American Tile carries only products of exceptional quality and value. Our professional staff has the depth of knowledge, technical proficiency, and customer-friendly attitude to ensure that the products you receive from us meet your design and construction goals. To best guarantee that we are able to serve you in the most appropriate and productive manner, you may wish to review the following summary of ceramic tile product criteria.

These are the qualities and criteria that American Tile uses in recommending products and judging their suitability in a particular installation. Our quality assurance primer provides an invaluable common reference for discussing, selecting, and using American Tile products.

Durability

The Porcelain Enamel Institute has developed wear ratings to ensure that specific tiles are used in appropriate applications.

P.E.I. Wear Ratings

Group I

Tiles suitable only for residential bathrooms where softer footwear is worn.

Group II

Tiles suited to general residential traffic, except kitchens, entrance halls, and other areas subjected to continuous heavy use.

Group III

Tiles suited for all residential and light commercial areas such as offices, reception areas, and boutiques.

Group IV

Tiles suited for medium commercial and light institutional applications such as restaurants, hotels, hospital lobbies and corridors.

Group IV+

Tiles suitable for heavy traffic and wet areas where safety and maximum performance are a major concern, such as exterior walkways, food service, salad bars, building entrances, around swimming pools, or shopping centers.

The wear rating of the tile does not determine quality or price, only durability. Some of the most expensive and luxurious tiles in the world rate only a I or II.

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Composition

Ceramic tile is simply a mixture of clays which have been shaped and fired at high temperatures, resulting in a hard body, or bisque. The bisque may be left untreated, or it may receive a glazed wearlayer.

 
 
Glaze

The glaze is a liquid glass that has been sprayed or poured onto the surface of the tile, then fused and hardened by means of tremendous heat. Colors are created from a mixture of minerals, such as gold, silver, zinc, copper, mercury, and cobalt. Strength and wear resistance of the glaze is determined by its hardness, which is affected by the following factors:

• Temperature. The higher the kiln temperature, the harder the glaze.
• Color. Dark-color glazes, such as blacks and blues, are usually softer than light-color glazes.
• Gloss Level. Shiny glazes are usually softer than matte or satin glazes.

Bisque

Strength of the bisque is determined by its density. The strongest bisques have the smallest and fewest number of air pockets. Density also determines if the tile is suitable for outdoor use. Tiles that are too porous, absorbing more than 3% moisture, may freeze and crack if installed outdoors in cold climates.

• Non-vitreous. A tile that absorbs 7% or more of its weight in water is suited for indoor use only.
• Semi-vitreous. A tile that absorbs 3% to 7% water is also suited for indoor use only.
• Vitreous. A tile that absorbs 0.5% to 3% water is suited for both indoor and outdoor use and is frost resistant.
• Impervious. A tile that absorbs 0 to 0.5% water is the strongest available, suited for both indoor and outdoor use, and frost resistant.

Features

Glazed Tile

Glaze offers manufacturers the ability to produce an unlimited array of beautiful colors and designs. The non-porous glaze creates a smooth surface that is practically stain proof.

Unglazed Tile

Unglazed tile offers superior strength for heavy commercial use as well as some residential uses. The rugged surface texture and matte finish of the unglazed tile provides slip-resistant qualities for use in wet areas.

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Characteristics

Ceramic tile offers exceptional qualities found in no other decorative building product:

Abrasion Resistance (Glazed Tile)

Properly chosen, installed, and maintained, glazed ceramic tile can easily last the lifetime of a project.

Water Absorption and Frost Resistance

Tile that absorbs less than 3% moisture is suitable for outdoor use in cold climates, and is frost resistant.

Stain Resistance

Ceramic tile is the most stain-resistant building product available. Glazed tile and even certain unglazed tiles resist practically all solutions that could cause staining in other types of products.

Slip Resistance

The slip resistance of ceramic tile in ordinary applications is comparable to that of most hard surface flooring materials and is significantly better than some. Unglazed tiles are recommended for areas subjected to high water spillage. Glazed and unglazed tiles that feature an abrasive surface grit provide increased slip resistance.

Color Permanence

Colors in ceramic tile are unaffected by long exposure to light and will not change or fade, unlike many other colored materials.

Dirt Resistance

Ceramic tile does not retain dust or residues. Plain water or a damp cloth is generally sufficient for cleaning. With some exceptions, polishing or buffing is not necessary to maintain the tile finish.

Fire Resistance

Ceramic tile is completely fireproof at any temperature. A tile will not burn, nor will it feed a fire. Its surface will not alter, and it will not give off toxic gases, smoke, or fumes during a fire.

Hygiene

The face of ceramic tile will not retain liquids or absorb fumes, odors, or smoke, and therefore promotes good hygiene. Tile is suitable for any environment where hygiene is essential.

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