drove the two rectangular forms. Their position on the

What is your design approach and philosophy?

block wrapped around the frontage whilst trying to take advantage of the

Webber’s philosophy is to achieve a design solution which efficiently

northern orientation. Linking the forms then gave a common angled form

uses the available space to conceive an aesthetically simple and practical

as requested by the client. This united form then gave us the entry and

solution for construction. We merge architecture and interior design

stair thus separating the house into a wonderful division of zones.

to produce a workable and functional layout with an overall sense of openness and light. We strive to create a space which captures our

Public and private areas as well as the parents’ and kids’ retreat were able

client’s vision, services the needs of the building inhabitants and becomes

to be designed as independent spaces however the finishes were used as

a positive influence on the wider community.

the common link to provide cohesion and flow. We drew on this geometry throughout many areas in the home, from the linear nature of the external

What does your design process look like and how does it evolve

cladding and bespoke joinery detail, to the angular glass supported

throughout a project?

staircase and feature lighting selections. All of this is then softened by the

The design process starts with a series of sketches outlining the approach

natural patina of stone, concrete and aging brass.

to site, brief and context which are used for discussion with the client.

Whilst at this stage we not only consider the site arrangement, but also assess how each individual room will work. Furniture layouts, wet areas and general room arrangements are important to consider along with a

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Floor Tile: Harlem Acero 800x800mm

You have used an array of varying textures throughout this project. How do you know that a bold choice, such as using our Wood Wall Pure as a feature wall in a bedroom, will pay off? Can you give us a run down of your surface material selections and your thought process behind these choices?

Wall Tile: Airslate Kashmir

The client had a preference for the sturdiness and texture of natural stone throughout the build and we were able to bring this into the fireplace on the lower level and some external areas to great effect. However on the upper levels we were presented with engineering constraints which lead to the need to source lighter weight options. Air Slate for the upper level fireplace addressed these constraints perfectly and created a slick yet inviting surround for the fireplace in the parents’ retreat. The request for stone within the main bedroom also presented weight issues on the upper levels so Woodwall became an obvious choice. The soft patina of the tumbled wood, arranged in a layout reminiscent of stacked stone was able to achieve the brief, provide a warmth that linked to the use of timber throughout other areas of the home and provided an interesting focal point of the main bedroom.

We made the decision to stick with the one range of tile throughout the interior and exterior living areas as well as all bathrooms throughout the home. Due to the ability to select a number of formats within the one tile range at Earp Bros this look was achieved flawlessly. Our intent was to give these areas the feeling of being wrapped in soft concrete tones but we needed the serviceability and practicality of a porcelain tile. Had we chosen polished concrete for the living areas, there would have been a slight variation in the look from inside to outside as well as a need to have a different finish in the bathrooms. The decision to tile allowed for absolute cohesion and flow.

What is your impression of the surface materials now they are installed and part of the finished design?

The surface materials within this home link together in a way that provides a comfortable aesthetic. Whilst all of the surfaces within the home are interesting and visually appealing in their own right, there is no element

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screaming for attention from the other making them easy to live within.

Wall: Wood Wall Pure

What was it like to work with Earp Bros on this project?

We’ve worked alongside Earp Bros on many builds over many years in both Newcastle and Sydney and have always found the Earp Bros team to be an asset to our design process. When making finishes selections it is important for us to include products of premium quality, that are produced ethically and are going to meet the expectations of a discerning client. The products available from Earp Bros achieve this goal. The team’s technical product knowledge in the initial selection stages, through to the ability to support the build process with timely delivery have always made them a pleasure to work with.

What is your favourite part of this design?

Our client’s love and appreciation of the finished product is always the favourite part! To see their pride in a home you’ve helped make a reality for them is the absolute goal.

In regard to a favourite design element, we have so many! The natural light throughout the residence is beautiful, in particular the skylight over the ensuite shower. This came at the request of the client and has been incorporated into the design to give maximum light into the ensuite space, the effect is as if you are showering outdoors. We are also proud of the sense of privacy created on an exposed sweeping block as well as the serenity and flow created by the subtle and refined palette.

Interior/Architecture: Webber Architects www.webberarchitects.com | @webberarchitects Photography; Alexander McIntyre Photography www.alexandermcintyre.com | @alexmcintyre_photography

Floor Tile: Harlem Acero 596x596mm Wall Tile: Harlem Acero 316x900mm

Pool Surround: Harlem Acero Slip Resistant 596x596mm

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A collaboration between Earp Bros and Tom Fereday

OMNI Breeze Block Winner of ‘The Object’ 2019

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Wall Tile: Mosaico Matt 450x1200mm

SUSTAINABILITY IN DESIGN

climate impacts, and while that is true to varying degrees, timber’s impacts are dichotomous. It’s impacts can be substantially negative if sourced from remnant native forests or rainforest in particular, as it comes with massive land-based and aquatic biodiversity loss, topsoil and soil-carbon loss together with siltation of rivers, creeks and streams.

Some of these land and aquatic impacts apply to even poorly managed plantations, but at least with properly managed plantation timber, the

Consideration for both human and environmental health are at the

biodiversity loss aspects are not so severe and plantation timber does

fore yet buildings still account for more than 25 percent of Australia’s

bring climate-braking benefits into play, making it a preferred structural

emissions, not to mention the significant impacts of overseas building

material under specific circumstances.

material manufacturing. We have one of the highest population growth rates anywhere in the developed world, but our emissions targets are

If renewable energy is used to manufacture these materials, their climate

26-28% lower than 2005 levels. How do we continue to build more

and other coal-fired energy based chemical pollution impacts are

buildings while reducing our environmental footprint so significantly? We

mitigated, but the other environmental and biodiversity impacts are not.

explore this topic with CEO and Program Director of Global GreenTag International Pty Ltd, David Baggs.

What can designers and architects do to lessen our impact on the environment?

What building materials generally have the highest impact on our

Firstly re-using buildings and materials that have already been used

environment?

previously should be a core target. The next best thing designers

The materials with the biggest impacts are aluminium, stainless steel,

and architects can do is to seek out products that make appropriate

rare metals like zinc, lead and titanium, but in terms of the most used it

information available on the life cycle impacts of products and choose

would be concrete and steel. This is largely because of the high volumes

products that have the lowest climate and other impacts. Then they

and large masses used. They are high durability structural materials and

need to detail and use these products so that they are able to be re-

are the most commonly used for this reason, but both come with large

used or refurbished once that building has come to its end of life phase.

climate impacts even when their differential recyclability is taken into

That said, architecture and design is hard enough as it is without every

account. Steel’s long term recyclability is a long term benefit, but it still

building professional needing to become a life cycle or toxicology expert

generates large, short term climate impacts and when we have such a

to understand obscure technical data. That’s why Global GreenTag does

short time (5-10 years only) to turn climate impacts around to zero, these

all that deep technical analysis and provides sustainability metrics and

short term impacts are important and can no longer be ignored.

reporting in a variety of ways and on specific topics that make it easily accessible and understandable at whatever level it is needed by different

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Timber is another structural material with potentially large impacts. It’s

members of the design team, for consultants, designers, builders and even

often touted that timber is good because it’s a carbon sink that mitigates

the life cycle assessment experts.

Floor Tile: Nebraska Tea 250x1500mm Wall Tile: Ice Nebraska Tea 450x1200mm

What questions should specifiers ask about products that would help

The credits in LEED® rating tool (like WELL™, a USA based tool also used

them do this?

in Australia and more than 166 other countries) requires specific materials

It depends on why they need the information. If the project is wanting to

toxicity centric transparency declarations for each credit:

be more sustainable in general terms, they may want to ask suppliers for

The US Green Building Council’s LEED v4 Rating Tools’ Materials and

overall third party or recognised independent sustainability certification,

Resources credits include:

so that they can present and discuss this with clients, help make decisions and enable them to trust the research is done scientifically and is therefore robust. This speeds up the selection process and mitigates their

1. Building product disclosure and optimization - environmental product declarations (EPDs), requires a summary Life Cycle

professional risk.

Analysis report based on specific ISO or EN standards compliant reporting;

On the other hand, if the project is using one of the established green or healthy building rating tools used in Australia, like Green Star®, WELL™, LEED® or EarthCheck®, then they need to focus on the credits or features

2. Building product disclosure and optimization - material ingredients

within those tools that the projects want to achieve.

- Option 1. Material ingredient reporting: Materials ingredient hazards transparency reporting to 1000ppm of the product;

The credits in Green Star®, require specific materials centric certifications

- Option 2. Material ingredient optimization; Exclusion of certain

and/or declarations relative to each credit:

hazardous materials ingredients and transparency reporting to 100ppm of the product;

1. Indoor Pollutants: requires Volatile Organic Compound certification of paints, adhesives, sealants, carpets and engineered wood; 2. Comparative Life Cycle Assessment: project requires a summary Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) data report in the form of an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD); 3. Responsible Materials: the Best Environmental Practice PVC (BEP

‘IS’ (Infrastructure Sustainability) Rating Tool (ISCA) Currently the $100 Billion worth of projects registered under the IS rating tool is amazing. While you wouldn’t on face value expect it, this rating tool engages buildings and finished flooring in projects involving offices, retail precincts, toilets and facilities, railway stations and interchange platforms etc.

PVC) credit requires independent BEP PVC Certification by a recognised third party certification body;

1. Mat-1 Materials lifecycle impact measurement and reduction; this credit is designed to reward design and practice that reduces

4. Sustainable Products: this credit requires Sustainable Product Certification by a recognised third party certification body to Level A, B or C (100%, 75% and 50% of the credit points respectively).

lifecycle environmental impacts of materials, this credit recognised EPDs; 2. Mat-2 Environmentally labelled products and supply chains. This credit is designed to reward procurement of major materials that

The credits in The International WELL™ Building Standard (WELL™)

have environmental labels or are from sustainable supply chains.

requires specific materials toxicity transparency declarations for each credit in the form of a Transparency Declaration covering a range of

Are there any tools available to help specifiers choose more sustainable

potential ingredients and hazards including:

products?

Yes of course, Global GreenTag has certification and declaration services

1. Feature X01 Fundamental Material Precautions; certified elimination of asbestos, lead, PCBs and mercury in products; 2. Feature X08 Hazardous Material Reduction;

for every product related credit or feature that are recognised and/ or compliant with the various Green or WELL Building rating tool organisations. How GreenTag’s specific services relate to the various rating tool credit or features is shown below:

PART 1: Limit Hazardous Materials; 3. Feature X10 Volatile Compound Reduction:

GreenTag GreenRate™

PART 1: involves management of short term emissions of Volatile

1. Green Star®: VOCs and Sustainable Products Credit;

Organic Compounds (VOCs) from products;

2. WELL™: Feature X10 Volatile Compound Reduction: PART 1

PART 2: involves management of short term emissions of Semi-

3. IS Rating Tool: Mat-2 Environmentally labelled products and

Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs) from products; 4. Feature X11 Long-Term Emission Control; of Furniture, Furnishing, Flooring and Insulation;

supply chains.

GreenTag LCARate™ 1. WELL™: Feature X10 Volatile Compound Reduction: PART 1 2. IS Rating Tool: Mat-2 Environmentally labelled products and supply

5. Feature X12 Short Term Emission Control; of Adhesives, Sealants,

chains.

Paints and Coatings; 6. Feature X13 Enhanced Material Precaution; involves selection of chemical hazard ingredient optimised materials; 7. Feature X14 Material Transparency; is designed to promote

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chemical hazards of Ingredient Hazard reporting; chemical hazards

Continued next page...

Floor & Wall Tile: River Antracita 596x1200mm

GreenTag Product Health Declaration (PhD) 1. WELL™: Feature X01 Fundamental Precautions

What is LCA centric design?

LCA is short for Life Cycle Assessment. It is the study of the lifetime

Feature X08 Hazardous Material Reduction; Part 1;

impact of a product or building that includes all impacts and all life stages

Feature X10 Volatile Compound Reduction; Part 1;

and quantifies the impacts of all raw materials, ingredients, components,

2. Feature X11: Long-Term Emission Control; Furniture, Furnishing, Flooring and Insulation;

processes, transport types, packaging, maintenance, cleaning and end of life impacts.

3. Feature X12: Short-Term Emission Control; Adhesives, Sealants, Paints and Coatings;

The aim of LCA centric design is to use products and design outcomes

4. Feature X13: Enhanced Material Precaution;

that identify and reduce the aggregate life cycle impacts of both products

5. Feature X14: Material Transparency

and the projects they build up to create.

The ‘currency’ of LCA centric design are products that have their LCA

GreenTag Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)

data summarised in a standardised format called an Environmental

1. Green Star®: Comparative Life Cycle Assessment: (EPD);

Product Declaration (EPD). Rating Tools like Green Star and LEED have

2. IS Rating Tool: Mat-1 Materials lifecycle impact measurement and

LCA impact reducing credits that call for or require EPDs to enable the

reduction (EPD);

projects to do their LCA calculations.

3. LEED®: Building product disclosure and optimization - EPD What is Global GreenTag and what does it offer specifiers?

Global GreenTag is an ACCC approved Certification Mark, Health There are so many marketing terms used that suggest products are

Declaration and EPD Program Operator recognised formally, by

better for the environment than competitors, how do I know what to

all Australian and most international, Green and Healthy Building

trust?

Certifications systems.

There is really only one way to trust claims by manufacturers, and that is to have them validated by an independent third party. This validation

GreenTag has a certification solution for all locally used rating tools and

can come is various forms. The highest order validation is certification,

their product related evidence needs. GreenTag does all the heavy lifting

usually in the form of an ecolabel, or specific test report or assessment

for designers and procurement professionals to enable the quick, easy

certificate against a specific recognised standard or methodology.

and efficient (low risk) selection of products that meet the credits or

Examples of these are labels like FSC, FairTrade, Certified Organic or

features and deliver the points the rating systems demand, or indeed

any of Global GreenTag’s services mentioned above, i.e., GreenRate™,

provides the ‘HealthRATE- healthy in use’ rating that is designed to show

LCARate™, GreenTag PhD or EPD. Other GreenTag Certifications are the

consumers and end users that a products can be trusted to deliver a

HealthRATE™ and CarbonRATE™ services.

healthy outcome in their home or business.

The next level of assessment is ‘Verification’. This is where claims made by manufacturers are independently checked by a third party, but there may not be a recognised standard against which to certify. Some

All GreenTag Certified products and their current certifications,

manufacturers will make assertions claimed to be ‘in accordance with

declarations or verifications can be found at www.globalgreentag.com.

ISO 14021-Self Declared Environmental Declarations’ which can then be verified and certified as compliant with ISO 14021.

What is a products replacement frequency and how does it impact the environment?

The replacement frequency of a product is the result of the length of its life cycle. In other words, how often a product wears out or reaches the end of its serviceable life and needs replacing. The impact of a short replacement frequency is significantly larger than the initial installation, due to the complexity of removal and re-installation of the product in place.

These issues include re-manufacture and transporting the new goods, gaining access and removal of the old product, making good of surrounding finishes, transport of all materials and reprocessing of the waste and removal of any temporary works, not to mention the disruption to any tenant or occupant of the area or the business itself.

Ideally, a designer or owner would make their product choices based on long lived, highly durable products, where characteristics like slip or fire resistance don’t disappear in the first flush of use as with many supposedly ‘slip resistant’ flooring products or fire-resistant cladding products.

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Voted one of Australia’s Top 50 Green Leaders and Top 100 Sustainability Leaders Globally, David is a world-renowned sustainability and materials expert and Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects. He is an award winning green building architect, author, Exemplar Global Lead Auditor, Member of GBCA’s Materials Expert Panel and Past President of the Australian LCA Society.

Ask about the range of Global GreenTag certified tiles at an Earp Bros showroom in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Newcastle.

Wall Tile: Bottega Caliza 450x1200mm

Porcelain, for every surface Bottega simulates the roughness of cement with a fine and sophisticated design that speaks to the contemporary. With the addition of two new colours to the range with Antracita and White, Bottega now embodies everything you could want in a cement design porcelain tile. Available in both matt and slip resistant finishes (Accelerated Wear tested), Bottega also features complementary wall and decorative tiles in both the Acero and Caliza colorways.

New applications for continuous surfaces can be achieved with Bottega. Now available in 6mm and 9mm slab formats in Acero, Caliza and Antracita, this exciting development enables the covering of every surface in the same contemporary finish with minimal grout joints. Think furniture, cabinetry, floors, walls and splashbacks. In isolation, the design of Bottega complements juxtaposing materials like wood and marble.

Taking the possibilities one step further, Bottega is now offered in a 12mm countertop slab, making it a truly adaptive material to integrate across any and all surfaces, whether it be commercial or residential in nature.

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Floor Tile: Bottega Acero 1200x1200mm Countertop: XTONE Bottega Acero

Floor Tile: Bottega Acero 1200x1200mm Countertop: XTONE Bottega Acero Wall: XLight Premium Bottega Acero

Traditional meets contemporary

Wall Tile: Craquel Sky 65x396mm

Brooke Aitken Design is a contemporary architectural and interior design

What was your design approach and how did it evolve throughout this

practice that focuses on creating beautiful spaces. In their recent Coogee

project?

Bay project, Brooke and her team were tasked with renovating an original

This bathroom was one in a set of three designed for the house at the

birthing bathroom suite in an old maternity hospital.

same time. They were considered variations on a theme of designs that took cues from their period home within a contemporary design

We spoke to Brooke Aitken about how she managed to successfully

framework. We named them by their choice of colour - the black&white,

merge the traditional with the contemporary and how holding true to the

the green and the blue bathroom (which this one is). The colour of the

buildings original details, paired with contemporary design choices, gave

blue bathroom came from picking up the blue in the detailed stained glass

this bathroom space a new lease on life.

on the bathroom cupboard doors and then we looked for the perfect soft blue tile that would appear handmade (again a nod to the period

What was your brief for this project?

nature of the home) yet also contemporary in the way it was installed.

To create a restful space with an injection of beautiful colour into a period

The freestanding bath was also a nod to the original maternity bathroom

home.

which had a bath set in the centre of the space. The vanity was chosen as a piece of furniture, again something akin to a traditional bathroom

As this bathroom space was originally a birthing suite for an old

element.

maternity hospital, was it difficult reappropriating the space for a different intended use?

What were some of your main sources of inspiration?

Well it depends on how you define difficult! It was a much larger

We were looking at a fair amount of French design at the time, but I think

bathroom but we were able to carve off space from it to give to a second

the main inspiration for this bathroom was the desire for light, colour,

bathroom adjacent for the master bedroom use. It involved knocking out

heritage and a soft femininity.

brick walls and demolishing ancient ash concrete floors, but in relation to other more complex architectural works that we regularly do, it was not

You used our Craquel tile in Sky on this project, how did you go about

difficult at all.

choosing this particular tile?

We had been shown this tile a few months prior to designing this

When breathing new life into an older style building, how do you

bathroom and had been hoping to use it as we were obsessed with its

navigate what original details to keep and what to remove?

beauty. When we started on this project, it was immediately suggested

Good question. Clearly anything that is visibly beautiful and not rotten

as our top pick of options for the blue tiles and met all the criteria for our

through is what we aim to start with at a minimum. We try to retain

choice. What is important to us is that we have a wonderful relationship

original windows, stained glass, cornices and skirtings as they tend to be

with our Earp Bros reps and our office is regularly updated with new

both the most decorative items and the most expensive to replicate in

samples that they think we might like. This is a relationship we treasure

today’s widening lack of hands-on master craftsmen.

and it makes our work life so much easier.

Wall Tile: Craquel Sky 65x396mm

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When renovating a bathroom, what is the most important factor to consider?

There are a number of very practical things that we always consider along with beauty in design. If they aren’t met, a beautiful looking bathroom is a folly.

- Good lighting for mirrors

- Slip resistance to floors

- Good ventilation

- Drainage and how the tiles can fall to a drain. It’s always a

problem between a nice looking floor without obvious cut lines,

and a workable drainage fall in a floor.

- Warmth in winter

- Maintenance on the materials specified for longevity.

Any tips on mixing the traditional with the contemporary?

This is something we seem to do quite often as we have worked on a number of older houses that we like to see renovated and restored rather than razed to the ground. We are contemporary architects so we always come to a design with a modernist design outlook even if it is a period home. We call it ‘soft modernism’ and we try to retain design elements that may be decorative or of prior design era. We layer this with very strong clean lines or a contemporary take on a way a material is used, so the space is a mixture of new and old. For instance, using the Craquelle Sky tile, we could have used it in a traditional brick bond pattern, but by turning it vertically and stacking it we made a contemporary look out of a hand made looking tile.

We never want to provide a client with a ‘period restoration’ of anything, especially bathrooms or kitchens. We do want our clients to feel joy in their spaces and will consider using more traditional looking elements, such as the taps in this bathroom, if they are beautifully designed and won’t lead the design into pastiche. It’s a fine line, but always a drop of something unexpected can change the mood from traditional to contemporary with classic roots.

Interior: Brooke Aitken Design www.brookeaitkendesign.com.au | @brookeaitkendesign

Wall Tile: Craquel Sky 65x396mm

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Wall Tile: Craquel Sky 65x396mm

Wall Tile: Craquel Sky 65x396mm

TOP 5 Mistakes to avoid when specifying tiles

Wall Tile: Noa Tanzania Almond 596x596mm Floor Tile: Tanzania Almond 250x1500mm

There are many factors to consider when specifying tiles and to make it

before selecting a product. Before ordering your tile you need to think

as seamless as possible, you need the right tile for the right project. There

about logistics and stock availability. How the tiles are delivered, handled

are several common mistakes specifiers make which can in fact be easily

and installation all need to be carefully considered. To protect your tiled

avoided. Here are 5 mistakes we feel are most common when specifying

surface from substrate movement and concrete cracking you may need to

tiles and what you can do to avoid them.

think about a Crack Isolation System to future proof your floor.

1. Function and Performance

You need to think ahead and identify any risks and obstacles that may

Understanding the needs of a particular space is imperative for a design

stand in your way to achieve your desired space. A mosaic tile applied to

to be a success. Functional spaces need to be just that; functional.

an impossibly high ceiling or handling a large 1000 x 3000mm XLight slab

Specifying the right tile will lead to an amazing functional space that lasts

both have their challenges when it comes to installation. We recommend

well into the future. Designers must do their due diligence and research

you deal with an experienced professional when installing your selected

their space and its requirements (both functional and aesthetic) before

tile and checking in with your tiler before you make your final decision to

specifying tiles.

make sure they can handle your project. Always vet your tiler by looking at their past projects.

All tiles are not created equal. One tile that is perfectly suited to one application may be all wrong for a different application. Floor tiles in some

5. Selecting for Sustainable Slip Resistance

applications must be slip resistant. Floor tiles that are most suited for

The importance of slip resistance in commercial buildings is now at the

residential applications should not be used in commercial applications as

fore of a specifiers mind when selecting flooring materials, however, are

they need to withstand heavy foot traffic. Some tiles might be suitable

these materials being considered for the intended life of the building and

for bathroom walls but might end up staining if used on a kitchen splash

the wear that the material will inevitably be exposed to? Slip resistance

back or in a swimming pool that’s subjected to water submersion and

will drop between 10-30% through the installation process alone -

harsh and chemicals. Some stones work well on walls, but don’t work well

adhesive and grout residue, construction contaminants and foot traffic are

on floors. Gaining a basic understanding of the material composition and

all factors. Ensure the materials you select for commercial buildings are

characteristics of your desired tile can also help you determine the best

tested using the Accelerated Wear Test (AWT) to best understand how

application for it.

the product will perform over time. Factory fresh tests mean nothing if the surface structure is of poor quality. Most of the slip resistance value

Understanding your space and its requirements before you specify a tile

will be lost within the first 3-6 months. To design with the future in mind

is imperative for an outstanding result so do your homework before you

with the lowest possible risk, select materials designed to perform for the

start specifying tiles.

life of your building.

2. The Value Trap

Make sure that the tile you select or install is suitable for the intended use.

Specifiers should demand a product that will perform for the life of

To determine this ask the tile supplier to provide data sheets and test data

the building (it’s ok to say no to a $20 per square metre floor tile for a

indicating the tiles’ recommended uses and limitations, and to verify that

commercial environment if it doesn’t perform). As specifiers you have a

the tile meets industry standards.

responsibility to select products based on the intended use, traffic and lifecycle of the intended building. Consider the likelihood of replacing a

To find out more get in touch with the Earp Bros team of experts at

poor performing product and the impact this will have on your brand and

a showroom near you and avoid the 5 common mistakes made when

the end users experience of your selection. Choosing a budget tile can

specifying tiles.

prove more costly in the future, so always opt for quality.

3. Vitrified vs Fully Vitrified Porcelain is one of the hardest, most durable materials on earth. With a water absorption of less than half a percent (0.5%), porcelain offers many benefits compared to ceramics. It is vital to understand the difference between vitrified and fully vitrified tiles. There is a misconception that vitrified tiles offer the same benefits of porcelain, but this is false. Tiles with a water absorption up to 3% are classed as vitrified tiles and are not classified as porcelain. Due to this level of water absorption, most vitrified tiles require a glaze to achieve a high enough water resistance and durability to be used on floors and in wet areas. But what happens when these tiles don’t perform? The glaze can wear through and the tile can chip. If they are not grouted properly or are subject to sudden temperature changes the structural integrity may be compromised.

Although a ‘vitrified tile’ sounds impressive, they are in many cases not suitable for commercial floors. With the daily wear and tear a commercial floor sees, it is imperative a tile of adequate water resistance, durability, chemical resistance, stain resistance, impact resistance and wear resistance is used. Choose fully vitrified porcelain.

4. Logistics and Layout Variables such as sustainability, durability, foot traffic, performance, upkeep, design and lead time are just a few things you need to consider

Floor Tile: Ceppo Stone 596x596mm

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When the word stunning just doesn’t cut it!

Wall: XLight Premium Liem Grey

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Wall: XLight Premium Aged Clay

Think luxury. Think grand. Think XLight Premium. Having revolutionised

This enhancement allows for high fidelity and easy handling and

the interior design world with their debut range of XLight slimline

installation. Matching 12mm designs are also available for the majority

porcelain, PORCELANOSA Grupo have extended their range of premium

of the range from the XTone for countertops collection, resulting in a

large format porcelain tiles to offer even more variety with XLight

material adaptable for use across any surface indoors or out.

Premium. To say it’s stunning is an understatement!

Synonymous with luxury and elegance, the XLight Premium series is Inspired by the natural authenticity and sophistication of marble the range

shown as an option for residential and commercial wall and floor tiles.

consists of twelve product designs all of which represent the luxury of

With 120x250cm for wall coverings and 120x120cm for floors. Thanks to its

fine marble and natural stone, crafted from highly-resistant and extremely

reduced thickness, the product can also be used as an elegant and ultra-

durable porcelain.

resistant furniture covering. This unique range can integrate across every surface imaginable making it a showstopper in hard surface applications.

The XLight Premium collection is the result of extensive research and

The grander the design, the better. XLight Premium is designed to

development. Apart from its innovative large format, the most advanced

facilitate big thinking and big design.

technologies have been applied to the properties of porcelain tile allowing for the creation of an ultra-resistant, large format material with reduced

If you are seeking a unique, dramatic effect than look no further than

thicknesses of both 6 and 9mm.

XLight Premium for your next project!

Wall: XLight Premium Aura Gold

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