Ceramic Tile Glossary

Ceramic tile a clay bodied tile which is typically glazed and fired at lower temperatures less dense and with greater water absorbency then a porcelain tile.

Ceramic tile glossary.

Tile glossary of terms. A comprehensive glossary of ceramic porcelain and stone tile terms and definitions. Border a strip of tile with design texture or contrasting color that creates a design concept. The most common system rates ceramic tile abrasion resistance or its overall durability.

This glossary provides a collection of the tile and stone industry s terms that you should understand before you buy. Ceramic tiles are usually glazed and are often for wall use only because of this but many can be used on both walls and floors. Most ceramic tile manufacturers use a rating system based on or supported by this group. During the firing process ceramic tile will shrink on average by about 10 in size.

Ceramic tiles are suitable for all internal residential applications. For example a 12 by 12 floor tile will actually measure 11 7 8 inches square. Currently the most popular ceramic floor tile are the larger sized tiles such as 13 by 13 16 by 16 and 18 by 18 sizes. Acid washed a treatment applied to the face of a stone to achieve a texture.

Brushed finish a finish resulting from treating the stone surface with a coarse wire rotary brush. Battiscopa the italian term for a bullnose trim piece. Adhesive used for bonding tile to a surface. Scratch resistance moisture absorption.

Defining the language used by tile suppliers designers and installers alike. Ratings are typically found on the tile sample or in the product catalog.