Flooring Tile - Tile Question (texture - gloss/polish)
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : Tile Question (texture - gloss/polish)
JimInFLA
01-13-02, 10:01 AM
How slick is tile?
I am looking to place tile that will be throughout the house (approx. 1600 sq/ft) and wondering about a "shiny" tile when it gets wet.
Obviously even wooden floors can be slippery when wet. But is there a big different when glossy tile get wet over other tile?
Also was told that porcelain tile is polished and not glossy and as a result is not as slick as other tile.
Is this true? Will I regret using either a shiny or polished tile?
I am looking to place tile that will be throughout the house (approx. 1600 sq/ft) and wondering about a "shiny" tile when it gets wet.
Obviously even wooden floors can be slippery when wet. But is there a big different when glossy tile get wet over other tile?
Also was told that porcelain tile is polished and not glossy and as a result is not as slick as other tile.
Is this true? Will I regret using either a shiny or polished tile?
twelvepole
01-13-02, 12:17 PM
There are so many selections available in floor tile that it can be mind boggling. Making the selection may be the hardest part of the tile installation.
Porcelein tile is available in matte, unglazed, or highly polished finishes. Because it is made using a dust pressed method, it is very hard, smooth, dense, and almost impervious to absorption. It is also frost proof and can be used outdoors. It comes in various thicknesses.
Ceramic tiles are coated with liquid glass and kiln fired at very high temperatures. Shiny glazes are softer and can be scratched more easily and can be slippery. Matte finishes tend to be less slippery. There are many textured tiles available to minimize slippage, particularly in the commercial tile selections.
The Porcelein Enamel Institute has classified tiles. This classification is used as a guide to purchase tiles depending on where they will be installed.
Class I: light residential such as in bathrooms; usually wall tiles are in this class
Class II: residential light to medium traffic, not recommended for entries and high traffic areas
Class III: all residential floors
Class IV: residential/light commercial
Class V: commercial traffic with heavy traffic
The quality of the manufacturer is more relevant to tile quality rather than the color of the tile's body. You will however frequently hear that red tile is stronger than white tile.
There are no rules about tile size. Although the current trend is that bigger is better.
Because tile is manufactured in dye lots, make sure all the numbers on the boxes are the same. Make sure you figure enough for waste with some left over in case of repairs. If you run short on a tile job and have to go back for more tile, you may not be able to get the same dye lot and color variations may be quite obvious.
Make sure you use the recommended tile underlayment if not installing on concrete subfloor. Concrete board underlayment is preferred. Sealing grout with a high-quality penetrating sealer is important to preventing it from absorbing moisture, soil, oils, and stains.
Go to www.doityourself.com for helpful info. Also, www.johnbridge.com is where John and many tile pros meet on the forums to discuss tile and related issues.
Porcelein tile is available in matte, unglazed, or highly polished finishes. Because it is made using a dust pressed method, it is very hard, smooth, dense, and almost impervious to absorption. It is also frost proof and can be used outdoors. It comes in various thicknesses.
Ceramic tiles are coated with liquid glass and kiln fired at very high temperatures. Shiny glazes are softer and can be scratched more easily and can be slippery. Matte finishes tend to be less slippery. There are many textured tiles available to minimize slippage, particularly in the commercial tile selections.
The Porcelein Enamel Institute has classified tiles. This classification is used as a guide to purchase tiles depending on where they will be installed.
Class I: light residential such as in bathrooms; usually wall tiles are in this class
Class II: residential light to medium traffic, not recommended for entries and high traffic areas
Class III: all residential floors
Class IV: residential/light commercial
Class V: commercial traffic with heavy traffic
The quality of the manufacturer is more relevant to tile quality rather than the color of the tile's body. You will however frequently hear that red tile is stronger than white tile.
There are no rules about tile size. Although the current trend is that bigger is better.
Because tile is manufactured in dye lots, make sure all the numbers on the boxes are the same. Make sure you figure enough for waste with some left over in case of repairs. If you run short on a tile job and have to go back for more tile, you may not be able to get the same dye lot and color variations may be quite obvious.
Make sure you use the recommended tile underlayment if not installing on concrete subfloor. Concrete board underlayment is preferred. Sealing grout with a high-quality penetrating sealer is important to preventing it from absorbing moisture, soil, oils, and stains.
Go to www.doityourself.com for helpful info. Also, www.johnbridge.com is where John and many tile pros meet on the forums to discuss tile and related issues.