World of Floors carries Ceramic Tile from
the the world's leading manufacturers including:
Dal Tile
Florida Tile
Interceramic
Kathy Ireland
Mannington
Mohawk Industries
Portobello
Shaw Industries
Ask our professional sales staff about Special Orders.
About Ceramic Tile Tile
Sizes As far as size goes, the most popular tile sold is still the 4 1/4" square
wall tile. However, the current trend is towards larger tiles, like 8x8's, 10x10's and
even 12x12's. Small one-inch tiles are also common. These are called mosaic tile because
you can mix different colors to create borders, patterns, and even pictures. These are
usually joined together in 12"x12" or 12"x24" sheets to make them
easier and quicker to set. You can even have custom patterns made.
Tile Types The material that's used to make tile and the methods of manufacturing determine
its durability and absorption. It's important to know what tile is best suited for
your specific situation.
Most ceramic tile is glazed. Glazed tile is made from a mixture of clays that
are pressed into shape. A "glaze" is then applied to the top and baked on.
Glazed tiles are available in high-gloss, matte, and abrasive slip-resistant finishes.
Glazed tiles also come in decorative styles with a pattern or hand-painted design.
The glaze on the tile doesn't go all the way through, so if it gets chipped, you're
going to see the color inside. Glazed tiles may tend to get scratched on frequently
used countertops, but they're ideal for walls. For floors, make sure you get a finish
that won't be too slippery or show scratches easily.
Mosaic tile is made from different types of clay with color pigments added
so the color goes all the way through the tile. Mosaics are suitable for almost any
surface because they resist moisture, are stain-proof and will not chip easily.
Quarry tile is a broad classification for any tile made out of a mixture of
clays. They are usually deep red in color and left unglazed. These tiles are used
mostly for interior floors because they're usually porous and irregular in shape.
The surface of these tiles can be sealed or left unsealed, although, they may stain
if left unsealed.
Another trend in high-end tile jobs is natural materials like slate, marble, granite,
and limestone cut into thin pieces and installed like tile.
Choose the Right Resistance The Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) rating scale is not a measurement of quality.
It is a scale that indicates the areas of use each manufacturer recommends and has
designed their tile to fit. A description of each of the 6 classes is as follows:
Class 0 — No Foot Traffic: Wall tile only and should not be used on
flo
Class 1 — Very light traffic: Very low foot traffic, bare foot only.
(Master suite, spa bathroom).
Class 2 — Light Traffic: Slipper or soft-soled shoes. Second level
main bathroom areas, bedrooms.
Class 3 — Light to Moderate Traffic: Any residential area with the
possible exception of some entries and kitchens if extremely heavy or abrasive traffic
is anticipated.
Class 4 — Moderate to Heavy Traffic: High foot traffic, areas where
abrasive or outside dirt could be tracked. Residential entry, kitchen, balcony,
and countertop.
Class 5 — Heavy Traffic: Ceramic tile suggested for residential, commercial
and institutional floor subjected to heavy traffic.
Glazed/Unglazed Glazed Tile — has a special ceramic coating that is applied to the
body of the tile and then fired under tremendous heat. The glazing becomes hard and
non-porous resulting in a flooring that is Stain Resistant, Scratch Resistant, Fire
Resistant, Doesn’t Fade from Sun.
Light, Slip Resistant, Easy to Clean.
Unglazed Tile — no glazing or any other coating applied to the tile. 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. The most common unglazed tiles
are the red quarry tiles or the granite looking porcelain ceramic tiles used in heavy
commercial areas.
Michigan Store Locations: Battle Creek, Canton, Chesterfield,
Clinton, Dearborn, Dixie, Farmington, Grayling,
Grand Rapids, Lansing, Madison Heights, Portage, Port Huron, Rochester, Shelby, Southgate, and
Walton
Tile
Sizes
