Ceramic Tile & Natural Stone Products
CERAMIC TILE
The definition of ceramic tile:
Ceramic tile is a mixture of clays which have been shaped and fired at extremely high temperatures, resulting in a hard body. This hard body may then be left untreated or it may receive a glazed wear layer. In its most basic form, ceramic tile is clay with colored glass coating packaged in a box.
DURABILITY OF CERAMIC TILE:
(P.E.I. WEAR RATING SYSTEM)
To avoid choosing the wrong ceramic tile product, consult the following P.E.I. guide (used by most manufacturers) to rate the durability of each tile.
P.E.I. WEAR RATING
Group I
Tile suitable only for residential and/or commercial walls.
This tile group is Not suitable and/or recommended for foot traffic.
Group II
Tile suited for general light residential traffic, except kitchens, entrance halls, and other areas subjected to continuous foot traffic.
Group III
Tile suited for all residential and light commercial areas such as offices, reception areas and boutiques.
Group IV
Tiles suited for residential, medium commercial and light institutional applications such as restaurants, hotels, hospital lobbies and corridors.
Group V
Tiles suitable for heavy traffic, both residential and heavy commercial applications such airports, malls and subways.
N0TE - the letters P.E.I. stand for Porcelain Enamel Institute.
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The P.E.I. ratings are derived from a combination of tests that not only address the physical wear of the glaze surface itself, but also include a visual wear of the glaze surface appearance after the test.
The wear ratings are normally listed on tile packaging labels & product literature.
Facts About the Clay Body:
The clay body, called bisque, is made up of various types of clay and other minerals. Combined, these raw materials give the bisque its strength and stability.
Its density also determines the strength of the bisque as it relates to the water absorption level. The strongest bisques (those suited for heavy commercial installations) have the smallest and fewest number of air pockets which, in turn, will affect the over all water absorption, breaking strength, and impact resistance of the finished product. The density of the clay also determines if the tile is or is not suitable for outdoor use.
Tile density is measured by the amount of water it absorbs.
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Non -vitreous Tiles - absorb 7% or more of its body weight in water. They are suited for indoor use only and considered to be non-frost resistant.
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Semi -vitreous Tiles - absorb between 3% to 7% of its body weight in water. They are suited for indoor use only and considered to be non-frost resistant.
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Vitreous Tiles - absorb between 0.5% to 3% of its body weight in water. They are suited for both interior and exterior applications (covered and/or non-heated rooms not exposed to standing water) and considered to be frost resistant.
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Impervious Tiles - are the strongest. They absorb between 0 and 0.5% of their weight in water.
Suited for both interior and exterior use and considered to be frost resistant. (NOT FREEZE PROOF). However, be aware of the C.O.F. (stands for coefficient of friction and means the slip resistance factor) when deciding on the use of these types of tile products in exterior applications.
PORCELAIN TILE
Porcelain tiles are ceramic tiles with a water absorption rate of less than 0.5 percent that are used to cover floors and walls. They can either be unglazed or glazed..
The hardness of the tile is rated from zero to five according to the ASTM C1027 (or ISO 10545-7) test for surface abrasion resistance of glazed tile. This rating, (sometimes mistakenly called the PEI rating) determines the tiles suitability for various end use conditions.
Large scale production of porcelain tile is undertaken in many countries, with the major producers being China, Spain, Italy and Turkey.
Porcelain Tile is also a very common trend in tile installation. There are many different styles of porcelain tiles on the market and they have proved to outperform ceramic tile in durability and looks.
GRANITE TILE & GRANITE COUNTERTOPS
Granite characteristics include strength and durability. This unique and elegant natural stone is one of the oldest, hardest, and strongest stones available. A truly beautiful natural stone with hundreds of colors and patterns to choose from. Granite symbolizes strength and longevity. The looks obtained from using this stone are versatile. From an unassuming elegance to a bold "look at me" statement. There are hundreds of different granites available.
The term granite is derived from the Latin word granum meaning grain. It is full of small and large grains of crystals. This stone starts out as a molten mass of magma and then forms into the rock granite as this magma cools... usually over millions of years.
Granite Countertops
Marble Tile & Marble Countertops
Marble is simply beautiful and elegant. Nothing matches its stunning allure. Marble is stone that has been transformed from limestone. As marble ages, it picks up fossils such as corals and incorporates them into its final makeup.
Marble is quarried in large chunks, cut from the surrounding rock and brought to mills where the stone product can be further processed. The largest slabs possible are sawn first, then smaller slabs, and finally marble tiles, which are cut in several sizes, most often 12 inches square and about a half inch thick.
Many varieties of marble tiles contain weaknesses called "faults." Faults run through the stone in random directions and at times appear to be veining. Often, these imperfections are filled with tinted resins before the tiles receive their final polishing at the factory.
Some marble tiles are so inherently weak that fiberglass mesh is attached to their backs to strengthen them.
Marble tile is soft and it will scratch easily. It should not be used in areas of high traffic in the home. What starts out as a very elegant floor can become a dismal eyesore in very short order. Marble floors will also oxidize if not regularly cleaned and polished. Marble installed in practical spaces delivers a beautiful natural stone appearance.
Marble Countertops
TRAVERTINE TILE
Travertines are chalky, limestone-like rocks. Found in the earth’s crust, its unique look and qualities are derived from thermal springs of water which are forced up and through it by geologic pressures. This water washes out any weaker materials, leaving the bubbly, miniature swiss cheese look behind. Sometimes silica will collect and grow in the holes, which creates a crystal formation.
These stones are usually found with a honed finish in slabs or a tumbled finish in small tiles. In larger travertine tiles, they may be tumbled or square cut. Sometimes the voids are filled and then the tile is honed, but it is much more common to find the cavities left open to add texture and visual interest.
Travertine tile works very well for backsplashes and bathroom countertops, as well as tub decks or shower interiors. It’s not recommended for kitchen countertops, because it is slightly more fragile than granite and tends to stain more easily. Travertines get sealed, just like any other natural stone, and require re-sealing occasionally throughout their lifetimes.
Usually found in colors ranging from light cream to dark cocoa browns to yellow golds and light greens, travertine tiles usually (but not always) tend towards the neutral color zone.
SLATE TILE
The use of slate tiles in interior design has become very popular in recent years. They're frequently used in kitchens for floors and backsplashes, and in bathrooms for floors, walls, and shower stalls. They're also commonly used in foyers. One of the great things about slate is that it's a natural material and can be used either indoors or out.
Slate Tile Characteristics
Slate tiles come in many sizes, shades, and textures. They're usually square and measure anywhere from 12 to 24 inches square.
There are other sizes as well but these are the most common.
The thickness of slate varies but tiles are typically a quarter of an inch thick. They can however be larger and can get as big as three
quarters of an inch thick.
Slate is a fine grained metamorphic stone formed from clay mud; composed of sediments of decomposed stone and organic matter
that has been hardened by heat and pressure. Since the geological process varies greatly, slates range quite a bit in hardness and porosity.
Slate characteristics vary with source. It may be black, green or mottled and is relatively dense. Many imported slates are available today with
wide ranging physical characteristics and overall suitability. The stone differs in density, tensile strength, absorbency and abrasion resistance.
Glass Tile - Metal Tile - Mosaic Tile
Metal Tile & Glass Tile are generally used in smaller spaces or incorporated as accents to provide highly extravagant decorative design. You can let your tile imagination run wild with these decorative design elements.