frequently asked questions
Sampling Questions
Can you match my existing tile?
We understand the challenge in matching vintage tile with a reproduction tile.
Unfortunately, we do not offer the custom glaze development services necessary
to match the glaze color and finish characteristics of your existing tile.
Satisfactory results when replacing tiles within an existing tiled surface
would require a precise match for both glaze and physical format characteristics.
Custom tile services are available from other sources to assist with this type
of project, but these services often charge a significant set-up fee. This
option may not be practical if you are looking to replace a small number of
damaged tiles in an existing restoration project.
Alternatively, vintage tiles are often available in limited quantities from
specialty salvage companies. Try a web search and you might get lucky!
How can I order glaze samples?
We offer individual field and accent glaze sample cards and hex tile sample cards for purchase online. Each field tile sample card contains one 3x6 subway tile in one of our 6 field glazes. Each accent glaze sample card contains a subset of 3 accent colors from our set of 6 accent glazes. Each hex tile sample card contains a swatch of white hex tiles a one black accent. The cost for each sample card
is $5 which includes shipping costs.
Please use the link below to order your sample cards:
http://www.bungalowtile.com/samples
Can I order samples of liners or deco tiles?
Yes! We prefer to fill requests for single samples of decos, liners, moldings,
etc immediately in the ‘crackle white’ glaze. These samples, when
included with a glaze sample card, should allow you to visualize how the
sample tile would appear in any of the other glaze options. Should you order
a sample in another glaze option, we may elect to substitute the 'crackle white' glaze to minimize delays.
Selection Questions
Where can I get design help for my tile project?
Please call us first at 888-HEX-TILE. We may not be able to answer all of your questions,
but we will certainly offer some tips for getting started on your project.
Many excellent magazines are available at the larger bookstores for design
inspiration. Don’t be afraid to ask your tile installer for suggestions,
as they are the best resource for dealing with the technical details of design.
For more creative design guidance, we recommend that you seek out the services
of an interior designer with extensive experience in tile design.
Where can I find the small, white one inch hex tile and square mosaics common in vintage
bathrooms?
BungalowTile.com offers several bathroom floor tile options to compliment our classic subway
tile. A flat, 1" hex tile typical of the mosaics commonly used in traditional
homes is in stock at our central warehouse. These are made of the highest quality unglazed
porcelain and carefully arranged on a fiber mesh as one square foot sheets.
A black hex is also in stock and available by the sheet for creating borders and accent designs.
Another classic floor option is the flat, 1" square mosaic in unglazed porcelain, which
is also offered in white and black in one square foot sheets.
Both of these floor tile mosaics are priced at $10.95 per square foot. We are actively working to expand our collection of high quality, vintage floor tile alternatives to help you find
the most appropriate material for your bathroom project.
What tile is available for immediate shipment?
BungalowTile.com maintains a large stock of basic field and trim tile in four standard glazes - 'gloss white, 'satin white', 'satin ivory' and 'crackle white'. Also stocked are the Victorian Cap and Victorian Cove Base moldings
in straight and profile options in all four of these classic glazes. For black accents, we stock the ½” Accent
Strip and the 1” Stile & Rail liner in the 'gloss black' glaze. Accessories
are also stocked in 'gloss white, 'satin white', and 'gloss black' glaze options. Please allow 2 to 3 weeks for the non-stock
items ordered.
Ordering Questions
How do I determine how much tile to order?
Determining the correct quantity of tile to order is often the responsibility
of your tile installer. They will be able to account for the number of trim
tiles needed and the necessary overage (extra tile) required so they won’t
run short at the end of the job.
How do I determine the shipping costs?
A shipping cost estimator is available to calculate shipping costs as you select items online and return to the 'basket contents' page. Several shipping options and their
costs are displayed once you enter your destination zipcode. This is a quick way to estimate your shipping
costs even if you are not ready to place your order. Alternatively, you can
call our toll-free number (1-888-HEX-TILE) for assistance with this.
Can I order tile by phone?
Please call us toll-free at 1-888-HEX-TILE if you prefer to place your order
by phone. We will then prepare a Sales Order with the items ordered including
shipping costs for your approval before your order is processed.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Payment for orders placed online can be made with Visa, MasterCard, American
Express and Discover cards. Trade accounts may pay by check only if drawn
from a business account and accompanied by a commercial purchase order.
Shipping Questions
Where does Bungalow Tile ship from?
Most stock orders ship from our central warehouse in Verona, WI. Alternatively,
some orders may ship directly from the production facility in Canton, OH
(near Cleveland).
When should I select the ‘Yellow Freight' shipping
method?
BungalowTile.com offers several options for shipping your tile order. The final cost
of each shipping method will be calculated once all of your tile selections
are added to the basket. These costs are displayed in a drop-down section
menu as you proceed through the check-out process. We suggest that you select
the least expensive method. We will contact you if we can recommend an alternative
option that would result in better service or lower cost than the method
selected.
Can you expedite my order?
BungalowTile.com offers an expedited FedEx 2nd Day Air shipping option for orders
that need to be on the jobsite fast. Expedited orders received after 2:00 PM
CST will ship the next business day, while non-expedited orders will be shipped
within two business days.
How can I find out when my tile will arrive?
When your order ships a shipping confirmation is sent via email with your tracking
number. Freight shipment confirmations will include
a website where you can find the contact information for the local service center, who will contact you to
arrange for delivery.
Support Questions
What color of grout should I use?
The color of grout that you choose can make a significant effect on the overall
aesthetic of the tile installation, even when thin grout lines are used.
The offset subway tile pattern will be emphasized more when a contrasting
color is used. On the other hand, you may perceive the subtle surface variations
more with a grout that matches the glaze color. Either way is OK - it is your
opinion that matters.
Color is a relative thing, and we always recommend that a final selection
is made after the tile has been set on the wall and you can really see what
each grout option will look like in the same room with its peculiar lighting,
etc. Other colors in the room, such as floor or wall surfaces can also effect
the way you perceive colors.
What size grout joint should I use?
Tile spacing is an issue to raise with your tile installer. They should spread
the tile out to determine what minimum spacing should be used while still
maintaining an adequate margin to accommodate for the tile-to-tile variations
that are inherent to this type of tile. Also, a sanded grout is recommended
due to the tile thickness, and the installer must be comfortable with this
spacing in order to fill that space completely.
One note: it is necessary to apply a penetrating sealer prior to grouting to seal crackle glazes (to prevent grout pigments from staining the crazing features) and to act as a grout release
for unglazed porcelain hex tiles (to prevent a grout film from staining
the unglazed tile surface and to make clean-up easier).
What if I need more tile?
Place your order for the additional tile needed on the project as soon as you
can. We will treat your ‘add-on’ order as our highest priority
to minimize your delay in completing the project.
Don’t hesitate to request our assistance in reviewing your order with
you. While your installer should accept the responsibility of calculating the
tile amount he will need for the project, we can look for items they may have
overlooked.
What if some tiles are damaged in shipment?
For normal UPS shipments, BungalowTile.com carefully double-boxes all shipping
cartons to minimize the possibility of tile damage. Should you find damaged
tiles due to improper handling, contact us immediately so we can assist you
in filing a damage claim. Remember to save all shipping cartons as they may
need to be inspected by the shipping company. For freight shipments, note
any signs of external damage to the truck driver, then contact us so we can
assist you further. Refer to the “Terms & Conditions of Sale” document
for our complete shipping policy.
What should I do with the leftover tile?
The amount of tile ordered for any project should always include some amount
of extra tile or ‘overage’. This is necessary to prevent the
possibility of a shortage near the end of the project. A tile shortage can
be both annoying and costly, and you should expect a reasonable amount of
tile left if all goes well. Place this extra tile in a safe place where you
(or the next homeowner) can find it should the need arise someday.
We always advise that you consider keeping some quantity "just in case
...". We routinely hear from frustrated homeowners seeking a match to
their vintage tile in order to repair a tile or two without having to replace
an entire bathroom wall. In the event that a mistake is made and you have more leftover tile than expected, we do have a return policy detailed in our Terms and Conditions of Sale document.
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