Question 1

What are glazed porcelain tiles?

Accepted Answer

Glazed porcelain tiles are porcelain tiles with a fired glass layer on the surface. The body underneath is dense and absorbs almost no water, while the glaze carries the colour, the pattern and the finish. Unglazed or full-body porcelain has no such layer, so its colour runs right through the tile.

Question 2

What is the difference between glazed porcelain tiles and homogeneous tiles?

Accepted Answer

Homogeneous tiles are full-body: the colour goes all the way through, so chips and scuffs barely show, which suits heavy traffic. Glazed porcelain tiles carry their pattern in a surface layer, which gives far more design choice but means a chip exposes a different colour underneath. Choose by traffic first, then by look.

Question 3

Can you mop porcelain tiles?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Warm water and a neutral pH floor cleaner is all a glazed porcelain floor needs. Wring the mop out properly, because standing water dries into a film that dulls the surface. Avoid abrasive powders and steel wool: they scratch the glaze, and a scratched glaze cannot be polished back.

Question 4

Does vinegar damage porcelain tile?

Accepted Answer

Vinegar will not usually harm the glazed surface itself, but repeated use attacks cement-based grout and any natural stone trim beside it. Since the grout is the weak point in a bathroom floor, use a neutral cleaner for routine mopping and keep vinegar for the occasional stubborn mark.

Question 5

Can you lay outdoor porcelain tiles on concrete?

Accepted Answer

Usually yes, provided the concrete is sound and clean and falls away from the building for drainage, and provided the tile is intended for outdoor use. The adhesive has to be rated for exterior conditions and movement joints have to be respected. Do not assume an indoor glazed tile will do outdoors.

Question 6

What else should I look at?

Accepted Answer

If the floor takes heavy traffic, compare these against homogeneous full body tiles. For a high-gloss finish, see nano polished tiles, and for wall work our ceramic tiles.

Sand Storm DAD04

Sand Storm DAD05

Sand Storm DAD06

Sidewalk SP131G

Sidewalk SP131J

Skywood SR5044A

Skywood SR5044B

Skywood SR5044C

Skywood SR5044D

Skywood SR5044E

Slit Stone H62089

Soul Travertine YR5086A

Soul Travertine YR5086B

Soul Travertine YR5086C

Stone Ceppo YS8014R

SUCINTO H30041

SUCINTO H30043

SUCINTO H30044

SUCINTO H30047

SUCINTO H30049

Thala Stone YR8019N

Tweed SP119A

Tweed SP119C

Tweed SP119E

Ultra Concrete YR8002D

Uptown Beige YR5038B

Uptown Bone YR5038A

Uptown Charcoal YR5038D

Uptown Latte YR5038C

Urban Wood YGP90152A

Urban Wood YGP90152B

Urban Wood YGP90152E

Urban Wood YGP90152F

Vernice H95000SP1

Vernice H95000SP10

Vernice H95000SP11

Vernice H95000SP12

Vernice H95000SP13

Vernice H95000SP14

Vernice H95000SP15