Coordination
and imagination is the key. This
strength can be yours in a variety of tiles for every residential
and commercial
application. Floor, wall and accent tiles are designed
to expand and enhance your creativity with an ever increasing selection
of interchangeable
color palettes
and styles. When it comes
to tile, don’t
think square. After all, there are so many exciting tile patterns to
choose from — and so many ways to use them to a room’s
best advantage.
Have
a small room you want to look bigger? Use a trellis pattern with
color-matched
grout
to enlarge its appearance. How about a large room that could use some
visual trickery to break up a monotonous expanse
of floor? Blend colors in a lacework pattern with contrasting grout to
add texture and interest. No matter how you want to alter the appearance
or scale of a room, there’s a tile pattern designed to work for
you.
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Selecting your tile
Floor
and wall tiles can be made out of many different types of materials.
Each one offering it’s
own special characteristics to your project.
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Porcelain Tile

The densest of
all tile types.
Color goes all the way through
the tile. Withstands temperature
extremes. May be used outdoors
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Glazed Tile

Coated
with glass-forming minerals and ceramic stains. Available in finishes such
as matte and semi-gloss.
Stain- and moisture-resistant. Ideal for food preparation surfaces such
as countertops.
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Ceramic Mosaic

Generally
2" x
2" or
smaller. Offers great potential for the use of two or more colors in
a tile design.
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Natural Stone
Select from the choicest
stone from the finest quarries in the world. Now finding your favorite
granite,
marble, travertine, limestone and slate options is as easy as making
a call to the name you already trust for ceramic tile; Daltile.
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Unglazed Quarry Tile
Hard and dense with
a uniform composition. Available with various surface treatments and
textures. Does
not offer
as much protection against stains as glazed tile. Often used outdoors.
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Get
your questions answered to some of the most frequently asked questions.
-
If I drop something on my kitchen floor, is it going
to crack the tile?
It depends, ceramic tile is very durable, if you
drop a glass or dish, the glass or dish will most
likely break, the tile will probably
chip or crack
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- Why can some of the semi-gloss colors be used on counter tops, when
others cannot?
Countertop applications are more susceptible to scratching because
of their daily use, and scratching may be more noticeable on darker
colors.
- Can ceramic tile be used outdoors?
To be used outdoors, the tile must be frost proof and unglazed for
floor use. Make sure the absorption rate is 0.5% or less
- What type of tile can be used around a fireplace?
Any tile can be used on the face of a fireplace. I would not recommend
putting the tile directly In the firebox.
Routine Care Of Ceramic Tile Contaminants
and spills on a glazed ceramic tile are,
generally, easier to clean than other, more impervious surfaces. Glazed
tile products should
be cleaned routinely with an all-purpose, non oil-based household or
commercial cleaner. The product chosen should also be grout joint cleaning
compatible. The type of product may vary depending on the tile application
and use. A multipurpose spray cleaner, which removes soap scum, hard
water deposits, and mildew designed for every day use, can be used on
wall tile areas in residential baths and showers The
entire area should be cleaned and scrubbed with cleaner solution through
the use of a cotton mop, cloth, sponge, or non-metallic brush.
The entire area should be rinsed with clean water to remove any cleaning
solution residue. Remember that you should sweep or vacuum floor areas
prior to cleaning to remove any dust or debris. Routine cleaners should
never contain acids or ammonia. Acids can damage the grout and the glazed
surface of the tile, and ammonia can discolor the grout. Unglazed
tile should
be cleaned routinely with concentrated tile cleaners that have a neutral
pH for safe regular use. These cleaners are better
suited at removing grease, oils and normal spills from unglazed products.
Again these products will vary depending on the application, amount of
traffic and the use. The product chosen should also be compatible with
cleaning the grout joints at the same time. Removal of Sealers/Waxes/Floor Finishes:
If you need to remove a topical sealer or floor wax from a ceramic tile
you should use a Tile Sealer & Adhesive remover. Always test a
small area first. Apply a liberal amount of undiluted sealer & adhesive
remover to a manageable area. Allow setting without drying until coating
or residue softens. Reapply if necessary until sealer softens and can
be removed. If necessary, agitate with white nylon scrub pad. Wipe
up the residue with a cotton towel or sponge. Rinse thoroughly with
clean water. Do not use on natural stone products.
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