Technical Tile Training: Part 1

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Looking to learn more about tiling or brush up on your existing knowledge? Our technical cheat sheet has got you covered.

Different firing temperatures

Naturally, different tile finishes are “fired” at different temperatures in the kiln.

Ceramic is “fired” in the kiln between 600 and 800 degrees.
Porcelain is “fired” in the kiln between 1093 and 1300 degrees.

Porcelain tiles reach vitrification at 1093˚c in accordance to EN/I.S.O. standard.

At lower temperature tiles would be rated as ceramic.
A tile may be called porcelain if it absorbs less than 0.5% water by volume as per ISO standard.
In terms of the South African Standard SANS 13006:2003, a “Porcelain Tile” with a water absorption around 1% falls into the “Glazed Porcelain” category “Bib”.

Why Fire the clay?

The process of firing drives out water and hardens the clay while transforming some of the molecules in the paste into a form of low-order glass. The molten glass fills up the spaces between the clay particles.
The process is known as vitrification, which is a name for turning something into glass.

Porcelain is denser than ceramic. Less voids means less abortion. If all of the spaces between the clay particles are filled, the resulting ceramic becomes essentially waterproof, thus becoming porcelain.

A kiln is used to fire the clay. This process of firing drives out water and hardens the clay

Industrial Kiln

Ceramic or Porcelain will come in 4 main tile body types:

Glazed
Colour Body
Double Loaded
Full Body

Slip Ratings

Dry Slip Rating

R9 (slope angle of 6° to 10°)
R10 (slope angle of 10° to 19°)
R11 (slope angle of 19° to 27°)
R12 (slope angle of 27° to 35°)

Wet Slip Rating

The ABC Rating is the rating scale used to measure* wet floor conditions such as swimming poos where bare feet are the norm.

DIN 51097: 1992 Classification is the determination of anti-slip properties; wet loaded barefoot areas; walking method; ramp test German National Standard 1992 – fully recognised and adopted in the UK

ABC Rating Value PTV (Pendulum Test Value) Or

DIN 51097: 1992 Classification SRV (Slip Resistance Value)

A (not to be used in wet area) 21 – 31

B (Can be used semi wet area) 32 – 42

C (Can be used in full wet area) 45+

PEI rating (any glazed tile) Porcelain Enamel Institute

PEI 1 wall only

PEI 2 wall only

PEI 3 Very light traffic residential

PEI 4 Residential/Commercial medium traffic

PEI 5 Commercial High Traffic

MOH (method of Hardness) Full body tile (tile with no glaze)

Mohs hardness	Mineral
1	Talc
2	Gypsum
3	Calcite
4	Fluorite
5	Apatite
6 Granite	Orthoclase
7	Quartz
8	Topaz
9	Corundum
10	Diamond

Deep scratch abrasion test

Tile should be less than 175 mm3

Group Classification

Group Classification Water Absorbtion

Prevention of Moisture Expansion & Cracks

Allow adequate drying times before tiling can commence:

Floors 4-6 weeks (Usually) and subject to the below list.

Screeds/plasters 2-3 weeks before tiling (Usually) and subject to the following:

Proper bedding of the tiles into the adhesive
Never tile over a construction joint or a door jam
Bond instead of water outdoors
Bond into wall grout in we areas
Perimeter joints (wall and floor)
Movement joint intervals
Know where construction joints are
Don’t lay over door jam
Correct size grout joint
Correct adhesive
Perimeter joint – 10mm
Expansion joint – Every 5m

Some more important tips

Tiles on Wood (walls)

Clean surface
Key Coat (neat)
Flex
Expect Grout Cracks

Tiles on Tile (floor)

Clean surface
Acid Wash
Don’t chip
Key Coat Slurry
Adhesive

Tiles on paint

Clean surface
Indoor – Chip 80%
Exterior – remove paint
Key Coat slurry
Adhesive

Tiles on Fiberglass

Sand Surface
Clean surface
Superprime
Key Coat slurry
Goldflex

Tiles on Bitumen

Remove 100%
Key Coat (neat)
Or 70mm topping

Cleaning and maintenance for Porcelain and Ceramic

Initial:

During grouting make sure all excess grout is removed from the surface with a damp clean cloth or sponge and fresh clean water. Washing grout and residues off the surface with dirty water and/ or cloth or sponge does not clean the surface. Any grout residue will impair the finish after sealing and will result in a very expensive repair. Clean with Tile and Floor Care Grout Off (acid wash) & Easy Clean (neutralizer) to ensure a residue free surface.

Maintenance:

Use Tile and Floor Care Quick Clean as the daily tile cleaner. This product will not leave a residue on the surface. It is important to ensure the water is changed regularly. The anti-slip tiles, by nature, will trap dirt more easily and it may be necessary from time to time to scrub them with Easy Clean. Ensure this is rinsed well with fresh clean water.

If you have any technical questions relating to tiles, you are most welcome to contact our Tiletoria Showroom’s to speak to our experts. Our experts offer technical training that is available online or in office with your architectural team. We are also SAIAT accredited to issue CPD credits.

Rectified Tiles vs. Non-Rectified Tiles: What Is The Difference?

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Let’s suppose that you really like two ceramic or porcelain tiles that look very similar. One tile is rectified; the other is not. How do you choose? In this article, we will clarify what the difference is between the two and why it matters to you for your tile installation.

Rectified Tiles

Rectified tiles are tiles that have been cut to an exact size meaning there is very little size variation between the individual tiles. As a result, there is less chance of lippage (vertical displacement), making for a more accurate layout and easy installation. With both large format tiles and narrower grout joints recently gaining popularity, rectification has become an important topic. Rectified tiles have their edges mechanically finished in order to achieve a more precise facial dimension, a process that involves cutting or grinding a tile to a specific size. Accurate and consistent tile sizes are particularly important with long and larger format tiles.

Below is an image that shows you two rectified tile pieces next to one another. Notice how clean, precise and exact the edges look:

Non-Rectified Tiles

A non-rectified tile has uneven edges. This makes for a more natural looking tile, but they require a wider grout joint, giving a more traditional tiled look. Choosing a rectified or non-rectified tile is down to preference and the type of space you are tiling.

Below is an image that shows you two non-rectified tile pieces next to one another:

How rectified tiles are made

Rectified tiles are first baked in sheets, then cut to size after coming out of the kiln. This is why it can be calibrated (dimensionally consistent) to exact specifications. Tiles can expand or contract after firing. Because rectified tiles are cut to size after firing and after they have cooled to normal operating temperatures, they are assured of being accurately sized. Rectified tiles can be installed with grout joints of 3mm or less. Most other tiles are first shaped and then baked afterwards in a kiln, so it often has as a greater difference in size between tiles in the same box.

The appeal of rectified tiles

Since they’re so even and uniform, when you’re working with rectified tiles, only the thinnest of grout lines is necessary. A thin grout line can give an almost seamless look with the right coloured grout and tiles, and it’s a fantastic effect when well executed. Because they’re so carefully produced, rectified tiles can be used to create a very clean, even and symmetrical look.

Are rectified tiles expensive?

Price is almost always relative to the quality, type and size of tile that you’re after, but rectified tiles usually cost more than non-rectified tiles of a similar standard, because there’s a bit more work that goes into producing them. Similarly, depending on the size of the grout line you’re after and where you’re laying them, you may also need to have them laid on a special bedding or substrate to ensure that they’re suitably flush.

How do you choose?

Rectification does not make a tile better or worse. Rectification simply affects the kind of edges the tile has which, in turn, means that rectified tile is ideal for specific types of tile installation. Talk to your installer before anything’s agreed upon, and make sure everyone’s clear about what’s required. The rectified tile design isn’t for everyone. However, if that’s the design inspiration you envisioned, you will definitely want to select the rectified tile version of the tile style you love.

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