Sherwood

Yes — porcelain is one of the hardest-wearing tile materials available. Fired at very high temperatures, it's dense, durable and highly resistant to scratches, wear and moisture, which makes it ideal for hallways, kitchens, bathrooms and other busy spaces. Many porcelain tiles are rated for both walls and floors, so you can carry a single look right through a room; check the individual product details to confirm the rating for your project.

As a rule, no. Porcelain is non-porous, so unlike natural stone it doesn't need sealing to protect the surface, and it resists staining and water beautifully. The exception is the grout joints, which can still benefit from a grout protector to keep them looking fresh. Polished porcelain occasionally benefits from a surface treatment, and we'll advise if that applies to your chosen range.

Many can. Porcelain is frost-resistant and dimensionally stable, and a number of ranges are available in textured, anti-slip finishes or 20mm paver formats designed for patios and garden paths. Not every tile is suitable for exterior use, though, so always check the product details or ask our Ascot team before specifying a porcelain tile for outdoors.

Rectified tiles have been precision-cut after firing so every edge is perfectly straight and square. This allows them to be laid with very fine, consistent grout joints for a clean, contemporary look, which is particularly striking with large-format tiles. Whatever the format, we always recommend a small grout gap rather than butt-jointing, to allow for natural movement.

Large-format porcelain rewards careful preparation. The substrate needs to be flat and solid, a suitable flexible adhesive should be applied using the back-buttering method for full coverage, and the right tools make all the difference. Because the panels are heavy and need clean, accurate cuts, we'd recommend an experienced tiler for the best and safest result.

Yes — colour, finish and the way a tile reads in your own light are best judged at home. We offer free cut samples to collect from our Ascot showroom, or posted for a small postage charge, and you're very welcome to visit the showroom to see full tiles in person and talk your project through with our team.