ABOUT TILE
Why Ceramic Tile?
Ceramic tile is the ultimate product, combining beauty
with durability.
It will not stain, mildew, burn or fade.
Moisture will not effect it.
It is "allergy-free" - soil, fumes, smoke and germs
will not penetrate it.
It is the easiest of all finishes to clean - never needs buffing,
waxing or finishing.
Ceramic tile has the lowest long-term cost of any alternative
product
Decorating with Tile
 One of ceramic tile's best features is its adaptability. It can
play a major roll in a design scheme, as the focal point of a
room. Or it can play a minor roll, simply complementing your other
decor. The broad range of sizes, shapes, colors and textures
enables us to incorporate ceramic tile into almost any application.
From the understated to the luxurious, the traditional to the
contemporary, the stylish looks of ceramic tile will complement
any style.
Selecting
a Tile
 Ceramic Tile offers you a vast selection of products, with a wide
variety of performance characteristics to suit any application
imaginable. The key is selecting the right tile for the job. Every
tile manufactured is given a wear rating. These ratings vary according
to the amount of traffic the tile will receive, and directly correlate
to how well the tile performs. Tiles with a lower class rating
are more suited for light traffic areas. Tiles with a high wear
rating are for areas with heavier traffic. Below is an example
of basic wear ratings:
- Class 1
Usually wall tile only
- Class 2
Suitable for light residential floors
- Class 3
Appropriate for all residential and light commercial installations
- Class 4
All residential and commercial applications
Characteristics of Tile
Texture and color are also important characteristics
to consider when selecting ceramic tile.
TEXTURE
The two basic types of texture used in making ceramic tiles
are tactile and visual. Tactile textures can be felt, and convey
the look of the natural product. Visual textures actually have
a flat, smooth surface, but give the impression of texture through
color and shade variation.
COLOR
Probably the most powerful of the design elements is color.
From calm to bold, and cool to warm, ceramic tile offers an
abundance of choices. One facet of color, called shade variation,
deals with one of the most popular looks today - stone tiles.
It is also the most dramatic. Today's stone products are designed
with shade variation to provide a more natural look. One piece
will not be indicative of what an entire floor will look like.
Care should be taken to mix pieces from different boxes to incorporate
any shading differences.
Finishing the Job
 No job is complete until the grout has been selected. Grout
selection will affect the appearance and performance of your
final installation. It is wise to select a grout that fits your
particular design scheme or level of use. Whether you are matching,
coordinating, or contrasting the grout color, the visual results
can be limitless.
Caring for your Tile
Ceramic tile's beauty and durability have made it one of the
most popular interior finishes today. There are just a few simple
steps to maintaining the rich look of a ceramic tile surface:
SEALING
For ease of installation as well as on-going clean-up, unglazed
tile and grout joints should be sealed. Using a sealer protects
against stains.
Glazed tiles do not require the use of sealers. Since the glaze
on these tiles is made of glass-like materials, they do not
take on stains and are already easy to clean.
CLEANING
Weekly cleaning of ceramic tile is as simple as vacuuming up
loose dirt, followed by mopping with warm water and neutral
cleaner. (A neutral cleaner does not contain any acids or bleaches).
Also avoid soap-based cleaners, which can leave a film behind,
making your tile more difficult to clean later.
The proper tile, installed correctly, will last a lifetime.
Be daring - go beyond kitchens and baths and use tile throughout
your home, inside and out, and have some fun!
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