Ceramic tile is made by pressing clay powder into a mold, or a process called wet milling. This can be done by machine, creating an even uniform look, or by hand creating a modeled artisan look. The strength of a tile is directly related to the temperature at which it is fired. The higher the temperature the stronger, and more durable a tile becomes. Clay powder is initially fired at a comparatively low temperature, then glazed and fired again for varying lengths of time at very high temperatures. Wet milled tile is typically fired once at a very high temperature, making it very hard. Although there are floor rated ceramic tiles that look very similar to a porcelain tile, the traditional look of a ceramic tile is a high gloss square or rectangular tile. These tiles are typically used for wall applications. The high gloss finish on these tiles makes them easy to clean. Also, because of its neat simplicity, ceramic tile can be incorporated into a variety of designs ranging from ultra modern to super traditional. Come in to anyone of our six locations to see what you can do with ceramic tile! Here are just a few examples of what can be done with a ceramic tile:
Here is an example using 3×6 American Olean White Subway tiles with natural stone accents. This clean, fresh look is the perfect compliment to any kind of countertop, and would be great in a bathroom or a kitchen.
Here is a display that uses custom Pratt & Larson ceramic tiles in a variety of colors and sizes. These particular tiles have a metalic glaze, or actual metal in the glaze of the tile, and the center tiles were pressed into a special mold that gave them a relief patern. The combination creates a fun and unique textural element.
This display shows Walker Zanger’s Gramercy Park line. This whimsical line features a crackle finish, and a muted pallete that follows the four seasons. We paired the ceramic wall tiles with a natural stone floor to vary the texture, but you could combine this tile with porcelain or glass too.
