Ceramic
and stone floor tiles must be stronger than wall tiles. (Tiles for countertops
must be nearly as strong as floor tiles.) If your dealer cannot assure you
that a tile will be sturdy enough for your purposes, see if it has been rated
for strength, perhaps by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
or the Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI).
Tile ratings. The 1 to 5 tile rating applies only to one aspect of tile:
visible surface abrasion resistance, which is fancy talk for how readily
scratches show on the tile's surface. A tile rating of 5 is the toughest
in terms of standing up to scratching, dirt and traffic, one is the easiest
to damage. Grade 1: This is the weakest of all standard grade ceramic tiles.
It's really only suitable as a wall tile.
Grade 2: This is best for light traffic areas. Again, a great product for
wall tiles, but it will also work in residential bathrooms, Grade 3: Where
ceramic tile ratings are concerned, grade three is most common in residential
building, and perfect for light to moderate traffic. Grade 4: This grade
is a step up from grade 3 tile grades. It's still a good choice for residential
uses, such as tile floors and countertops, Grade 5: This stuff is as tough
as it gets. Porcelain When it comes to standard grade ceramic tiles, grade
5 is built to take a beating. It's mostly used in high traffic commercial.
Also you should keep in mine clay of the tile. There are two different colors
one is white clay which is from Italy or Turkey. Brown clay which is low
end product normally from Mexico or Spain. Which Grade Is Best for
You?
There are two questions to ask yourself, here. The first is how much money
you have to spend? The second is how paranoid you are about the toughness
of the tile you're purchasing?
custom tiled tub and shower surrounds made for your life style
About
Ceramic.
Tile Laying dates back some 6,000 years ago, originating in ancient Mesopotamia,
now Iraq.
Ceramic Tile has been around for centuries and with today's technology, manufacturers
have created new design and application possibilities that were not available
a decade ago. You will be amazed at the wide selection of colors, sizes,
shapes and new textures that are now available. Ceramic Flooring is always
fashionable with its classic beauty, lifetime durability and ease of maintenance.
You can select from the trendiest stone looks from around the world as well
as an extensive assortment of porcelain tile options
When choosing tile for your bathroom floor, it's important to select a very
slip-resistant tile
With so many different sizes, colors and textures to choose from, you can
let your imagination, and your design options, run wild. Add in mix-and-match,
colored grout and trim tiles, and without a doubt at Floors We Do we can
help you create a spectacular tile floor or kitchen backsplash that's just
as individual as you are.
Buying Tips for Tile. Obviously, what kind of material the tile is made of,
how big it is, and what color it is will all play a major role in what particular
tile you end up selecting. But there are also a number of other factors,
that you may not have thought of, that you ought to consider as well:
Traffic. When deciding which tile will work best for you, one of the most
important considerations of all is how much traffic the area will receive.
Fortunately, finding a tile that will match your needs perfectly is as easy
as 1-2-3. That's because every manufacturer has to furnish a numerical "wear-rating" that
indicates how resistant each of its tiles is to wear. At Floors We Do. our
experience will help you determine what level of traffic you can expect in
any given room and the corresponding "wear-rating" of tile that
will best fit your needs.
Slip resistance. Without a doubt, we'd be falling down on the job if we didn't
remind you that slip resistance is another critical factor you need to consider
when selecting tile. In a bathroom in particular, you'll want high slip resistance,
of course, for safety reasons. Again, manufacturers have a rating system
that will help you make just the right choice. The rating is based on a coefficient
of friction; the higher the number, the greater the resistance to slipping.
Tile size, grout joint spacing, and how the tile is arranged can also affect
the relative slip resistance achieved. Tile used in a shower should be small
enough to allow your foot to get a "toe-hold" on the grout joint
for better traction. Which means you could very well end up using a smaller
size tile in the shower than you do in the rest of the room.
Glazing. Tiles come with a glazed, unglazed, or partially glazed finish.
A glazed tile has a ceramic coating applied to it and is fired at a very
high temperature to give it its color. As the name would imply, unglazed
tiles have no glaze at all applied; thus the material the tile was made from
is what gives it its color. Partially glazed tiles have, you guessed it,
glazing applied to some parts of the tile and not to others.
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