ᐅ Characteristics of a Floor Tile, Quality, Chipping

Created on: 17 Aug 2016 19:47
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ntsa86
Hello esteemed community,

we are currently looking for our floor tiles. We have now found a floor tile that appeals to us visually.

It has the following characteristics:
  • Material: Porcelain stoneware
  • Dimensions LxW: 90x45 cm (35x18 inches)
  • Rectified: yes
  • Slip resistance: R9
  • Abrasion class: IV
  • Glazed: yes
  • Surface finish: matte
  • Color: light beige
I have read a lot about various quality features. Statements such as "XL tiles might not look even" now make us unsure (are 45x90 cm (18x35 inches) even considered "XL"?). Furthermore, the selected tiles are not through-bodied, which in my opinion is a disadvantage. The retailer gave us the following explanation:

"The tile is rectified/calibrated and not through-bodied, meaning the body color is roughly the color of the tile. Additionally, the tile with R9 rating is universally applicable and, due to the extra glaze, extremely resistant to external influences and very easy to maintain.

Through-body coloring:
Many customers today ask for through-bodied tiles because they fear that in case of chipping a different color would show. Nowadays, tiles are fired very hard and have a tough surface that is highly resistant to external influences. The tile would most likely crack completely rather than chip. Even if a piece chips off, you would see this on a through-bodied tile just as on a non-through-bodied one, and it would also leave residues (dirt and water) during cleaning.

My recommendation:
Always calculate one extra package as a reserve. If something happens at some point, you will always have the option to replace one tile of the same batch. This is quite simple, quick, and always looks better than a crack or chip (whether through-bodied or not)."

What do you think? Is he right? Are there any other valid reasons against this tile (apart from the additional cost for the tile installer)?

Confused regards, ntsa86
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ntsa86
30 Aug 2016 18:54
Good advice, thank you for that. We will meet with the tiler again shortly.

Good luck ntsa86
tomtom7930 Aug 2016 19:22
What exact size? I would even lay tiles larger than 60x60 cm (24x24 inches) without offset.

With 60x30 cm (24x12 inches), we have about an 80 to 20% offset; it looks good visually and you can’t see any warping.


Hallway under renovation with dark tiles; cable on the left, long metal rail on the right, tools visible


Here is the hallway.
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Sebastian79
30 Aug 2016 19:38
That is also a standard size.

We have it in the basement – but there is also a running bond pattern.

EDIT: You also have a running bond pattern, right? You can see the typical stair-step effect.
tomtom7930 Aug 2016 19:41
Pffff, that sounds so standard and ordinary :-(
The next house will be 100 x 100. The only question is who will pay for it.
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Sebastian79
30 Aug 2016 19:47
That's quite normal.

You’re not doing the tilers any favors that way.

We have 90x45cm (35x18 inches) tiles on the ground floor and 60x60cm (24x24 inches) tiles in the bathrooms.
AOLNCM31 Aug 2016 09:40
To avoid (financial) surprises, discuss with the tiler early on.
Often, for the reasons mentioned above, tiles are laid in a quarter bond pattern.
However, manufacturers and tilers often advise against a half bond pattern for larger tiles.
Large tiles, for example 120x60cm (47x24 inches), are often laid in a grid pattern.

Often, it is not the tile tolerances that pose a problem but the screed.
There are flowing screed and cement screed, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
Tilers generally prefer flowing screed. Larger unevenness of a cement screed can be corrected with leveling compound, which in turn affects floor buildup and increases costs.

Depending on the installation method and the number and location of expansion joints, there may be more waste. Therefore, contact the tiler early in the process.