Tiles: Al-Murad Vs Topps Tiles: Whis is better?

ahfh1

Hi,

For tiles, which is the better for vale for money and quality between Topps Tiles and Al-Murad?

Do either of them import poor quality goods from the far east, or or they generally about the same?

Thanks

DVardysShadow

Both will source tiles from a variety of places. Simply buying from one or the other will not give reassurance that the tiles you buy will be of a particular quality. Investigate both for tiles you like and check out the quality on the tiles you like.

Oldsoak

I have used both companies and personaly prefer the Al-Murad products. You need to remember that with tiles you generally get what you pay for.
My own preferrence is to check that tiles are from certain countries (after finding the design). I tend to steer clear of tiles from China (seem to be poor quality, but are improving) or Turkey (they seem to be dusty). There are other criteria, but that is down to cost and the quality you will get for that.

Errata

I wouldn't use Al-Murad if they paid me to take the tiles away. Topps isn't that much better and an independent tile shop is often best.

Alan_M_2

The ceramic and Porcelain tile market is changing dramatically.

To make the Spanish, Italian and Portuguese manufacturers competitive, a 70% duty has been applied onto all ceramic and porcelain tile imports into the EU from China.

This will have one of two results.

It will push prices up to a level where the European manufacturers are viable again or the gap created will be filled by Indian, Turkish, Iranian and other non Chinese producers of pile em high sell em cheap products.

Which one do you think it will be?

The thing is, it's now a misconception that Chinese products are substandard, manufacturing there has come a long way in the last decade and pretty much every computer and mobile phone you use is manufactured either there or in Korea.

phill99

DVardy is right. All tiles companies buy their stock from various suppliers, both UK based and foreign. The quality of the stock will therefore vary depending on which tile you are looking at. I've never used Al-Murrads, but have an account at Topps as some of my customers will often go there and choose tiles as they have branches all over the place. I find if you have to order stuff from them, their lead in time is quite long (up to 10 days). I find there standard adhesive is decent enough and good value. However their coloured grouts are very expensive, even with trade discounts, as are tile trims etc.

ahfh1

Does anyone know how to tell the difference between a good quality tile and a poor quality tile? To me they are all the same!

Would a good quality tile be heavier and be less dusty?

phill99

Years ago I made the mistahe of buying cheap floor tiles and withuin a couple of years they jad started to chip. So the cost is probably a good as indication of quality as anything. I also bought inexpensive wall tiles ay nothing at has gone wrong with them.

As much as anything, you are paying for the design. I've installed plenty of 'unbranded' italian and spanish tiles in the course of my work and have never had any call backs from them.

mttylad

I have used al murad for the last 4 tiling projects I have done, they have always been the best price and had the tiles I wanted.

Much better than topps - who were much more expensive for the same tiles.

Loganfire

Al-Murads every time, good service and good discounts have use a couple of times.:)

Oldsoak

Keystone, you are probably correct about chinese tiles now, as I avoided them for the past 2-3years, and they are quick to improve most thing, so I concede that my info on them could be out of date.
There is no hard and fast rule about tile quality/price ratio, only experience. IMHO, under £10m2 for walls, and under £20m2 for floors, and quality will be toss of a coin. Having said that, I reiterate that it is not gospel and is no guarantee of quality on either side of those prices. Find a tradesman that you can trust and discuss your selection before you buy. Get samples so you can show them to him (don't ask if he likes them, just if they are a good quality).
Im sure someone will have a different opinion, but it is all I'm giving an opinion and a very rough guide.
Good luck.