Ceramic Tile 101

Before you shop, learn the basics of ceramic tile flooring!

CERAMIC TILE BASICS TILE MAINTENANCE QUESTIONS

CERAMIC TILE BASICS

Ceramic Tile Basics

Crafted from real clay and fired at high temperatures in a clay oven or kiln, tile becomes incredibly hard, making it a highly durable flooring material.

This process yields two basic types of tile: glazed and unglazed. Unglazed tile is finished once it leaves the kiln for the first time, and will only be seen in natural clay tones.

Glazed tile, however, is tile that has had a glass coating of glaze applied to its surface. At this point, the tile is re-fired in the kiln, where the glaze fuses to the surface. This is the process that creates the many colors and patterns you see on tile today.

TILE MAINTENANCE QUESTIONS

How long will my ceramic tile floors last?

When properly installed and maintained, your ceramic tile floor will last for many years. Different types of tile have different expected lifespans. For instance, glazed tile can wear more easily than unglazed tile, will porcelain tile will generally outlast both glazed and unglazed tile.

How do I know if my grout joints need to be resealed?

You can figure this out with a quick test! Simply place a few drops of water on your grout. If it beads up, your sealer is likely fine - however, if water absorbs into the grout, it's tile to reseal it!

What is the best way to clean tile flooring?

Ceramic tile floors are simple to maintain. Regularly sweep or vacuum with a soft-bristle brush, and mop them at least weekly with a damp mop. You will notice some build-up and fading in grout over time, which is normal, but you should also occasionally clean grout lines.