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Tile FAQ ...
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Q: What is Porcelain Tile?
A: Porcelain tile is made from a mixture of silica, quartz and very fine clays producing a product similar to Chinaware. It is a very hard, dense material with 0% to less than 1/2 of 1% moisture. Porcelain features high durability, stain resistance and frost resistance. Some porcelains are "through-chip", meaning a uniform color goes through the body of the tile and others are "Glazed" with the color on the surface.
Q: Can I put 12" X 12" or larger tiles on the wall?
A: Yes, you can use floor tile on the wall, but you can't use wall tile on the floor. Since floor tile is heavier, it needs to be applied to the wall one row at a time with several hours setting time between rows. Also, the tiles should be held in place with some kind of bracing while the adhesive sets so the weight doesn't cause them to pull loose from the wall.
Q: I have a tile I bought a few years ago, somewhere else, can Ed Pawlack Tile match it?
A: Most likely not. If the tile was bought a few years ago, the Dye Lot has probably sold out. Even with the hundreds of tiles we carry, it is next to impossible to find a similar tile with the same shade, size, texture and thickness. If we carry that brand of tile, the style's Dye Lot would be different and the appearance might be too far off to blend. If you are not replacing broken tiles, but adding on to an adjacent area, you could put a transition strip between the areas and turn the new tiles 45 degrees in relation to the existing ones. The combination of the transition strip and orientation change makes differences in shade, texture or size much less noticeable.
Q: What do I use to cut tile and is the machine expensive?
A: Most tile can be cut with a Scoring Cutter, similar to a glass cutter. It puts a deep scratch on the surface of the tile and pressure is applied to the sides to snap it. Tiles with very deep textured surfaces may need to be cut using a Wet Saw. Equipment Rental Companies will sell you a Scoring Cutter and refund the price when it is returned in good condition. Saws can be found at a local equipment rental.
Q: What type of trowel do I use to apply thinset for my floor tile?
A: A 1/4 inch by 3/8 inch deep square notch trowel is standard for setting ceramic and porcelain floor tile. A smaller notched trowel may not apply a thick enough layer of adhesive to support the tile. Too thin a layer of adhesive will not evenly coat the back of the tile and may not compensate for uneven slab surfaces, resulting in loose or broken tiles later.
Q: What tile can I use outdoors?
A: Porcelain, Quarry Tile (Pavers), Natural Stone or Frost Resistant Ceramics may be used in areas that get down to freezing. Most Ceramics absorb 3% or more moisture and can not be used in places that freeze.
Q: Someone said I need 10 boxes of tile?
A: Each manufacturer puts different amounts of tile per box. If you have the square footage, the salesperson can calculate how many boxes it will take for the tile choosen.
Q: I think I need 100 tiles for my room?
A: Tile comes in all different sizes. If the 100 tiles are a square foot each, you need 100 square feet of tile.
Q: Need help with other questions??
A: Call our experienced and trained staff. They are there to help you every day! Call them at 714-529-2364. You can also e-mail them at sales@edpawlacktile.com and mention the Internet special!
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