porcelain Finsih or porcelain tile??

[shotdown]

I just noticed that my tile actually says Porcelain Finish. Does that make it automatically Porcelain "tile" or is this a marketing gimmick play on words??? I remember an advertising distinction decades ago where cheese wasn't necessarily "real cheese" but a processed food. It looked just like cheese but the fine print distinguished it from real cheese.

[bctile601]

Is this on the boxes, or on the tile itself ?

Is there information to contact the Mfr. ?

There are many types of tile we call ' ceramic ', could be regular glazed ceramic tile, porcelain tile ( through body, and glazed ), natural stone, glass, resin, conglomerates, etc.

[stullis]

Yes, it is a marketing gimmick and no it doesn't automatically make it a porcelain tile.

[shotdown]

Well I emailed the distributor and will have to see what he writes back. I understand porcelain is actually a finer clay than ceramic clay. will post when I find out.

[bctile601]

porcelain tile is also pressed harder, fired hotter and longer too.

[shotdown]

Yes I got SCREWED! I checked with the distributor. Porcelain Finish is not the same as Porcelain tile. It's already in so it's too late for me but for any of you EXPERTS out there FYI Porcelain Finish is not a Full Body Porcelain. I really think the salesman knew it but probably did'nt think I would care. Boy did he find out that was a mistake!! My wife has yet to unleash her wrath on him. And he deserves every bit of it too. When someone says they want Porcelain Tile, like we did, double check it does'nt say "Porcelain Finish".

[M&S-Matthew]

The distributor or store involved probably wont be too much help on this as many tile manufactures they buy from do not divulge a lot of critical details that will explain a tiles composition.

Before you tiptoe across your floor or listen for cracking while you sleep, lets answer a few questions.

Where was the tile installed?

What kind of traffic do you expect on the newly tiled area?

If this tile was installed outside, what region do you live in?

If you don’t mind me asking, how much did you pay per SF?

I am not the pro on porcelain tile composition, but I can hold my own. The key discussion on the quality of porcelain tile seems to be the water absorption.

In order to be a Full-body/thru-body porcelain, it must have the same porcelain composition top to bottom and have a water absorption rate of less than .03%. I usually reserve these tiles for outdoor or commercial applications.

If your application were residential, a ceramic floor tile glaze would be sufficient. Which means even a low quality Glazed porcelain would be sufficient as well.

[Dave Gobis]

Porcelain is anything under .5 absorbtion.

[mctile]

This year, the CTNA and the TCNA are putting toghther an agency (called the Porcelain Tile Certification Agency) to certify porcelain tile. There is too much confusion out there amung dealers, installers, and buyers about what constitutes a porcelain tile. If succesful, this should help clear things up a little on this subject.

[Jaz]

If I'm not mistaken, the main reason for the certification is because of some of the cheap quality tiles coming in from China. I'm told that some of the tiles called porcelain by some Chinese factories, actually are not. Since our industry isn't regulated very much, they felt the need.

As Dave said anything at or under .5% water absorption is porcelain, may decent tiles are about .07 - .02%.

Jaz

[Dave Taylor]

Your floor work is complete and you do like it's looks.
The install was professional and the deed is done.

I'm with M&S.... it's a floor..... treat it like one.... walk on it.
The glazed tile you've installed will last as long as it's going to last.... which will prolly' be as long as you folks wish it to last.

If a problem arises because of the tile manufacturing process (and I somehow don't think it will).... deal with it at that time.

In the meantime.... enjoy your new floor and hold the "lesson learned" for your next project.

Send us some pictures over in the shallow end.

Good luck to you.