Grout & Tile
Dictionary
- A -
Abrasion Resistance
-- A measure of the ability of a tile to withstand wear by friction.
Absorption --
The penetration of water into the particles of a tile.
- B -
Biscuit --
The clay body with no glaze applied. The side under the glaze of the
tile (i.e., the body).
Bicottura Tiles (Double-Fired) --
Glazed tiles produced by an initial firing of the shaped, raw materials
to produce a hard tile body or bisque and then a re-firing of the bisque
once the glaze or decoration has been applied.
Brush Hammered --
An uneven surface to the tile.
Bull-Nose Tiles --
Trim tiles featuring one rounded edge used to finish wall installations
or trim outside corners.
- C -
Ceramic Tile --
A ceramic surfacing unit, usually relatively thin, composed of a clay
body or a body composed of a mixture of ceramic materials, and having a
glazed or unglazed surface. Ceramic tiles are used principally for
decorative effects and sanitary purposes.
Clay --
Earth which has been processed in the course of millenniums resulting
from the disintegration of volcanic rocks.
Cotto --
A natural red clay fired tile.
Crazing --
A fine hair-line cracking which sometimes appears on the glazed surface
of a tile caused by tensile stress between the tile body and the glaze.
May also be produced intentionally for decorative effect.
Cushioned Edges --
Rounded corners rather than square.
- D -
Dust-Pressed Tiles --
Raw materials are dried and pressed into shape before firing. The
powder-like condition of clay that is die-stamped to the desired shape.
- E -
Earthenware --
Non vitreous, opaque ceramic white ware, glazed or unglazed.
Expansion Joints --
A joint in an installation sometimes filled with an elastic material,
which will permit expansion, contraction or other movement without the
development of excessive stresses or damage to the installation and to
the tiled floor.
- F -
Frit --
The raw material used for producing the glaze.
Frost-Proof Tiles --
The qualification of a tile to withstand temperatures of below Zero (0)
centigrade.
- G -
Glazing --
Processing phase during which the support is covered with a layer of
very fine particles which form the glossy and decorated surface of the
tile.
Grout --
The material used in installations to fill the joints between tiles.
- I -
Impervious Stoneware Tiles (Porcelain)
-- Also known
as China, these are unglazed tiles composed of raw materials which
produce a non-porous bisque of high mechanical strength.
Inserts --
Small, sometimes decorative tiles, used in combination with larger or
plain tiles to create patterns.
- J -
Jolly Tiles (Mitered Tiles) --
Tiles mitered along one or two edges used in corner and counter edge
installation.
- L -
Listellos --
Glazed color trim and decorative accessories, usually for wall tile.
Lug(s) --
Small button-like protuberances on the underside of many Italian
produced tiles to facilitate adhesion.
- M -
Matt Finish --
A glazed surface with very little shine. Sometimes called Satin.
Monocottura Tiles (Single-Fired) --
Glazed tiles produced by the single-fired method in which the raw tile
body and glaze undergo a single pass through the kiln. Also called
Monoporosa.
Mortar --
Tile setting material.
- P -
Pencils --
Thin, glazed trim, usually 3/8" by 6" in length. Comes in
decorative colors.
Picket --
A picket shaped tile which may be used alone or as a border for squares
creating a more intricate pattern.
Pillowed Edges --
Same as cushioned edges. Softly turned rather than square edge.
Polished --
A clay or marble tile that has a shine due to a friction type of
sanding.
- Q -
Quarry Tile --
A natural clay tile.
- R -
Red Body Clay (Bisque) --
A natural clay that is fired for strength. The color is
brown in its raw state, but turns red
under heat.
Red Stoneware Tiles --
Tiles composed of typically Italian raw materials which produce a red,
vitrified tile body suitable for indoor or outdoor use. Generally
unglazed.
Ribbed Finish --
A ridged or ribbed tile face which provides a slip resistant surface.
Rustic Finish --
A rough or uneven tile surface designed for a non-mechanical or artisan
effect.
- S -
Sealer --
Clear coatings sometimes applied to unglazed tile floors to protect the
surface from grease spills or add luster to a surface.
Silk-Screening --
Glazing phase in which the glaze is enriched with different decorative
patterns.
Single-Fired --
A system called Monocottura where the glazed and clay bisque is fired at
one time.
Slip-Resistant Tiles --
Tiles treated to prevent slipping, particularly for commercial showers
or swimming pools. An abrasive grit is often added to the surface of
glazed tiles.
Spacers --
Small plastic or wood pieces used during installation to maintain even
joint wrath between tiles.
- T -
Terracotta --
Traditional Italian raw material used to produce unglazed red body tiles
generally extruded and 1/2" thick or more. Surfaces may be rustic
or smooth and waxed for lustre. Red clay.
Thick-Bed --
Method of installation using cement based mortar applied in a minimum
thickness of 3/4" to create the backing surface on which tiles will
be installed.
Thin-Set --
Alternative to thick-bed installation, using a bond-coating less than
1/8" thick. Requires a level and sound surface for success.
Trim Tiles --
Designed to meet requirements of specific applications.
- U -
Unglazed Tiles --
Tiles left untreated after firing. Highly durable.
- V -
Veined --
A design that imitates the coloring in marble.
- W -
White Body Clay --
The clay compound that is formed by using only white clays.
Fun Tile Facts
- Clay bricks were dried beneath the
sun
- Chinese glaze was produced during
the Shang-Yin Dynasty (1523-1028 BC).
- In the early days, the tiles were
hand-made
- Ceramic tile is used almost
everywhere inside or outside - on walls, floors, ceilings,
fireplaces, in murals, and as an exterior cladding on buildings.
- Today ceramic tile is not
"hand-made" or "hand-painted" automated
manufacturing techniques are used and the human hand does not enter
into the picture until it is time to install the tile.
- Ceramic tiles are processed at a
high temperature at some time during their manufacture. In the
ceramic industry, this heat treatment is usually referred to as
"firing" and furnaces in which the heat treatment is
performed are called "kilns." The temperatures used in
firing ceramic products range from approximately 1100 degrees F. to
3200 degrees F. Temperatures as high as 4200 degrees F. can be
obtained in some special type kilns.
- The majority of raw materials used
by the ceramic industry are the oxides of metals. The three metals
which have been the mainstays of the industry for many years are
clay, flint, and feldspar.
- Ceramics are defined as products
made from inorganic materials having non-metallic properties,
usually processed at a high temperature at some time during their
manufacture.
- The word "ceramics" comes
from the Greek word "Keramos" meaning "Pottery,"
"Potter's Clay," or "a Potter." This Greek word
is related to an old Sanskrit root meaning "to burn" but
was primarily used to mean "burnt stuff."
- Granite is volcanic (or Igneous)
rock. When molten material from the Earth's core called
"magma" comes up to just beneath the Earth's surface and
cools, it becomes Granite. Granite is very hard and extremely
durable. It has a very grainy structure and can be polished well.
This type of stone comes in a variety of colors ranging from salt
and pepper to reddish brown to jet black.
- Slate is a shale-type stone, having
a straight cleavage. It is sedimentary in its origin often formed by
a consolidation of volcanic ash. Colors range from black, grey &
green to reddish brown.
- Ceramic Tile is a man-made product
- Marble, Granite, Slate, Limestone
and Quartzite are natural products made by Mother Nature.
- Marble has been used for centuries
- Limestone is a layered (or
Sedimentary) rock. Primarily composed of calcium (from seashells),
it is the original rock from which marble is created
- Quartzite is a stone composed of
grains of Quartz cemented together by Silica. It is a firm and
compact stone with a body harder than marble. Its color is a blend
of light & dark grays and silver with flecks of quartz lending a
sparkle. Some stones have swatches of orange-rust running
throughout..
- Ceramic tile can make an excellent
hot plate
- Ceramic tile increases the value of
your home
- Slate can be used indoors and
outdoors and offers a natural non-slip surface. It can be used
almost anywhere - residential and commercial, on walls, roofs,
shower enclosures, around pools
- The proper installation of tile
will bring a lifetime of function and beauty.
- Glazes that are on ceramic tile are
a liquid glass applied by either being sprayed or poured onto its
surface. It is then fused to the body of the tile using tremendous
heat during the firing process
- When hygiene is a concern, the
perfect choice for any environment would be ceramic tile. Most
ceramic products do not retain liquids, absorb fumes, odor or smoke.
- ceramic material is the most stain
resistant building product in the world
- Porcelain Tile is suitable for
exterior floors and walls in freezing and non-freezing climates.
Porcelain can withstand the heaviest of traffic. Porcelain is the
strongest of all tiles to help ensure a long, beautiful life.
Porcelain tile can be used for commercial use and residential.
- Ceramic Tile is made from clay and
other ceramic material. Ceramic tile can have a glazed or unglazed
face, and is fired above red heat to produce special physical
properties and characteristics. Though not as durable as porcelain,
ceramic is a strong type of tile suitable for light commercial and
residential indoor uses.
- Quarry tile is made from natural
clay or shale. Mainly used outdoors and in commercial kitchens,
equipped with an abrasive or non-abrasive surface. Quarry is slip
resistant and used for industrial applications requiring high
compressive strength.
- Marble is a natural stone that is
quarried directly from the earth. It has a variegated appearance
made from metamorphic rock that consist of calcite or dolomite.
Marble can be used mainly for indoor use, not exterior use.
- Tumbled Marble is a natural stone
that is tumbled to distress a look of age. Tumbled stone has a
weathered surface and worn edges that lend an air of rustic elegance
to any home. Tumbled marbles are mostly used indoors and recommended
to be sealed.
- Granite is a coarse-grained igneous
rock composed mainly of quartz and mica; this is as hard as a
diamond. It has a variety of striking colors.
- The average ceramic tile contactor
gets 15-20 dollars per square foot to set the tile
- The newest thing to do with tile is
to tile all the floor in your home, including bedrooms and living
room
- Putting cement backer-board and
tile on your walls makes them more sound proof than sheetrock and
paint, and easier to clean.
- Uses real rock in your kitchen
flooring makes it seem like your outside, and is cool to walk on.
- Lying on a heated ceramic tile
floor is cozy and relaxing
- If you drop a can of soup on
ceramic tile it will chip the tile and you will be able to see the
brisk of the tile (usually white or red), If you drop a can of soup
on porcelain tile it will chip the tile and you will see the same
solid color all the way though the tile.
- Tile styles change every couple of
months, just as fashion does, make sure you always buy extra tiles
and save them. They won't be available in a couple of months,
let alone years. You'll never know when you might need one.
