I need to see the tile with my décor, are samples available? YES! All art tiles can be ordered as samples. Send us your sample request and payment preference e-mail your order, or call us toll free at 1.888.735.TILE (8453). You should receive your samples in 7-10 days. How do Art Tile's prices compare to retail tile dealers? Because of our direct relationship with the tile producers around the world, ArtTile is able to provide hand painted tile to the public at wholesale prices. Shop and compare, you will find our prices to be 50% to 80% less for similar product, than at large national retailers. Can I install art tile myself? Yes, actually it's quite easy. All installation tools and materials (i.e. thinset or mastic to set tile, grout available in many colors, trowels, and grout floats) are available at a reasonable cost at most home improvement stores. Wet saws, if needed, can be rented at most rental centers. What style of décor is compatible with art tile? Art tile, because of its enduring appeal, complements decorative styles ranging from contemporary to traditional, country style to urban modern. What other building materials are compatible with art tile? Because of its colorful beauty and tactile appeal, art tile mixes well with building materials ranging from coarse or polished wood, stucco, painted walls, natural stone, stainless steel and other decorative metal surfaces, and manufactured tile. Art tile makes a beautiful complement as a backsplash to stone counter tops in kitchens and baths, as an accent in-lay in Corian, or an added detail in stone and manufactured tile floors. Where are some good places to use art tile as a wainscoting? Traditionally, in Spain, Mexico, and Morocco, tile wall coverings ( wainscoting) are used in high traffic family areas. They can also be used in an entry hall for a grand entrance or give an added pizzazz to a guest bath. They blend beautifully with tropical plants in a sunroom or patio. In a business setting or a public space, they provide visual charm with durable beauty. How do I maintain my art tile? All art tiles are fired at extremely high temperatures with waterproof glazes. They are stain proof and scratch resistant. Their non-porous surface inhibits bacterial growth. Grout sealers should be used to seal all grout lines. Art tiles can be cleaned with most non-abrasive household cleaners. Can art tile be used for counter tops? Our Mexican talavera collection is commonly used for counter tops, bars, and tabletops. Normal wear adds to its beauty and character over the years. Due to its uneven texture, ArtTile does not recommend using the Moorish and Sevillian Collections on countertops. However, they are often used on decorative tabletops. Can I use art tile over existing tile, Formica, and other surfaces? YES. For smooth, non-porous surfaces, such as Formica, old tile paneling, and painted surfaces, we recommend using thin set mortar mixed with a latex additive or pre-mixed tile mastic to provide a stronger adhesion to these surfaces. On concrete board, brick, stucco or concrete, good quality thin set mortar is adequate. Can I use art tile for outdoor projects? Yes! Art tile glazes are permanent, non-fading waterproof glazes. It is important that all edges are grouted and sealed to prevent water penetration under the tile. Art tile adds beauty to swimming pools at the water line, makes for festive outdoor bar-b-ques, and fireplace and patio designs. Add artistic detail to fountains, garden walks and benches, stucco in-lays, and stair risers. We just moved into a new house. How can I use art tile with out remodeling? Art tile provides beautiful accents to any room in the house. Add drama to staircases by applying tile to the stair risers. Emphasize existing tile work in kitchens and bath using art tile as a border. Dress up baseboards, windows, and doorways with art tile. Use art tile as a chair or crown-molding alternative. Frame your bathroom dressing room mirror. What is your payment policy? Art Tile accepts VISA and MasterCard, checks, and money orders for all orders except sample orders, for which we can not accept checks. How is art tile shipped? Samples are shipped U.S.P.S. priority mail. As a customer service for bulk shipping, Art Tile shops for the lowest rates to your area. UPS shipping is available for small and urgent orders. For lowest rates on large orders, we ship ground and sea. How do I determine the number of tiles needed? Determine the square footage of the space you want to tile and divide by the area of the individual tile(s) you would like to use. When using the Spanish tile, there are no grout lines; the tile is laid side by side. The Mexican tile usually has a grout space of about ¼ inch between tiles. The American Tile council recommends ordering an additional 3-5% more tile to allow for measuring discrepancies, cutting errors and scrap.