Frequently Asked Question`s

Our tiles are handmade and hand painted.  The designs we have selected from around the world stay true to the rich history of their origins.  Many of our designs have been around for hundreds of years and can be seen throughout Spain, Portugal, Morocco, the Mediterranean, Mexico, The Middle East, Italy and France.  Our tiles are exquisite and have a charm, warmth, romance and antique feel that is unmistakable.

Old World Tiles only stocks the finest quality 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 artisans.  We do not stock tiles with lacklustre paint work or bland colours.

Old World Tiles products are handmade and no two tiles are identical. Our tiles have been used in many of the finest homes and commercial applications in Australia and throughout the world. Colours used in our tiles may vary from batch to batch and while we will assist you in your selection when asked, we are unable to guarantee colour matching because our suppliers deviate with their colours from time to time.      

Old World Tiles are authentic tiles and are not imitations. For many many years, tile manufacturers have attempted to recreate these tiles and time and again their attempts have fallen far short of the authentic tile.  The colours used in authentic handmade tiles are vibrant, not lacklustre substitutes.  The painting technique and designs customary in real authentic tiles result in a uniquely organic tile full of character.  The gorgeous variations between tiles simply cannot be imitated by modern techniques, paints, molds and other mass production practices.  Our tiles are not imitation 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 niche tile enterprise, Old World Tiles.

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 Felt to the back of the tiles to make drink coasters which match their backsplash, fireplace surround or outdoor area!  Because our tiles are of the finest quality and do not have chips, they can be used in wet applications. The high quality glaze will protect the tiles from penetrating water. 

However, apart from our Saltillo tiles, Encaustic (pressed Cement) tiles and many of our beautiful Australian tiles, our tiles are not recommended for floors.   We have a number of tiles that can be used in pools and ponds, for example our Portuguese tiles, Fish Scales, Italian tiles and Middle Eastern tiles, but our Classic, Solid, Mixed Set and Arabesque tiles are not recommended.  Encaustic tiles cannot be used in pools. Our Classic, Solid, Arabesque and Mixed Set tiles are not recommended for frost climates, outside because they are not frost-proof. 

If you are in doubt, please contact us.

Due to the handmade processes involved in creating our tiles, you can expect to see differences in:

• exact size (tile size in the Classics, Solids and Trims range particularly can vary) 
• exact weight
• exact paint application 
• crazing marks in the Classics and Solids range 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 handmade tiles. 

Please use the shopping cart feature on our web site.  Alternately, you may call us on 0418 758 814 or send an email to customerservice@oldworldtiles.com.au. You may also arrange an appointment at our showroom in Spring Hill, Brisbane.  Please note: we require full payment in advance of shipping your product to you.

Surprisingly, not that much!  The shipping cost will be outlined when you proceed through checkout.  For larger orders (over 300 tiles), you may want to call or email us to see if alternate shipping options are available.

Australia
Estimated charge for shipping & handling of 90 Classic tiles (1 square metre) to city and city suburbs:

We can provide expedited shipping on orders if required.  Please contact us if you need your tiles urgently and we will be happy to provide you with delivery alternatives.

New Zealand and Elsewhere

We ship throughout New Zealand. Please email us for a quote.  customerservice@oldworldtiles.com.au

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.  We cannot guarantee an exact date.  Please keep in mind, our stock is always changing depending on orders received and new stocks arriving. 

Yes, you have 7 days from the date you receive your tiles and or product/s to return any unused and undamaged tiles or products to us. If you purchased through a retailer, designer or architect, please contact them regarding their return policy.  We cannot process refunds for clients who have purchased through showrooms and retailers. You will need to enquire about their return policy.

Refund Policy

Within one week (7 days) after delivery and with customers notice in writing (email or fax), we will provide a refund at the original value less 40% restocking fee, less the cost of freight from our premises to the customer. It is the customer's responsibility to return the tiles and or product/s and to ensure they are not damaged.  We recommend a shipping method with tracking capabilities. Refunds will not be given for goods returned to our store in inferior condition or lost in transit.

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. 

Yes, we can ship anywhere in Australia, New Zealand, Europe and most other countries. For international orders, please email us and we will provide a quote with all elevant delivery details. customerservice@oldworldtiles.com.au

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.

We always recommend that you use an experienced tiler who has worked with specialty tiles.  The tiler will 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 be skilled in tile application without using spacers.

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 5mm for handmade tiles.

If you want a rustic charm to your tile project -- approximately 6mm.

If you want to recreate the tile arrangements found in old Spanish, Moroccan and Mediterranean 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.

The most popular colour is off-white.  However, some people who wish to showcase the crazing lines in the tiles, choose a grout colour which contrasts with the tile colour or they use a dark grout.  If you want a more unified appearance, then choose a colour similar to the tile.  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 using a dark colour grout with light coloured tiles or tiles with light backgrounds, we advise sealing the tiles prior to grouting as the dark grout colour can get caught in the crazing lines on the face of the tiles accentuating the crazing lines.

Our ceramic 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, particularly if you are using the tiles outdoors.  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.  If using a dark colour grout with light coloured tiles or tiles with light backgrounds, we advise sealing the tiles prior to grouting as the dark grout colour can get caught in the crazing lines on the face of the tiles accentuating the crazing lines.

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, on stair risers or even a nearby water feature, your home will instantly brighten up.  When paired with aging render, you can achieve a beautiful antique look.

Of course our tiles are most common in Spanish, Moroccan, Mediterranean, Californian, Hamptons, Villas, 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.  

We frequently use Australia Post to deliver our tiles to you. Australia Post have changed their policy at the beginning of 2017 to leave parcels at an address if they can find a safe place to leave them. Accordingly, unless you specify, all parcels delivered by Australia Post will be left at the delivery address if the delivery driver deems that there is a safe place to do so.

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.