Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes, subject to the following conditions:
- A 20% restock handling fee applies to all orders
- Goods must be in original packaging, and in saleable condition
- Full unopened boxes only
- Returns must be made within 14 days of purchase
Indented products cannot be returned
Payment terms depend on whether products are in stock or indent.
- In-stock products: 50% deposit on order placement, balance due in 3 months or prior to delivery, whichever comes first.
- Indent or special-order products: A 50% deposit is required to confirm the order, with the balance payable prior to delivery, collection, or once goods arrive in New Zealand
All goods must be paid in full before leaving our warehouse.
Storage may be arranged if delivery is delayed, but full payment remains due regardless of storage arrangements.
Yes. Large-format porcelain slabs are widely used for:
- Kitchen benchtops
- Bathroom vanities
- Feature walls
- Fireplace surrounds
- Furniture (tabletops – indoor and outdoor)
They offer durability, minimal joins, and a refined architectural finish.
MC Tiles and Tonic Tile Lounge work closely with experienced fabricators to ensure slabs are professionally cut and installed to your custom specifications.
We have the biggest selection of large format tiles in NZ.
Yes. Delivery options vary depending on order size, product type, and destination. Our team can provide freight estimates and logistics support for projects throughout New Zealand.
MC Tiles offers its own delivery service within the wider Auckland region. For other locations, freight is arranged via trusted transport partners.
Freight and delivery charges are itemised separately on your invoice. Where MC Tiles arranges delivery, we act as your agent for freight services.
If delivery conditions involve difficult access or additional requirements, any extra costs incurred will be the responsibility of the purchaser.
Small orders may be collected from our warehouse:
MC Tiles and Distribution Limited
34 Ben Lomond Crescent
Pakuranga, Auckland
Please contact our team prior to collection or delivery to confirm timing and requirements.
Yes. This is known as an indent order.
When you indent a product, MC Tiles and Tonic Tile Lounge place a special order directly with the manufacturer or supplier specifically for your project. The product is then allocated, manufactured (if required), and shipped to New Zealand.
Indent ordering typically involves:
- Longer lead times than in-stock products
- A deposit to secure production or allocation
- Full quantity ordering to ensure batch consistency
Indenting allows access to a wider and more exclusive range of tiles.
For most porcelain and ceramic tiles, regular cleaning with warm water and a pH-neutral cleaner is recommended.
A soft mop, cloth, or microfiber pad is ideal for everyday maintenance.
For deeper cleaning:
- Use a diluted tile-safe cleaner
- Avoid harsh, acidic, or abrasive products (e.g. vinegar or bleach) unless specifically approved
For textured or outdoor tiles, a soft brush may assist in removing dirt from surface texture or grout lines. Grout should be cleaned gently with a mild cleaner.
Many tiles are suitable for outdoor use, but not all are designed for exterior environments.
Outdoor tiles typically require:
- Slip resistance
- Frost and weather resistance
- Appropriate installation systems
We can help confirm suitability for your specific application.
Slip resistance measures how much traction a tile provides underfoot. It is especially important in:
- Bathrooms
- Pool areas
- Outdoor spaces
- Commercial environments
We can recommend suitable slip-rated products based on your project requirements.
Our team can review architectural or building plans and assist with estimating tile quantities. However, all square metre calculations provided by MC Tiles and Tonic Tile Lounge are estimates only and must be independently checked and confirmed by your installer or tiler prior to ordering.
As a general guide, we recommend allowing:
- Standard layouts: +10%
- Complex patterns: +12–15%
- Large-format tiles: up to +20%
Both ceramic and porcelain tiles belong to the same product family but differ in composition, density, and performance.
Ceramic tiles are made from natural clays fired at lower temperatures. They are generally lighter and slightly more porous, making them well suited to wall applications and light-traffic areas.
Porcelain tiles are made from finer clays fired at higher temperatures, resulting in a denser, stronger, and less porous product. This makes them ideal for floors, high-traffic areas, wet zones, and outdoor use.
Walk-ins are welcome across all three of our showrooms. However, for larger or more detailed projects, we recommend booking an appointment. This ensures one of our tile specialists can dedicate time to understanding your requirements and guiding you through suitable options.
We offer our own delivery service within the wider Auckland Region. Upon request we can provide customers with an estimate cost calculated by the quantity ordered and the delivery location. Alternatively quoted through an external freight company.
Small orders can be picked up from our warehouse located at:
MC TILES AND DISTRIBUTION LIMITED
34 Ben Lomond Crescent, Pakuranga.
Generally speaking, most floor tiles can be used on walls. However, some tiles are specifically designed to be applied to walls only. Below are the differences between Wall and Floor tiles. If you are unsure about a specific tiles ability to be used in a certain way, please contact us and we will advise you.
Tonic Tiles (as a branch of MC Tiles Ltd) endeavours to source the best quality and design tiles available from around the world. This means we can confidently guarantee the quality of our tiles.
Tonic Tiles guarantee its First Grade tiles for 10 years. This guarantee covers the cost of the tiles supplied or a resupply of any First Grade tiles supplied by Tonic Tiles which are defective or wear excessively within 10 years of installation. This guarantee does not extend to ‘natural stone’ tiles or Second Grade tiles. Tonic Tiles is not liable for the cost of removing and re-laying any tiles or any loss of profit or consequential loss/damages.
- To be covered by Tonic Tiles’s guarantee, all tiles must be installed in accordance with best tiling practice, manufacturer’s directions, guidelines and relevant New Zealand building standard. Tonic Tiles takes no responsibility for tile failure caused directly or indirectly from failing to observe any such direction and standards.
- Tonic Tiles’s guarantee becomes null and void if the tiles are installed onto an unsuitable substrate or in a location or manner that in any way contributes to the tile failing. The correct adhesives and grouts must be used for the tile installation. Not all tiles are manufactured or are suitable to be installed in all applications.
- Tonic Tiles’s guarantee only relates to the tile and does not extend to installation of the tiles whether or not we have referred a tradesman to you.
- Tonic Tiles’s guarantee does not cover severe or harsh wear, any impacts, unusual conditions, or improper use of the tiles.
- Tiles do vary in colour, shade and texture and this does not mean the tile is faulty. Tiles may be returned if they have obvious defects or blemishes, or were supplied but were not the selected shade or colour. Such tiles must be returned before the tiles are laid. Once the tiles are laid then you are deemed to have accepted them and Tonic Tiles will not accept any return or claim in respect of tiles that are discoloured, incorrect shade or have blemishes once laid. If you have a concern that the tile surface may be blemished or discoloured you must advise Tonic Tiles before the tiles are laid.
- Tonic Tiles recommends you retain a number of spare tiles in case they are required in the future.
- All claims must include a copy of the original invoice and be submitted in writing to Tonic Tiles.
- NOTE the Tonic Tiles’s guarantee is non-transferable and cannot be assigned.
Italian tiles are available in a wide range of finishes, including:
- LP – Polished (Lappato / Lucido): A high-gloss, reflective finish that delivers a luxurious, marble-like shiny appearance.
- RM – Matte (Naturale): A soft, non-reflective finish offering a contemporary and versatile aesthetic.
- LPM – Honed / Satin / Semi-Polished: A subtle sheen finish that sits between matte and polished for a refined, elegant natural look.
- Structured / Textured: A tactile surface designed for grip and visual depth.
- Grip / Anti-Slip (R11): A highly textured finish designed for wet or outdoor areas such as pools, terraces, and entries.
- Bush-Hammered / Hammered Effect: A heavily textured, stone-inspired finish commonly used in outdoor and architectural settings.
Glazed (Smaltato): A protective glass-like coating allowing for colour, pattern, and decorative variation.
SHADE VARIANCE
Shade variation is a natural characteristic of all ceramic and porcelain tiles. It refers to differences in colour, tone, and texture between individual tiles and production batches.
Differences among pieces from the same production run are minimal
Noticeable differences among pieces from the same production run
Similar colours, amount of colour/pattern will vary between pieces
Random colour, texture and pattern differences from tile to tile.
These variations are intentional and contribute to the natural, authentic look of tiled surfaces.
Non-Rrectified Tiles
A non-rectified tile is any tile that has natural edges that have not been mechanically straightened after cutting, which results in each tile having a plain, square edge. Because of this imprecise process, each tile is not the exact same size. From an installation perspective, that means larger grout lines will need to be used to correctly fit these tiles together, fill in the gaps, and hide their little differences.
Rectfied Tiles
Rectified tiles are ceramic or porcelain tiles that have been precisely ground and machined to give them near-perfect straight edges and exact dimensions. These tiles provide a very clean, symmetrical look, and allow for extremely fine grout lines of 3mm or less.
Rectified tiles usually also have a very fine bevel around their top edge too, to help reduce the chance of their sharp edges chipping.
Still have questions?
Our team is here to help. Visit our showroom or contact us to discuss your project, and we’ll guide you toward the right tile solution for your space.