Frequently Asked Questions &
Answers
Q. What are the two
basic types of ceramic
tile?
A.
Glazed and Unglazed
Q, What is an unglazed
tile?
A. A hardened
piece of clay.
Q. What is a glazed
tile?
A.A glazed tile
is the same as an unglazed tile except that a protective
glass coating is applied to its
surface
Q. What determines the durability of a
tile?
A.
The hardness of the glaze
The density of the clay
(Bisque)
Q. Are unglazed tiles as stain resistant
as glazed tiles?
A.
No. While some very dense unglazed tiles are highly stain
resistant, a glazed tile is practically stain
proof.
Q. Are shade variations more common in
glazed or unglazed tiles?
A. Both. Most consumers prefer shade, and even colour
variations in unglazed or glazed tiles. It adds character to
the installation.
Q. What is a
glaze?
A. it's a liquid glass
coating that is sprayed or poured on the tiles surface and
hardened in the oven.
Q. What are the glazes’ colours made
of?
A. A mixture of
various minerals such as zinc, copper, mercury, cobalt and
many, many others.
Q. Does the
temperature of the oven affect the hardness of the
glaze?
A. Yes. The higher the temperature, the harder the
glaze.
Q. Does the
density of the clay, in an unglazed tile, affect its stain
resistance?
A. Yes. If the clay is not dense enough it will
readily absorb stains.
Q. How is
the density of a tile measured?
A. By how much water it
absorbs.
Q. Why
can't wall tiles be installed on
floors?
A. They are not strong
enough to take foot traffic. Their glaze is too soft and their
clay body too porous.
Q. What
does the term monocottura mean?
A.
It's an Italian term meaning
single-fired.
Q. How can
you determine if a tile is suited for outdoor use in a cold
climate?
A. If your labels or
literature says it's frost resistant, it's suited for outdoor
use.
Q. What
tiles are considered frost
resistant?
A. Tiles that absorb 3%
or less moisture. These are both vitreous and impervious
tiles.
Q. Is a product with a 4 wear rating a
better quality or more expensive than one with a 2 wear
rating?
A. Not necessarily. The wear
rating has nothing to do with quality or price, only
durability. Some of the most expensive tiles are the hand
painted wall tiles and they only have a wear rating of
one.
Q. Does the
gloss level affect slip
resistance?
A. Yes. High gloss
products are usually more slippery than low gloss
ones.
Q. How long
will a glazed tile last?
A. If the right product is selected for the area and if
it's maintained properly, the tile could last the lifetime of
the home.
Q. Can
floor tiles be used on walls and counter
tops?
A. Yes, providing the structure is strong enough to
support the weight.
Q. How do
you clean ceramic tile?
A. Usually just a damp sponge will be enough. Where
soiling is more severe, use a window cleaner such as Windex ...
a mild solution of hot water and an all purpose liquid cleaner
such as Mr. Clean is also excellent. Do not use soap as it
leaves a film.0
Q. Can
water and Vinegar be used to clean
ceramics?
A. Vinegar is an acid and
acid should never be used on tile by anyone other than a
professional. If it's not diluted properly it could bleach out
the colour in the grout.
Q. Are
ceramic tiles fire resistant?
A. Yes. They are totally fire proof at any
temperature.
Q. Are
ceramic tiles hygienic?
A. Yes. A
glazed tile does not retain liquids, fumes, odors or
germs.
Q. What is
the most important feature to consider when selecting a
tile?
A. Its durability. Is it tough enough to withstand the
abuse it's going to be subjected to?
Q. What are
porcelain tiles?
A. They are generally unglazed tiles that are made up of
a very fine mixture of clays, similar to those found in
Chinaware. Their most outstanding feature is their density.
They are impervious tiles that absorb from zero to
one-half-of-one-percent moisture, making them as tough as
granite.
Q. What are
the two most common trims used for floor
tiles?
A. • A
bullnose
• and a marble
threshold
Q. If the
manufacturer does not offer a bullnose, what are the
alternative products that can be used as a
wall base?
A. • wood
• vinyl cove base
• a generic
bullnose
• a cut-tile
base
Q. What is
a cut-tile base?
This is a trim piece that is used as a wall base. The
cut-tile base is made from the field tile being installed on
the job. The installer will cut a 3 or 4 inch strip from the
tile and will adhere these strips, factory edge exposed, on the
wall.
Q. How do
you finish off the top edge of a cut-tile base when the clay
body is objectionable?
A. You can
use an acrylic paint or you can cap off the factory edge with a
vinyl cap.
Q. What are
vinyl caps?
A. These are rigid plastic caps made specifically for
ceramic tile. They come in a variety of colours and are
designed to slip over the edge of the
tile.
Q. Where
can vinyl caps be used?
A. They are tough enough to be used on floors and
stairs, as well as walls and counter tops, when no other trims
are available.
Q. What is
a threshold trim?
A. The most common
thresholds are marble. They are used in doorways to separate
ceramic tile from other types of
flooring.
Wood
Subfloors
Q. Can ceramic tile be installed
directly over a wood subfloor?
A. Although many industry experts feel the risk is too high,
some regions of the country install tile over a double layer of
plywood.
Q.What are the advantages of the
backer board over the wire mesh and mortar coat?
A.It's thinner than the wire mesh method. It's also less costly
and time consuming to install. The backer board requires no
curing and the tile may be installed the same day.
Q. Why shouldn't tile be
installed directly over wood subfloors such as flake board,
chip board, luan, masonite and other composite type
boards?
A. If the moisture in the mortar penetrates these boards they
may fall apart.
Q.What type of mortar is
recommended when setting tile directly over an exterior grade
plywood and why?
A. An approved modified thin-set mortar containing latex. The
latex will allow the mortar to bend rather than crack with
minor movement.
Q. What are the construction
requirements for installing ceramic tile directly over
plywood?
A. 2" x 1 0" floor joists spaced 16" with 5/8" plywood subfloor
and 3/8" plywood underlayment.
Vinyl
Subfloors
Q Under what
conditions can tile be installed directly over a vinyl
subfloor?
A.When it's firmly adhered to the floor
and when all waxes and contaminants have been
removed.
Q. Can a cement backer board be
used to cover vinyl?
A. Yes, if the vinyl is
non-cushioned and if it is over a wood subfloor.
Wall
Substrates
Q. Can tile be installed over existing
ceramic tile?
A. Yes, providing the existing tile is firmly adhered, and
squeaky clean.
Adhesives
Q. What is meant
by the term thin-set?
A. It is any adhesive that is applied less than 1/4"
thick.
Q. How would you plan the
installation of tile in a long hallway leading to the ONLY
bathroom in the house?
A. Install one side of the
hallway the first day, leaving the customer a pathway to the
bathroom, and the other side on the second day using quickset.
This would allow the installer the opportunity to complete the
job on the second day.
Tile
Maintenance
Q. How do you
clean ceramic tile?
A. Wipe the tile with a damp
sponge mop using a small amount of soapless detergent in
warm water.
Q. Why are soaps
not recommended?
A. They leave a film which dulls
the surface and promotes mildew.
Q. Why are steel wool type pads
not recommended?
A. Because any loose particles of steel left on the grout will
cause rust stains.
Q. Why isn't an acid cleaner
recommended?
A. It could effect the colour of the
grout.
Q. Should vinegar and water be
used?
A. No. Vinegar is an acid and, if not diluted right, could
damage grout.
Q. What is the most important step in
maintaining a glazed tile?
A. To keep the
floor free of sand or any other gritty material that may
act as an abrasive and wear down the surface.
Designing With
Ceramic Tile
Q. What effect
will a large tile have in a small room?
A. It will
visually expand a small room.
Q. What aesthetic effect will
grout, whose colour closely matches the tile, have on the
area?
A. It will give the area a unified or blanket
look as it will blend into the tile.
Q. What will a contrasting colour
grout do to the appearance of the floor?
A. It will
emphasize the grid or pattern formed by the tile.
Q. What if your neighbour's
ceramic is chipped and cracked?
A. Either the wrong
tile was selected or it was installed improperly.
Grout
Q. What is the
average size of a floor grout?
A.
1/4"
Q. Will grouts
stain?
A. Yes, even though grouts are very dense,
they are made of cement and cement is
absorptive.
Q. What can be done to cut down
on potential staining?
A. One way is to select a
darker colour grout for use in the kitchen, but this is not
always desirable. The other way is to use a grout protectant
which is a latex additive that's mixed with the
grout.
Q. What does a grout protectant
do?
A. It is a latex that fills up the open air
cells of the grout making it less porous and less apt to
stain.
| 
