El Dorado Tile

Description

What are the Different Tile Types? Natural Stone, Ceramic & Porcelain Product Descriptions Marble building products are processed from blocks that are quarried all over the world. This metamorphic rock is comprised primarily of calcium carbonate and other minerals that create a wide variety of colors. Applications include floor tiles, wall tiles, vanities & other surfaces, fireplaces, columns, balustrades, water tables, steps, thresholds & windowsills. Polished Marble: High gloss finish - vivid colors. Excellent for wall and light traffic floor use. Must use grout in any installation that may be exposed to moisture or installation will eventually fail. Must use unsanded or epoxy grout to prevent scratching finish. Sealers do not penetrate well and offer little protection against etching and will not protect against abrasion. Very expensive to repolish or remove stains. Tumbled Marble: Natural looking aged finish - soft muted colors. Best choice for floors, bath and countertop use. Displays best surrounded with honed or tumbled field tile. Must use grout in any installation that may be exposed to moisture or installation will eventually fail. May use sanded grout for additional strength - excellent for outdoor applications. Accepts enhancers and sealers readily - excellent protection against etching - scratches are less obvious. Resistant to staining and easy to reseal. • • • • • • • • • • Granite is the most durable architectural building stone. This igneous rock is comprised mainly of quartz, graphite, mica and other minerals. The increasing popularity of this stone is a testament to its beauty, versatility and consistency. Used in a wide array of commercial and residential applications, granite is ideal for tile floors, walls and countertops, as well as exterior applications such as pavers and wall cladding. Granite is quarried worldwide, with the most exotic colors coming from Brazil, India, Finland, North America, China and Southern Africa. New quarries are discovered each year further enhancing color choices and keeping prices in check. • • • • • • • • • • Limestone is a sandy sedimentary rock formed closer to the earth's surface and often captures fossilized plant and animal life. Similar to marble and granite, limestone is processed for a wide range of interior and exterior building applications, including floor tiles, wall tiles, vanities & other surfaces, fireplaces, columns, balustrades, water tables, steps, thresholds & windowsills. Limestone can be polished to a high gloss finish, but is more commonly known for its honed (matte), tumbled (antique or acid washed) and natural (split face or rough) finishes, typically in more neutral tones. • • • • • • • • • • Travertine, mostly known for its porosity, is comprised primarily of calcium carbonate. Slabs and tiles are cut from blocks with the veining (regular cut) or across the veining (cross-cut). Processors of this material will market the stone as is, with the holes for a more rustic & antique look, or fill the holes with a tinted epoxy and hone or polish the surface to achieve a solid surface effect. The stone is used in a wide range of interior and exterior building applications, including floor tiles, wall tiles, vanities & other surfaces, fireplaces, columns, balustrades, water tables, steps, thresholds & windowsills. • • • • • • • • • • Slate is a fine-grained metamorphic rock that splits into thin, smooth-surfaced layers. The most common building applications for this material are floor, wall and roof tiles as well as fireplace surrounds. Tiles can be split and cut-to-size with only the natural cleft surface, or manufacturers will add value by calibrating the material to ensure a consistent thickness throughout the piece. • • • • • • • • • • Ceramic & Porcelain tiles are hard, brittle, heat-resistant products that are manufactured by firing clay and other materials. Porcelain tile is a type of ceramic tile fired from pure white clay to generate a translucent effect. The patterns of these products attempt to emulate the look of natural stone products; the prices are typically less expensive; and the color range is very consistent due to the man-made nature of the product. As a result, ceramic & porcelain tiles are an excellent alternative for the value-oriented buyer. Primary applications include floor and wall tiles, along with trim and transition (corner, wall to floor, etc.) pieces. Tile Terminology Bullnose Tiles: Trim tiles featuring one rounded edge used to finish wall installations. Decorated Tiles: Ceramic tiles that have been embellished by means of hand-painting, silk-screening, decals or other techniques. Frostproof Tiles: Tiles specifically designed by the manufacturer to withstand freeze/thaw conditions with minimal effect, hence suitable for exterior applications exposed to high humidity and low temperatures. Frost Resistance: Ability of certain tiles to withstand freeze/thaw conditions with minimal effect. Grout: Installation material used to fill the joints between tiles Matte Glaze: Glaze that produces a non-shiny finish. Moncottura Tiles: Tiles produced by the single-firing method. Also called Single-fired tiles. Glazed tiles produced by the single-firing method in which the raw tile body and gaze undergo a single pass through the kiln at high temperatures. Mortar: The setting material used to bond tiles to a given surface. Different types of mortar are suitable for different backing and conditions. Mounted Tiles: Tiles assembled into units or sheets by the manufacturer for easier installation. Porcelain Tiles: Dust-pressed ceramic tiles with water absorption levels of less than 0.5% and high mechanical and chemical characteristics. The surface of these tiles may be glazed or unglazed, polished or unpolished. Ceramic Tile FAQs Tile Ratings Among the manufacturers of ceramic tile there are certain standards that are universal. ISO Standards have been established by the International Standards Organization to unify product standards and testing methods for ceramic tiles worldwide. One of the most important of these standards is the PEI rating. The P.E.I. (Porcelain Enamel Institute) rating is a measurement of how well a ceramic tile will wear. Generally, ceramic tile manufacturers classify their products in 5 categories. They are as follows: PEI I Usually refers to tiles applicable for wall installations only PEI II Suitable for floor applications where there is very light traffic PEI III Suitable for most residential applications other than kitchens. PEI IV Suitable for all residential applications and some light commercial applications PEI V Suitable for all applications except malls, airports and transportation terminals In addition, there is a classification, U, which is given to products specifically designed for industrial applications. What is the difference between glazed and unglazed tile? Glazed tile is coated with a surface finish (glaze) fused to the body by firing at very high temperatures. Because of the ease of adding color, pattern and texture to the glaze, style, color and design are virtually unlimited. The color of unglazed tile results from the natural clay of the tile body or pigment added to the clay. The colors are more limited but because that color extends throughout the tile, wear is not visible. Unglazed tile is, therefore, an excellent choice for the most heavily trafficked areas. Will ceramic tile break or chip? Ceramic tile is more susceptible to breaking before installation than after. After proper installation, it is very difficult to break or chip tile unless it is hit with a heavy object such as a hammer having a small impact area. Structural breaks can occur if there is movement in the substrate. If damaged, individual tiles can be replaced. Is ceramic tile cold? Tile is actually the same temperature as the surrounding air. It holds warmth in a sunny room or a cooler temperature in an air conditioned or cold room. Body temperature is usually warmer than the air, and this causes tile to feel cool. Is ceramic tile slippery? Slip-resistance will vary with the type of tile. Ceramic floor tile will have about the same slip-resistance as other hard surface floors such as vinyl or wood. Naturally, if there is liquid spilled on any hard surface floor, the slip-resistance will greatly diminish. Abrasive surfaces are available on many tiles. Keep in mind that the more abrasive a tile surface is, the more difficult maintenance will be. Consider using a mat at entrances and wet areas. How durable is ceramic tile? Ceramic tile, properly installed, should last the lifetime of your home with minimum care. Tile will not show wear when used on walls; unglazed floor tile also will not show wear. Glazed floor tile is dependent on the durability of the glaze and body and the amount of traffic to which it is subjected. Most manufacturers do classify the durability of their tile. Can ceramic tile be used outdoors? There are numerous ceramic tiles that are frost-resistant and are excellent for patios, porches, pool decks, etc. Many unglazed tiles are suitable for exterior use. Their slip-resistance will be dependent on the surface texture, and slip-resistance is important! Glazed, frost-resistant tiles are recommended for vertical exterior surfaces only. The ceramic tile manufacturer will indicate if a participate type of tile is frost-resistant. A frost-resistant installation method is essential. Does ceramic tile have shade variation? As is true with other quality decorating products such as textiles, carpet, wall coverings, and wood, ceramic tile does have shade variations. Hand-crafted tiles generally have the greatest variation, and this quality contributes to their unique beauty. Samples are meant to represent the tile as adequately as possible but may vary to some degree. Be sure to inspect your tile before it is installed to determine if it meets your approval. What should I know about grout? Grout, the colored mortar between tiles, has been drastically improved in recent years. It is available in numerous colors to coordinate with your tile choice. The actual finished grout color in an installation is affected by moisture, temperature and installation techniques. Because of these variables, the installed shade may differ from a showroom sample. Choose grout color to blend rather than match. Today, there are grout formulas that contribute to stain-resistance and mildew-resistance. Good maintenance procedures that remove surface soil always improve the appearance of any ceramic tile installation. Improved sealers can assist in keeping the grout at its best. Does ceramic tile require a special floor construction? Standard floor construction of 2" x 10" floor joists spaced 16" on center with 5/8" plywood subfloor and 3/8" plywood underlayment is suitable. However, more than 20 years' experience shows that a rigid, cementitious backer board is superior to plywood as an underlayment. A clean, structurally sound concrete slab is suitable and does not require additional underlayment. Should ceramic tile be waxed? Sealer is unnecessary and should never be used on glazed tile. Sealer is often used on unglazed natural clay tile, pavers or unglazed porcelain tile. Some manufacturers of these products recommend a particular sealer. However, in most cases, a good penetrating sealer is advisable. It is usually invisible or provides a soft luster. Heavy sealers such as urethane are not recommended because of potential scaling or uneven wear. Should sealer be used on ceramic tile? The initial installed cost of ceramic tile may be higher than other finish materials. Today's improved technology, marketing and competitive pricing have decreased the margin of difference. When considering the true cost comparison, you must look at the life span of ceramic tile. Due to the fact that you probably will never have to replace your tile and the low cost and easy maintenance, ceramic tile is the least expensive of all finishes. Statistics show that an investment in ceramic tile will increase the value of your home. How does the price of ceramic tile compare with other floor coverings, wall finishes and counter tops? The initial installed cost of ceramic tile may be higher than other finish materials. Today's improved technology, marketing and competitive pricing have decreased the margin of difference. When considering the true cost comparison, you must look at the life span of ceramic tile. Due to the fact that you probably will never have to replace your tile and the low cost and easy maintenance, ceramic tile is the least expensive of all finishes. Statistics show that an investment in ceramic tile will increase the value of your home. Ceramic Tile Care

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