MAKE UP OF CERAMIC TILE:

All of the raw materials that go into making ceramics come from the earth, including the clays and the minerals used to produce the glaze colors. Man has been successful in finding ways to improve most products by substituting natural materials with synthetics, such as we've seen with carpet. But man has not been able to improve on the quality of the raw materials found in ceramics. These materials have basically remained unchanged for thousands of years! This is a real testimonial to the quality of ceramic tile.

Facts About the Glaze:

The glaze is a glass that has been sprayed, poured, dropped and/or silk screened onto the surface of the tile. It is then fused and hardened by means of tremendous heat (kiln fired).

The colors of the glaze are made from a mixture of minerals such as gold, silver, zinc, copper, mercury, cobalt and many others.

The following factors may effect the hardness and/or wear rating on ceramic products:

1. Temperature - In most cases, the higher the kiln temperature, the harder the glaze.
2. Color - Dark color glazes such as blacks, reds, yellows and blues are usually slightly softer than light colored glazes and generally show foot wear much easier due to the darkness of the color and/or the lighting.
3. Gloss Levels - Shiny (high gloss) glazes usually show foot wear faster than matte and/or satin finished glazes. This is because light is reflected differently from rough textured surfaces than from flat shiny surfaces.

VARIOUS GLOSS LEVELS:

Glazed ceramic tile varies in gloss levels depending on the look the manufacturer wants to achieve. It can range from matte, to satin, to high gloss.

Generally speaking, foot wear will usually appear faster the higher the gloss level that is applied. Areas of the home that don't receive heavy wear, such as bathrooms, use a higher gloss level than those in high and concentrated traffic areas.