 | Ken Weakley
owns and operates Ken's Professional Tub & Tile, offering total bathroom remodeling. He specializes in a professional European resurfacing system used in updating bathroom fixtures such as sinks, tubs and tile. It's an easy alternative to replacement. The process is quick (cures in12 hours) and inexpensive (most tubs are less than $300). Ken's pride in workmanship is obvious in the work he performs and 100% customer satisfaction is his goal. Servicing homeowners, landlords, and property managers keeps Ken busy and happy. He enjoys working with his clients, almost as much as they enjoy having him around. For estimates on remodeling or refinishing, Ken can be reached at (316) 831-0157 or mobile (316) 644-3021. |
Home Improvement
2003-08-01 11:28:00
How do I choose ceramic tile?
: How do I shop for ceramic tile?
ANSWER: Selecting the proper type of ceramic tile for your project is probably the most important installation decision you will make, except of course the choice of an experienced installer. Here are some tips to help you in your purchase:Ask for consistently sized tiles. Ceramic tile is fired in a kiln and then cooled at varying degrees of temperature and humidity. This expansion and contraction can cause the tiles to vary in size, sometimes by a 1/4" or more. Most ceramic tiles on the market will have some variation in size, but accept nothing more than a 1/8" margin of difference.Make sure the ceramic tile you purchase is of the same 'Lot #' and 'Shade #'. This will ensure that your flooring was made in the same batch.Select a ceramic tile that is relatively smooth and has straight, flush edges. This will make the grouting job less difficult.Choose 8x8" or smaller sized tiles on walls and countertops. For floors use 14”x14" or smaller tiles.Ceramic tiles with bright reflective surfaces (bright glaze finish) are not recommended for floors as they can pose a slip hazard and have poor abrasive resistance.PEI RatingsAlthough there are no industry standards, most ceramic tile is rated for use by the Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) abrasion test and is recommended by the American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM). PEI ratings measure the wear resistance of the tile surface. Look for these classifications:Class 1 -No Foot Traffic: Ceramic tile suggested for interior residential and commercial wall applications only.Class 2 -Light Traffic: Ceramic tile suggested for interior residential and commercial wall applications and for residential bathroom floor applications only.Class 3 -Light to Moderate Traffic: Ceramic tile suggested for residential floor, countertop, and wall applications.Class 4 -Moderate to Heavy Traffic: Ceramic tile suggested for residential, medium commercial and light institutional floor and wall applications.Class 4+ -Heavy to Extra Heavy Traffic: Ceramic tile suggested for residential, commercial and institutional floor and wall applications subjected to heavy to extra heavy traffic.Acceptable Outdoor Tile TypesVitrified: Ceramic tiles having an absorption rating of 0.5 - 3%.Impervious (Porcelain): Ceramic tiles having an absorption rating of 0.0 - 0.5%.If price is a factor in your decision to purchase ceramic tile, contact your local tile wholesaler/distributor. Nearly all will have deals on discontinued and overstocked ceramic tiles and unlike your local home improvement store they can answer detailed questions regarding your tile project.Tile Grout SelectionThe color of your tile grout can make or break the look of a finished project. Here are some tips to aid you in your selection:Avoid choosing black, green, or red colored grout mortars. They are notoriously difficult to clean from ceramic tile and baseboards. Choose unsanded grout mortar for grout joints 1/8" or smaller.Choose sanded grout mortar for grout joints larger than 1/8".Avoid choosing white grout for use in moderately wet areas. Choose instead gray or light brown colored grout. Besides being hard to keep clean, white grout tends to yellow or discolor over time.
