Types of Tile
Synthetic Floors
Ceramic Tile - Ceramic Tile is clay fired man-made material. Surface in glazed ceramic (single-fired, double-fired, etc...) do not normally require any protective treatment. It is the glaze itself that gives the material its excellent protection against the absorption of dirt, along with its particular aesthetic effect. Many of the new ceramic tiles in today’s market are manufactured to look like real stone.
Saltillo or Terracotta Tile – One of the oldest ceramic materials made by man, this type of floor is obtained by mixing clay and water, leaving this to dry naturally, then baking it in a kiln. Saltillo Tile has particular characteristics of a physical (absorption), mechanical (special finish), and compositional (for the different types of clay) nature that demand special treatment.
VCT Tile – Vinyl Composition Tile can be found in 9 inches but most commonly in 12 inches. It contains vinyl resins and comes in a wide variety of colors. It is an extremely dense yet porous floor and has a good resistance to acid, alkaline and solvent base spots and spills. It is highly resilient and is installed in light, medium and heavy traffic areas. Of all resilient floor coverings, VCT is the most commonly found in commercial use.
Porcelin Tile - Is a very hard material that is particularly resistant to chemical agents, scratches, freezing and to the absorption of water. Porcelain Tile can be given a polished surface industrially. This produces the "polished" version with its mirror-like shine. However, unlike the "natural" or unpolished versions, it is subject to marking. Can be honed and polish, but is very difficult and time consuming.
Natural Floors
TERRAZO – The appearance of the terrazzo is more uniform than most natural stone, and is available in tile forms or by pouring application on the slab. Terrazzo is a mixture of Portland cement and Marble chips. These chips can range in size from a fraction of an inch to as large to several inches. The very good side about Terrazzo is it can be ground, honed and polish just like Marble and can be easily mistaken for Granite.
TRAVERTINE – Is limestone that has been formed in hot springs. Water movement caused the erosion of the stone creating numerous holes of varying sizes. A polished travertine will have its holes filled with color-matched Portland cement filler. These fillers do not take a high polish and therefore the overall polish tends to look blotchy.
SLATE – Is classified as a "rough" material with a low absorption. Slate can be found both an interiors and exteriors, and rarely have a high polish unless a coating is placed on it. Slate can be a problem for it’s high content of clay, especially in wet areas, and can develop efflorescence easily. urability. A color enhanced can be applied also in this type of floor, to create a colorful look of the stone.
MARBLE – Is known as a calcium carbonate stone, and has been a metamorphic rock, marble reacts to acids and give a high gloss appearance. Is acid sensitive and scratches easily; most Marble stone have veins, swirls and bands. For cleaning and restoration purposes, the most suitable method should be chosen according to the level of wear. It entails of removing the dirt, erasing stains and restoring the worn protective layer.