How to Choose the Best Tiles and Marble Supplier, Manufacturer, Exporter and Trader

Supplier, manufacturer, exporter or trader: who are you buying from?

Tiles are made in large factories where the body, the glaze and the firing decide the quality. Some companies own the kiln, some buy from several factories and some only export.

Hurain Engitech & Trade is a trading and export company: the tiles and mirrors we supply are manufactured to your specification by partner factories, and we handle inspection, export packing, documents and shipping. Because we buy in volume from those factories, our prices are typically lower than an end buyer would get approaching a factory alone. Ask which factory makes the tile, for a sample, and who is responsible for a shade or size mismatch.

The tile types in our range

Our range covers 3D design tiles, 3D wood tiles, antique collection tiles, book match tiles, DC light PGVT tiles, endless design tiles, glossy tiles, glossy galicha tiles, glossy marble tiles, satin 3D tiles, satin double charge tiles, satin marble tiles, satin wood tiles, rustic wood tiles, wood strip tiles, wood glossy tiles and decorative mirrors. Common sizes are 600x600, 600x1200, 800x1600, 800x2400 and 200x1200 mm.

GVT, PGVT, double charge and ceramic: what the names mean

A glazed vitrified tile (GVT) has a printed surface with a thin glaze and a dense body, which makes it a popular choice for floors. PGVT (polished glazed vitrified tile) adds a high-gloss polished finish with a deeper look, similar to polished stone. Double charge tiles are pressed in two layers, with a pattern layer on top of the body, which gives a more natural, marble-like depth and stronger wear. Ceramic wall tiles have a more porous body and are intended for walls, not heavy floor traffic. Choose the type by where the tile will be used, not only by the picture.

Surface finish: glossy, satin, matt, rustic and carving

Glossy tiles reflect light and make rooms look larger, but they show scratches and are slippery when wet. Satin tiles give a soft shine and hide marks better. Matt and rustic surfaces give grip, and are better for bathrooms, balconies, kitchens and outdoor areas. Carving and 3D surfaces add texture but collect dirt and are harder to clean. For wet areas, ask for the slip resistance rating, and for the water absorption of the body.

Marble-look, wood-look and book-match

Marble-look tiles imitate natural stone without the staining, the weight and the cost. Wood-look tiles give the warmth of timber with water resistance and no maintenance, and come as planks and strips. Book-match tiles are printed in pairs or sets so that the pattern continues across adjacent tiles, producing a continuous, mirrored stone effect for feature walls and lobbies. For book match, the sequence and the box order matter, so ask how the cartons are marked.

Shade, calibre and batch: the reason for many complaints

Tiles from different production runs can differ in shade (tone) and in actual size (calibre). Both are marked on the carton. Always order the full quantity for a room from one batch, plus 5 to 10 percent extra for cutting and breakage, and check that the shade and the calibre on every carton match. For a later top-up, a new batch may not match, so keep spare boxes from the first lot.

What to put in every enquiry

A precise enquiry prevents a wrong shipment:

• Tile type (GVT, PGVT, double charge, ceramic) and finish
• Design name or a picture, and the size in millimetres
• Thickness and the number of pieces per box
• Quantity in square metres, with the extra for breakage
• Shade and calibre requirements, and a single batch for the whole order
• Grade: ask what the commercial grade means before you accept it
• Packing: export cartons on fumigated wooden pallets
• Destination port and the incoterm

Quality checks and standards

Relevant standards include ISO 13006 for classification, EN 14411 and IS 15622. Ask for the technical data sheet, with water absorption, breaking strength, abrasion resistance, slip resistance and stain resistance, and check the figures against your project requirement. On a sample and again on receipt, check:

• Size and thickness, with a straight edge and a measuring tape across several tiles
• Flatness and warp, by laying two tiles face to face
• Surface defects: pinholes, chips, edge cracks, glaze faults
• Shade and pattern across several boxes
• Sound when tapped, which should be clear and not hollow

Packing and shipping tiles

Tiles are heavy and break at the corners, so packing decides the claims. Boxes should be strong, with corner protection and the tile type, size, shade and batch printed on each. Cartons go on fumigated wooden pallets, strapped and wrapped, and loaded so that the pallets do not shift. Ask how many square metres fit in a container and what the weight limit is, because tiles often reach the weight limit before the volume limit. The export documents normally include the commercial invoice, the packing list, the certificate of origin, the fumigation certificate and the bill of lading, plus a test report on request.

What decides the price

Price depends on the type (a PGVT or a double charge costs more than a basic GVT), the size, the thickness, the design, the grade, the packing and the freight. Large formats such as 800x1600 and 800x2400 cost more and need careful packing. Compare quotations on the grade, the thickness, the water absorption and the packing, not on the price per square metre alone.

A checklist for choosing your tile supplier

Before a first order, confirm the following:

• A written specification and a quotation that repeats it
• A sample or detailed photographs of the actual stock before you pay
• Photographs of the packing and of the container loading before dispatch
• A pre-shipment inspection by your own agent or a third party for large orders
• Commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and bill of lading, plus test reports where your market asks
• A written replacement or credit policy if the goods do not match the order
• Shade and calibre marked on every carton and matched across the order

Approve a physical sample, order one container, check the first boxes on arrival, and then scale the volume.

Get a quotation for tiles and marble

Tell us the tile type, size, finish, design, quantity in square metres and destination country, and we will reply with the price, the minimum order quantity, the packing and the lead time. Tiles can be combined with other items from our trade and engineering ranges in one container, with one set of export documents.