Tiling Terminology

Absorption - The amount of water absorbed by a tile.

 

Backing - Any material used as a base over which a finished material is to be installed.

 

Border tile - Borders can complement the prominent tile in a room, adding new colour or texture.

 

Ceramic - Ceramic tiles are made from clay and shale and are baked in one of a variety of ways to create different levels of durability and appearance. The higher the firing temperature, the harder the tile.

Porcelain tiles are a type of ceramic tile.

 

Ceramic Tile Wear Ratings - A ranking system developed by the Porcelain Enamel Institute to identify the durability of tile, with Class 1 being the softest and Class 5 the most durable.

 

Field tile - The primary tile in a space.

 

Glaze - A coating added to tile during the firing process to add colour and texture.

 

Granite - An igneous rock, denser than marble, that is extremely durable and attractive when polished and is available in a number of colours.

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Grout - A material made from cement and/or chemicals used for filling tile joints.

 

Honed - The holes in natural stone are filled to produce a smooth, polished surface.

 

Igneous Rock - Volcanic rock, the result of solidified molten lava.

 

Limestone - A natural, sedimentary rock that is readily available and long lasting. It is an attractive, light colour stone that has been used for centuries.

 

Listel - An alternative name for a border tile.

 

Marble - A natural metamorphic rock from limestone that gets its distinctive shine from a polishing process.

 

Metamorphic Rock - Rock that has been altered by intense heat and/or pressure.

 

Mortar - A material used to adhere tile and stone to the surface on which it is laid.

 

Mosaics - Small tiles of differing shapes and sizes, arranged to create

a design.

 

Paver - Tiles used in an outdoor, high traffic area such as patios, driveways and pathways.

 

Polished - The surface of a stone is ground to produce a shiny finish.

 

Porcelain Tile  - Porcelain Tile is a type of ceramic tile that uses a denser clay fired at a very high temperature to produce a harder tile. Porcelain is also stain, scratch and water resistant and requires minimal maintenance.

 

Sealer  - A product applied to a porous or unglazed tile and to grout to prevent absorption of moisture and dirt.

 

Sedimentary Rock - Rocks formed of sediments arranged in layers from preexisting rocks or fossils.

 

Slate - A natural, metamorphic stone that features an attractive mix of grey, purple and black hues.

 

Terracotta - A natural tile that has a red and orange colouring due to the clay from which it is made. It is very absorbent and needs sealing.

 

Through bodied - Unglazed porcelain tile in which the colour comes from the body of the tile rather than glazing.

 

Travertine - A rock found extensively in Tivoli, Italy, from where its name is derived. The natural surface is dotted with small holes, which are often honed to make a smooth, shiny surface.

 

Underfloor warming systems - A heating system installed under tile and wood floors to produce warmth throughout the room.

 

Underlayment - A protective barrier between the tile and the surface on which it is installed, protecting the tile from moisture, stress, vapour, uncoupling, and other factors that could affect it.

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Unglazed tile - Tile that gets its colour from the materials from which it is made. Unglazed tiles must be sealed to protect from moisture and debris.