This section is to try and answer some questions you might have concerning the selection, use and care of tile.

Ceramic Tile Floors-Care and Cleaning

Care - If unglazed, seal with special sealer. If glazed, seal mortar between tiles. If not sealed or glazed, it can be stained by grease. Glazed tile is easily scratched like porcelain enamel.

Cleaning - The best and easiest way to clean a ceramic tile floor is to scrub it with an electric floor washer or polisher-scrubber. The thorough cleaning action should brighten the tile and joints. Use a solution of 1/4 cup low-sudsing detergent, or 1-2 tablespoons of either washing soda or tri-sodium phosphate or commercial floor cleaning powder in 1 gallon water. Rinse well.

When further treatment is needed, particularly for the grout, apply a solution of water and chlorine bleach (liquid or powdered). Let it stand for 20 minutes or so, then mop the floor, rinse thoroughly and wipe dry. Then wax the floor for protection and easier care.

A mixture of clays that are pressed into shape and fired at high temperatures which gives the tile it’s hardness. The bisque, or body, of ceramic tile may then be glazed, or left unglazed depending on it’s intended use

Types

Glazed – The most common style today in floor and wall tiles, as well as for residential and commercial applications. A liquid glass is applied to the body of the tile and fired at high temperatures. The glazing becomes hard and non-porous resulting in a flooring that is:

Scratch Resistant
Fire Resistant
Doesn’t Fade from Sun Light
Slip Resistant
Easy to Clean

Shiny glazes are softer, can be scratched easier, and can be slippery than the satin or rustic finishes.

Unglazed – There is no glazing or any other coating applied to the tile. Their color is the same on the face of the tile as it is on the back resulting in very durable tiles that do not show the effects of heavy traffic. The most common unglazed tiles are the red quarry tiles or the granite looking porcelain ceramic tiles used in heavy commercial areas.

Tile Density – As the weight or the density increase it becomes a stronger tile.

Moisture Absorption – As the density increases the amount of moisture that a tile can absorb becomes less.

Tile density and moisture absorption have an indirect relationship to each other. Tile density and moisture absorption are important to understand when selecting the tiles for different applications.

Non-Vitreous Tiles – tiles that absorb 7% or more moisture. Suited for indoor use only.

Semi-Vitreous Tiles – tiles that absorb from 3% to 7% moisture. Suited for indoor use only.

Vitreous Tiles – tiles that absorb less that 3% moisture. Referred to as frost resistant tiles but can not be used in exterior areas where freeze thaw conditions could cause tile cracking.

Impervious Tiles – tiles that have less than .5% moisture absorption. These tiles are frost proof and can be used in exterior areas or on the outside of building facades.

Bicottura - It is an Italian word meaning "double fired". The clay body is fired on the first pass through the kiln, and the glaze is applied and fired on the second pass through the kiln. This process is only being used today for decorative wall tile products.

Monocottura – It is an Italian word meaning, "single fired". The tile passes through the firing process one time at a temperature of 2200 degrees. Monocuttura tiles have denser bodies and harder glazes than Bicottura tiles.

The color of the body is determined by the color of the clay used by the manufacturer that is available in their geographic region. Look at the body of the tile to see if the color is red or white. The quality of the tile is more related to the quality of the manufacturer not the color of the body.

Bullnose – This is the most used trim shape for wall tile installations. Wall tile bullnose is sometimes referred to as surface cap. It has one rounded finished edge on the tile and can be used horizontally or vertically.

Corner Bullnose – It has two rounded finished edges on the tile to be used to complete the corner where the horizontal and vertical bullnose meet. Generally you use only 2 – 3 pieces for a bathtub enclosure.

Stack-on Cove Base – This cove base provides a coving on the bottom and a flat edge on top to continue with more wall tile up the wall.

Rounded Top Cove Base – This cove base has a rounded finished top like bullnose and is used as a cove base in areas that will not have wall tile installed above it.

The above trims are the most commonly used. There are many other specialty trims available that will only confuse you. Your tile installer will be able to look at your installation and know what trims will be needed.

Some manufacturers do not provide trim pieces for their products. There are many other ways to finish off the job; Corian, Marble, Granite, Wood, Metal and plastic trim accessories.

Bullnose – It has one rounded finished edge on the tile to give a nice finishing touch. Sometimes it is also used as a substitute for cove base.

Corner Bullnose – It has two rounded finished edges on the tile to be used to complete a corner.

Sanitary Cove Base – It has a rounded finished top like a bullnose to cover up the body of the tile..

BACK TO TOP OF PAGE