For the beginner these Q&A’s can be very confusing. So we have compiled some of our best information together to give you a crash course on today’s trendy material. This might help alleviate any anxiety you might have while shopping for tile.

Ceramic                      Porcelain   

Glass Tile                    Mexican Talavera    

Saltillo/Mexican Pavers

Natural Stone:        

Granite                       Slate   

Marble                        Travertine  

Ceramic

Ceramic tile is made from red or white clay and fired in a kiln. Ceramic tiles are usually suitable for light to moderate traffic. Depending on the level of hardness ceramic tile will last for a many years. These tiles are used on floor, wall, and counter applications. Generally ceramic is softer than porcelain but under normal residential traffic it holds up nicely. It is available in all different sizes and colors.

Porcelain

Porcelain tile is generally made by the dust pressed method from porcelain clays which result in a tile that is dense, impervious, fine grained and smooth. Porcelain tile have a much lower water absorption rate (less than 0.5%) than ceramic tile making them frost resistant and/or frost proof. Porcelain is much harder and more wear and damage resistant than ceramic tile which makes them suitable for outdoor applications and high traffic areas. Available in all different sizes and colors.

Glass Tile

Glass tile can be colored in a couple of ways. In the first process the pigments are mixed in with molten glass, allowing color to permeate the body of the tile. The second process involves a layer of pigment which is fused to the surface of the tile during the firing process. Glass tiles come in a variety of colors and sizes and can be used in showers, backsplashes, creative centerpieces and so forth. Glass tile is a very low-maintenance surface. It is stain-resistant and can be cleared of everyday household grime with a damp cloth.

Mexican Talavera

Talavera pottery is a form of majolica, which refers to all types of handmade enameled earthenware. Within Mexico, this style dates back to the 16th century colonial era when it was first introduced to Mexico by Spanish guild artisans. In the making of Talavera, two types of clay are blended and left to soak in water to improve their quality and malleability. The potter then drains the water and filters the combined clays to remove all impurities, resulting in a loss of almost fifty percent of its original volume. The potter then works the clay to remove all air bubbles and to give the clay a better uniformity and consistency. He then produces different pieces on a potter’s wheel or in molds, and lets them dry for eight to twelve weeks. The pieces are then baked in an oven at 850c, which turns the grayish colored clay into the well known brick color. Then, one by one the pieces are dipped into an earthenware glaze, which ultimately gives them their characteristic brilliance and color. Each piece is then hand painted using colors prepared from mineral pigments. Afterward, the pieces are once again fired in the oven for many hours, this time at 1050c, resulting in a beautiful work of art.

Saltillo/Mexican Pavers

Saltillo tile vary in color and shape, but the majority range from varying hues of red, oranges and yellows. Tiles are shaped either by pressing quarried clay with a wooden frame (super), or carving out the desired shape (regular). Depending on the raw tiles placement among other tiles at the time of firing, its color ranges from yellow to a rich orange. Saltillo tile is highly porous, therefore we recommend you seal the surface.  There are also Saltillo stains on the market to achieve a certain look. 

Natural Stone:

Granite

A natural stone primarily composed of feldspar, quartz, mica and other minerals. Next to diamond, sapphire and ruby, granite is naturally the hardest product on earth. It is rated a 7 on the MOHS scale which proves that is resists wear and tear applications remarkably well. For kitchen countertops it is an excellent work surface. Normal use of kitchen knives, cutlery, and cookware leaves no scratches. Pots and pans heated to 900 degrees Fahrenheit will not dull the lustrous finish, but use trivets to keep your counter clean.  Granite should be sealed. 

Slate

Slate is a fine grained metamorphic stone that formed from clay, sedimentary rock shale, and sometimes quartz. Slate is a very durable and hard wearing product and is suitable for use on the floor. Slate has a high color variation and each piece varies from one to the next. The top of the surface has a natural split-faced look and usually the back has been gauged with a groove finish for easier installation. Slate is very porous and should be sealed. 

Marble

A recrystallized limestone that formed when the limestone softened from heat and pressure and recrystallized into marble where mineral changes occurred. It ranges in many colors and is usually heavily veined and shows a lot of grains. Marble is an extremely versatile natural stone; however it is considered a softer stone. Marble is susceptible to acidic substances and metal abrasions. Sealing with an impregnator is suggested.

Travertine

Travertine is formed by minerals dissolving in ground water and then being deposited on the earth’s surface by rivers, natural springs or geysers. It contains a lot of holes that were formed from water flowing through the stone. These holes are often filled with synthetic resins or grout. Travertine is a sedimentary stone and is quarried from huge rock beds. It comes in a variety of colors including ivory, beige, walnut, noce and gold. The color of travertine is the result of iron compounds or other organic impurities. Since this stone is a product of Mother Nature, a high shade variation should be expected.

Natural stone is available in a variety of finishes. We chose the most popular finishes to share with you:

Honed: Provides a flat to low sheen gloss. This surface is very smooth but often porous.

Polished: This surface is very smooth and not very porous. The reflectivity of polished crystals brings out the brilliant colors and grains of the natural stone. If improper maintenance is used the glossy surface could wear over time.

Tumbled: A slightly rough texture that is achieved by tumbling small pieces of stone to achieve an archaic/worn appearance. At times tumbled is unfilled and should be filled with grout for easier maintenance. It often requires an application of stone color enhancer to bring out the colors.

Straight/rectified: Unlike a tumbled finish with uneven edges and rustic appeal, rectified is a very straight cut achieved from the factory. A rectified cut allows the installer to butt the tiles close together for minimal grout lines.

It is imperative to know the exact type of stone that is to be maintained. Stone is natural and may have adverse reactions to certain cleaning chemicals and products. Please be sure to consult with an expert on which sealers and cleansers to use. If maintained correctly, your stone could last 100 years.