B&q Porcelain - TilersForums.co.uk | Tile Forums

Alan Davies · 31-01-2008

Just priced a job to lay 25m2 of porcelain floor tiles, customer has bought tiles from b&q, read some bad reports on these tiles, how true are these reports and anyone got any advice please, first time laying porcelain.

**Dave** · 31-01-2008

GOOD LUCK.....

connors12345 · 31-01-2008

dont know meself mate. but have heard the same as you... apparently stick to porcelain that is made in italy and spain as all the others are very porous and irregularly shaped
ian

**rob hutchinson** · 31-01-2008

The guys are right, "you get whar you pay for" so explain this fact to your customer& try to supply your own quality porcelbond tile adhesive, at least then you can guarantee your own fixing work. Customers may try to cut corners on the price and quality of the tiles however its essential that you convince them that they certainly can't afford to do this with the actual fixing of them. Good luck mate

**Fekin** · 31-01-2008

I couldn't say exactly where B&Q get their stock from but from my own experiance it was fine to cut, good sizes, only problem I had was that it was polished black porcelain and the boxes were damp, leaving stains on a lot of tiles that needed a lot of cleaning.

Grace'sDad · 31-01-2008

I've yet to use B&Q Porcelain but I have quoted for fixing. The (non) customer had a couple of 600x600 black tiles and when I measured them they were 600x598x600x598 if you see what I mean.

**rob hutchinson** · 31-01-2008

Uhmmmm..... sizey!.......at least you will save money by not having to buy cross spacer pegs

**IvegotsTILE** · 31-01-2008

B&Q have been pushing the tiles Graces Dad was on about on adverts and at the front of their tile section.600=600 black polished porcelain,must say they look great.I was picking some battons up the other day and had a look at them while someone else was looking at them,he saw my tiling t-shirt and asked what I thought.I said"£11.45 a square metre for those tiles,I'll show you why their that price." I opened a box(naughty,naughty) and got the first 2 tiles out and put them next to each other on the floor one was 599 the other 596.All 4 sizes were different. Put the bloke right off.One off the staff saw me and told me off.I said loudly in front of alot of people that they were only good for hardcore.
The tiles looked great but whats the point if when there laid all the joints are out of line.You can't get quality at that price unfortunately.
If you do have to lay them use a big grout joint,its very rare to get B&Q tiles the same size even in the same box.

Good luck you'll need it.

**devonmark** · 31-01-2008

I did a bathroom in white ceramic from b&q and they were frankly a nightmare...never again for me..

Grace'sDad · 01-02-2008

Also, don't forget you've NO comeback whatsoever with B&Q gear.
Their get out clause is that they only sell DIY, not trade supplies.

(funny, as they have trade sections at the warehouses now...)

Leatherface · 01-02-2008

Porcelain by nature is not porous.
The quality of the porcelain and the way they are polished however can vary.
The polishing process however makes the top layer of the porcelain likely to stain
As a rule all polished porcelain tiles should be sealed with the appropriate sealer.
No probs

MrC · 01-02-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grace'sDad

Also, don't forget you've NO comeback whatsoever with B&Q gear.
Their get out clause is that they only sell DIY, not trade supplies.

(funny, as they have trade sections at the warehouses now...)

You should still have comaback whether you are trade or DIY. If their goods are sub standard (not fit for purpose) or not as described (all different sizes but stated as 600x600) you should be able to get a change or refund.

Their argument may be that as a trader you should notice any faults with the product but thats a little difficult if they are boxed up!

Best option though as you say is stay clear from any suppliers you are not happy with - saves a lot of effort!