Nebula Black Onyx Polished Porcelain Tile is a 60x120cm large-format porcelain wall and floor tile with a deep black onyx-effect surface, smoky white veins, bronze-gold mineral streaks and a high-gloss polished finish. It is rectified, suitable for underfloor heating and sold at Tiles Paradise for £27.99 per m². Each box holds 2 tiles, which covers 1.44 m².
This guide answers the practical questions buyers ask before they order. It covers the look, the exact specification, the cost per m², per tile and per box, where the tile works and where it does not, how to fix it, which grout colour to choose and how to keep a black polished surface looking clean.
Nebula Black Onyx 60x120cm at a Glance
| Attribute | Nebula Black Onyx value |
|---|---|
| Material | Porcelain |
| Design | Black onyx effect with smoky white veins and bronze-gold streaks |
| Colour | Black |
| Finish | Polished (high gloss) |
| Size | 60x120cm (600x1200mm) |
| Edges | Rectified |
| Use | Walls and floors |
| Underfloor heating | Suitable |
| Tiles per box | 2 |
| Coverage per box | 1.44 m² |
| Area of one tile | 0.72 m² |
| Tiles per m² | 1.39 |
| Sold by | Square metre |
| Price | £27.99 per m² (RRP £49.99 per m²) |
| Samples | Cut sample £1.99, 20x50cm sample £7.99 |
Prices and delivery terms are correct at the time of writing (September 2026). The product page always shows the live price.
What Is Nebula Black Onyx Polished Porcelain Tile?
Nebula Black Onyx is a porcelain tile that recreates the look of black onyx stone. The base colour is a deep black. Smoky white veins drift across the surface, and warm bronze-gold mineral streaks run through them like light moving through a night sky.
Porcelain is a dense, fired ceramic with low porosity. That density gives it strong resistance to water, stains and everyday wear. The polished finish adds a mirror-like shine that reflects light back into the room.
The 60x120cm format means fewer grout lines on walls and floors. Rectified edges are machine-cut to tight, square dimensions, so the tiles can sit close together with narrow joints.
What Does Nebula Black Onyx Look Like in Real Light?
Nebula Black Onyx looks darker and more dramatic in low light and more reflective in bright light. The polished surface picks up windows, spotlights and LED mirrors, so the same wall can look deep black at night and glossy charcoal at midday.
Listed below are the visual traits to expect once the tiles are fixed.
- Veining: smoky white veins cross the black base, with bronze-gold streaks running through part of each tile.
- Reflection: the high gloss mirrors light sources, fixtures and nearby colours.
- Pattern variation: the design is printed across several different tile faces, so the gold streaks sit in different positions on neighbouring tiles.
- Opacity: the tile is opaque; it does not glow when lit from behind like thin natural onyx can.
- Scale: one tile is 1.2 metres long, so the veining reads as a large, continuous slab rather than a busy pattern.
A sample is the most reliable way to judge the black in your own lighting. Screens make black surfaces look flatter or bluer than they are.
How Much Does Nebula Black Onyx Cost?
Nebula Black Onyx costs £27.99 per m² at Tiles Paradise, reduced from an RRP of £49.99 per m². That is a saving of £22.00 per m², or 44%.
Listed below are the same price in the units buyers usually compare.
| Unit | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Per m² | 1.00 m² | £27.99 |
| Per tile | 0.72 m² | £20.15 |
| Per box (2 tiles) | 1.44 m² | £40.31 |
Delivery cost depends on the order value. Standard pallet delivery is free on orders over £499 to UK mainland addresses and takes 2–4 working days. Orders between £100 and £499 carry a £39.99 standard pallet charge. Next working day pallet delivery is available on many orders, depending on postcode and cut-off time.
The tile price is only one part of a tiling budget. Adhesive, grout, levelling clips, backer board, trims and labour are separate costs.
How Many Nebula Black Onyx Tiles Do You Need?
You need 1.39 Nebula Black Onyx tiles per m², plus a wastage allowance for cuts and breakage. Tiles Paradise recommends adding 10%. Complex rooms with many corners, boxing or diagonal cuts may need 12–15%.
Follow the steps below to work out your order.
- Measure the length and width of each floor or wall area in metres.
- Multiply length by width to get the area in m².
- Subtract doors, windows and fitted units from wall areas.
- Add 10% for cuts and breakage.
- Divide by 1.44 to get boxes, then round up to a whole box.
The table below shows worked examples using full boxes and a 10% allowance.
| Project | Area | Area + 10% | Boxes | Tiles | Coverage supplied | Tile cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fireplace or TV feature wall | 2 m² | 2.2 m² | 2 | 4 | 2.88 m² | £80.61 |
| Cloakroom floor | 4 m² | 4.4 m² | 4 | 8 | 5.76 m² | £161.22 |
| Family bathroom floor | 6 m² | 6.6 m² | 5 | 10 | 7.20 m² | £201.53 |
| Bathroom and shower walls | 15 m² | 16.5 m² | 12 | 24 | 17.28 m² | £483.67 |
| Open-plan kitchen floor | 20 m² | 22 m² | 16 | 32 | 23.04 m² | £644.89 |
The bathroom wall example sits just under the £499 free delivery threshold. Adding one more box (13 boxes, 18.72 m², £523.97) qualifies for free standard pallet delivery and leaves two spare tiles for future repairs.
Where Can You Use Nebula Black Onyx?
Nebula Black Onyx is specified for both walls and floors in indoor rooms. The polished finish decides where it performs best. Walls and dry floors suit it well. Floors that are regularly wet do not.
| Area | Suitability | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Bathroom walls | Excellent | Water-resistant porcelain, few grout lines, strong visual impact |
| Shower walls (enclosure or walk-in) | Excellent | Walls are not walked on, so gloss is not a slip concern |
| Bathroom floor | Use with care | Polished surfaces become slippery when wet; use bath mats and good ventilation |
| Shower tray area or wet room floor | Not recommended | Standing water on a polished floor is a slip risk |
| Kitchen splashback | Excellent | Easy to wipe, handles cooking splashes |
| Kitchen floor | Use with care | Spills make gloss slippery; wipe up promptly |
| Living room and dining room floors | Very good | Dry areas where the reflective finish adds depth |
| Hallway floor | Use with care | Grit and rain from shoes; use an entrance mat |
| Feature walls and fireplace surrounds | Excellent | Large, unbroken black surface with low maintenance |
| Hotel lobbies, retail and restaurant walls | Very good | Premium look on vertical surfaces |
| Outdoor areas | Not suitable | Polished indoor tiles are not designed for patios or frost |
Is Nebula Black Onyx Good for Bathroom Walls?
Yes, Nebula Black Onyx is a strong choice for bathroom walls. The 60x120cm tiles cover a wall with very few joints, which means less grout to clean. Laid vertically, the long format makes a standard 2.4 metre ceiling look taller.
Can Nebula Black Onyx Be Used in a Shower?
Nebula Black Onyx can be used on shower walls. It should not be used on a shower floor or wet room floor, because the polished surface offers little grip under running water. Pair the black walls with a shower tray or a textured anti-slip floor tile.
Can Nebula Black Onyx Be Used on a Kitchen Floor?
Nebula Black Onyx can be used on a kitchen floor where spills are wiped up quickly. A runner in front of the sink and hob adds grip in the wettest zone. For a busy family kitchen with pets or young children, a matt or anti-slip black tile is the safer floor choice, while Nebula works well on the splashback.
Is Nebula Black Onyx Suitable for Commercial Spaces?
Nebula Black Onyx suits commercial walls, reception desks and feature areas. Commercial floors fall under stricter slip-risk assessments in the UK, so check the required slip resistance for the space before specifying any polished floor tile.
Is Nebula Black Onyx Slippery?
Nebula Black Onyx is not an anti-slip tile. Its polished surface is smooth and safe to walk on when dry, but it becomes slippery when wet, like most high-gloss floor tiles. Treat it as a wall and dry-floor tile.
Listed below are simple ways to use it safely on floors.
- Keep it to rooms where the floor stays mostly dry.
- Place absorbent mats at the bath, basin, sink and entrance.
- Choose a textured or matt tile for shower floors and wet rooms.
- Wipe spills straight away.
- Avoid silicone or wax "shine" products, which make the surface slicker.
Is Nebula Black Onyx Suitable for Underfloor Heating?
Yes, Nebula Black Onyx is suitable for underfloor heating. Porcelain conducts and holds heat well, so warmth passes through the tile to the room surface.
Underfloor heating needs the right fixing products. Use a flexible S1 or S2 adhesive that is rated for heated floors. Run the heating through a full heat-up and cool-down cycle before tiling a new screed, and keep it switched off while the adhesive and grout cure. Bring the heat back up gradually afterwards.
Can Any Wall Hold Nebula Black Onyx 60x120cm Tiles?
No, not every wall can hold 60x120cm porcelain tiles safely. Large-format porcelain is heavy, and the adhesive bed behind each tile adds more weight. The wall surface decides how much load is safe.
The figures below are the commonly used UK guide limits for tile, adhesive and grout combined.
| Wall surface | Typical maximum load | Suitability for 60x120cm porcelain |
|---|---|---|
| Skimmed plasterboard or plaster | 20kg per m² | Often too low for large-format porcelain; ask your tiler to check the total fixed weight |
| Unskimmed plasterboard (bare paper face) | 32kg per m² | Possible in dry areas once the total fixed weight is checked |
| Cement tile backer board | Typically 50kg+ per m² (check the board maker) | Recommended, especially in showers |
| Sound, flat masonry or render | Higher loads | Suitable once prepared and primed |
A single 60x120cm tile is also awkward to hold in place. Plan for two people on every wall tile, and use cement backer board in showers.
What Does the 60x120cm Format and Rectified Edge Change?
The 60x120cm size and rectified edges create a sleek finish with narrow joints. They also make the substrate and setting-out more critical than with small tiles.
Listed below are the rules that matter most for this format.
- Grout joints: a 2–3mm joint suits rectified 60x120cm porcelain. Very tight joints leave no room for small size tolerances.
- Offset: keep a running-bond offset to no more than one-third of the tile length (40cm). A half offset exaggerates the slight natural bow in long tiles and causes lippage.
- Flatness: floors and walls must be very flat. Bumps or dips show clearly under a polished black surface.
- Levelling system: tile levelling clips and wedges help keep neighbouring edges flush while the adhesive sets.
- Adhesive coverage: spread adhesive on the surface and back-butter each tile for full contact, especially on floors.
- Layout choices: straight stack, one-third offset or vertical wall stack all suit the format. Herringbone and half-bond layouts are poor choices for 120cm tiles.
How Do You Install Nebula Black Onyx 60x120cm Tiles?
Nebula Black Onyx installs like other large-format rectified porcelain tiles: prepare a flat, strong base, set out the layout, fix with full adhesive coverage and level every edge. A professional tiler with large-format experience is strongly recommended.
Listed below are the tools and materials for the job.
- Flexible S1 cementitious tile adhesive (heat-rated if underfloor heating is fitted)
- 10–12mm notched trowel and a flat trowel for back-buttering
- Tile levelling clips and wedges
- 2–3mm spacers
- Rail tile cutter long enough for 120cm cuts, or a wet saw
- Diamond hole saws for pipe and waste holes
- Suction lifters and a second person for handling
- Laser or long spirit level and a chalk line
- Grout, grout float and a clean sponge
- Primer, self-levelling compound or backer board where needed
Follow the steps below for a clean, flat result.
- Check the tiles. Open several boxes and dry-lay tiles to confirm colour, pattern mix and quantity before any tile is fixed.
- Prepare the substrate. Make floors and walls clean, dry, sound and flat. Use levelling compound on floors and backer board on showers or skimmed walls.
- Prime. Apply the primer recommended by the adhesive manufacturer.
- Set out the layout. Mark centre lines so cut tiles at each edge are balanced and not thin slivers.
- Mix the adhesive. Mix only what you can use within its open time.
- Spread and back-butter. Comb adhesive onto the surface in straight lines and skim a thin coat onto the back of each tile.
- Bed the tile. Lower the tile into place, slide it slightly across the ribs and press firmly.
- Level the edges. Fit levelling clips and wedges between tiles and check with a level.
- Clean as you go. Wipe adhesive off the polished face before it dries.
- Let it cure. Leave the adhesive to set for the time stated on the bag before grouting or walking on the floor.
- Grout. Remove the clips, fill joints with grout, then clean off residue with a barely damp sponge.
- Seal the edges. Use flexible silicone at internal corners, around baths and shower trays and at movement joints.
What Grout Colour Works Best With Nebula Black Onyx?
Black grout is the best match for Nebula Black Onyx. It hides joints almost completely, so walls and floors read as one continuous black slab. Mapei Ultracolor Plus 120 Black is a close colour match.
The table below shows how each grout colour changes the finished look.
| Grout colour | Finished effect | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Black | Seamless, slab-like surface; joints almost disappear | Feature walls, showers, luxury bathrooms |
| Anthracite or dark grey | Soft outline with a slightly lighter joint | Floors where a very dark grout may show dust |
| Mid or silver grey | Visible grid that highlights the tile shape | Modern, graphic layouts |
| White | Strong contrast that outlines every tile | Rarely advised; shows grout dirt and emphasises lippage |
Always test grout on a spare tile first. Dark grout pigment can leave haze on a gloss surface if it is not cleaned off promptly.
Does Nebula Black Onyx Need Sealing?
No, Nebula Black Onyx does not need sealing. Porcelain tiles have a dense, low-porosity body that resists water and stains without a sealer. Cementitious grout lines can be treated with a grout protector if you want extra stain resistance, but the tile face itself should be left unsealed.
How Do You Clean and Maintain Polished Black Porcelain?
Clean Nebula Black Onyx with warm water, a pH-neutral tile cleaner and a microfibre cloth or mop, then dry the surface with a clean microfibre cloth. Drying is the step that prevents water marks on black gloss.
Listed below are the habits that keep the shine.
- Daily in showers: squeegee the walls after each use.
- Weekly: mop or wipe with a pH-neutral cleaner and buff dry.
- Hard water areas: use a limescale remover that states it is safe for porcelain, rinse well and dry.
- Floors: vacuum or dust-mop grit first, because grit dragged under shoes can dull a gloss surface over time.
- Never use: abrasive pads, scouring powders, wax, oil soaps or acidic cleaners left to sit on grout.
Black polished tiles show dust, footprints and water spots more readily than mid-tone matt tiles. The surface is not damaged by these marks; it simply shows them. A quick dry buff restores the finish.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Nebula Black Onyx?
Nebula Black Onyx offers a luxury onyx look at a porcelain price, but its gloss and colour need the right room. The table below sets out both sides honestly.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Deep black onyx look without natural stone upkeep | Slippery when wet; not for shower or wet room floors |
| 60x120cm format means fewer grout lines | Heavy tiles need a strong wall substrate |
| Rectified edges allow narrow 2–3mm joints | Needs a very flat surface and a skilled tiler |
| No sealing needed | Shows dust, footprints and water spots on floors |
| Suitable for underfloor heating | Polished finish reflects any lippage or uneven setting |
| £27.99 per m², 44% below RRP | Large cuts need long cutters or a wet saw |
| Works on walls and floors | Can make a small room feel darker without good lighting |
Is Nebula Black Onyx Porcelain Better Than Real Black Onyx Stone?
Nebula Black Onyx porcelain is the more practical choice for most homes, while natural onyx is the choice for translucent, backlit statement pieces. Natural onyx sold for interiors is usually a banded, calcite-based stone. It is softer, more porous and more sensitive to acids than porcelain.
| Factor | Nebula Black Onyx porcelain | Natural onyx stone |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness and wear | Hard, dense and scratch-resistant | Softer; scratches and etches more easily |
| Water and stains | Low porosity; resists water and stains | More porous; needs sealing |
| Sealing | Not needed | Needed and repeated over time |
| Acid resistance | Handles everyday cleaners | Etched by acids, including some cleaners and drinks |
| Backlighting | Opaque; cannot be backlit | Can be translucent when cut thin |
| Pattern | Printed design across several faces | Every slab unique |
| Size consistency | Rectified, uniform tiles | Varies by slab and cut |
| Cost | £27.99 per m² | Significantly higher per m² |
What Should You Check Before and After Delivery?
Checking the tiles early prevents costly mistakes. Pallet deliveries are heavy, and fixed tiles cannot be returned.
Listed below are the checks to make.
- Order a sample and view it in your room at different times of day.
- Order enough in one go so all tiles arrive from the same batch.
- Inspect the pallet on arrival and note any visible damage on the delivery paperwork.
- Open boxes and count tiles against your order.
- Dry-lay a section to check shade, pattern mix and edge straightness.
- Report problems before fixing any tile.
- Keep two to four spare tiles for future repairs.
How Does Nebula Compare With Other Black Onyx 60x120cm Tiles at Tiles Paradise?
Nebula Black Onyx sits among several black onyx-effect 60x120cm polished porcelain tiles at Tiles Paradise. All of them share rectified edges, 2 tiles per box and underfloor heating suitability. The main differences are the vein design and the price.
| Tile | Colour tone | Price per m² |
|---|---|---|
| Nebula Black Onyx Polished Porcelain | Black with smoky white veins and bronze-gold streaks | £27.99 |
| Onyx Black Marble Effect Polished Porcelain | Black marble effect | £24.99 |
| Jewel Onyx Black Polished Porcelain | Black onyx | £29.99 |
| Cosmos Black Blue Onyx Effect Polished Porcelain | Black with blue tones | £22.99 |
Prices are shown at the time of writing and stock levels change. Check each product page for live availability.
Choose Nebula when you want white veining with warm bronze-gold accents. Choose the black-and-blue design when you want a cooler tone.
Which Colours, Metals and Finishes Pair With Nebula Black Onyx?
Nebula Black Onyx pairs best with warm metals, light stone-effect surfaces and natural wood. Contrast stops a black room feeling heavy.
Listed below are pairings that work well.
- Brushed brass, copper or gold fittings: warm metal picks up the bronze-gold streaks in the tile.
- Matt black taps and frames: a tonal, minimalist scheme.
- White or ivory onyx-effect floors: a high-contrast black-and-white scheme.
- Walnut or oak vanity units: warmth that softens the black.
- Backlit or front-lit LED mirrors: lighting that brings out the veining.
- Warm white paint: a calm ceiling and upper wall above half-height tiling.
In a small bathroom, use Nebula on one or two walls rather than every surface. Keep the ceiling light and use layered lighting.
Nebula Black Onyx Questions, Answered
Is Nebula Black Onyx a real stone?
No, Nebula Black Onyx is porcelain. The onyx pattern is a surface design on a porcelain tile, so it gives the look of onyx without the care demands of natural stone.
Is 1200x600mm the same as 60x120cm?
Yes, 1200x600mm and 60x120cm are the same size. Some sellers list tiles in millimetres and others in centimetres.
Can Nebula Black Onyx be backlit?
No, Nebula Black Onyx cannot be backlit. Porcelain is opaque, so light will not pass through it the way it does through thin natural onyx.
Does Nebula Black Onyx scratch easily?
No, porcelain resists scratching well in normal home use. Grit under shoes can dull any gloss floor over time, so use entrance mats and remove grit before mopping.
Will a black polished tile make my bathroom look smaller?
It can if every surface is black and lighting is weak. Using it on a feature wall or shower wall, with a light ceiling and good lighting, makes the room feel deeper rather than smaller.
Can Nebula Black Onyx be cut with a manual tile cutter?
Yes, straight cuts can be made with a quality rail cutter that is longer than 120cm. L-shaped cuts, notches and pipe holes need a wet saw, angle grinder with a porcelain diamond blade or diamond hole saws.
Can Nebula Black Onyx be laid over existing tiles?
It can, but only when the old tiles are fully bonded, flat and able to carry the extra weight. On walls, the added load often makes stripping back to a sound substrate or backer board the better option.
Can Nebula Black Onyx be used outdoors?
No, Nebula Black Onyx is an indoor tile. Outdoor patios need thicker, textured outdoor porcelain with a high slip rating.
Is Nebula Black Onyx good for a fireplace surround?
Yes, porcelain handles the heat around a fireplace surround well. For a hearth under a stove, follow the stove manufacturer's instructions and UK Building Regulations for hearth construction.
Does Nebula Black Onyx fade in sunlight?
No, fired porcelain tiles are colour-stable and do not fade in normal indoor sunlight.
What size spacers should I use with Nebula Black Onyx?
Use 2–3mm spacers or levelling clips. Rectified edges allow narrow joints, but a small gap is still needed for grout to bond and to absorb slight size tolerances.
How long after tiling can I grout or walk on the floor?
Wait for the time printed on your adhesive bag. Standard-set adhesives usually need around 24 hours, while rapid-set adhesives can be ready in a few hours.
Can I order a Nebula Black Onyx sample?
Yes, you can order a cut sample for £1.99 or a larger 20x50cm sample for £7.99. The larger sample shows more of the veining.
How long does delivery take?
Standard pallet delivery takes 2–4 working days to UK mainland addresses. Next working day delivery is available on many orders, subject to postcode and order cut-off.
Does Nebula Black Onyx need special adhesive?
Yes, use a flexible S1 cementitious adhesive for 60x120cm porcelain. Choose a product rated for underfloor heating if the floor is heated.
Where to Go Next: Related Guides and Collections
Nebula Black Onyx sits inside a wider network of black tile, onyx-effect and large-format guides. The links below continue each topic this guide introduced.
Planning and design guides
- The black surface decisions covered above go further in black bathroom tiles: finish, format and grout choices.
- For more onyx-effect colours, trends and finish choices, read the onyx bathroom tiles trends and styling guide.
- Using onyx effect beside a hob or sink is explained in the onyx effect kitchen tiles guide.
- Nebula Black Onyx appears among other dark designs in 14 luxurious black tile bathroom marble and onyx designs.
Technical and installation guides
- The narrow joints that rectified edges allow are explained in rectified porcelain tiles: edge tolerance and visual benefits.
- Subfloor preparation, back-buttering and heated screeds are covered step by step in how to lay large format porcelain floor tiles.
- Wall load limits for heavy tiles are set out in tile weight limits for plasterboard and wet room walls.
Shop the related ranges
- Compare every onyx design in the onyx tiles collection.
- See more dark wall and floor designs in the black bathroom tiles collection.
- Browse the same format across colours in the 60x120cm large format tiles collection.
- Match the seamless black joint recommended above in the tile grout collection.
- Check live price, stock and sample options on the Nebula Black Onyx Polished Porcelain 60x120cm product page.
Last Thoughts on Nebula Black Onyx Polished Porcelain Tile
Nebula Black Onyx Polished Porcelain Tile gives a room the depth of black onyx with the practicality of porcelain. Its 60x120cm rectified format, bronze-gold veining and underfloor heating suitability make it a strong choice for bathroom walls, shower walls, splashbacks, feature walls and dry indoor floors. Its polished surface is the one limit to respect: keep it off shower floors and wet rooms, fix it to a substrate that can carry the weight and use black grout for a seamless finish. Order a sample, measure with a 10% allowance and plan the substrate first, and the tile will deliver the dramatic result it is designed for.