CERAMIC AND PORCELAIN PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE
COMPANY OVERVIEW Grupo Lamosa is the most innovative brand of wall and floor tiles in Mexico, distinguished by the largest new-product launches in the market; presenting the best design, technology and quality in the industry. In 2007, Porcelanite is acquired as a Grupo Lamosa’ s strategic expansions plan which let the company continue its growth trend, expand the business base and accomplish important synergy opportunities.
CURRENT ASSORTMENT Porcelanite - Lamosa Current Assortment at Lowe's 17x17 Marbled Brown 17x17 Soleil Beige 17x17 San Cristobal 13x13 Devanna 17x17 Harrigan Café 17x17 Avalon Café 12x12 Black 13x13 Cotto Malva 22x22 Mayan Slate 12x12 White 17x17 Padova 17x17 Abbey Rd SELLING FEATURES Hygienic, easy cleaning, and zero porosity on its surface Complete Durability: Waterproof, stain proof and scratch-resistant Resistant to chemical agents, detergents and acids Tile sold individually, so you can p
CERAMIC Ceramic Basics PORCELAIN Porcelain Basics TILE BODY AND COMPOSITION TYPES OF PORCELAIN Glazed Through Body Doubled Loaded Glaze Application Process BENEFITS OF PORCELAIN AND CERAMIC TILE Other Benefits INDUSTRY STANDARDS ASTM/ANSI INDUSTRY TOLERANCES Recommended Offset for Brick Join Patterns COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS About lippage About grout joints TILE CARE AND MAINTENANCE Post Installation cleaning Removing Cement Fillers Cleaning Glazed Products Cleaning Textured Glazed Products When cleaning alway
CERAMIC Ceramic tile is a popular choice of flooring due to their aesthetic appeal, as well as their durability and easy care. A properly installed ceramic tile floor will outperform and outlast nearly any other floor covering product created for the same application. Glazed ceramic tile resists stains, odors and dirt, and can be cleaned with a damp mop or common household cleaners. Grade III and Grade IV glazed ceramic tile are extremely scratch resistant. CERAMIC BASICS: 1.
TILE BODY AND COMPOSITION TYPES OF PORCELAIN GLAZED 1. Glazed porcelain can either have a white body, or a colored body that matches the top glaze color. 2. With glazed porcelain, the hardness and abrasion resistance of the glaze (not the body) will determine what application the tile is suitable for. THROUGH BODY Through body porcelain is unglazed and exhibits the same color and pattern from the surface all the way through the tile.
NANO COATING Nano Technology involves a treatment to the porcelain’s surface that increases sheen, enhances the color, and protection against staining. Nano is only applied to the polished double loaded and through body porcelain tile: nano particles, similar to wax, are applied onto the surface of polished porcelain tile. This process is simply a surface treatment and should not be confused with the glazing application process. Here are the benefits of nano treatment: 1.
INDUSTRY STANDARDS ASTM/ANSI American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) are nationally recognized organizations which provide the testing procedures and standard values, respectively for ceramic tile produced in the United States. WATER ABSORPTION (ASTM C373) Ceramic tile are also classified by their water absorption rate which reflects the density of the body of the tile.
INDUSTRY STANDARDS CHEMICAL RESISTANCE (ASTM C650) Resistance to chemicals may be an important consideration in the selection of tile for a specific application such as commercial applications. The standard testing procedure involves placing the tile sample in continuous contact with a variety of chemicals for 24 hours, raising the surface and then examining the surface for damage or variation.
INDUSTRY TOLERANCES RECOMMENDED OFFSET FOR BRICK JOINT PATTERNS A 50% offset is not recommended on large format square and rectangular tile due to standard manufacturing tolerances. A 33% max offset is preferable and proper grout joint width must be used to prevent the appearance of lippage. When tile cup or bow within tolerance they usually do so at the ends of the tile. As a result, you should avoid a 50% offset as cupping may become more noticeable.
TILE CARE AND MAINTENANCE Porcelain and ceramic tile are easy to clean. Due to their impenetrable glazed surfaces, tiles are resistant to water, dirt, chemicals, oil, debris, and even germs and bacteria. It is highly recommended to sweep or vacuum the surface of your floors prior to washing them with water to prevent the tile from becoming muddy or leaving a residue after cleaning.
CLEANING TEXTURED GLAZED PRODUCTS A textured tile surface requires additional cleaning procedures. A standard wet-mopping may not effectively clean a textured surface. For cleaning textured surfaces, follow these instructions: 1. Sweep or vacuum dust and debris from the floor. When sweeping, use a soft-bristle broom and sweep in multiple directions. First follow the direction of the tile, and then sweep diagonally. This will ensure the removal of all foreign material that might be residing in the texture.
GLOSSARY ASTM: American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Most product catalogs and specifications will provide product-specific ASTM ratings such as abrasion resistance, scratch resistance, moisture absorption, chemical resistance and breaking strength. BACKING: Material used as a base over which a finished tile is to be installed. BISQUE: The body of the tile. BODY: The structural portion of a ceramic product and to the materials or mixture from which it is made.
