The answer I give usually is a question. Where are you installing? Floor? Wall? Backsplash? Patio?
People have no idea what ceramic tile to use on a wall, floor or outside patio. Customer enjoy it when a person explains what tile to use for their design projects.
Helping someone make a decision that will put their mind at ease and knowing they have made a good selection of ceramic tile for their design project is a very rewarding experience for me .
Porcelain tile has been the "in thing" over the last few years. That is all well and good if by looking at a ceramic tile we could tell the difference between a porcelain or non-porcelain tile. The general assumption is if the tile is not a porcelain, it is called a ceramic tile. That assumption is correct.
Ceramic tiles are made from red clay and some from white clay. Red body tiles are easy to identify, where as white body tile are almost impossible to tell if it is porcelain or not.
Here is where the word of the tile manufacturer comes into play. Reputable tile manufacturers mark the tile boxes "porcelain" if they are porcelain.
The better ones, such as Dal-tile(R), Marazzi(R), Crossville(R), Porcelanosa(R), Emser(R) to name a few, label their tile porcelain if they are and ceramic if the tile is non-porcelain.
Porcelain tiles have a much lower water absorption rate than a ceramic tile. This is because they very dense. These tile are baked at temperatures from 1800 degrees for a surface colorered tile to 2200 degrees for a color through or thru body tile. Thru body procelains have the same color from front to back, thus a chip will not show as much as a tile that has only a surface coloring.
Procelain tiles can be used outside in climates where the temperatures get below 32 degrees. They are called frost resistent.
The density of a porcelain tile makes it suitable for residental and light commercial use. It is great to use on a patio that is exposed to the elements. Water will not damage it.
Ceramic and porcelain tiles are wear rated by the Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI). This system of rating tiles is approved by the American Society of Testing and Materials (ATSM).
They are as follows:
PEI 1 Rating (Not hard enough to walk on) Use on walls only.
PEI 2 Rating (Light traffic) Use on wall and bathroom floors only. A word of caution. the larger the tile, 6x6 8x8 on the floor may crack with prolonged foot traffic.
PEI 3 Rating (Light to moderate traffic) Use on kitchen and bath countertops, walls and floors where foot traffic is not heavy. (Residental)
PEI 4 Rating (Moderate to heavy traffic) Use in residental, medium commercial and light institutional.
PEI 5 Rating (Heavy to very heavy traffic) Use in all residential plus heavy commercial (malls, airports) and institutional application. (prisions).
Porcelain tiles, with a PEI 5 rating means they are very resistant to chipping or cracking.
Ceramic and porcelain tiles add value to a residential property. The investment in tile in a home, will greatly add to the asking price for a home when it is sold.
One of the best benefits for a homeowner is the low cost of maintaining tile floors. Ease of care with tile assures a homeowner of a relaxed lifestyle.
Ceramic tiles have been used for several centuries to carve beautiful works of art and as unique decorative pieces. The origin of the term ‘ceramic tile’ can be traced back to the ancient Greeks. The word ‘ceramic’ is derived from the Greek word ‘keramos’, which means pottery. Ceramic tiles are made from thin layers of fired clay, ergo the reference to pottery. The process of making ceramic tiles is more complex than that of normal tiles. In earlier times, wooden moulds were filled with clay and dried. After the drying process, these clay slabs were shaved flat and then fired in a kiln under high temperature, to harden the tile body and create the glazed surface. The modern day method of making ceramic tiles is a lot more advanced. Processes such as ‘dust-pressing’ have mechanized the art of making ceramic tiles and enabled mass production in the same.
Ceramic floor tiles are fast replacing the common tiles as well as marble and wood flooring. The reasons for this are numerous. Apart from their aesthetic beauty, ceramic floor tiles tend to be more durable than other tiles. This is because they are baked in a high temperature kiln for a prolonged period of time. Moreover, ceramic floor tiles are stain resistant, scratch resistant and are immune to fading. One of the main factors that make ceramic floor tiles a popular choice is their slip resistant property, making them ideal in places where there are children and aged people. Ceramic floor tiles typically fall into two broad categories, glazed and unglazed. The glazed tiles are a popular choice in homes, as they tend to be more decorative. The unglazed variety is more durable and is used in commercial areas where there is heavy traffic.
Remodelling your floors with ceramic tiles will create the look and feel you are after, whether it's in your kitchen, dining room, or entrance way. In fact, most remodelling experts recommend ceramic tiling in areas of the home that suffer from the wear and tear of high use. These areas are the entrance, kitchen and dining areas, patios, showers, and bathrooms. Ceramic tiles are the perfect flooring choice for these areas because they are durable. Ceramic tiles also have the added advantage of being easily cleaned. Of course, ceramic tiles are not only durable and practical choices, they are also stylish choices that can accommodate most decorative themes.
When choosing ceramic tiles as a flooring option, one needs to look out for a number of factors. Ceramic floor tiles not only come in a variety of designs but also in several shapes, sizes and thickness. Ceramic tiles with a bright, glazed surface tend to be more slippery than the non-glazed variety. Hence the right ones must be picked, depending on their usage. Other factors that might be considered during selection are the size and thickness of the tile, and whether the tile is easy to clean.
Ceramic tiles are growing in popularity as a popular flooring option around the world. In addition to being durable and decorative, these tiles are resistant to scratches, fading, staining and slipping. All these factors make ceramic tiles a viable option for any type of flooring.
Installing ceramic tiles is not difficult. Anyone with the right equipment, an installation guide from the manufacturer, patience and perseverance will be able to install his own ceramic tiles.
Both Alan Grundemeier & Lara Newcomb are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Alan Grundemeier has sinced written about articles on various topics from Kitchen Home Improvement, Debt Reductions and Install Flooring. From Alan - Ceramic tile is not to easy to install. I found an installation video for anyone who wants to learn how to install ceramic tile and save hundreds of dollars. This ceramic tile installation video offers practical help in the form of a downloada. Alan Grundemeier's top article generates over 5400 views. to your Favourites.