ceramic countertops  

Decorative tiles are often used for trim or backsplashes. They may feature raised, recessed, or painted designs. There are three main types: ceramic, porcelain, and quarry.

Ceramic tiles are made from pressed clays with a matte finish or a glaze of metallic oxides and ceramic stains.

Porcelain mosaic tiles are baked at a higher temperature, which makes them thicker. Their color also goes all the way through the tile, rather than just covering the surface.

Quarry tile is an unglazed mix of shale and clays that also has color throughout. Unglazed tile is not as resistant to heat and water as glazed.

The spaces between the tiles are filled in by grout. An epoxy grout is recommended to help resist stains. A palette of grout colors looks like a palette of paint colors—there are that many to choose from. One that is similar in color to the tile is recommended for a more unified look.

Care and maintenance  

Here is a snippet from the Tile Care section of our warranty disclosure packet. We provide these care tips on this site as general guidelines. But of course after you’ve selected your tile, please consult your manufactures care and warranty guidelines for more specific and detailed information.

Cleaning of tile, stone and grout can be accomplished by using one of the many specialty cleaners available. Please keep in mind that cleaners with high acid content can affect all of the above materials. We have also found that "metal marks" left on the surface of some types of tile by pots and pans can be scrubbed off using "Zud", a powdered cleanser available from Orchard Supply. The rule to follow in using any cleaner or other treatment is that a small area should be tested first to determine if there are potential adverse effects to the surface from the material in use. As a general rule, please be aware that stone, tile and grout will show the effects of long-term use by darkening and wearing in high traffic areas. Also, tile is susceptible to chipping, pitting and other forms of wear due to every day use and maintenance.

Pros

cons

 

 
  • You can put hot pots on tile.


  • Tile Resists Moisture.


  • You can use special hand painted designs.


  • The grout may stainˇ


  • Tile surfaces may not be smooth enough for cutting or rolling doughˇ