| Ceramic tile has been used for centuries in some of our most beautiful buildings and works of art. In recent years we have seen its popularity grow in the United States. Ceramic tile is beautiful, durable and easy to maintain. Size, shape, color, design, and texture are so varied that the creative possibilities are unlimited. | |
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| What is the difference between glazed and unglazed tile? | |
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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. - RETURN TO TOP - |
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| Will ceramic tile break or chip? | |
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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. - RETURN TO TOP - |
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| Will tile be slippery, cold, or hard on my back/ legs/ feet? | |
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Slip resistance varies with the type of tile. Textured or unglazed tiles can be more slip resistant than glazed tiles but a glazed tile surface would not be more slippery than other hard surface floors i.e. vinyl or hardwood. Slip resistance is greatly diminished on both glazed and unglazed tile when liquids are present. A mat is advisable in any area where water or other liquids could be present on the floor. Tile holds the temperature of the room, which is cooler than our body temperature so it feels cold to the touch. Nuheat or Laticrete floor warming systems are available to keep the floors at a comfortable temperature year round. Standing for long periods of time on any hard surface can be uncomfortable. A soft mat placed in an area where you stand for long periods of time would help and also absorb any liquids spilled.- RETURN TO TOP - |
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| 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. Rating O: Walls Only Rating 1: Light Traffic (residential
bathroom floors) and Counter Tops
>
Rating 2: Medium-Light Traffic
(residential interior floors except kitchens, stairs, landings, and
entranceways) Rating 3: Medium-Heavy Traffic (all
residential areas and commercial areas with similar traffic) Rating 4: Heavy Traffic (all residential
and most commercial areas)
Rating 5: Heaviest Duty Traffic (all
residential and commercial areas) - RETURN TO TOP - |
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| Can tile be used outdoors? | |
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There are
numerous porcelain and quarry tiles
that are frost-resistant and are excellent for patios, porches, pool
decks, etc. 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 tile manufacturer will
indicate if a particular type of tile is frost-resistant. A
frost-resistant installation method is essential. - RETURN TO TOP - |
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| Does ceramic tile have shade variation? | |
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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. - RETURN TO TOP - |
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| Will a larger size tile make small spaces look bigger? | |
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This is a
personal design perception. Larger tiles are being used in all size
rooms. Large tiles can help to make a space feel larger because it less
busy with fewer grout joints. -- RETURN TO TOP - |
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| Does ceramic tile require special floor construction? | |
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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. - RETURN TO TOP - |
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| What is the difference between ceramic and porcelain tile? | |
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The term “ceramic tile” is often used as a generic name for all types of tile. But the composition of true ceramic is very different from that of the other types. Ceramic is made primarily of clay mixed with various minerals and water. This composition is then processed with heat to create the solidified product. Since ceramic material is porous, the top surface is usually sealed with a glaze. Glazed ceramic tile is very durable, and when properly installed and cared for, it will last longer than any non-tile material used for the same purpose. It is also one of the easiest surfaces to clean, and because of its composition, it will not absorb odors, nor support allergens or bacteria. When coated with a Grade III or higher glaze, ceramic tile is highly resistant to scratching and moisture. Another important feature is that it will not burn, emit toxic fumes or scorch. The primary ingredient in the composition of true porcelain tile is finely ground sand. Unlike ceramic, processing of the porcelain composition involves pressure and extremely high temperature. The end result is a very dense, glass-like material with a water absorption rate of less than .5 %. Because of its density and composition of natural ingredients, porcelain tile has all the same excellent qualities of glazed ceramic. Recently, porcelain had experienced a surge in popularity due to a statement sometimes made by salespeople. They tell consumers that porcelain tiles are the same color all the way through. This may have once been true, but the new design creations have led to the addition of a design layer. Like glazed ceramic, the top surface of some porcelain tile is glazed to produce a specific colored finish.
When comparing price
and durability, there is little difference between ceramic and porcelain
tile. Expensive and inexpensive styles are available in both types, and
under normal circumstances, there would be no noticeable difference in
wear between the two. |
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| Should ceramic tile be waxed? | |
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Do not wax glazed ceramic tile.
Your tile is more durable than wax and will become more beautiful with
regular minimal maintenance. A small amount of neutral detergent in warm
water plus a clean rinse are suggested. - RETURN TO TOP - |
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| When do I seal tile and how often? | |
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Glazed tile
generally does not require a sealer. There are some specialty glazes
that manufacturers suggest the use of a penetrating sealer. Aqua Mix
has recommended sealers for all types of unglazed tiles and natural
stone. Expected wear depends on the product and ranges from 1 to 15
years. - RETURN TO TOP - |
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| What should I know about grout? | |
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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 and different features, so you can choose one that best suit your lifestyle. You can check out the three levels of grout systems available from Laticrete. SpectraLock Pro GroutSpectraLock Pro offers the highest performance, color uniformity, durability and stain resistance of epoxy grout. Inhibits the growth of stain-causing mold and mildew in the grout joints with Microban antimicrobial product protection Uniform color-no blotchiness or shading Easy to maintain, cleanable to the original color Stain resistant, no need for topical sealers Tough, durable and crack resistant Outperforms cement based grout High fashion with Dazzle component A component of the Laticrete 15 year residential warranty and Laticrete 10 year system warranty Greenguard certified for better indoor air quality> Use on floors and walls, both interior and exterior> 40 Lifestyle colors PermaColor Grout (for grout joints 1/16" to 1/2") PermaColor offers the maximum performance available in a cement-based grout, providing consistent color and Microban to resist stain-causing mold and mildew. It is Ideal for floors and walls in both interior and exterior installations.
Consistent color-no blotchiness resists
efflorescence
Stain-resistant
Equipped with Microban
Strong and durable cement based grout-resists
cracking and powdering
A component of the Laticrete 15 year
residential warranty and Laticrete 10 year system warranty
Greenguard certified for better indoor air
quality
Kevlar Reinforced-exclusive feature provides
superior strength for a cement-based grout
Ideal for floors and walls
40 Lifestyle colors
Sealer will improve stain-resistance. 1600 Unsanded Grout (for narrow grout joints 1/8" or less)
Excellent for wet and dry areas
Easy Maintenance
Available in 30 non-fading colors
Should be sealed to improve stain-resistance
Interior and exterior use
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| What should I use to seal my grout and how long will the sealer last? | |
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We recommend
Aqua Mix Grout Sealer. The expected wear is up to 5 years
depending on the maintenance products used, type of area, the use of
harsh cleaning methods and exposure to extreme weather conditions. - RETURN TO TOP - |
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| Is textured tile harder to clean and what do I use to clean floor and wall tiles? | |
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Glazed
textured tiles are impervious, so dirt remains on the surface for ease
of maintenance. Unglazed textured tiles have a tendency to grab dirt
because of their slip resistant feature making cleaning more
challenging. We recommend Aqua Mix products, which can be purchased through your flooring dealer or tile contractor. - RETURN TO TOP - |
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| How does ceramic tile price compare with other floor coverings and wall finishes? | |
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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. - RETURN TO TOP - |
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