Tile Types

Ceramic Tiles
Since these maintenance recommendations relate to specific types of ceramic tile floors and walls, the following descriptions can be used to identify the particular tiles used on a project, or existing tile, these tiles have been classified in accordance with the CGSB National Standard CAN/CGSB-75.1M88 for ceramic floor and wall tile and trim units.

Porcelain Tile
Porcelain tile is a ceramic tile that is generally made by the dust pressed method from a composition which results in a tile that is dense, impervious, fine grained and smooth, with a sharply formed face. Porcelain tile is available in mat, unglazed or a high polished finish. Water absorption: ASTM C373. Manufactured in various thickness and sizes.

Quarry Tile
A glazed or unglazed tile made by the extrusion process from natural clay or shale. This tile is most common in the dark red shades; however, shades of brown and gray are also available.

Mexican Tile / Terracota
This tile is generally hand-made and varies in colour, texture and appearance. The tile is available in various shapes and sizes. The tile may come pre-finished or require the application of various types of sealers or coatings on site to provide a wearing surface.

Terrazzo Tile
Pre-manufactured consisting of marble or granite chips in a portland cement or epoxy matrix in various thickness' and sizes.

Agglomerate Tile
Agglomerate tiles are manufactured by mixing graded marble or granite chips of various sizes with portland cement, polyester resin or epoxy. Thickness may vary from 6mm to 20mm and may be ordered in other thicknesses to meet specifications. Approximate water absorption, 24-hour immersion, and % 0.19 ASTM D570-81 modified but will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.

About Ceramics

Characteristically, ceramic tiles are said to be one of the most cost-effective types of tiles.  They cost lower than the natural stone that some of you would prefer installed in the walls and floors of your bathrooms and kitchens.  Both are highly competitive materials in the market and are favoured by different sets of clients.  In this instance though, you are encouraged to learn about ceramic tiles.

Ceramic tiles are formed from heating a material known as bisque where the clay is placed.  The desired output will then be shaped out of the process.  Aside from clay though, there are other materials that make up ceramic tiles.  Each type is moulded before it undergoes drying.  Usually, you may choose from glazed or unglazed ceramic tiles. 

Types of ceramic tiles and its corresponding patterns, sizes and costs
Glazed ceramic tiles are popular choices in the market because they have the capacity to bring shine to the tile output.  Its popularity spreads in the entire world.  Aside from giving recognition to this type of ceramic tile, there are other ceramic tiles that need ample cognisance.  Here is a list of the subcategories for this tile type:

•Stoneware floor tiles. These ceramic tiles deviated from the usual porous characteristics in this tile category. It appears to be non-porous because it is glazed. The size for these ceramic tiles range in between 10 cm by 10 cm to 60 cm by 60 cm. This floor tile is recognised as ceramic flooring in itself. It comes out of a dust-pressed moulding and is favoured because of its shallow-angled cut. Rectangular patterns are also out in the market. It has low to medium water absorption though. This tile costs around £3.35 to £5.95 per square foot.
•Porcelain stoneware. Belonging to the classes of ceramic tiles, porcelain stoneware is non-porous and is usually unglazed. You will not be able to see the grain on this material with your own naked eye. It is non-slippery and may also have a presentable decorative appearance. This floor tile is available in sizes ranging from 15 cm by 15 cm to 60 by 60 cm. The most common marketed pattern for these ceramic tiles is the square but rectangular counterparts are also available. These may be bought for a price in between £.93 to £3.11 per square foot.
•Catalonian floor tiles. These ceramic tiles made a name in the tile industry because of its capability to absorb water. They are moulded through the extrusion process and are often unglazed like the porcelain stoneware. Sizes for these ceramic tiles range from 13 cm by 13 cm to 24 cm by 40 cm. With this, you will see that square and rectangular patterns are available for these ceramic tiles. Apart from such shapes however, you may be able to have hexagonal, oblongs, octagons and curvilinear shapes for the Catalonian floor tiles. These are popular choices used in terraces of Mediterranean edifices as well as kitchen benches in other environments. This type of tile is quite costly at £15.53 for a square foot.
•Rustic stoneware tiles. These ceramic tiles are available in sizes ranging from 11.5 cm by 11.5 cm to 45 cm by 45 cm. Rustic stoneware is an unglazed tile extracted through the process of extrusion moulding. Whilst squares and rectangles are popular patterns for this class of ceramic tiles, you may also order, octagonal, hexagonal and a wide array of complementary tiles. Versatile as it is, these tiles are often seen in facades of buildings or even homes as well as exterior paving and industrial floors. The rustic stoneware is priced at around £15.60 a square foot.
•Earthenware tiles. Unlike the other types of ceramic tiles, the earthenware is made out of creative hands. Production of these materials is lower than the other types. Sizes range in a wide variety thus producing numerous patterns for you to choose from. The irregularities in the shape of these ceramic tiles are favourable in the sense that it provides a better look to the areas where it is used. To add functionality and lustre to the appearance of earthenware tiles, some treatments of the surface may be needed. This is to conceal the grains that may be perceived by the naked eye. You can have a set of earthenware tiles for approximately £15.80 a square foot.
The choice is yours to make when it comes to ceramic tiles.  With all the features and costing presented, it is easier to pick one for that home or building renovation of yours.  You always need to give high regard on how well it will look on your floor or walls.  Much more than that, you need to make sure that you get the best out of your investment.  This is considered as your key to taking advantage of your purchase of ceramic tiles.

Benefits of Ceramic Tile

When deciding on a new floor, you have lots of options, and while ceramic tile is only one of those options, the following are ten facts that set ceramic apart from others. The decorator effect of tile has only recently taken hold in homes of all styles; from contemporary to colonial, tile has a design and style to fit all applications. Tile is widely adaptable and can be used in an array of settings, from kitchens and baths to dining rooms and living rooms. Whether it’s a stone finish you're after or a traditional glazed finish, there’s a style to suit every taste.

Ease of Maintenance. While no floor remains entirely maintenance free, ceramic tile comes about as close at it can to being service free. Short of the application of the occasional sealant, applied once every four years or so, tile requires only the regular cleaning that any flooring surface would require. With the installation of grout, tile becomes almost impervious to water damage, and can be virtually hosed off if necessary. Many specialty products are currently available that assist greatly in tile maintenance and upkeep, all of which can be found in nearly any home goods provider or supermarket.

Adaptability. There is a tile option for nearly any application, and your imagination and creativity are your only limitations when installing tile. From porticos in a dining room to a tiled hearth in front of a fireplace, you can adapt tile to nearly any surface, indoors or out. Tile’s adaptability has been exploited throughout Europe, and examples for tile floors can be seen in kitchens, living rooms, dining rooms and even bedrooms. In some destinations abroad, it is not uncommon to find an entire house tiled wall to wall, in an effort to keep cool, and provide a versatile flooring surface.

Cost Effectiveness. Pound for pound, tile still remains one of the most cost effective flooring surfaces on the market today. When considering initial costs versus longevity, it becomes quite clear that ceramic tile overall offers the best "dollar per mile" of any flooring surface. Ceramic tile's limited upkeep and maintenance adds to its value even further. Square footage material costs stay in check with most other alternatives, and while the initial installation costs may be slightly higher, it's important to consider all the long term costs and value when judging overall cost effectiveness.

Installation Variety. While your installation options are only limited by your imagination, there are a number of ideas already in place to get your creative juices flowing. Although flooring has always been the number one usage of ceramic tile, you aren't limited to just floors. Backsplashes, porticos, murals and countertops can all be tiled in an artistic manner, subject to your décor. You can match your floor to your tile walls, or contrast the two to make your project stand out even more.

Durability. The ancient Romans saw the benefit of tile in its durability, and this fact is not lost on us modern folks. Tile is great for high traffic situations thanks to its strength and resiliency to staining and wear. The ancient Romans originally used tile in a utilitarian manner, but it was soon obvious even to them that a decorative element could be introduced to tiling. While not extremely impact resistant, the wear ability of tile is the reason for its durability.

Ease of Repair. Even though ceramic is strong, there is still the opportunity for breakage, as with any earthenware. When a breakage does occur, repairing tile is far simpler than fixing hardwood or plank flooring. Simply remove the broken pieces, clean the area, reinstall replacement tiles and regrout the repaired area. Completing tile repairs typically takes less time than repairing a wood floor, or even a composite flooring surface. It is important to keep several pieces of tile left over from your installation for these repair needs.

Style. As always, style counts, and tile is no exception to that rule. Tile has a finish and style to adapt to any décor; from southwest to cosmopolitan, there is a color and a texture to fit every need. There is an unlimited variety to tile, from bright vibrant colors to muted tones and everything in between, and a brief trip to any tile house or home improvement retailer will prove this point. While colors and textures can vary greatly between manufacturers, virtually any combination of color and texture can be found on today's market.

Easy Installation. Generally speaking, the installation process for ceramic tile floors is a project easily completed by the average do-it-yourselfer. The basic procedure involves prepping the area, gauging the space, installing the tile, and grouting finished the project. If done correctly, a DIY'er should be able to effectively gauge and lay approximately 150 square feet of space in a day. While this should be used as a gauge for time budget reasons, everyone’s pace is different and it’s important to keep a realistic pace when tackling any potential projects.

Design Flexibility. Thanks to the variety of sizing options of ceramic tiles, design flexibility is drastically improved. You can opt for smaller 6" x 6" tiles, all the way up to the 24" x 24", as well as the squaring options, such as "brick and block" or "Flemish" style joints. All these choices add to the design characteristics that are perfect for your application.

Capital Improvement. In many cases, adding a tile floor to your home will increase its potential resale value tremendously. Potential buyers will certainly take notice of a well installed and designed tile floor. With its attractive style and impressive presentation, a good tile floor can add thousands of pounds in potential value to prospective customers.