On top of being a most practical choice of flooring, ceramic tiling offers a unique opportunity for self-expression with its extensive range of available colours, textures, sizes and styles. Ceramic enables you to create a living space that is a true reflection of yourself and your lifestyle. Ceramic is durable, easy to clean, water, fire and scratch resistant.

What do I need to know before buying?

Ceramic tile is a natural product made up of clay, a number of other naturally occurring minerals and water. These materials are fired under high temperatures, resulting in a hard body called bisque, which is then either treated with a glazed wear layer or left untreated.

Some tips before purchasing:

• Glazed tiles allow for an unlimited array of colours and designs. They also provide a non-porous surface that is extremely stain resistant.
• There are a great many variations in how ceramic tile is made, so choose your brand carefully.
• Ceramic tile is fired in a kiln and then cooled at varying degrees of temperature and humidity. This expansion and contraction can cause tiles to vary in size, so ask for consistently sized tiles (unless of course, you prefer the effect of different sized tiles).
• Make sure the ceramic tiles are of the same "Lot#" and "Shade#". This will ensure that your flooring was made in the same batch.
• Ceramic tiles with bright reflective surfaces (bright glaze finish) are not recommended for floors as they can pose a slip hazard and have poor abrasive resistance.

PEI Ratings

Although there are no industry standards, most ceramic tile is rated for use by the Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) abrasion test as a guide to durability. PEI ratings measure the wear resistance of the tile surface. They do not rate the quality or price of a tile.

How do I decide on colour and style?

• When choosing tile, add your own creativity to a very functional material by mixing colours, borders and inserts to make your ceramic flooring unique.
• Keep in mind that a mixture of sizes can give a different effect and many ranges now offer different sizing in particular colour ranges.

If you need further help, visit one of our stores. Our salespeople can explain the relative merits of installing ceramic tiles and help you choose the best one for your home.