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Ceramic & Porcelain tiles
Tile is:
- Environmentally friendly—Tile is manufactured using natural materials and does not retain odors, allergens, or bacteria; environmentally-friendly adhesives are available.
- Versatile—Ceramic tiles come in a huge range of sizes, colors, shapes, and textures, glazed or unglazed. They can be used inside and out, on floors, walls, counters—however your imagination dictates.
- Durable—properly installed and cared for, tile will outlast most other floors. (See the durability chart for tile rating comparisons)
- Easy care—Glazed tile resists stains, odors, and dirt; clean with a damp mop or common household cleaners.
- Scratch Resistant—Tiles rated at a PEI grade of IV and V have exceptionally hard surfaces (See the durability chart for tile rating comparisons)
- Fire Resistant—Tiles don’t burn or melt, they don’t emit toxic fumes, and they resist scorching.
- Water Resistant—Tiles are rated by their resistance to water; those rated Impervious or Non-Vitreous mean you needn’t worry about puddles and spills. Impervious tiles can be used outdoors with little fear of freeze damage.
Tile
- Stain & scratch resistant
- Perfect with radiant heat
- Fire resistant
- Durable
- Easy to clean
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Ceramic tile is a natural product made up of clay, a number of other naturally-occurring minerals, and water. Once formed into tiles, the clay is kiln-fired at very high temps. It may be glazed (shiny or matte) or left unglazed. Porcelain is a type of ceramic; its exceptional durability comes from its density which limits water absorption and enhances strength and scratch resistance. Porcelain also can be glazed or unglazed. Glazed tiles tend to look more vibrant and are somewhat easier to clean, whereas unglazed tiles are a bit more slip-resistant and can seem a little warmer since they absorb rather than reflect light.
When tiles are passed twice through the firing process, they are called “double fired.” Because the resulting tile is not terribly durable, this process is used mainly for decorative wall tiles. Tiles for floors, exteriors, and building facades are “single fired”—the body and any glazing are fired together in one pass through the kiln at a temperature around 2200 degrees. This produces a denser, stronger tile and a tougher glaze.
Tile is rated for scratch resistance using the MOHS Test (values from 1 to 10) with 10 being the most resistant to scratching. A rating of 1 to 4 indicates a tile best used in residential light traffic areas or on walls; for residential floor a rating of 5 or higher is best. For commercial use, look for tiles with a rating of 7 or higher. Wearability, or overall durability, is often measured by a value set by the Porcelain Enamel Institute on a scale of 1 to 5. See our durability ratings chart for a quick reference comparison.
In addition to the wide range of shapes, finishes, and sizes, tiles are available as single tiles or in multi-tile laminate panels. Thus, installation of even a fairly large floor can be a D-I-Y project, without extensive prep-work or need for mastics.
