Ceramic and Porcelain Tile
Our large selection of porcelain and ceramic tile includes a wide variety of colors, textures, and patterns. Ceramic and porcelain tile are popular for their durability as well as resistance to moisture, stains, scratches, and frost.
What is the difference between Porcelain and Ceramic?
Ceramic: Ceramic tiles are generally made from a red or white clay mixture. After pressed into shape, they are typically glazed to create the tile's color, texture and design. They are then fired at extremely high temperatures to create a solidified tile. They can be used for walls, floors, countertops and are suitable for light to moderate traffic areas.
Porcelain: Porcelain tile is a type of ceramic tile. Porcelain tiles are typically made from a white clay mixture and are pressed to create a dense body. They are glazed then fired at a much higher temperature than regular ceramic tile. This makes the tile more resistant to moisture, frost and general wear. Their low water absorption rate makes them a worthy choice for both interior and exterior applications. They can be used for walls, floors, countertops and are suitable for light to heavy traffic areas.
How is tile made?
Step 1 is basic and organic.
The process begins with the mining of the raw materials, which is a mixture composed of mostly clay and minerals.
Step 2 transforms mud into fine sand.
The clay and mineral mixture is blended and mixed into a semi fine powder. Water is added to form a wet slurry or mud-like consistency. Then the slurry is pumped into a large dryer. And the result? A fine clay powder that feels like warm, fine sand.
Step 3 sees a form take shape.
Next, the clay is pressed or formed into a tile shape. These pressed tiles are called green tiles at this stage. After the green tiles are formed they are dried to remove some of the moisture.
Step 4 is the glaze phase.
It's the next step in the manufacturing process for those tiles that will have a glaze. If the tile is to remain unglazed it skips this step and goes directly to the firing kiln. The glaze liquid is prepared from a glass derivative called frit and colored dyes. The glaze is applied by either a high-pressure spray or is poured directly onto the tile.
Step 5 really heats things up.
The ceramic tiles are now fired in the kiln at temperatures around 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. Tiles that are fired once after the glaze is applied are called "single fired." The other type is called "double fired." Double fired tiles are first fired after the green tile is dried and then fired again after the glaze is applied.
Visit us today and let us help you find the product to suit your needs.
What is the difference between Porcelain and Ceramic?
Ceramic: Ceramic tiles are generally made from a red or white clay mixture. After pressed into shape, they are typically glazed to create the tile's color, texture and design. They are then fired at extremely high temperatures to create a solidified tile. They can be used for walls, floors, countertops and are suitable for light to moderate traffic areas.
Porcelain: Porcelain tile is a type of ceramic tile. Porcelain tiles are typically made from a white clay mixture and are pressed to create a dense body. They are glazed then fired at a much higher temperature than regular ceramic tile. This makes the tile more resistant to moisture, frost and general wear. Their low water absorption rate makes them a worthy choice for both interior and exterior applications. They can be used for walls, floors, countertops and are suitable for light to heavy traffic areas.
How is tile made?
Step 1 is basic and organic.
The process begins with the mining of the raw materials, which is a mixture composed of mostly clay and minerals.
Step 2 transforms mud into fine sand.
The clay and mineral mixture is blended and mixed into a semi fine powder. Water is added to form a wet slurry or mud-like consistency. Then the slurry is pumped into a large dryer. And the result? A fine clay powder that feels like warm, fine sand.
Step 3 sees a form take shape.
Next, the clay is pressed or formed into a tile shape. These pressed tiles are called green tiles at this stage. After the green tiles are formed they are dried to remove some of the moisture.
Step 4 is the glaze phase.
It's the next step in the manufacturing process for those tiles that will have a glaze. If the tile is to remain unglazed it skips this step and goes directly to the firing kiln. The glaze liquid is prepared from a glass derivative called frit and colored dyes. The glaze is applied by either a high-pressure spray or is poured directly onto the tile.
Step 5 really heats things up.
The ceramic tiles are now fired in the kiln at temperatures around 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. Tiles that are fired once after the glaze is applied are called "single fired." The other type is called "double fired." Double fired tiles are first fired after the green tile is dried and then fired again after the glaze is applied.
Visit us today and let us help you find the product to suit your needs.