Working with porcelain tiles

[tsb]

Hi, can anyone answer a couple of questions on porcelain tiles. 1- I always thought porcelain was one of the hardest wearing tiles out there, but have heard that you have to seal them as they mark and stain easily, and once they stain its impossible to clean. Is this true, and if so what do you seal them with and when. Are all porcelain tiles the same re. staining problems. 2- Whats the best way of cutting very pale, shiny porcelain tiles. Will using an electric wet tile cutter stain said tiles in any way or do you have to dry cut tiles to avoid water marks etc. Any information or web sites on porcelain tiles would be much appreciated as I'v got 35m2 of floor tiles to lay and really don't want to mess it up

 

[gcol]

Porcelain tiles are indeed very tough and hard wearing. You can get porcelain tiles that are quite matt in finish and it's possible that they can stain and would require sealing. Most porcelain tiles will not readily absorb moisture and therefore should resist water stains. Having said that, if you have any doubts you can try a stain test before laying tiles. Pour some soy sauce on a tile and leave it over night. Wipe off the following day and see if it stains. If it does then you should consider sealing the tiles.