Ceramic Tile tips and tricks.
Q: What's a Ceramic Tile?
A: Ceramic tile is a mixture of clays which have been shaped and fired at high temperatures, resulting in a hard body. Ceramic tile is made of two parts: the body, which is called the Bisque and the surface which is called the Glaze. Glaze colors are made from minerals such as gold, sliver, zinc copper, mercury cobalt and others.
Q: What are the advantages of ceramic tile over other floor covering materials?
A: Tile is the most durable flooring and facing material available. It is color permanent and virtually abrasion resistant. It will not cut, tear, gouge, puncture, warp, rot, burn or require refinishing.
Q: Will tile be slippery?
A: Many tiles have a textured surface or are available in different finishes. We have tiles available for every kind of application requiring increased slip-resistance.
Q: Will tile be cold?
A: In-floor heating products are available for new and remodel applications and tile is a great thermal conductor. For barefoot rooms like the master bath, products like Warmly Yours are a simple solution.
Q: How do I maintain my ceramic tile?
A: There is no need to wax, polish or buff your tile installation. A damp sponge or mop is all that is necessary for daily maintenance. Special problems? Each of our locations carries a full line of maintenance products developed specifically for ceramic
Facts about Glaze:
Glaze is a liquid glass coating that is sprayed or poured on a tile's surface prior to heating. Dark colored glaze is usually softer than light colored glaze. Shiny glaze are softer than matte or satin finishes. Unglazed tile is basically wear resistant and slip resistant. Glazed tiles do not retain liquids, fumes, odors or germs.
Installation:
Q: What's the best way to calculate the quantity of tile I'll need?
A: Multiply length times width of the area to be covered to give you square footage. For most installations add 5-7% for cutting loss and attic stock. When installation is diagonal or you are using a multi-size pattern, you should add 10-15%.
Q: Is tile installation expensive?
A: When compared to other coverings, tile installation is expensive. However, tile installation can be permanent and less expensive in the long run - after replacement and maintenance costs for other materials are factored in. For this reason, select the best tile you can afford and make sure it's what you want before you have it installed.
Q: Should I have my tile professionally installed or can I do it myself?
A: Some products (e.g. marble, limestone, granite and glass) and some applications (e.g. stall showers with water-proof pans and "warm floors") are projects for professional installers. Remember your professional installer provides many value-added services (e.g. take-offs, deliveries and warranties). If you are considering do-it-yourself pick up one of the many books or videos available. Some products and projects lend themselves well to do-it-yourself.
Tile Care and Maintenance
Routine Tile Care:
Wipe glazed wall tiles periodically using a cloth or sponge dampened with non-abrasive household cleaner. Wax cleaners and oil-based detergents may decrease the slip resistance of ceramic tile. Remember not to use ammonia, as it will discolor grout.
For all floor cleaning operations, follow these basic procedures:
- Sweep or vacuum surface.
- Mix water with an appropriate tile and grout cleaner per manufacturer's instructions (make sure cleaner is water based).
- Allow solution to sit for three to five minutes.
- Agitate with sponge or mop.
- Mop up solution.
- Rinse mop and change cleaning solutions at least every 500 square feet.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water
- Dry mop floor to remove moisture or pick up residue with a wet-vac.
- Wipe the floor dry
For tile with coarse or abrasive type surfaces, maintenance will need to be preformed more frequently. Agitation will need to be more vigorous and water changes more frequent. Grease, standing water and detergent build-up (especially oil-based detergents) make tile excessively slippery. Polished porcelain tiles tend to be porous and may absorb cleaning products. Inappropriate cleaning products used on polished porcelain tiles (as with any tile product) will make the tile excessively slippery and may cause discoloration when stripped. Be careful to avoid introduction of grease from dirty mops to your floor surface while cleaning.
Grout Care:
Cement grout joints between tiles are porous and are sometimes sealed to minimize absorption. Unless specified by architect or requested by the owner, grout joins are generally not sealed: If a sealer has been applied, the sealer will need to be maintained (reapplied periodically) per the sealer manufacturers instructions.
Heavy Duty Cleaning
Neglected or heavily trafficked tile may require more intensive cleaning. Clean glazed wall tiles with a scouring power or all purpose, water-based cleaner applied to a non-metallic pad. Rinse and wipe dry.
For glazed floor tiles, use a commercial tile cleaner, or apply a strong solution of an all-purpose, water based cleaner or scouring powder paste. Let stand for five minutes, brush and scrub. then rinse with clean water and wipe dry.
For heavy duty cleaning of unglazed wall tiles, make a paste of scouring powder. Apply to surface and let stand for five minutes. Scour with brush, rinse and wipe dry.
Unglazed floor tiles can also be cleaned with a scouring powder paste. Let stand for five minutes before scouring with a brush, rinsing and wiping dry. A small brush is suitable for most floors, but you may want to consider using a scrubbing machine for large areas.
Commonly available tile cleaning products can be used to remove soap scum, hard-water deposits and mildew stains.
For soft water, use an all-purpose, water based cleaner. Allow cleaner to stand for five minutes before lightly scrubbing with a sponge. Rinse well.
Cleansers
Prior to usage, consult the manufacturer of the cleaner, cleanser or detergent for more detailed instructions for use and the impact of their cleaning solution to your tile product.
NEVER combine ammonia with products containing bleach - hazardous gases may result
Do's and Don'ts
- Do not use cleansers containing acid or bleach for routine maintenance (repeated regular use will deteriorate grout).
- Do not use wax cleaners, oil-based detergents or sealant to maintain your tile. The use of the products may decrease the slip resistance of the tile and can create staining problems
- Do not use harsh cleaning aids like steel wool pads or any scouring pads containing metal.
- Do not use a cleaning agent that contains color on unglazed tile.
- do test scouring powders on a small area
Difference between Ceramic and Porcelain Tile
Tile products are available in an unbelievably large selection of colors, patterns and textures. This fact alone can be overwhelming when trying to choose the perfect tile to suit your needs. But the thing that seems to confuse consumers more than design choices is the difference between the types of tile. Each type is made from a different composition, and that is what determines the tile's body color, texture and density.
There are three basic types of tile: Ceramic Tile, Porcelain Tile and Glass Tile. Of the three, ceramic and porcelain are the ones that confuse consumers most. Glass tile is apparently less confusing because everyone knows what glass is. You'll find more information about glass tile in the article "Glass Tile Gaining Favor.Again."
The term "ceramic tile" is often used as a generic name for all types of tile. But the composition of true ceramic is very different from that of the other types. Ceramic is made primarily of clay mixed with various minerals and water. This composition is then processed with heat to create the solidified product. Since ceramic material is porous, the top surface is usually sealed with a glaze. The glazed surface is referred to as the design layer since it determines the tile's finished color, design and texture.
Glazed ceramic tile is very durable, and when properly installed and cared for, it will last longer than any non-tile material used for the same purpose. It is also one of the easiest surfaces to clean, and because of its composition, it will not absorb odors, nor support allergens or bacteria. When coated with a Grade III or higher glaze, ceramic tile is highly resistant to scratching and moisture. Another important feature is that it will not burn, emit toxic fumes or scorch. For more information on the durability ratings of ceramic tile, see the article "Ceramic Tile Qualities & Ratings."
The primary ingredient in the composition of true porcelain tile is finely-ground sand. Unlike ceramic, processing of the porcelain composition involves pressure and extremely high temperature. The end result is a very dense, glass-like material with a water absorption rate of less than 0.5%. Because of its density and composition of natural ingredients, porcelain tile has all the same excellent qualities of glazed ceramic.
Recently, porcelain has experienced a surge in popularity due to a statement sometimes made by sales people. They tell consumers that porcelain tiles will not need replacement if chipped, based on a misperception that all porcelain tiles are the same color all the way through. This may have once been true, but new design creations have led to the addition of a design layer. Like glazed ceramic, the top surface of some porcelain tile is glazed to produce a specific colored finish. A chip in such a surface would reveal the tile's different body color and thus warrant replacement.
Both ceramic and porcelain tiles have their positive and slightly less positive points, but they tend to offset each other. For example, since porcelain is a denser material, it is stronger than its ceramic counterpart. By the same token, porcelain's hardness makes it a little more challenging to install. Porcelain tile requires special tools for cutting and shaping. The average do-it-yourselfer would not typically have these tools and may not be experienced enough to use them if they were rented or purchased.
When comparing price and durability, there is little difference between ceramic and porcelain tile. Expensive and inexpensive styles are available in both types, and under normal circumstances, there would be no noticeable difference in wear between the two.
The bottom line is that it doesn't really matter which type of tile you select. Ceramic and porcelain are both exceptional floor and wall covering materials. The only problem you'll have is deciding which size, color and texture will suit your needs.