Tile talk.

The language used by tile suppliers, designers and installers can be confusing. If you encounter a term you don't understand, look it up here. If you still have questions, please email us at info@architecturalceramics.net. We'll get back to you as soon as we can.

Acid-washed -

A treatment applied to the face of a stone to achieve a texture or finish that is distressed. Chemical treatments are more effective when applied to calcareous stones than to siliceous stone types. Recently, the use of acid and other types of chemical treatments has lessened due to environmental and disposal concerns. Chemical processes have been replaced by mechanical methods for the texturing of the stone face.

Add-on -

Something added on: as a : a sum or amount added on b : quantity shortfalls that necessitates the ordering of additional tiles to complete the project.

Backsplash –

The area located between the countertop and lower cabinet. Normally 14-19 inches in height. Make sure to bring your backsplash measurements with you to the store.

Blend -

Combination of colors, textures and shape to create a pattern on pre-determined sizes.

Brushed -

Obtained by brushing a stone with a coarse rotary-type wire brush.

Ceramic -

Of or relating to the manufacture of any product (as earthenware, porcelain, or brick) made essentially from a nonmetallic mineral (as red or white clay) by firing at a high temperature; also : of or relating to such a product. Rated 2 & 3 - see Floor Tile definition.

Cobbled -

An edge that has been chiseled to give a distressed appearance.

DUROCK® -

Cement board is a lightweight panel product that is used as a substrate for ceramic tile application in wet areas. Unlike other tile backers, DUROCK® panels will not lose strength when subjected to moisture. DUROCK® panels score and snap like traditional drywall and are installed using similar techniques.

Expansion Joints -

A device permitting a structure to expand or contract without breakage.

Flamed -

A surface treatment applied by intense heat flaming.

Floor Tile -

Material used as interior and exterior pedestrian wearing surface. Usually rated for hardness. Rating 1, 2 are for walls. Rating 3, 4, 5 are for floors. Rating 4, 5 are commercially rated. Rating 5 for outdoor use particularly for inclement weather conditions.

Granite -

A very hard, crystalline, igneous rock, gray to pink in color, composed of feldspar, quartz, and lesser amounts of dark ferromagnesium materials. Gneiss and black "granites" are similar to true granites in structure and texture, but are composed of different minerals.

Green Board -

Used for substrate for ceramic tile applications. Similar to regular drywall, this product is moisture resistant, though are not water proof.

Grout -

Mortar used to fill joints. Grout allows for expansion and compression. Caulk is used for glass joints allowing for the same movement.

Hammered -

A rustic finish for veneer stone created by chiseling the stone face, usually with a hammer.

Hand-painted -

Painted by hand rather than machine made.

Hardy Backer -

Made from cementitious material bonded over with fiber glass or resin fabric. It is attached to walls and floors in preparation for tiling.

Honed -

A satin-smooth surface finish with little or no gloss, recommended for commercial floors.

Limestone -

Sedimentary rock composed primarily of calcite or dolomite. The varieties of limestone used as dimension stone are usually well consolidated and exhibit a minimum of graining or bedding direction.

Listello -

A strip tile, similar to a chair rail. A decorative, rectangular piece of tile.

Marble -

A crystalline rock, capable of taking a polish, and composed of one or more of the minerals calcite, dolomite, and serpentine.

Medallion -

An ornamental block. A symmetrical design of multiple colors. Focal point in walls and floors.

Mosaic -

A surface decoration made by inlaying small pieces of variously colored material on large or small surfaces to form pictures or patterns. Used everywhere throughout the inside or outside - in all applications.

Polished -

A glossy surface finish that brings out the full color and character of the stone.

Porcelain -

A hard, fine-grained, sonorous, nonporous, and usually light and white ceramic ware that consists essentially of kaolin, quartz, and a feldspathic rock and is fired at a high temperature. Porcelain become ceramics tile when fired at higher temperatures. Most floors are porcelain. Rated hardness 4 and 5 - see Floor Tile definition.

Sealer -

An elastic adhesive compound used to seal stone veneer joints. It adheres to tile grout and joints; it protects against staining. If not sealed properly water will seep into the back of the stone.

Shade Variation -

Range of color or shade in most stone or tile - the higher the shade variation the more range of color there is from stone to stone or tile to tile. Most important aspect of your purchase.

Stone -

A concretion of earthy or mineral matter. A natural substance found throughout the world - typically excavated.

Take-offs -

The calculation only the installer should make to determine the amount of stone or tile to cover a given area. Many times we suggest adding 10% to 15 % to the take off to cover for items like cuts, breakage or the odd stone or tile the customer just may not want to lay. The amount of take-off varies from installer to installer. Usually the more tile used by an installer the better quality of workmanship.

Travertine -

A variety of limestone that is a precipitate from hot springs. Some varieties of travertine take a polish and are known commercially as marble.

Tumbled -

A weathered, aging finished created when the stone is tumbled with sand, pebbles, or steel bearings

Wall Tile -

Low hardness rated tile which is usually not recommended for floor use.