TILE PRODUCTS

Tile FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions on Tile

How is Ceramic Tile different from Porcelain Tile?
The only difference between Porcelain tile and regular Ceramic tile is that the clay used in porcelain tile is more highly refined and purified. Consequently, porcelain tiles are denser than a standard ceramic tile.

“Ceramic” or non-porcelain tiles are generally made from red or white clay fired in a kiln. They are almost always finished with a durable glaze which carries the color and pattern. These tiles are used in both wall tile and floor tile applications, are softer and easier to cut than porcelain, and usually carry a PEI 0 to 3 rating. Non-porcelain ceramic tiles are usually suitable for very light to moderate traffic and generally have a relatively high water absorption rating making them less frost resistant and they are more prone to wear and chipping than porcelain tiles.

Porcelain tile is a tile that is generally made by the dust pressed method from porcelain clays which result in a tile that is dense, impervious, fine grained and smooth, with a sharply formed face. Porcelain tiles usually have a much lower water absorption rate (less than 0.5%) than non-porcelain tiles making them frost resistant or frost-proof. Glazed porcelain tiles are much harder and more wear and damage resistant than non-porcelain ceramic tiles, making them suitable for any application from light traffic to the heaviest residential and light commercial traffic. Full body porcelain tiles carry the color and pattern through the entire thickness of the tile making them virtually impervious to wear and are suitable for any application from residential to the highest traffic commercial or industrial applications. Porcelain tiles are available in matte, unglazed or a high polished finish.

Is Porcelain really stronger then Ceramic tile?
Ceramic tile is constructed using red, brown or white clay. Most porcelain tile, however, is constructed using white clay.  As a result of being made from more refined clay, porcelain tiles are more rugged making them ideal for harsher applications such as commercial or outdoor flooring. Also, because of their higher density, porcelain tiles are less likely to absorb moisture (0.5%) which makes them more durable and more resistant to staining. Porcelain tiles are frequently found in floor applications, outdoor areas, and in cold weather climates where freezing can occur. With their low absorption capability they are less likely to crack in cold weather climates.

Porcelain tile costs a little more than the traditional, more porous, standard clay tile; however prices in general have been coming down in recent years for ceramic tile.

What are the advantages of porcelain tile?
The wide range of colours and textures and an accurate recreation of the look of natural stones, granites, slates, travertines, limestones, marbles, quartzites, terracottas and even woods and metals, combined with the low maintenance of ceramics and the technical properties of a hard-wearing material which is resistant to all weather conditions, chemical attack, scratches, stains, fading, heavy loads and fire.

Do I need to use a sealer on Ceramic or Porcelain Tile?
Glazed Ceramic Tile and Porcelain Tiles do not need to be sealed.  Most unglazed tiles DO need to be sealed, but always see the manufacturers recommendations for that tile.  Natural Stones such as Marble, Granite and Limestone DO need to be sealed before grouting.

What is Ceramic Tile?
Ceramic tiles are made up of clay and quartz ferrous sand materials, along with water. Once the tiles are formed they are fired to high temperatures and in some cases their surfaces are glazed.

How is Ceramic Tile different from Porcelain Tile?
The only difference between Porcelain tile and regular Ceramic tile is that the clay used in porcelain tile is more highly refined and purified. Consequently, porcelain tiles are denser than a standard ceramic tile.

“Ceramic” or non-porcelain tiles are generally made from red or white clay fired in a kiln. They are almost always finished with a durable glaze which carries the color and pattern. These tiles are used in both wall tile and floor tile applications, are softer and easier to cut than porcelain, and usually carry a PEI 0 to 3 rating. Non-porcelain ceramic tiles are usually suitable for very light to moderate traffic and generally have a relatively high water absorption rating making them less frost resistant and they are more prone to wear and chipping than porcelain tiles.

Porcelain tile is a tile that is generally made by the dust pressed method from porcelain clays which result in a tile that is dense, impervious, fine grained and smooth, with a sharply formed face. Porcelain tiles usually have a much lower water absorption rate (less than 0.5%) than non-porcelain tiles making them frost resistant or frost-proof. Glazed porcelain tiles are much harder and more wear and damage resistant than non-porcelain ceramic tiles, making them suitable for any application from light traffic to the heaviest residential and light commercial traffic. Full body porcelain tiles carry the color and pattern through the entire thickness of the tile making them virtually impervious to wear and are suitable for any application from residential to the highest traffic commercial or industrial applications. Porcelain tiles are available in matte, unglazed or a high polished finish.

Is Porcelain really stronger then Ceramic tile?
Ceramic tile is constructed using red, brown or white clay. Most porcelain tile, however, is constructed using white clay.  As a result of being made from more refined clay, porcelain tiles are more rugged making them ideal for harsher applications such as commercial or outdoor flooring. Also, because of their higher density, porcelain tiles are less likely to absorb moisture (0.5%) which makes them more durable and more resistant to staining. Porcelain tiles are frequently found in floor applications, outdoor areas, and in cold weather climates where freezing can occur. With their low absorption capability they are less likely to crack in cold weather climates.

Porcelain tile costs a little more than the traditional, more porous, standard clay tile; however prices in general have been coming down in recent years for ceramic tile.

What is the difference between wall and floor tile?
Ceramic tile comes in either glazed or unglazed surfaces. The glazed surfaces are like glass and are best used on walls as they are too slippery for floor applications. Glazed ceramic tiles are also a little more susceptible to cracking.
When selecting any ceramic tile it is important to look at the PEI factor. This is the scratch resistance factor.
In our showroom we rate tiles form 1 to 5.  As follows:
1= is ideal for walls.
2= is best for bathrooms and kitchens.
3= is appropriate for all residential applications
4 and 5= are applicable for commercial and heavy commercial applications, respectively.

Do I need to use a sealer on Ceramic or Porcelain Tile?
Glazed Ceramic Tile and Porcelain Tiles do not need to be sealed.  Most unglazed tiles DO need to be sealed, but always see the manufacturers recommendations for that tile.  Natural Stones such as Marble, Granite and Limestone DO need to be sealed before grouting.

Can ceramic tile be used outdoors?
To be used outdoors, the tile must be frostproof and unglazed for floor use. Make sure the absorption rate is 0.5% or less.  This also depends on what area you live in.

What are the benefits of Tile over other floor coverings?
There a re many benefits.
Tile is:
Safe – slip resistant
Non-conductive – will not produce a shock
An aid to insulation
Mechanically, one of the strongest surfacing materials
Ceramic tile improves air quality
Tile will not absorb odors.  Therefore, smoke, paint fumes or other contaminants do not linger.
There are generally no fibers, gases or toxic by-products when installing ceramic tile.
Tile is chemically inert and inhibits the growth of mold, fungus and other viruses.
Reduction in allergies, improved air quality
 

What is the difference between glazed and full-body tiles?

Glazed tiles are coated with a liquid glass, which is then baked into the surface of the clay. The glaze provides an unlimited array of colors and designs as well as protects the tile from staining. The unglazed tiles are pretty much the same as the glazed tile, except that their surface is not coated. Full-body porcelain tiles do not show wear because their color extends throughout the tile, making them ideal for commercial applications.

How does Ceramic and Porcelain Tile effect the Environment?
Manufacturer recycling of production energy and waste materials, non landfill burdening.  Renewable, plentiful raw material

Are ceramic products more or less expensive than other flooring materials?
Ceramic tile prices are competitive, especially if you take into account more than just the initial expenditure: adding up the cost of materials, installation, maintenance and possible repairs or replacements, ceramic tiles are the most economic material for floor, wall and façade covering.

What is the difference between wall and floor tile?
Ceramic tile comes in either glazed or unglazed surfaces. The glazed surfaces are like glass and are best used on walls as they are too slippery for floor applications. Glazed ceramic tiles are also a little more susceptible to cracking.
When selecting any ceramic tile it is important to look at the PEI factor. This is the scratch resistance factor.
In our showroom we rate tiles form 1 to 5.  As follows:
1= is ideal for walls.
2= is best for bathrooms and kitchens.
3= is appropriate for all residential applications
4 and 5= are applicable for commercial and heavy commercial applications, respectively.
 

What are the advantages of glazed ceramics?
The beauty and variety of colours, of designs and of decorations made available by glazed tiles has always been one of the most valued qualities of ceramic products in general. The glaze also makes cleaning easier and hygienically more effective.
Glazed porcelain tile combines the aesthetical qualities and the ease of maintenance of ceramic tiles with the durability and surface hardness of its vitrified porcelain body, suitable for both commercial and domestic applications, indoors as well as outdoors.

Steam Rooms

Q: I need a tile for a steam room. Can I use tumbled stone? What kind of tile should I have for the ceiling of the steamroom? What would be the differences among ceramic / porcelain / tumbled stone for use in a steam room?

A: When tiling a steam room there are definitely tiles that are better suited than others for the extreme conditions present in such a space. Unfortunately one of those products would not be a tumbled or natural stone. These tiles (which would include marble, travertine, limestone, granite, and slate) are too absorptive to be recommended for use in an area where the goal is to create a lot of moisture. You would essentially be allowing moisture to enter the stone and leaving a space ideal for the growth of mold and mildew. Even sealed these products are not the best choice for a steam room. 

We would recommend a porcelain or ceramic tile. These tiles present a lower absorption rate than natural stone therefore would hold up the better under these conditions. These tiles could be used on every surface of the steam shower including the ceiling. Many of ceramic and porcelain tiles have a look meant to replicate that of tumbled stone and would be a good alternative to real stone. 

As far as the differences between ceramic and porcelain, porcelain is generally considered a slightly more durable tile because it is made of a harder material than ceramic. In some cases a porcelain tile can also be installed with a very narrow grout joint, which could be considered favorable due to the high moisture content in a steam shower. Both ceramic and porcelain would be very good choices in your application.

Tile to Resurface Porch in Ohio

Q: What is best to resurface a cement porch in central Ohio - slate, porcelain, quartzite or perhaps something else?

A: There are a handful of tiles that are approved for exposed areas in Ohio due the slip resistance required and the durability of the tile necessary to hold up to our freeze thaw during cold months. You could go with a quarry paver tile, which has a look and texture similar to terra cotta or even a smooth brick. Another option is Quarry Pavers such as manufacturers like Seneca to get a better idea of the aesthetic of this option. You will want to look for the products called unglazed Quarry Pavers. 

Another direction you could go would be a porcelain tile called Weatherstone from the manufacturer Crossville. The Weatherstone series is available in what is called an “XT” finish which is intended for use in exterior settings. The tile has a lot of range in color and is intended to have an installed look similar to that of natural slate.

The last option we would suggest would be to use a natural slate, but one that is a little different than what most people associate with slate. It is a Vermont Slate and does not have the range of color or clefted texture of a more traditional slate. This material is fairly consistent from piece to piece and has a pretty smooth texture.

Marble Tiles     

Q: Do you carry Marble tile in 12x12? Does marble have matching bullnose?

A: We do carry a marble called French Vanilla.  We actually have access to that stone from 2 different manufacturers although we do not show it in our showroom. 

In regards to the BN, there is not a BN for this tile.  That is usually the case with natural stone.  There is no different color tile body to cover like there is with ceramic tile so technically a BN is not necessary.  What most people do with an exposed edge is have a slab manufacturer polish the edge so that it matches the surface of the marble. We offer a bullnosing service also. You could also apply some stone enhancer to the exposed edge so that the color of the marble matched the surface of the marble.  This will not produce a polished finish like the surface has, but will eliminate the dusty white finish prevalent on the unfinished edges of the tile.

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