Porcelain tiles are merely a form of ceramic tiles. Whilst the preparation of ceramic and porcelain tiles are similar, it is the pressing and firing process which results in the porcelain tile having the superior characteristics of being much stronger and less porous, generally with a water absorption rate of 0.5% or less. a. Polished or Semi Polished: as the name suggests, an elaborate technique is used to finish the tile after the firing process. High quality porcelain does not require any further treatment after polishing. Some lower density polished porcelain tiles must be sealed, depending on the manufacturer. A polished surface is not a glaze, so do not be fooled into thinking that polished porcelain is glazed. b. Glazed Porcelain: various techniques are employed by different manufacturers to glaze a tile. Once a porcelain tile has been glazed, no further treatment is required, in the sense that these tiles are considered non porous. c. Matt or Natural Porcelain: generally speaking, this type of product comes out of the kiln in this form and undergoes no further processing.

A quality product requires no further treatment, ie. normally sealing is not required. d. Rock Finish or Structured Porcelain: this type of porcelain is extremely textured and often used for externalpurposes. Normally sealing is not required. a. First and foremost you should ask your tile merchant whether the product you have purchased requires sealing. Then you need to determine what kind of sealer is best suited to your porcelain tile. Generally, the sealing of porcelain tiles is seen as an aide to the prevention of staining. As a rule, due to the low levels of porosity found in porcelain tiles, it is generally accepted that a penetrating sealer be used. Normally it is polished porcelain that requires sealing due to the polishing process causing minute micro pores. b. Some manufacturers pre-seal their products in readiness to the laying process, if your porcelain is not pre-sealed then pre-sealing prior to grouting, should generally be carried out where dark coloured grout is to be used on porous tiles.

This will ensure that the colour grout does not bleed into the tile. In some instances, you may wish to pre-seal dark porcelain tiles where light grout is to be used. Sometimes, in the production process, wax is added to the surface of the tile to protect it, to keep it clean and to keep it safe from scratching when in transit. las vegas indoor pool winterThere are various effective products on the market to clean this residue from the surface of the tiles and you should ask your tile merchant which product is best suited to your porcelain. carpet cleaner foam ukPrior to tiling, you should ask your tiler if they will remove the wax once the job is complete.carpet cleaning prices cape town

In all cases the appropriate type of adhesive must be used. The substrate must also be adequate for the material to be used, that is, the flatness of the surface is paramount. If not tile lipping may occur. In the case of floors, uneven surfaces may be levelled out with the use of a floor leveller or floor screed. carpet cleaning hire gold coastYour tile fixer should be able to guide you through any questions you may have, so don’t be afraid to ask.cost to rent a steam cleaner a. Once again, it is best to ask your supplier what kind of products should be used to clean and maintain your porcelain. cheap carpet cleaners in east londonSignificantly, different types of stains may require different types of treatments.

If you are unsure of what type of cleaners is most suited to your porcelain, it is recommended that a spot test be carried out with a general purpose cleaner in the first instance. Your merchant will be able to assist you with the selection of the most suited type of cleaner. b. With regards to maintaining a sealed porcelain tile, a good quality sealer should last 5 to 10 years. This can be ascertained from the manufacturer of the sealant used. This is a process whereby tiles are cut during manufacturing, generally with a watered diamond blade, to ensure all tiles are consistent in size. In many cases, the end result of laid porcelain requires a very straight level surface. Therefore in some cases tilers will charge a higher rate for laying and levelling porcelain tiles. It is recommended that a qualified licensed tiler be used in all cases. Disclaimer: This information is to be used as a guide only and should not be taken to constitute professional advice or a formal recommendation and we exclude all representations and warranties in relation to the content.

All consumers should seek professional advice through their local Australian Tile Council member merchant for their specific and individual application.You clean the and then buff them with a dry towel.Ceramic Tile & Porcelain Tile Flooring Introduce the beauty of tile to your floors, whether in your kitchen, bathroom, entryway, or other space. Learn about what you need to look for when selecting a type of tile for your home's flooring. Clay-base ceramic tiles are an ideal choice for kitchens, baths, basements, porches, laundry rooms, and other moisture-prone areas. Floor tiles are extremely durable; water-, stain-, and wear-resistant; and easy to care for. An array of colors, patterns, shapes, and sizes is available. Tiles larger than 12 inches square are currently the most popular choice. All tile feels hard, but some types of tile are actually harder than others. The body of a tile, sometimes called the bisque or biscuit, is produced to meet a specific need or use. Although thickness is one gauge of strength, composition of the tile and the temperature and duration of firing also determine its strength.

To help you determine whether the tile you are considering is appropriate for a particular location, check the tile's rating, as determined by the Porcelain Enamel Institute. Hardness ratings are as follows: -- Group I, Light traffic. These tiles may be used on residential bathroom floors such as a guest bath where bare or stocking feet are the norm. -- Group II, Medium traffic. These tiles are designed for use in interiors where little abrasion occurs. They are not recommended for kitchens, entries, or stairwells. -- Group III, Medium-heavy traffic. These tiles can be used anywhere inside a home, including kitchens and baths. -- Group IV, Heavy traffic. These tiles are very hard and can be used in homes or in light to medium commercial areas. -- Group V, Extra heavy traffic. These tiles can be used anywhere.To prevent chipping and cracking, tile must be installed over a firmly supported subflooring. Broken tiles cannot be repaired, but they can be replaced. Tile grout, if left unsealed, can be difficult to clean.

Try our easy flooring material finder! Tile can feel cold underfoot, but it can be warmed with radiant or hydronic heating coils. Whatever tile you choose, glossy finishes have a tendency to show finger- and footprints and can be slippery when wet. For better traction choose a honed finish. Your Questions, Answered: The Difference Between Ceramic Tile and Porcelain Tile Q: What's the difference between ceramic and porcelain tile? I've been told they're the same, but I can't buy that. How are they different, and is one better than the other?A: In general, porcelain tile is harder than ceramic and offers greater design flexibility. Although both are made from clay and other naturally occurring materials fired in a kiln, the clay used to make porcelain tile is more refined and purified. It's fired at a higher temperature and greater pressure, resulting in an extremely dense and hard material."Porcelain is proving to be a longwearing material that is really making its mark on the industry," says Tanya Woods, an associate kitchen and bath designer (AKBD) in Bloomfield, Michigan.

Porcelain tile is an ideal product for cold-weather climates where freeze/thaw conditions are a concern. Due to its low moisture absorption rate (.5 percent or less), porcelain is less likely to crack and is more impervious to stains."The term porcelain has become branded to some degree -- it is to tile as Kleenex is to tissue," Woods says. "But this does not mean all porcelain tiles are created equal."When picking porcelain tile, it is best to choose one that has "through body color." Some tiles may have only a ceramic glaze fired over the body; if chipped, the white-, tan-, or red-clay base is exposed. For safety in wet areas or in flooring applications where accessibility is a concern, look for a tile -- whether porcelain or ceramic -- with a high coefficient of friction. This property is measured on a 1¿10 scale, with 10 being the most slip-resistant."Porcelain also offers strong advantages when it comes to design," Woods says. "Due to its strong nature, many sizes are available from a small mosaic 1×1 to large slabs of 24x48 and many unusual sizes in between."

Porcelain can also be rectified -- cut to a precise size so all tiles are identical, allowing the tile contractor to set extremely tight grout joints. Certain factors make installing porcelain tile a more difficult do-it-yourself project. Its density and hardness require a wet saw with a porcelain diamond blade. For proper surface adhesion, you should use a latex modified thinset mortar. For large-format porcelain tiles, a level substrate is needed to reduce lippage, or variations in height. But the payoff of lasting beauty is well worth the extra installation requirements ."Notably, surface finishes, textures, patterns, and variation of color are very stylized and lend to porcelain's appeal," Woods says. "The tile industry has grown as a result of the introduction of porcelain tile, and it looks as though it's only going to continue to increase in popularity." See How to Clean A Floor How to Clean a Floor How to Clean a Bathroom Floor How to Clean Grout: The Secret to Success