Ceramic tiles are flat sheets made from a mixture of clay, sand and other natural materials formed into the desired shape and size and then fired at a high temperature. They come in various sizes and with thicknesses of between 3mm and 20mm. Thanks to advanced production technologies, they are available in an almost unlimited variety of sizes, colors surfaces and decorative effects.
The term porcelain tile refers to an extremely compact dry-pressed ceramic tile with excellent technical characteristics (high resistance to bending, scratching, abrasion, chemicals, and weathering) and, in particular, extremely low porosity. During the firing phase (1000-1350 ° C) all porosity in the product has been eliminated, allowing it to be declared as fully vitrified.
Thru body porcelain tile is a product that shows on the surface exactly the colors that are throughout the whole body of the tile. This characteristic helps in rare cases when a tile chips and therefore the aesthetic damage is kept to a minimum.
Thru color porcelain tile is a product colored in the mixtures of the tile's body and further enriched by applications of enamel on the surface.
20 mm thick porcelain pavers are a highly durable product designed for external flooring of public and residential spaces: town squares, pavements, walkways, parking areas, terraces, poolsides, bathing facilities, public parks, and more. The increased thickness (2 cm) as compared to traditional porcelain (1 cm) and heightened technical performance guarantee timeless durability and no risk of breakage. It has greater anti-slip characteristics and is easy to clean, maintaining its texture and color over time.
There are four basic steps involved in tile installation:
Since each job site scenario is unique, we recommend the TCNA (Tile Council of North America) handbook for installation recommendations at www.tcnatile.com
To eliminate the possibility of choosing the wrong product, most manufacturers use the following P.E.I. guide to rating the durability of each tile.
GROUP I: Tiles suitable only for residential bathrooms where softer footwear is worn.
GROUP II: Tiles suited to general residential traffic, except kitchens, entrance halls, and other areas subjected to continuous heavy use.
GROUP III: Tiles suitable for all residential and light commercial areas such as offices, reception areas, and boutiques.
GROU IV: Tile Suited for medium commercial and light institutional applications such as restaurants, hotels, hospital lobbies, and corridors.
GROUP V: Tiles suitable for heavy traffic and wet areas where safety and maximum performance are a major concern such as exterior walkways, food service, building entrances, around swimming pools, airports or shopping centers.
The term “shade variation” is the differences in the color and/or surface you see with the tiles in any one collection.
The differences in the shades of the single tiles can result in them looking uneven when you see them side by side, and so strong variations in shading is a plus point for collections that are inspired by natural materials, like stone or marble.
As a result, we recommend taking tiles from several boxes when fitting these tiles to ensure the finished surface has the optimum degree of variability and randomness.
Given the nature of the product, any references to colors here are only provided as a guideline.
V1= uniform variation, the difference among the pieces from the same production run are minimal.
V2= Slight Variation, the color of the tiles is basically uniform with some shading in similar tones.
V3= Moderate Variation, the product has deliberately moderate variation in the shading, resulting from the original grain or veining of the natural materials, or produced to suggest vintage effects, an aged look or a particular texture.
V4= Substantial Variation, the evident contrasts are used to depict the natural and cultural references that inspired the collections.
'Surface finish' defines the texture of the surface of a ceramic piece and the process adopted to obtain it.
The matte finish is the most versatile version in which the tile is not subjected to any other process after the cooking; the polished finish enhances shine and elegance; the structured effect simulates a process performed with specific tools that give the surface a rough and rustic effect; this finish makes the surface non-slip for use in wet environments and particular environmental conditions as well as for outdoor use.
Porcelain tiles can have three different types of edging:
NATURAL: edging that comes exclusively from the molding of the press;
RECTIFIED: edging perfectly straight (sometimes accompanied by a slight chamfer around the perimeter of the surface) coming from squaring procedures that bring the pieces to a uniform dimension of the sides, independent of productions lots;
CHISELED or AGED: edging that replicates a random irregularity by mechanical processing after the firing.
A grout line is the distance that separates one tile from another.
No, the grout line is a necessary distance that permits dilation of the floors and natural settling due to structural movements, humidity, and variations in temperature. Depending on the tiles’ type of edge, it can be very thin (1 mm) or very wide (5 mm). The laying of tiles generally varies according to the characteristics of the collection itself. If the tiles are rectified (the edge is perfectly straight), they can be laid with a minimum grout line of 1 or 2 mm for a sophisticated and elegant look. The final result is quite striking and is generally recommended for modern and highly technical products like the large formats. In the case of more traditional or rustic tiles, in which the borders are not perfectly straight, a slightly wider grout line of approximately 4 mm is generally recommended so that the end look remains in keeping with the aesthetic and functional characteristics of the tiles themselves.
Lippage is the height of the variation of adjoining tiles or the “differences in elevation between edges of adjacent tile modules.”
Factors like poor lighting can wrongly enhance the appearance of lippage.
To avoid lippage refer to the TCNA guidelines on warpage and lippage at www.tcnatile.com
Even though the waste products from the demolition of tiles are “inert” materials (non-reactive, chemically and physically stable, resistant to prolonged exposure to extreme thermal, hygrometric, and chemical conditions), we recommend bringing the waste to the recycling point nearest you for proper and environmentally sustainable disposal.
Trinity Tile products are designed and manufactured from the most reputable factories from around the world. Our manufacturer partners are recognized worldwide as a symbol of excellence, quality, and technological innovation.
Yes. The fire resistance of materials is typically expressed in classes. Ceramic materials are in Class A1 (non-combustible products).
All Trinity Tile porcelain stoneware floors, by virtue of their great heat conductivity, which is equal to 1.3 Watt/m °K or 1.1 Kcal/m h °C (refer to EN 12524:2001 standard), are highly recommended for installation on heated floors.
Choosing the product most suitable for the designated surface, care during installation, and regular cleaning guarantee the durability of ceramic products, which is greater than that of almost all other materials on the market.
Yes. Trinity Tile offers a wide range of products for exterior spaces, in both traditional thickness (1 cm) and larger thickness (2 cm). The texture of the surface, rough to the touch, ensures that it remains slip-resistant in the presence of water or under other specific environmental conditions.
Yes. Trinity Tile offers a wide range of products suitable for both residential and commercial spaces.
