A

Abrasion Resistance The ability of a tile or surface to withstand wear from friction. Floor tiles are rated for this using the PEI (Porcelain Enamel Institute) scale.

Absorption The percentage of water a tile absorbs, calculated as the ratio of absorbed water weight to the dry tile weight.

Adhesive A glue or bonding solution, typically liquid or semi-liquid, used to adhere tiles. Composed of aggregates and bonding agents from natural or synthetic sources.

Aggregate Granular materials like sand, gravel, crushed stone, or slag, combined with a cementing agent to create concrete, mortar, or hydraulic cement.

Antique Finish A finish applied to tiles made of natural materials to mimic the worn texture caused by foot traffic. Achieved through grinding to replicate natural wear.

B

Bevelled Edge An angled tile edge, not perpendicular to the tile face, used for safety, durability, or aesthetic purposes.

Biscuit The clay or porcelain base of a glazed tile.

Blistering Formation of bubbles in a tile’s body, glaze, or coating during firing.

Bonding Agent A substance applied to a substrate to enhance adhesion with subsequent layers.

Bowing Warping in tiles due to manufacturing or cooling processes. Acceptable warpage depends on tile size and degree of curvature, often noticeable in rectangular tiles laid in brick-bond patterns.

British Standard Standards governing ceramic and natural stone tiles, adhesives, and grouts, set by industry specialists and available from the British Standards Institution.

Brushed Finish A smoothed finish, typically on slate or riven tiles, achieved using a coarse wire rotary brush to reduce roughness while retaining natural texture.

Butt Joint Installation of tiles directly adjacent without a grout joint.

C

Ceramic A glazed or unglazed material with a crystalline or semi-crystalline structure, made from inorganic, non-metallic materials like clay, formed through heating.

Cove A trim tile with a concave radius edge, used for floor-to-wall junctions or inside corners.

Crackle Glaze A deliberate cracked or aged glaze effect, achieved by using shrinking glazes or historical thermal shock methods (firing followed by rapid cooling).

Crazing Cracking in fired glazes or ceramic coatings due to tensile stresses from temperature changes or vibrations.

Cure Time The duration a tile adhesive or setting material must remain undisturbed to reach full strength, varying by compound type and tile thickness.

Cushion Edge Tiles Tiles with curved facial edges, creating a slightly recessed joint.

D

Diamond Saw Blade A blade with diamond-edged tips for cutting hard materials like stone, concrete, or ceramics, with specific designs for different materials.

Drilling Creating holes in tiles, typically using diamond-tip drill bits for clean cuts, especially in porcelain.

E

Encaustic Clay tiles with inlaid patterns, created by molding the inlay, filling with colored clay, and firing to bond. Historically, patterns were painted with beeswax-based paint and fired.

Epoxy Adhesive and Grout A two-part system of epoxy resin and hardener, forming a durable, stain- and chemical-resistant plastic-like material.

Expansion Joint A joint extending through tile, mortar, and reinforcing wire to the substrate, used in large tiled areas to accommodate movement. Also called Movement Joints.

F

Fila A leading brand in tile and stone care, founded in 1943 by Guido and Pietro Pettenon. Known for cleaning and protection products for various surfaces.

Full Bodied Porcelain / Fully Vitrified Porcelain tiles with consistent pigmentation throughout their depth, with a water absorption rate of 0.5% or less.

G

Glazed Porcelain Porcelain tiles primed, printed, and coated with a hardened glass layer, also known as Semi-Vitrified tiles.

Grout A mix of silica sand, cement, and chemicals used to fill tile joints, preventing moisture penetration and buffering vibration or thermal expansion. Available in various colors and properties like anti-mold.

H

Heavy Duty Tile Durable tiles, typically semi-vitrified, with a porcelain base and hardened glass coating.

Honed A smooth, flat tile surface achieved through high-speed machine polishing, leaving square edges.

Honed and Filled Natural stone tiles with resin-filled holes and a polished surface for a smooth finish.

I

Ink Jet Printing A modern tile printing method using high-definition inkjet technology for precise, cost-effective patterns, mimicking natural materials like marble.

Iridescent Tiles Tiles, often glass mosaics, that display varying colors depending on light and angle.

L

Lappato (Semi-Polished Finish) A partially polished finish achieved with abrasive diamond wheels, leaving about 50% of the tile surface glossy and 50% textured.

Lipping Visible height differences between adjacent tiles, often in large-format or rectified tiles, exacerbated by staggered patterns.

M

Mapei A global leader in adhesives and grouts since 1937, offering products like Keracolor Water Repellent Grout and Ultracolour Flexible Grout.

Matt Finish A non-reflective, dull tile surface.

Micropores Pores in a material smaller than 2 nanometers in diameter.

Mitre Cutting a tile at an angle for specific installation needs.

Mural A decorative design or picture created by arranging tiles, often using glass or marble mosaics.

N

Nippers Pliers designed to make small, irregular, or curved cuts in ceramic tiles.

Nominal Sizes Approximate tile dimensions used for general reference.

Non-Vitreous Tiles with high water absorption (over 7% for wall/floor tiles, or 10% generally).

P

PEI Rating A global scale for grading floor tile durability:

• Grade 1: Light domestic use (e.g., bathrooms, bedrooms).

• Grade 2: Moderate domestic traffic (e.g., homes excluding outdoor access areas).

• Grade 3: All domestic areas, including kitchens and hallways.

• Grade 4: Moderate to heavy traffic (e.g., hotels, restaurants).

• Grade 5: Heavy traffic areas, domestic or public.

Pinholes Small, pinprick-like imperfections in a tile’s glaze or body.

Polished Finish A highly glossy finish on porcelain or natural stone, created with fine abrasive diamond wheels.

Porcelain A dense, impervious, fine-grained ceramic made from materials like kaolin, fired at high temperatures.

Pot Life The time a mixed material (e.g., grout or adhesive) remains workable.

R

Riven or Riven Effect A hand-split or simulated layered tile surface, often seen in slate.

Rectified Tile Tiles cut after firing for precise, clean edges, allowing minimal grout lines.

Rustic Edge A non-uniform, handmade-looking tile edge for an artisan aesthetic.

S

Sandblasted A process spraying sand at high speed onto stone to create a non-slip, rough finish.

Satin Finish A tile finish with a slight sheen, reflecting light at certain angles.

Screed A thin layer of material (e.g., sand and cement) applied over concrete or insulation for finishing.

Sealant A protective film or penetrant to prevent liquid absorption, used on porous materials like quarry tiles or natural stone.

Semi-Vitreous Tiles with 3-7% water absorption.

Shade Variation Natural or intentional color/texture differences between tiles, often to mimic materials like wood or marble.

Shelf Life The duration a material (e.g., grout, adhesive) remains usable when stored.

Silicone Beading A flexible caulk used to seal joints around fixtures like sinks or showers.

Slip-Resistant Tile (Anti-Slip Tile) Tiles with enhanced traction due to abrasive particles, admixtures, or surface patterns, rated R9-R13 for slip resistance.

Spacers Plastic pieces used to evenly space tiles during installation, commonly T-shaped.

Splashback A protective panel or tiled area behind sinks or cookers to prevent wall staining.

Substrate The underlying surface (e.g., concrete, floorboards) for tile installation.

T

Tanking A waterproofing membrane applied in shower areas to protect substrates, using sealing tapes or compounds.

Tile Density The compactness of a tile, determined by material, compression, and firing, affecting suitability for walls or floors.

Tolerance The acceptable range of variation in tile size or warpage.

Tumbled A finish where natural stone tiles are rotated in a drum with sand and water to smooth surfaces and round edges for an aged look.

U

Unfilled Natural stone (e.g., travertine) with visible natural holes, often filled with grout during installation for a textured finish.

Upstand Tiles or coving used vertically, like skirting boards, in commercial or kitchen settings.

V

Vitrified Highly compressed porcelain tiles with less than 0.5% water absorption. Includes Fully Vitrified (full-bodied) and Semi-Vitrified (glazed) tiles.

W

Wet Area or Wet Room A shower area without a tray or screen, with an angled floor and drain for water flow.