Ceramic tiles are a mixture of clays that are pressed into shape and fired at high temperatures which gives the tile its hardness. The bisque (body) of ceramic tile may then be glazed or left unglazed depending on its intended use. The look is luxurious and is actually very cost effective in the long term because of its durable, long lasting surface. Other features like versatility, easy care and maintenance make tile a very popular flooring choice. LA Carpet’s professional staff can install tile flooring as well as tile countertops.
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Ceramic Mosaic Tile tiles that are less than 6 inches facial area and may be either porcelain or natural clay composition and usually are 3/8" or less in thickness. |
Quarry Tile tiles made from the extrusion process from shale or natural clays and usually are 6 square inches or more in facial size and can be glazed or unglazed. |
| Paver Tile glazed or unglazed natural clay or porcelain tiles having a facial area of six square inches or more and made from the dust-pressed method. |
Wall Tile glazed tiles with that are designed for indoor use and are generally non-vitreous. |
Glazed – The most common style today in floor and wall tiles, as well as for residential and commercial applications. A liquid glass is applied to the body of the tile and fired at high temperatures. The glazing becomes hard and non-porous resulting in a flooring that is:
Shiny glazes are softer, can be scratched easier and can be slippery than the satin or rustic finishes. Unglazed – There is no glazing or any other coating applied to the tile. Their color is the same on the face of the tile as it is on the back resulting in very durable tiles that do not show the effects of heavy traffic. The most common unglazed tiles are the red quarry tiles or the granite looking porcelain ceramic tiles used in heavy commercial areas. Saltillo Tile – is a Mexican tile made of unprocessed clays. Listello – a narrow tile used to accent field tiles. |
Porcelain tile floors are by far the strongest of any manufactured flooring today. Although more expensive than standard ceramic, they provide durability and resiliency not found in any other fired flooring. Porcelain tile differs from ceramic tile in its manufacture, absorption and breaking strength. Because porcelain is pressed under higher pressure than other tiles, in the range of 6,000 pounds per square inch, it is denser than ceramic tile. It is also fired at a temperature of 2200° F, while ceramic tile would be fired at 1800° F, providing a much lower rate of absorption. The international standard for porcelain tile states that for tile to qualify as porcelain, it must have water absorption of 0.5% or less which makes it suitable for interior and exterior applications in all climates. The water absorption rate of ceramic tile is usually greater than 3%, which means that it is not suitable for exterior applications. Porcelain tile is made up of approximately 50% feldspar; the remaining 50% is made up of various high-quality light firing ball clays. This makes the fired body white, allowing clear, brilliant colors and through body construction, meaning the color goes all the way through the tile rather than a surface glaze application. These inherent differences in the manufacturing processes and the quality of the raw materials make porcelain tile a superior product in terms of value, durability, color and design. One drawback though, if it can be considered that, is that porcelain tiles are generally not uniform in size. This is due to the fact that they are fired at very high temperatures, which can cause distortion or warping. Quality manufacturers consistently make products that are calibrated extremely well, which means all pieces will be uniform and consistent. |
