Tiles Facts

1. Porcelain vs Ceramic – Know the Difference

Porcelain tiles (Group BIa) have water absorption ≤ 0.5%, making them dense, durable, and frost-resistant. They’re suitable for indoor and outdoor floors, high-traffic zones, and wet areas.Ceramic tiles (Groups BIIa, BIII) have higher absorption, are lighter, and usually used for walls or low-traffic indoor floors.

2. Glazed Doesn’t Always Mean Glossy

Many buyers think “glazed” means “shiny.” In reality, glazed tiles can be matte, satin, or high-gloss. The glaze refers to the surface coating, not the shine level.

• PGVT : Polished Glazed Vitrified Tile – high gloss
• Matt GVT : Glazed but non-reflective
• Choose matte or R11 textured finishes for anti-slip needs.

3. Tile Size Affects Laying Surface

The larger the tile, the flatter the subfloor must be.

• Slabs like 800×2400 or 1200×2400 mm may warp or crack if the floor is uneven
• Self-leveling compounds or proper screeding are often required before installation.

4. Slippery When Wet – Choose Finishes Wisely

High-gloss tiles look luxurious but may become dangerous in wet zones.

• DCOF ≥ 0.42 or R11 rating is recommended for bathrooms, kitchens, balconies, and entryways.
• Anti-slip surfaces are safer for children, elderly, and high-traffic commercial areas.

5. Always Order Extra – Shade & Size Can Vary

Tiles are produced in batches and may vary slightly in.

• Shade (color tone)
• Size (calibration)

If you re-order later, it may not match

• Pro tip : Order 5–10% extra tiles as spares during the initial purchase

6. Wall Tiles Are Not Meant for Floors

Ceramic wall tiles (BIII) are thinner and have poor breaking strength.

• If laid on floors, especially under furniture or heels, they may crack easily.
• Always check if the tile is floor-rated (≥ 1300 N breaking strength).

7. Outdoor Tiles Must Be Frost Resistant

• For use in cold countries or exterior flooring, choose tiles that pass frost resistance tests (ISO 10545-12).
• Tiles with water absorption ≤ 0.5% (porcelain) can withstand freeze-thaw cycles without cracking.

8. Rectified Tiles Need Skilled Installation

Rectified tiles have machine-cut, sharp edges that allow for :

• Tighter grout joints
• Modern seamless look

However, they require :

• Proper spacing clips
• Flat substrate
• Experienced installers — or lipping and cracks may occur

9. Laying Direction Affects Final Look

Tiles with veins, textures, or directional print (e.g., marble-look, wood-look) must be laid in the right orientation.

• Always check check arrows on the box or manufacturer guidelines.
• Bookmatch or vein-match tiles must follow sequence for a continuous design.

10. Palletized Packing Prevents Transit Damage

Loose box loading can result in tile breakage during export.

• Always ask suppliers to use palletized loading with corner protection and shrink wrap.
• It reduces breakage by up to 80% and makes unloading easier at the destination.