Tile comes in many shapes, sizes and colors that allow the designer to be limited only by the imagination to create beautiful and durable spaces.
There are several categories of tile, choosing the right type of tile for your particular project can narrow down the many choices that ceramic tile and natural stone have to offer.
The following classifications refer to the method and material that the bisque is manufactured:
Non Vitreous
Usually wall tile, has a decorative glaze or protective baked on coating, the bisque is softer because it is fired at lower temperatures and is designated with a light duty rating.
Semi Vitreous
Quarry Tile and Porcelain Tile, has a durable bisque and are fired at higher temperatures. These tiles can come glazed or unglazed and are designated as medium duty to heavy duty.
Vitreous
Porcelain tile that has been fired to the highest temperatures, this tile will absorb no water and has a glass like quality, in so much that it will resist virtually all staining. Usually unglazed these tiles can come polished or honed and are designated as medium duty to heavy duty.
Mosaics
Mosaic can be made from tile, natural stone or glass usually fasten together by a nettling paper or electrometric glue these tiles can come in any number or designs and patterns, using mosaic liners or a medallion can enhance to look of your installation.
Natural Stone
Natural stone tiles usually Marble, Slate and Granite that have been manufactured into modular sizes and shapes. These tiles can come polished, honed, flamed or tumbled, special care must be given to where you are going to use these products, some natural stone is soft and should only be used for light duty applications.
Specialty Tile
Hand made tile liners and inserts fall into this category and are designed to add a decorative look to your installation. Theses tile are almost always special order so if you are planning to use a specialty tile order in advance.
Make sure to have a measurement of all area\'s you would like to install tile on, including special trim you may need.
Check out the tile dealers catalogs, instead of just what they have in stock.
Always buy 5% more tile than you need, in case a tile gets chipped or broken and not every piece is perfect.
Look for closeout sales. These sales are for a range of different reasons, from overstocking, to a discontinuation of that particular style, or a cancellation from a previous customer.
Always choose a matching or a subtle grout color. Grout is the finishing touch to your tile installation and a contrasting color may not be what you are looking for.
Bring any other samples that you are trying to match with you when picking out your tile. Consider a small cloth bag to carry samples, so they won’t chip.
Choose the type of tile that is designed for the type of traffic that you have. Do not put a soft or easily scratched tile in a area that will have a lot of use, consider a tile with a heavy duty rating for these areas.
Before you purchase your tile, bring home several pieces and set them out in the natural light of your home, the color will always be different than at the showroom.
Not all tile products have complementary trim, so make sure to ask the dealer what kind of trim it comes with, if any.
Plan ahead so that if you have to order your tile from out of the area, you will be ready to proceed with your project in a timely manner.
When you are ready to have your tile installed, always get three estimates from a licensed ceramic tile contractor.
For more information go to links and visit Dal Tile Corperation\'s virtual showroom.