http://www.builddirect.com Informative articles on flooring, decking, siding and building materials. Provided by BuildDirect. http://www.builddirect.com/images/bd_logo.gif http://www.builddirect.com Copyright 2008 BuildDirect Technologies Inc. All Rights Reserved. merchandizing@builddirect.com en-us Tile is a manufactured piece of hard-wearing material such as clay, ceramic, stone, metal or even glass. It is a surfacing unit, used for covering roofs, floors, walls and countertops. Ceramic and porcelain tiles are manufactured by pressing clay and other materials into shape and firing it at high temperatures, giving it the hardness it is known for. The bisque (body) of a tile may then be glazed, or left unglazed depending on its intended use. ]]> April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Tile.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Tile.aspx Raw Materials Porcelain tile has a low absorption rate and an extremely durable wear resistant surface. This is because of the combination of special clays and high kiln temperatures utilized during the manufacturing process. Together, these materials and the firing process create dense and durable tile. ]]> April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/How_is_Porcelain_Tile_Manufactured.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/How_is_Porcelain_Tile_Manufactured.aspx tiles are rated for use by the Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) abrasion test. This test is recommended by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). The scale provided by this test determines the resistance of an enameled surface in relation to the traffic and wear the surface can endure, without any damage to its appearance. ]]> April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/How_is_Porcelain_Tile_Rated_for_Hardness.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/How_is_Porcelain_Tile_Rated_for_Hardness.aspx porcelain tile is moisture absorption. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has developed a rating for moisture absorption by tiles. This rating is actually a procedure to test a tiles permeability to water. It consists of boiling the tile in water and measuring its gain in weight from the original dry state. ]]> April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/How_is_Porcelain_Tile_Rated_for_Moisture_Absorption.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/How_is_Porcelain_Tile_Rated_for_Moisture_Absorption.aspx Porcelain tile flooring can easily endure heavy foot traffic at both residential and commercial locations while not reducing its color and beauty! It is used for many decorative and functional purposes but regarded as an ideal choice for flooring applications. Some of the advantages of porcelain tile flooring are mentioned below: ]]> April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Advantages_of_Porcelain_Tile_Flooring.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Advantages_of_Porcelain_Tile_Flooring.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Removing_Stains_From_Porcelain_Tiles.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Removing_Stains_From_Porcelain_Tiles.aspx Tile flooring is rated not only on its ability to withstand water penetration and resistance to abrasion but also on its aesthetic qualities. Both visual and structural characteristics are equally important in the process of choosing a type of tile for your property. ]]> April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Factors_to_Consider_While_Choosing_Tile_Flooring.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Factors_to_Consider_While_Choosing_Tile_Flooring.aspx Porcelain tile is among the easiest of flooring materials to clean. Porcelain tile can be easily swept or vacuumed twice a week. You can also clean your porcelain tile with a damp sponge mop. Use a solution of 1/4 cup of white vinegar to 2 gallons of water, allowing time for drying. ]]> April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Cleaning_Porcelain_Tile_Flooring.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Cleaning_Porcelain_Tile_Flooring.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Color_Shade_Variation_Grading.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Color_Shade_Variation_Grading.aspx tile flooring! Luckily, the wide varieties of tile flooring enables you an equally wide selection that best suits your project. Here are some important things you should consider before you select and buy the appropriate tile flooring and much before you start the installation process. ]]> April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Important_Factors_to_Consider_Before_Installing_Tile_Flooring.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Important_Factors_to_Consider_Before_Installing_Tile_Flooring.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Q_and_A.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Q_and_A.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Skid_Resistance_Scale_for_Tile_Flooring.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Skid_Resistance_Scale_for_Tile_Flooring.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/The_Dos_and_Donts_of_Tile_Care.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/The_Dos_and_Donts_of_Tile_Care.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Ceramic_Tiles___Important_Characteristics___Part_1.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Ceramic_Tiles___Important_Characteristics___Part_1.aspx Stain Resistance: The ability of ceramic tile to withstand permanent staining by a variety of substances is also important. The stain resistance of ceramic tile varies depending on its capacity to resist moisture. Glazed ceramic tiles and even some unglazed tiles resist all types of stains and can be cleaned easily with some guidance. ]]> April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Ceramic_Tiles___Important_Characteristics__Part_2.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Ceramic_Tiles___Important_Characteristics__Part_2.aspx Stain Resistance: The ability of ceramic tile to withstand permanent staining by a variety of substances is also important. The stain resistance of ceramic tile varies depending on its capacity to resist moisture. Glazed ceramic tiles and even some unglazed tiles resist all types of stains and can be cleaned easily with some guidance. ]]> April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Porcelain_and_Ceramic_Tile_Q_and_A.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Porcelain_and_Ceramic_Tile_Q_and_A.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/The_Advantages_of_Ceramic_Tiles.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/The_Advantages_of_Ceramic_Tiles.aspx ceramic tile floors manufacturing process results in a huge choice of color, size, finish and shape in wall and floor tiles. The process is comprises the following steps: ]]> April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/The_Ceramic_Tile_Manufacturing_Process__Part_1.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/The_Ceramic_Tile_Manufacturing_Process__Part_1.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/The_Ceramic_Tile_Manufacturing_Process__Part_2.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/The_Ceramic_Tile_Manufacturing_Process__Part_2.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/What_is_Meant_by_Frost_Resistance_of_a_Ceramic_Tile.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/What_is_Meant_by_Frost_Resistance_of_a_Ceramic_Tile.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Ceramic_Tile__The_Wide_Variety_of_Usage_Shapes_Finishes_Sizes_and_Shading.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Ceramic_Tile__The_Wide_Variety_of_Usage_Shapes_Finishes_Sizes_and_Shading.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Cleaning_Ceramic_Tile__Part_1.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Cleaning_Ceramic_Tile__Part_1.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Cleaning_Ceramic_Tiles__Part_2.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Cleaning_Ceramic_Tiles__Part_2.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Grout_for_Ceramic_Tile__Facts_and_Considerations.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Grout_for_Ceramic_Tile__Facts_and_Considerations.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Sealers_for_Ceramic_Tile__Facts_and_Considerations.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Sealers_for_Ceramic_Tile__Facts_and_Considerations.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Monocottura_and_Bicottura__How_Ceramic_Tile_is_Made.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Monocottura_and_Bicottura__How_Ceramic_Tile_is_Made.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/More_Q_and_A_For_Ceramic_and_Porcelain_Tile.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/More_Q_and_A_For_Ceramic_and_Porcelain_Tile.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Benefits_of_Tile_for_Surfacing_Part_1.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Benefits_of_Tile_for_Surfacing_Part_1.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Benefits_of_Tile_for_Surfacing_Part_2.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Benefits_of_Tile_for_Surfacing_Part_2.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/All_about_Glazed_Tiles_Part_1.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/All_about_Glazed_Tiles_Part_1.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/All_about_Glazed_Tiles_Part_2.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/All_about_Glazed_Tiles_Part_2.aspx Portland Cement: A type of hydraulic cement used in tile installation.It is usually used in mortar mixes, and made by processing clay and limestone. ]]> April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Installing_Ceramic_Tile_Notes_and_Definitions.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Installing_Ceramic_Tile_Notes_and_Definitions.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/How_to_install_ceramic_tile_flooring_Part_1.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/How_to_install_ceramic_tile_flooring_Part_1.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/How_to_install_ceramic_tile_flooring_Part_2.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/How_to_install_ceramic_tile_flooring_Part_2.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/How_to_install_ceramic_tile_flooring_Part_3.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/How_to_install_ceramic_tile_flooring_Part_3.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/How_to_install_ceramic_tile_flooring_Part_4___Subfloors_and_other_Substrates.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/How_to_install_ceramic_tile_flooring_Part_4___Subfloors_and_other_Substrates.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/How_to_install_ceramic_tile_flooring_Part_5.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/How_to_install_ceramic_tile_flooring_Part_5.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/How_to_install_ceramic_tile_flooring_Part_6___Mixing_and_Applying_Mortar_Adhesive.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/How_to_install_ceramic_tile_flooring_Part_6___Mixing_and_Applying_Mortar_Adhesive.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/How_to_install_ceramic_tile_flooring_Part_7___Laying_Down_the_tile_permanently.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/How_to_install_ceramic_tile_flooring_Part_7___Laying_Down_the_tile_permanently.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/How_to_install_ceramic_tile_flooring_Part_8___Applying_Grout.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/How_to_install_ceramic_tile_flooring_Part_8___Applying_Grout.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/How_to_install_ceramic_tile_flooring_Part_9___Caulking_wall_joints.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/How_to_install_ceramic_tile_flooring_Part_9___Caulking_wall_joints.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Ceramic_Tiles_and_Porcelain_Tiles_Qandamp;A_Part_1.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Ceramic_Tiles_and_Porcelain_Tiles_Qandamp;A_Part_1.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Ceramic_Tiles_and_Porcelain_Tiles_QandA_Part_2.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Ceramic_Tiles_and_Porcelain_Tiles_QandA_Part_2.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Removing_Stains_from_ceramic_Tile.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Removing_Stains_from_ceramic_Tile.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Replacing_Ceramic_Tile.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Replacing_Ceramic_Tile.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Basic_subfloor_preparation_instructions_for_installing_ceramic_tile.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Basic_subfloor_preparation_instructions_for_installing_ceramic_tile.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Installing_Ceramic_Tile_Flooring__QandA.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Installing_Ceramic_Tile_Flooring__QandA.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Questions_and_Answers_About_Tile.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Questions_and_Answers_About_Tile.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Ceramic_tile_installation_FAQs.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Ceramic_tile_installation_FAQs.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/All_about_Unglazed_Tiles_Part_1.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/All_about_Unglazed_Tiles_Part_1.aspx What is the best way to clean ceramic tile for the first time? ... ]]> April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Ceramic_floor_tile_Installation_FAQs.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Ceramic_floor_tile_Installation_FAQs.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Types_of_Porcelain_tiles.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Types_of_Porcelain_tiles.aspx 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. ]]> April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Facts_About_Ceramic_Tile.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Facts_About_Ceramic_Tile.aspx April 25, 2008 /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Shade_Variation_in_Ceramic_Tiles.aspx /Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Shade_Variation_in_Ceramic_Tiles.aspx