The Floor Club

Ceramic tile is ideal for use in areas where water or moisture is a problem.

Walls:
Bathrooms
Kitchens
Laundrey Areas
Shower Areas
Sun Rooms

Floors:
Bathrooms
Kitchens
Laundrey Areas
Entryways
Patios

The Porcelain Institute's standard wear rating system rates tile from Group I to Group IV+. Group I is the lowest (weakest) category and Group IV+ is the highest (strongest) rating category.

Durability. The wear rating classification on the manufacturer's product label will serve as your best guide in determining the appropriate product.

For areas subject to light or moderate foot traffis, such as bedrooms or baths, almost any tile a wear rating of II or more may be used.
Areas such as hallways and kitchens can be subjected to extreme abuse and reauire at least a III rated product.
Entryways with direct access to the outdoors may reauire a IV rated product.
The wear rating is unimportant when choosing dense inglazed tile, because it typically does not show visible wear.

Frost Resistance. This is an important feature when selecting tile to be installed outdoors in a cold climate. Tile with a water absorption level of 3% or less is considered frost-resistant. The product labe will provide information on frost-resistance.

Tile provides endless design possibilities and many factors should be considered when making the best choice for your individual project. The aesthetic features of cermic tile include color, texture, shape, size, layout and grout options.

Color. Since ceramic tile is a "permanent" or long-term product, it is a good idea to choose conservative colors. Dramatic accent colors can be utilized to add personality and individuality to the design.

Lighter tile colors can make smaller rooms seem larger, while rich, deeper colors such as quarries or terracottas can make a large room more intimate and cozy.
Solid color tile can be very appealing: however, they can show dust and dirt. Tone-on-tone shaded tile and tile with a slight texture or design are usually easier to maintain.
The use of accent colors can provide outstanding design flexibility. Mix in accent colors for fair and excitement.
Use accent colors from neighboring color families, or maximum contrast, combine completely opposite color families such as black and white.
Use accent colors to define and separate areas of a room or use them as a border.
Utilize feature strips to highlight and accedtuate entire designs or to draw attention to a special area.

Surface Finishes. Tile is available in a wide variety of surface finishes and treatments.

Smooth, flast finishes
Textured surfaces
Finishes which simulate stone, such as marble, slate and granite
Subty designed surfaces with light embossing

Shape. Tile is available in a wide variety of shapes such as squares, rectangeles, octagons and hexagons. It is also available with straight edges, scalloped edges and cushioned edges.

Size. Tile is generally selected in proportional scale to the room. Floor tile is typically 1/4' to 1/2' in thickness, ranging in size from 6'x6' to 12'x12'. Larger tile will visually expand smaller areas, as well as unify larger ones. Smaller tile adds a rich texture when working with a designed tile, in this case, a large design could overpower a smaller room.

Grout. The width and the choice of color and texture are important design elements and need careful consideration when choosing grout.

Grout is available in a wide variety of designer colors, all developed to enhance the beauty of the tile.
A grout matched closely with the color of the tile will give a unified or blanket look, blending seamlessly into the tile design.
A contrasting color grout will emphasize the grid or pattern formed by the tile.
Grout color may also be used to coordinate with adjoining carpet or wall covering to pull the entire installation together.