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Crazy for Crackle

Crackle or crazed tile has been around for literally thousands of years.

During the manufacturing process, hairline cracks develop in the glaze. When creating a crackle tile, this cracking is intentional. The end result is a beautiful crackle finish that seems to go beautifully with virtually any style.

Be aware that these cracks never stop moving.  This means you need to seal the tile initially, then every several months as cracks continue to move.

In the tile and stone industry, there are specific installation procedures for every type of product group (glass, metal, ceramics), and then further procedures for specific tiles within each product group

There are several tile products that need to be pre-sealed in order to prevent a change in appearance. This would include, but not limited to,  all natural stones, all through-body porcelain tiles, all unglazed clay tiles, certain metal and glass tiles and specific ceramic tiles.

The crackle in the glaze of this handcrafted tile is intentional. Virtually ALL crackle glazes from ALL manufacturers require pre-sealing. Once pre-sealed, most manufacturers recommend their tiles for wet areas.

As with all products, the tile installer is to follow industry standards and manufacturers recommendations for installation.

There are a few sealing options that should be considered prior to installation. To minimize craze cracks as much as possible tiles may be soaked in sealer prior to installation.  If moderate crackle is desired, simply wipe on/wipe off according to manufacturer instructions. If you really, really like those crazy crackle cracks, grout first with a contrasting grout and seal after grouting.

There is no right or wrong. Simply determine if a crackle tile is right for you, then let the installer know how much crackle you would like to emphasize and it will be a custom finish, just for you

Types of Tile - Tile and Stone by Villagio

Types of Tile

Characteristics 
Glaze is “liquid glass” that has been sprayed or poured onto the surface of the tile. Extreme heat causes the tile to be fused together and harden. Glazed tile must meet the same criteria as unglazed tiles, with two additional tests: thermal shock and crazing.

Common sizes
1″x 1″, 12″x 12″ and larger.

Qualities
First quality tiles are manufactured with up to 5% visible facial defects. However, the installer is allowed 0% defects. It’s important for the installer to discard the defective product or use the tile for cuts.

– Standards: Glazed tiles have ANSI standards for determining facial defects, sizing, warping, wedging, etc.
– Function: The following factors may affect the hardness, strength and wear resistance of glazed ceramic tile:
– Temperature: Higher kiln (oven) temperatures typically produce a harder glaze.
– Color: Dark colors (such as blacks or blues) are typically more prone to scratch than lighter colors.
– Gloss levels: Shiny glazes are not usually as abrasive resistant as matte finish glazes.

When specifying or installing glazed floor tile, consider these characteristics
– Slip resistance
– Wear resistance
– Maintenance requirements
– Chemical and stain resistance

Limitations
Be sure to determine the function, limitations, and suitability of the product. Do not make your selection based solely on color, style or appearance.

Natural Stone - Tile and Stone by Villagio

Going All Natural: Pro’s and Con’s of Natural Stone

Natural stone tiles are distinct and unique. 
You should always view several pieces of the tile that is to be installed before the installation begins. Since it has been created by nature, not only are no two pieces exactly alike, those two pieces may not even be very similar.

The most common natural stone tiles include:
Slate, flagstone (sandstone), marble, granite, travertine and limestone. Each stone has unique characteristics and maintenance requirements.

Generally, you should seal natural stone tile before grouting,
unless you are planning on using the grout color in the stone as a design element.

Most natural stones are not resistant against common household acids (like lemon juice) or oil stains.
Therefore, you should use a penetrating sealer for all natural stones after installation. Follow manufacturers instructions on frequency of re-application.

The advantages of natural stone

– Timeless, unique appearance
– Design capabilities of through-body color material
– Perceived value
– Durable countertops and floors (granite)
– May be re-polished if scratched

The disadvantages of natural stone

– Ongoing re-sealing program is required
– Limited chemical and stain resistance
– Higher installation costs than ceramic tile
– Product received seldom looks like the sample

Selecting Tile - Tile and Stone by Villagio

Tips on Selecting Tile

Consider the interior environment that you will create

  • Color will make the room look larger or smaller.
  • Size will determine the number of grout joints. Large-unit tiles work equally well in large or small rooms. Smaller tiles are usually intended for smaller rooms or to create a pattern.
  • Direction will create either a visual flow or a distinctive area

To make a room appear – Use

Larger – Light-medium colors or large format tiles

Smaller
– Medium-dark colors or small format tiles

Lighter – Light-medium colors

Darker – Medium-dark colors (dark colors work best in rooms with plenty of natural light)

Warmer – “Warm” colors
Cooler – “Cool” colors

Neutral color – Larger tiles with coordinating grout joints or stone tile with thin coordinating grout joints

Color accents
– Inset color using field tile or decos

Larger with a visual flow – Using the same tile from room to room

Distinctive rooms and areas
– Change the size, the direction or use decos

Performance-Ratings - Tile and Stone by Villagio

Performance Ratings

PEI ratings PEI rates abrasive resistance of the tile’s glaze on a scale of 0-5. This test is only for glazed tiles and does not apply to unglazed porcelain tile or other unglazed types of tile. Deep abrasion test for through body porcelain tile.

PEI ratings of glazed tile

Class 0. Suitable for walls only

Class 1. Recommended for wall use 
But may be used both on interior walls or bath floors without direct access to outdoor elements.

Class 2. Suitable for most residential floors 
May be used where abrasive foot traffic is minimal – such as bathrooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, living rooms, and sunrooms.

Class 3. Ideal for all residential floors
For floors subject to normal foot traffic and usage (including kitchens, outdoor entryways and hallways).

Class 4. Great for all residential and light-medium commercial 
Suitable for light to medium commercial applications. Will withstand moderate foot traffic in many commercial areas (commercial kitchens, hotel rooms, exhibition halls, etc).

Class 5. Great for all residential and most commercial 
Ideally suited for all residential and most commercial applications under normal foot traffic conditions (shopping centers, hotel foyers, walkways, and industrial applications). For very high traffic areas, consider and unglazed through-body color porcelain, which does not carry a PEI rating.

Mohs scale 
Frederick Mohs invented this geological scale of minerals to rate scratch resistance from 1-10. Think of Mohs as Method Of Hardness Scale. This test is not an industry standard but it’s a great comparison to show the difference in scratch resistance between tile and other hard flooring materials.

Coefficient of friction (COF) 
The coefficient of friction rates the slip resistance of a tile. ADA recommends a test rating of .6 (wet or dry) on floors and .8 for ramps. However, common sense must prevail. If you are told that a shiny surface tile has a .6 rating, stop and think if that tile really will be slip resistant.

Breaking strength 
The breaking strength test is a good indicator of the chip resistance of a tile because it tests the strength and density of the bisque. Using applicable ASTM test, ceramic floor tile typically has a breaking strength of 250 lbs. This can be less for poor quality tiles, higher with porcelain tiles (up to 400lbs).

What do you want your tile to do? 
Facial surface. A slip resistant surface may be more difficult to keep clean. A glossy surface may show dust and be slick. 
Body strength. Chip resistance, frost resistance, breaking strength, and water resistance. Make sure that the tile face and the tile body meets both performance and visual expectations.

TRAVERTINE QUALITY RATINGS

Travertine is divided into four visual classifications. As with other natural stone products such as diamonds and precious stones, the value of travertine is based on the visual appeal, availability and rare qualities of the stone. As these are visual based categories, the durability or suitableness for a specific purpose are not part of this classification.

Commercial Quality 
Tiles with a commercial rating are divided into two distinct categories.

Class “A” is for appearance. The distinctive variation that occurs in an “A”. quality commercial stone may include a broad color range, a unique color range, usual mineral deposits or a moderate amount and size of fill. Class “A” commercial tiles will be of uniform thickness, squareness and size, but may have some variation in finish and fill color.

Class “B” is for dimension. Travertine tiles in this category may have variations in size or thickness, a considerable amount of fill or very large fill. These tiles are usually set with a 3/16” or larger grout joint.

Classic Quality A classic quality tile will be of a consistent size as to allow a grout joint of 1/8” or less. Classic tiles will have a moderate amount and size of fill. Classic tiles are sorted within a defined color range with minimal mineral deposits.

First Quality

First quality travertine tiles are sorted to have minimal fill and color variations within a defined range. First quality tiles have virtually no unusual mineral deposits and they are precision sized for minimal grout joints and ease of installation.

Premium Quality 
Premium quality travertine is so designated because of the unusually high density of the stone. This means that there are very few and very small holes. The face of a premium quality stone will be of discernible higher visual quality when placed next to other qualities of travertine