Ceramic Tile Basics

Ceramic tile is a beautiful option for any home. It presents almost endless design possibilities, available in numerous shapes, colors, patterns and glazes. Ceramic tiles are made of clay, which is fired at high temperatures within a clay oven or kiln to dry and harden the material.

The process by which tiles are manufactured results in two basic types: glazed and unglazed tile. After tile is fired within a kiln, a coating, or glaze similar to glass can be applied to the tile’s surface, at which point the tile is fired in the kiln again. The product of this process is a glazed tile. Unglazed tiles have no additional coating added to them and are simply fired one time. The addition of glaze to a tile presents the opportunity for the variety of colors and patterns you see on the market. Unglazed tiles are limited in appearance to the natural colors of clay.

Because of slight differences in the final product, there are differences in the way that glazed and unglazed tiles are used, and where they might be most appropriate for installation. If you have specific questions about which tile type is best for you, a Floor Store associate would be happy to help.