Facts About Ceramic Tile

What is a Cement Backer Board? Cement backer board or CBU (cement backer unit) provides a supportive and water resistant layer between the porous substrate and the mortar and tile applied on top of it. Many ceramic tile installers are now adopting the method where the tile is adhered directly onto a backer board using a much thinner layer of mortar. The backer board is nailed to a plywood or concrete substrate.

What is a field tile? While creating a pattern with different ceramic tiles, the tile used throughout the largest area is called the �field tile�.

What is meant by Pressing? Pressing is the third and most common step in the manufacturing process of ceramic tile. The clay is pressed and formed/shaped into the shape of a tile. The end product of this step is the green tile.

What is a green tile? The third step in the manufacturing of ceramic tile involves the clay being pressed and shaped into a tile�s shape. These pressed tiles are called greenware or green tiles.

What is frit? Frit is part of the glazing process, the fourth step in the manufacturing of ceramic tile. The liquid glaze is prepared from a glass derivative called frit and colored dyes.

What is meant by firing? Firing is the fifth step in the manufacturing of ceramic tile. The tiles are fired in the kiln at temperatures around 2000 degrees Fahrenheit.

What is meant by nominal size of a ceramic tile? Ceramic tile is usually referred to by its nominal size, not its actual size. The tile shrinks during the firing process, by about 10% in size. For example, a 12� by 12� floor tile will actually measure 11-7/8 inches square. The most popular sizes are nominal sizes of 13� by 13�, 16� by 16� and 18� by 18�.

What is Bullnose? Bullnose is a ceramic floor tile trim with one rounded finish edge on the tile to give a nice finishing touch. Bullnose is also used as a substitute for cove base.

What is a Corner Bullnose? Corner bullnose is a ceramic floor tile with two rounded finish edges on the tile to be used to complete a corner.

What is sanitary cove base? Sanitary cove base is a ceramic floor trim with a rounded finish top like a bullnose to cover up the body of the tile.

How important is the substrate in a ceramic tile installation? The process for installing a ceramic floor begins with the preparation of the substrate, the base for the tile bed. Common materials used as tile substrates in home installations include concrete, plywood, and drywall. An uneven, damaged, or otherwise unsuitable substrate can seriously affect the life and function of the newly installed ceramic flooring.

What is thickset/mud set? Thickset or mud set is the old method of installing ceramic tile. In this method, a thick layer of mortar was applied to a waterproofed and steel reinforced substrate. This provides a strong, flat base onto which the tile can be installed. It is still an effective but a labor intensive process.

What is a thinset? Thinset is the modern method of applying the tile directly onto a backer board using a thin layer of mortar. The backer board is nailed to a plywood or concrete substrate.

Did you know? Bisque or �Biscuit Body� is the body of a ceramic tile. When you look at a glazed tile from the side you can see two layers. The body of the tile, or the thickest layer, is called the bisque. The top layer is called the glaze.