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Classics |
Revivals |
Solids |
Coppers |
1. What makes Old World Tiles unique?
All of our tiles are handmade and hand painted. The designs we have selcted stay true to the rich history of Talavera ceramics. Many of our designs have been around for hundreds of years and can be seen throughout Spain, the Meidterranean, Mexico, the US and Central and South America. Our tiles are exquisite and have a charm, warmth, romance and antique feel that is unmistakable.
Old World Tiles only stocks the finest quality Mexican Talavera ceramic tiles. All of our tiles are inspected prior to import and we never accept tiles that are seconds or off-cuts. Our tiles showcase painted designs that are timeless and have been created by true Mexican artisans. We do not stock tiles with lacklustre paint work or bland colours.
Old World Tiles products are handmade so no two tiles are identical however our tiles do not have chipped corners. Chipped corners are indicative of a lower quality Mexican tile (referred to as “seconds”) and poor handling. Our tiles have been used in many of the finest homes and commercial applications in Australia and the US where chipped corners are simply not acceptable.
Old World Tiles are authentic Mexican tiles.
Our tiles are not imitations - tiles created elsewhere to mimic Mexican tiles. For many many years, tile manufacturers have attempted to recreate Mexican tiles and time and again their attempts have fallen far short of the authentic Mexican Talavera tile. The colours used in authentic Mexican tiles are vibrant -- not lacklustre substitutes. The painting technique and designs customary in real Mexican tiles result in a uniquelyorganic tile full of character. The gorgeous variations between tiles simply cannot be immitated by modern techniques, paints, molds and other mass production practices. Our tiles are not imitation Mexican tiles which when used result in a bland feature that has very little tradition and lacks warmth. The character and old world charm inherent in our tiles is the reason we named our boutique tile business, Old World Tiles.
2. Where can your tiles be used?
Our tiles can be used almost anywhere - kitchen backsplashes, bathrooms, fountains, outdoor walls and entry ways, fireplaces, patio benches, outdoor kitchens and many other places. In fact, some clients adhere cork or Feltac to the back of the tiles to make drink coasters which match their backsplash, fireplace surround or outdoor area!
Our tiles can be used on floors but only as accents or borders. It is common to see our decorative tiles used with saltillo floors but only as an accent. They should not be used in mass on floors or heavy traffic areas.
Our tiles cannot be used in pools or outside in frost-likely climates.
3. What variances or characteristics of a handmade tile can I expect to see in my tiles?
Due to the handmade processes involved in creating our tiles, you can expect to see differences in:
- exact size (tile size can can vary +/- 4mm)
- exact weight
- exact paint application
- appearance of crazing marks in some tiles which is not a fault but lends to the antique appearance
- tiles may not be exactly flat or perfectly square
Our tiles are not riddled with chipped edges. This is not a characteristic of high quality Mexican tiles.
4. I want to place an order. What do I need to do?
Please use the Order Page on our web site to let us know about your selections. Alternately, you may call us on 07 3289 1434 or send a fax to 07 3289 6062. Upon receipt, we will generate a quote for you which will include shipping and handling of your tiles from our Brisbane location to your location. If you decide to proceed with the order, we require full payment in advance of shipping your product to you.
5. How much does it cost for shipping & handling?
Surprisingly, not that much! Our quotes will clearly outline the shipping & handling charge. For example, we have provided this estimate based on locations in capital cities or surrounding suburbs.
Australia
Estimated charge for shipping & handling of 90 tiles to city and city suburbs:
| Melbourne | Sydney | Brisbane | Adelaide | Perth | Hobart |
| $45 | $39 | $17 | $57 | $68 | $69 |
Shipping & handling of up to 6 sample tiles to city / city suburbs:
| Melbourne | Sydney | Brisbane | Adelaide | Perth | Hobart |
| $15 | $15 | $15 | $15 | $15 | $15 |
Shipping & handling of 7 - 15 sample tiles to city / city suburbs:
| Melbourne | Sydney | Brisbane | Adelaide | Perth | Hobart |
| $18 | $18 | $18 | $18 | $18 | $18 |
New Zealand
Shipping & handling throughout New Zealand:
| Up to 2 sample tiles |
3 to 6 sample tiles |
25 tiles | 50 tiles | 100 tiles |
| AU$15 | AU$27 | AU$66 | AU$106 | AU$186 |
6. How long does it take for my tiles to be delivered to me?
Upon receipt of payment, your tiles will be shipped to you from our warehouse. The stock held in our warehouse is more than sufficient for most projects. If the tiles are in stock, you should have them within
1 - 7 days depending on your location in Australia or New Zealand. We cannot guarantee an exact date as it can depend on shipping factors that are outside of our control. Please keep in mind, our stock is always changing depending on orders received and new stocks arriving. For larger orders that will come from our secondary warehouse, please allow 2-3 weeks. For out-of-stock orders or very large orders, please allow 8 - 10 weeks for our Mexican artisans / suppliers to create your tiles. Please feel free to call or email if you require specific information on the stock of a particular tile.
When Old World Tiles receives your order, we will send a quote with expected delivery times.
7. Can I purchase samples from Old World Tiles?
Yes, we are pleased to sell samples. The price for samples is the same as the price for each tile plus shipping and handling. Please note, the cost of shipping/handling a few sample tiles is not indicative of the price to ship your actual order. We use alternate shipping methods when sending complete orders which brings the shipping and handling costs per tile down.
8. What form of payment do you accept?
Currently, you may pay by direct deposit, paypal, cheque or bank cheque.
9. Do you ship your tiles to New Zealand?
Yes, we can ship anywhere in Australia and New Zealand.
10. Will my tiles be insured for any damage which may occur during shipping?
Yes. All of our tiles are hand packed and checked for quality prior to shipping. If damage occurs, please contact us immediately so that we can begin the claims process and resubmit your order.
11. I have seen a particular Spanish, Mediterranean, Mexican or Moroccan tile that I would like to use. I cannot see the tile on your site. Can you source other tile designs?
Absolutely! Yes, we have access to many tile designs -- too many to be included on our web site. Feel free to send a picture with description of your tile choice and Old World Tiles can locate it and provide a quote for fulfillment. You may also call to discuss your needs. Please keep in mind that if the tiles are not stocked items, then there will be additional costs incurred to source and procure samples.
12. If the tiles are not exactly identical and perfectly flat, how do I lay them?
We always recommend that you use an experienced tiler who has worked with specialty tiles. The tiler will have to know how to build up the surface area if the tile is not completely flat so there are no void areas behind the tile and he or she will have to be skilled in tile application without using spacers.
13. What size grout line should be used with these tiles?
This is completely up to you but here are a few ideas that may help you select a width:
The most common grout width is 6mm for handmade tiles.
If you want a rustic charm to your tile project -- approximately 9mm.
If you want to recreate the tile arrangements found in old Spanish, Mediterranean and Californian homes, a fine grout line is recommended. Keep in mind, the finer your grout line, the more apparent the tile characteristics become. So uneven edges, slight size differences, paint differences will be more noticeable.
Remember when you are deciding on a grout line that a fine grout line will exaggerate the characteristics of the tiles while a wider grout line will tend to blend the tiles. We strongly recommend that you or your tiler lay out your tiles prior to the job beginning so that you can decide what size grout line and what tile layout appeals most to you.
14. What colour grout should I use?
The most popular colour is off-white. However, some people who wish to showcase the crazing of the tile choose a grout colour which contrasts with the tile colour. If you want a more unified appearance, then choose a colour similar to the tile.
15. Do I need to seal my Old World tiles?
The tiles are glazed therefore they are already fairly resistant to the elements. However, we do recommend that you thinly apply a water repellant and a sealer more for the protection of the grout than the tile. Make sure these steps are done when the tile and grout joints are completely dry. If using in wet areas, always use a water repellant and sealer. An experienced tiler can recommend the best practice and products.
16. I have a rendered home that needs "accessorising". Are your tiles ideal for such applications?
Absolutely! One of the most popular uses for these tiles is to breathe life back into a plain rendered home or one that is beginning to show signs of age such as cracking render or dirty render. These tiles provide an instant face-lift to rendered houses. Whether you apply them around an entrance or onto a wall or even a nearby water feature, your home will instantly brighten up. When paired with aging render, you can achieve a beautiful antique look.
17. What style of Australian house are your tiles suited to?
Of course our tiles are most common in Spanish, Mediterranean, Californian, Revival style homes but they are also gorgeous in the many Australian styles. These tiles are pieces of ceramic art so they bring character, colour and style to any home. Recently the owner of a remodelled Queenslander purchased tiles from us for a kitchen backsplash. She is so happy with the result that now she is purchasing tiles for around her entry way leading from an outdoor entertaining area into the home. Similarly, we have supplied tiles for a home completely remodeled in the French Country style. The entire kitchen, a bathroom, the laundry and outdoor entertaining areas were done with our decorative tiles and the result was beautiful. The tiles brought splashes of colour and antique charm to the subdued French Country design.
The Aussie outdoor lifestyle is a perfect match for these tiles. They are spectacular used in outdoor entertaining areas or near pools, especially with a margarita in hand!
Please feel free to contact us at customerservice@oldworldtiles.com.au if you have any questions regarding our tiles.
The original purveyor of
old world charm...
Old World Tiles
ORDER NOW
ABN 78 172 043 559
Old World Tiles 07 3289 1434
