Glossary

What is a ceramic tile?

A tile made from clay that has been hardened by heat at approximately 1000℃. These tiles have a glazed finish on the front and a “biscuit” clay backing. These tiles are available in many different colours and sizes in matt and gloss finishes. Mainly appropriate for wall application.

What is a porcelain tile?

Porcelain is a type of ceramic tile that is fired at an extremely high temperature which makes them more hard wearing than a regular ceramic tile.

What Natural stone tiles are there?

Slate, Granite, Limestone, Sandstone and Travertine – Various quarried natural materials that are porous and require sealing.

What are Terracotta tiles?

Traditional clay producing a rustic orange tile. Can be handmade. Very porous and requires sealing.

What does Glazed Porcelain mean?

Tiles with a porcelain base that can give you a wide variety of designs. A layer of hardening glassware is merged with the porcelain base. Can be referred to as semi vitrified.

What does full bodied porcelain mean?

Body of the tile contains the design with no layer on top. This means the colour and the design runs through the whole tile. These are also referred to as Fully Vitrified tiles.

What does vitrified mean?

Dense porcelain highly resistant to water absorption with a rate of less than 0.5%.

What is a polished finish tile?

A tile that is mechanically polished to give a glossy look.

What is a matt finish?

A finish offering pretty much no reflection, regardless of lighting.

What is a semi-polished finish tile?

Also known as ‘lappato’, only half of the surface is polished. This allows the light to reflect causing a glistening finish.

What is a bevelled edge tile?

A tile with a gradual slope down to the outer edge. Mainly found in classic subway tile sizes.

What is the biscuit of a tile?

The clay element or the body of the tile. Mainly either ‘ceramic biscuit’ or ‘porcelain biscuit’.

Glossary of Useful Terms

Batch

Different productions of the same tile will result in very minor shade variations due to the nature of the machinery.

Bowing

Warping of the tile that occurs during the cooling process after a tile has been fired.

Double Charged

Porcelain comprised of 2 layers. A bottom denser layer and a top layer enabling a more intricate design. Not to be confused with glazed porcelain.

Full Body

Body of the tile contains the design, with no layer on top. This means the colour and the design runs through the whole tile.

Large Format

Larger, mainly porcelain floor tiles. Commonly 80x80/90x90/100x100/60x120/120x120.

Modular

A tile that comprises of many different sizes creating a more rustic look.

Non-rectified

A tile that has a more natural, slightly rounder edge than a rectified tile. A larger grout joint would be required.

Rectified

The tile is cut after being kilned producing sharper edges on all 4 side. This allows a smaller grout joint and therefore a more contemporary look.

Slip Resistance

A certain level of slip-resistance can be required. This is measured with a PTV rating or R rating. This information can be obtained by asking the purchasing department.