FAQ

Is a mixture of clays and other natural materials. The special clays are mined from the earth, shaped, colored and then fired in kilns with high temperature (up to 1250 degrees Celsius). Traditional ceramic tile can be naturally colored and left unglazed like terra cotta, or they can feature colored or highly designed surfaces which can be glazed (finished with a glass surface) either in a high gloss or matte finish. Most ceramic tile has either white or red body coloration underneath the glazed, colored top layer. It is the most basic tile. It is categorized to wall ceramic tile and floor ceramic tile. As the water absorption rate is more than 5%, ceramic tile is not suitable to be applied outdoor.

Is a newer form of ceramic tile commonly used to cover floors and walls, with a water absorption rate of less than 0.5%.It has higher density than the ceramic tile which makes it harder, more rugged and less likely to absorb moisture. They can either be glazed or unglazed. Porcelain tiles are composed of fine porcelain clays and fired at much higher temperatures than ceramic tiles. This process makes porcelain tile more dense, less porous, much harder and less prone to moisture and stain absorption than ceramic tiles. For these reasons, most porcelain tiles are suitable for both indoor and outdoor installations. Porcelain tiles are also harder to cut due to their density and hardness.

Glazed tile is a type of ceramic tiles to which a glaze has been applied. After the glaze is painted or sprayed on, the tile is fired at high temperatures to makes the glaze vitrify, essentially turning into glass. The resulting tile is resistant to water and stains because of the glaze, and it has an attractive look, as a wide variety of colors and designs can be created with glaze, with finishes ranging from extremely glossy to matte.

Porcelain tiles with special glazes fired at high temperature make the glazed surfaces very hard, and therefore, suitable for heavy traffic areas. Porcelain tiles are resistant to stains, scratches, frost and abrupt thermal changes. Because of these features, porcelain tiles are able to withstand years of heavy foot traffic in both interior and various exterior locations. They are also able to maintain their color and beauty for a very long time.

Gres Porcelain tiles are non-glazed tiles. Their hardness and polish is achieved by virtue of the pressing together of very hard materials. Gres Porcelain tiles are extremely strong and durable and processed in such a way that they allow for very little water absorption. Gres Porcelain tiles have water absorption of < 0.5%. Gres Porcelain tiles allow for a “full body” tile, which means that the design is not merely on the surface of the tile, but runs throughout the entire tile. The advantage of this is that the tiles become incredibly strong.

Vitrified tileIs a ceramic tile with very low porosity (water absorption). It is an alternative to marble and granite flooring. Vitrified tiles are often used outdoors due to their water and frost resistance.Ceramic tile with very low porosity. It is an alternative to marble and granite flooring. Vitrified ceramic generally signifies less than 0.5 % absorption. Vitrified tiles are often used outdoors due to their water and frost resistance. • Soluble salt vitrified tiles are screen printed and polished. • Double charge vitrified tiles are fed through a press that prints the pattern with a double layer of pigment, 3 to 4 mm thicker than other types of tile. This process does not permit complex patterns but results in a long-wearing tile surface, suitable for heavy traffic commercial projects. • Full body vitrified tiles have pigment in entire body (thickness) of the tile. These make chips and scratches less noticeable and make this an ideal choice for high traffic zones, but the process significantly increases the cost. • Glazed vitrified tiles (GVT) have a glazed surface. They offer a wide variety of design, art work and surface textures like wood grain, bamboo, slate or stone. This is also an expensive process, but the cost is dropping as digital printing techniques are introduced. Vitrification is the progressive partial fusion of clay, or of a body, as a result of a firing process. As vitrification precedes the proportion of glassy bond increases and the apparent porosity of the fired product becomes progressively lower. Vitreous bodies have open porosity, and may be either opaque or translucent. In this context 'zero porosity'; may be defined as less than 1% water absorption. Vitrified ceramic generally signifies less than 0.5 % absorption.

Homogenous tile is a form of ceramic tile composed of fine porcelain clays but fired at much higher temperatures than ceramic tile. Homogeneous tiles have its properties thru the entire section of the tile body. If we break it, we will notice that the color on the surface is the same as the color inside. This tile has a similar natural with the Porcelain tile. The major difference between these two tiles is that the Homogeneous tile has the same colour throughout the tile. It is also resistant to scratch. A homogeneuous tile has its properties thru the entire section of the tile. If you break it, you will notice that the color on the surface is the same as the color inside. A ceramic tile has a ceramic coating on the surface. Break it and you will see that the inside is different.

Lappato is an Italian word for semi polished they look almost polished with a rough finish. Most lappato tiles are easy to identify as they have two depths. One level is normally shiny and reflects light, the other level is matt or even course by feel. This makes for a tile that both reflects light with some anti-slip properties.

Brushed Finish: Tiles with a brushed finish have a worn-down look achieved by brushing the surface of the tile to simulate natural wear over time. Exterior Finish: An undulating, textured finish that provides low-slip qualities, and can resemble natural rock. They are normally used for external areas and places that need extra traction (wet areas, for example). Glazed finish: Glazed tiles are coated with glass-forming minerals and offer high stain and water resistance. Glazed tiles have a hard non-porous, impermeable surface after firing. They can have a matt, semi-gloss or high-gloss finish. These tiles do not require sealing. Matt Finish: Matt tiles are smooth and flat and create a more informal and softer look. This is created by stopping short of the last stage of polishing. A matt finish shows fewer scratches, and requires very little maintenance. Polished Finish: These porcelain tiles are shiny, flat and reflective, obtained by polishing the surface with an abrasive wheel until it shines. They are easy to keep clean and are popular for living, dining and bedroom applications. Lappato (Semi-Polished) Finish: Semi-polished, also known as "Lappato" finish is achieved by polishing the tile's surface with an abrasive wheel but not long enough to attain the luster of a typical polished tile.

Cladding tiles: Piece of one layer over another layer intended to give an aesthetic looks and feel of rough stones. It also controls the infiltration of weather elements. Cladding tiles are suitable for outdoor applications. Slim Tiles: Unlike regular tiles which are commonly 9-11mm thick, slim tiles are only 4-5mm thick, but have comparable strength. This makes them ideal for renovations as they can be laid on top of existing tiles, saving on demolition costs. Rectified Tile: Unlike a typical factory-edged tile, a rectified tile has been cut to exact size after the firing process. This process creates a precise edge and, as a result, can be laid with a narrower grout joint than unrectified tiles. This gives a smoother, more sophisticated and continuous look to the room overall. Nano Polished Vitrified Tile :If we apply a layer of liquid silica on vitrified tiles then it fills the micro (nano) pores on the tiles surface and makes it smoother in feel. This type of tiles is called nano polished vitrified tiles. Rustic Tile: Tiles characterized by a classic, old world design. This tile features influence from ancient Italian art and architecture, along with a distressed, natural finish. Rustic tile colors typically include reds, browns, and other shades found in nature. Colors are muted, and emphasize earth shades.These tiles can be used in a number of applications within a home or business. Rustic tiles may be used to tile a floor, or to finish the walls in a bathroom, kitchen, or other living space. Glaze Vitrified Tile :Main advantage with GVT is it offers option of making any type of design/art work that is only possible in this type of vitrified tiles. Many type of textures (like wooden, bamboo, slate or stone) are possible in GVT.

The term full body tile, also known as a through body tile, refers to the tile being consistent in composition throughout the body of the tile. The colour and texture runs through the entire dimensional thickness of the tile. Full bodied porcelain is less permeable or resistant to water; its body is 0.0% -0.5% absorbent to water. Advantages of full body tiles are as follows. • Strong and dense tile that can withstand high surface traffic • Frost and Chemical resistant • Does not have a glaze that may wear off or scratch • The colour of tile runs all the way through the tile • Can be installed in wet areas and areas where slip resistant floors are required • Water absorption is less than 0.5%. • Available in a large range of colours, sizes and textures • Can be produced to look like Stone, Granite, Marble, Terracotta, Wood, Concrete and Metal

Textured porcelain tiles: They are also occasionally known as stone look tiles. They can have a slightly rough surface or an extremely rough and high-relief surface, depending on the style of stone they are mimicking. This texture is achieved during the mold process of the tile. Porcelain is made of compressed clay dust that has pigments added to it for color that goes right through the tiles. Stone look or textured porcelain tiles are given their finish before firing, so the surface of the tiles remains just as dense, water-resistant and stain-proof as the rest of the body of the tile. Matte Finish Porcelain Tiles: Porcelain can be given a smooth, honed or matte finish as well. This is done either at the time of manufacturing in the mold or after firing by grinding down the surface of the tile to a smooth finish. Matte finish tiles that are not ground down are identical to textured porcelain tiles in water resistance and stain resistance. They differ only in style, look and feel. Matte finish tiles that are ground down after firing may contain microscopic pin holes or pores only in the surface. These pores make the tile likely to collect surface dirt and require deeper cleaning. To prevent this, apply an impregnating sealer to the tiles prior to grouting and on a yearly basis. Polished Finish Porcelain Tiles: Porcelain tiles can be ground down to a high polish in the same way marble or granite tiles are. The difference is that the grinding process can create microscopic pores in the surface of the tile, which the high polish masks from view. These tiny pores make the tile likely to hold on to grout and to collect surface dirt. The tiles are still water- and stain-resistant, because the holes affect only the surface, but they can appear to get dirtier and to require more maintenance to stay clean. Seal polished porcelain tiles the same way you would marble --- prior to grouting and whenever water stops beading off their surface to help keep them clean.

Shade: The shade is the colour tone that features a particular batch of porcelain tiles. In industrial manufacturing it almost impossible to accomplish tiles with the exact same colour shade, therefore, before packing, they are grouped together according to colour uniformity, that is to say colour shade.The shade is often marked by a letter which is stamped onto the pack (Shade A, Shade B). Caliber: Caliber is the facial dimension of the tile, so the size of the tile in the one box is different. Ideally, all of the tile should have the same lot (color) and caliber (size) number. A tile’s shade (dye lot) refers to the coloration and reflectivity of a tile. A tile’s caliber refers to its facial dimension (size) and is measured with a tool called a caliper (often the terms are confused). It’s indicates on every box the particular shade (dye lot) and caliber to offer customers consistency throughout an installation. Since natural materials are used in both the body and glazes of the tile, slight variations in shade and caliber are normally inherent from one production run to the next. Typically, shades (dye lots) are indicated by either an alpha/numeric combination or a three or four-digit numeral (i.e. A16, 3408, 250, etc.) while caliber sizes are normally shown as 07, 08, 09, 00, 01, 02, etc.

Recent advances in technology have allowed for increased flexibility in color variation between tiles. A scale has been introduced to communicate the degree of variation intended. V1: Uniform Appearance - Minimal differences among tiles from the same production run. V2: Slight Variation - Clearly distinguishable differences in texture/pattern with similar colors. V3: Moderate Variation - While colors present on a single tile is indicative of the colors expected on the other tiles. V4: Substantial Variation - Random color differences between tiles so one tile may have totally different colors from that on other tiles.

First of all, you must be sure that you are investing in a brand that you can rely on. We check the quality of each and every one of our products independently, to ensure that only the best products are given the brand label, which is synonymous to great quality and design. More specifically, however, there are a number of technical factors (please see below) which one should be aware of when buying tiles. For all the tile properties mentioned below, always maintains the highest standards in the testing of the tiles; from the laboratory all the way through the manufacturing process. Throughout the manufacturing process, the following elements are in constant check; deviation in length, deviation in thickness, straightness of sides, rectangularity, surface flatness, modules of rapture etc. It is important to purchase tile that has the same shade (dye lot) and caliber, if at all possible, to ensure a pleasing aesthetic appearance as well as consistent grout joints. Using different caliber sizes result in a variation in grout joint widths, exaggerated as the size of the tile increases. Normally, with products, two adjacent calibers (i.e. 07 with 08 or 08 with 09 - not 07 with 09) can be used in an installation if the installer is aware of the variation before the installation is begun because the slight difference can be adjusted within the grout joint. It is generally not acceptable to begin an installation with one size and abruptly change to another at some point.

Tiles only break once they are laid if there is an air bubble between the base of the tile and the setting material.

Yes, it is possible for tiles to be laid upon tiles, but care should be taken that the floor is level. Laying tiles upon other tiles is of course cheaper and less time consuming than completely renovating the floor.

Roto Printing Digital Printing Screen Printing

Roto Color Technology is an advanced printing technology and is used by all European manufacturers of premium tiles. Tile designs are pressed onto the tiles by using large rollers that print different designs onto each tile, as the tile moves underneath the roller. The gradual sideways movement of the roller ensures that each and every tile has its own unique pattern.

During this procedure, a screen is placed above each tile, after which, paint is pressed through the pores of the screen and onto the tile.

Digital printing is the automated printing process which is operated by computerized command and direction. With this technology tiles of the same shade or series look the same, because they use the same screen.

Inkjet Printing Technology: Latest method of manufacturing tiles that allow for diversified designs on tiles so that no two tiles look the same. In this way, natural stone tiles can be replicated realistically.

Double Charge (DCH) Full Body Nano Technology

Double Charge technology is an advanced technology which uses granules in order to create different shades. Tiles using this technology are ideal for high-traffic areas.

The Nano Technology is an anti-stain treatment for the protection of porcelain tiles. Once the Hi Coat treatment has been applied, the surface of the tile becomes resistant to staining and dirt. A non-hazardous chemical compound is pressed into the micro porosities of the tile surface. As a result, these pores become permanently sealed, giving the tile an everlasting protection against stains and dirt accumulation.

This is a plastic cross, used to separate tiles while laying, in order to add greater precision to the process.

This is a chemical used for placing in between joints to prevent dust particles or stains from seeping into the joints of tiles or mosaics.

This refers to the perfect cut of a tile, in order to make it completely joint free.

Sealing material is a chemical, which is applied to the surface of a tile in order to protect the tile from damaging chemicals. Sealing materials are recommended for use on unglazed surfaces such as clay pavers, terracotta, antique stones, stone mosaics and rough porcelain tiles. Application and maintenance should be as per the manufacturer’s directions. Under normal conditions, sealants will normally last for three to four years. Before applying a sealant, make sure that the surface is clean and dry. The sealant can be applied by sponge or cotton cloth. For added protection, a second and third layer of sealant can be applied. Please allow a gap of 3-4 hours between each coating. Do not walk on the tiles until the sealant has dried.