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At Ceramictec we install the finest selection of name brand tile with the widest selection of patterns, textures, sizes and colors. No matter what your decor or color scheme we can help you find the perfect tile for your home decorating.
* Stain Resistant
* Scratch Resistant
* Fire Resistant
* Doesn’t Fade from Sun Light
* Easy to Clean
Porcelain Tile — Is a tile that is generally made by the dust pressed method from porcelain clays which result in a tile that is dense, impervious, fine grained and smooth, with a sharply formed face. Porcelain tiles usually have a much lower water absorption rate (less than 0.5%) than non-porcelain tiles making them frost resistant or frost-proof. Glazed porcelain tiles are much harder and more wear and damage resistant than non-porcelain ceramic tiles, making them suitable for any application from light traffic to the heaviest residential and light commercial traffic. Full body/though body porcelain tiles carry the color and pattern through the entire thickness of the tile making them virtually impervious to wear and are suitable for any application from residential to the highest traffic commercial or industrial applications. Porcelain tiles are available in matte, unglazed or a high polished finish.
Glazed Tile — Most of the common ceramic floor tiles have either a glazed, or unglazed surface. The glazed tiles have a special ceramic coating that is applied to the body of the tile and then fired under high heat. The glazing becomes hard.
Unglazed Floor Tile — There is no glazing or any other coating applied to these tiles. Because these tiles are porous it is recommended that a special penetrating sealant be used to maintain this type of floors and to help prevent stains from seeping into the pores of the tiles. 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.
Marble — Marble is a natural product and is not made in a factory. For this reason no two pieces of marble look the same and the veining is a natural characteristic in all marble. One of the more popular marble tile in Florida is Travertine. There are special marble sealants to help protect from staining of the face. Extra care should be used when cleaning and all abrasives and acidic cleaners should never be used when cleaning. Even colas, some juices, and possibly ammonia may destroy the marble finish.
Granite — This is another natural stone and is not manufactured in a factory. Granite can be used indoors or outdoors and is less porous than marble. It is still recommended that you use a sealant to protect the finish from staining.
Grout — Grout is a mixture of cement and a color additive. For tile floors with wider spaces between each tile sand is added to the grout. Also, a liquid latex additive can be added to the grout to give better resiliency to the grouted areas. For ease of maintenance a penetrating sealant should be used on the grout. It should be noted you may see a change in color of your grout over time. To stop this we highly recommend an upgrade to an epoxy grout.
Some of the other important things we can help with when selecting a tile floor is the slip-resistance, the size and color of the grout joints, the thickness of the tile, height variations from room to room, size of the tile, suitability of the subfloor, and cleaning of the tile.
If your interested in getting a Free Estimate Please Contact Us.
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Showing posts with label through body. Show all posts
Showing posts with label through body. Show all posts
Monday, January 25, 2010
Friday, October 30, 2009
Tile Selection in Florida......
Ceramic, Porcelain, Marble or Stone?
The selection of tile is almost limitless, especially here in Florida where there are so many domestic and imported tile from around the world shipped here.
Many homeowners are taking the selection of their tile more seriously than ever before. The old traditional look of 4x4 or 6x6 ceramics on the walls and floors is falling to the wayside as consumers look for the perfect tile for their projects.
Then, of course, comes the question: What is the best choice?
Tiles come in a wide variety of materials including clay, porcelain, and even glass among other choices. The durability of tile is graded in hardness. The more dense the tile, the harder the finished surface is. Porcelain, for instance, is the best tile in terms of density and hardness. Porcelain tile has color all the way through the tile versus screen print or glazed tiles, which are basically painted only on the surface. Porcelain will lasts longer with fewer problems with wear. Porcelain is also preferred for outside installations because it is more frost resistant.
Marble and stone are in a class all by themselves. Natural stone tile require more care in selection and maintenance. Installation of these materials is more labor intensive requiring a greater degree of skill and know-how to install them. Prices for stone materials are typically higher than ceramic or porcelain tiles and installation costs reflect the degree of difficulty to install them. Stone tile bring nature into your Florida home. They add a feeling of luxury and permanency. Granite counter tops in kitchens and baths combined with a tumbled marble backs plash make for a classy look and feel to any Florida home.
The tile you select for your project is just as important as the installer. Leave some money in your budget for a quality tile job. Once installed, tile can't be changed as easily as your paint color. Consider all the options and textures for tile and plan to spend a day or two looking at several different distributors. Be careful of discount tile, as it is sometimes inferior in quality and ultimately will make for a bad tile job. Remember, you get what you pay for. Don't skimp on your tile project. It will costs much more down the road to repair or replace your tile if done incorrectly and cheap.
Tampa Bay ,Lutz ,Oldsmar ,Apollo Beach, Ybor City, Gibsonton, Carrollwood, Northdale, Lake Magdalene, Palm River-Clair Mel, Progress Village, Riverview, Temple Terrace, University, Westchase, Wesley Chapel, Hillsborough County,
...............Ceramic..........................Porcelain................Marble/Natural Stone
Apollo Beach, Bloomingdale, Boyette, Brandon, Cheval, Citrus Park, Dover, East Lake-Orient Park, Egypt Lake-Leto, Fish Hawk, Gibsonton, Greater Carrollwood, Greater Northdale, Greater Sun Center, Keystone, Lake Magdalene, Lutz, Mango, Palm River-Clair Mel, Pebble Creek, Plant City, Lakeland, St. Pete, Progress Village, Riverview, Ruskin, Seffner, Tampa, Temple Terrace, Thonotosassa, University, Valrico, Westchase, Wimauma, TAMPA FL
The selection of tile is almost limitless, especially here in Florida where there are so many domestic and imported tile from around the world shipped here.
Many homeowners are taking the selection of their tile more seriously than ever before. The old traditional look of 4x4 or 6x6 ceramics on the walls and floors is falling to the wayside as consumers look for the perfect tile for their projects.
Then, of course, comes the question: What is the best choice?
Tiles come in a wide variety of materials including clay, porcelain, and even glass among other choices. The durability of tile is graded in hardness. The more dense the tile, the harder the finished surface is. Porcelain, for instance, is the best tile in terms of density and hardness. Porcelain tile has color all the way through the tile versus screen print or glazed tiles, which are basically painted only on the surface. Porcelain will lasts longer with fewer problems with wear. Porcelain is also preferred for outside installations because it is more frost resistant.
Marble and stone are in a class all by themselves. Natural stone tile require more care in selection and maintenance. Installation of these materials is more labor intensive requiring a greater degree of skill and know-how to install them. Prices for stone materials are typically higher than ceramic or porcelain tiles and installation costs reflect the degree of difficulty to install them. Stone tile bring nature into your Florida home. They add a feeling of luxury and permanency. Granite counter tops in kitchens and baths combined with a tumbled marble backs plash make for a classy look and feel to any Florida home.
The tile you select for your project is just as important as the installer. Leave some money in your budget for a quality tile job. Once installed, tile can't be changed as easily as your paint color. Consider all the options and textures for tile and plan to spend a day or two looking at several different distributors. Be careful of discount tile, as it is sometimes inferior in quality and ultimately will make for a bad tile job. Remember, you get what you pay for. Don't skimp on your tile project. It will costs much more down the road to repair or replace your tile if done incorrectly and cheap.
Tampa Bay ,Lutz ,Oldsmar ,Apollo Beach, Ybor City, Gibsonton, Carrollwood, Northdale, Lake Magdalene, Palm River-Clair Mel, Progress Village, Riverview, Temple Terrace, University, Westchase, Wesley Chapel, Hillsborough County,
...............Ceramic..........................Porcelain................Marble/Natural Stone
Apollo Beach, Bloomingdale, Boyette, Brandon, Cheval, Citrus Park, Dover, East Lake-Orient Park, Egypt Lake-Leto, Fish Hawk, Gibsonton, Greater Carrollwood, Greater Northdale, Greater Sun Center, Keystone, Lake Magdalene, Lutz, Mango, Palm River-Clair Mel, Pebble Creek, Plant City, Lakeland, St. Pete, Progress Village, Riverview, Ruskin, Seffner, Tampa, Temple Terrace, Thonotosassa, University, Valrico, Westchase, Wimauma, TAMPA FL
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Types of Porcelain tiles...
Depending on project objectives, porcelain tile may be purchased in glazed, unglazed or polished varieties. There are two main types of porcelain tile: Through-bodied porcelain and glazed porcelain.
Through-Bodied Porcelain
Term: The term "through-body" refers to the tile being consistent in composition through out the body of the tile. The color and texture runs through the entire dimensional thickness of the tile.
Features:
Strong and Dense Tile
Freeze/Thaw Stable for Exterior Use
Usually Slip Resistant unless polished
Superior Scratch & Chip Resistance
Similar color throughout if chip occurs
Choices may be limited
Material should be sealed
Composition: Through-body tile is derived from mixtures of clay, sand and other natural minerals that are shaped into tile and fired at high temperatures. Through-bodied porcelain does not have a glaze. The clay is pressed and then fired.
Appearance: Through-body tile is considered as one of the most fashionable choices for floors, walls and countertops. It may have texture and color applied to the surface before firing but it is still the porcelain material from top to bottom. The color of the tile runs throughout its body.
Performance: The pressed dust method results in a porcelain tile with a density so high the water absorption is less than 0.5%. It is a strong tile that can withstand extreme surface traffic. There is no glaze that can wear off. If the tile chips, the same or similar color is underneath.
Usage: Through-bodied porcelain tiles can be used for both residential and heavy commercial installations. They can also be installed at wet locations and areas where slip resistant floors are needed.
Glazed Porcelain
Term: Glaze is a glass wear layer or hard finish (usually colored), applied to the surface of machine-made clay tiles. The term "glaze" can also refer to the material or mixture from which the coating is made.
Features:
Strong and Dense Tile
Freeze/Thaw Stable for Exterior Use
Superior Stain Resistance
Many Choices in Color and Style
Only seal if glaze has been polished
Composition: Glazed porcelain has a body made of the porcelain material and a glaze applied over the surface. It is almost similar to that of a regular ceramic tile. It is fired in a kiln and the result is a very strong bodied tile.
Appearance: Glazing, either shiny or matte, provides the most beautiful and varied colors, designs and decorations in ceramic tiles. Most bright, flashy tiles you see in tile displays are glazed.
Performance: Glazed tiles are non-porous. The glaze being an impervious facial finish protects tile from stains and moisture. These tiles are usually easier to maintain and can be treated for a higher slip resistance.
Usage: Vitreous glazed floor tiles are a durable option for counter tops and walls, providing a surface that is practically stain-proof. However, glazed porcelain is not recommended for heavy commercial installations.
Through-Bodied Porcelain
Term: The term "through-body" refers to the tile being consistent in composition through out the body of the tile. The color and texture runs through the entire dimensional thickness of the tile.
Features:
Strong and Dense Tile
Freeze/Thaw Stable for Exterior Use
Usually Slip Resistant unless polished
Superior Scratch & Chip Resistance
Similar color throughout if chip occurs
Choices may be limited
Material should be sealed
Composition: Through-body tile is derived from mixtures of clay, sand and other natural minerals that are shaped into tile and fired at high temperatures. Through-bodied porcelain does not have a glaze. The clay is pressed and then fired.
Appearance: Through-body tile is considered as one of the most fashionable choices for floors, walls and countertops. It may have texture and color applied to the surface before firing but it is still the porcelain material from top to bottom. The color of the tile runs throughout its body.
Performance: The pressed dust method results in a porcelain tile with a density so high the water absorption is less than 0.5%. It is a strong tile that can withstand extreme surface traffic. There is no glaze that can wear off. If the tile chips, the same or similar color is underneath.
Usage: Through-bodied porcelain tiles can be used for both residential and heavy commercial installations. They can also be installed at wet locations and areas where slip resistant floors are needed.
Glazed Porcelain
Term: Glaze is a glass wear layer or hard finish (usually colored), applied to the surface of machine-made clay tiles. The term "glaze" can also refer to the material or mixture from which the coating is made.
Features:
Strong and Dense Tile
Freeze/Thaw Stable for Exterior Use
Superior Stain Resistance
Many Choices in Color and Style
Only seal if glaze has been polished
Composition: Glazed porcelain has a body made of the porcelain material and a glaze applied over the surface. It is almost similar to that of a regular ceramic tile. It is fired in a kiln and the result is a very strong bodied tile.
Appearance: Glazing, either shiny or matte, provides the most beautiful and varied colors, designs and decorations in ceramic tiles. Most bright, flashy tiles you see in tile displays are glazed.
Performance: Glazed tiles are non-porous. The glaze being an impervious facial finish protects tile from stains and moisture. These tiles are usually easier to maintain and can be treated for a higher slip resistance.
Usage: Vitreous glazed floor tiles are a durable option for counter tops and walls, providing a surface that is practically stain-proof. However, glazed porcelain is not recommended for heavy commercial installations.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Shade Variation in Ceramic & Porcelain Tile....
Many popular styles of ceramic tiles are designed and manufactured to appear and feel like natural stone, imitating their rugged surface and color variation. It's important to understand these variations while selecting and laying out your ceramic tile flooring. You will always be provided with a wide range of glazes, different gloss levels, colors and texture variations to choose from. Your choice should depend on the conditions present at your chosen location, whether commercial or residential.
A commonly preferred choice is a solid color tile because of its consistent look. However, shade variation is a natural factor in all fired ceramic products. In fact, certain tiles will show a certain amount variation even within their dye lots.
For the benefit of better understanding on the part of the consumer, shade variation categories have been devised to enable consumers choose their desired shade spectrum. These shade variation ratings are mentioned on the back label of each sample within either of the low, moderate, high or random categories.
Here is a brief explanation of these categories:
Low: Consistent shade and texture
Moderate: Moderate shade and texture variation
High: High shade and texture variation
Random: Very high shade and texture variation
The color of the tiles body is determined by the color of the clay used to manufacture it. It is usually the clay available in the surrounding regions of the manufacturing facility or sometimes imported from another region. You can have a look at the body of tile to find out if the color is red or white. The quality, however, depends on the processing standards of the manufacturers rather than the color of the body.
Color variations will also be present within the manufacturer's samples of tile of the same color. Moreover, it can be seen throughout the installed tiles on counter tops, walls and floors.
a couple of good tile manufacturers we use at Ceramictec Tile Contractors use are Crossville and Marazzi. to us they are a really good quality porcelain tile and made in the U.S.A.
If you have a particular tendency towards color consistency, then understanding the facts and talking to your tile contractor about your expectations can be a worthwhile pursuit.
some shade variations can be a beautiful thing.
like this full house tile renovation in Lakeland Florida for a customer.
A commonly preferred choice is a solid color tile because of its consistent look. However, shade variation is a natural factor in all fired ceramic products. In fact, certain tiles will show a certain amount variation even within their dye lots.
For the benefit of better understanding on the part of the consumer, shade variation categories have been devised to enable consumers choose their desired shade spectrum. These shade variation ratings are mentioned on the back label of each sample within either of the low, moderate, high or random categories.
Here is a brief explanation of these categories:
Low: Consistent shade and texture
Moderate: Moderate shade and texture variation
High: High shade and texture variation
Random: Very high shade and texture variation
The color of the tiles body is determined by the color of the clay used to manufacture it. It is usually the clay available in the surrounding regions of the manufacturing facility or sometimes imported from another region. You can have a look at the body of tile to find out if the color is red or white. The quality, however, depends on the processing standards of the manufacturers rather than the color of the body.
Color variations will also be present within the manufacturer's samples of tile of the same color. Moreover, it can be seen throughout the installed tiles on counter tops, walls and floors.
a couple of good tile manufacturers we use at Ceramictec Tile Contractors use are Crossville and Marazzi. to us they are a really good quality porcelain tile and made in the U.S.A.
If you have a particular tendency towards color consistency, then understanding the facts and talking to your tile contractor about your expectations can be a worthwhile pursuit.
some shade variations can be a beautiful thing.
like this full house tile renovation in Lakeland Florida for a customer.
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