Comments on: Porcelain bathroom tile in a rainbow of colors & styles from American Universal http://retrorenovation.com/2009/05/14/porcelain-bathroom-tile-in-a-rainbow-of-colors-styles-from-american-universal/ Products and ideas to remodel your mid century home in authentic vintage style Sun, 12 Feb 2012 17:12:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Natschultz http://retrorenovation.com/2009/05/14/porcelain-bathroom-tile-in-a-rainbow-of-colors-styles-from-american-universal/comment-page-1/#comment-54023 Natschultz Sat, 31 Jul 2010 10:56:08 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/?p=13946#comment-54023 Porcelain vs Ceramic - Porcelain is MUCH more durable than ceramic (stoneware). Porcelain is a finer (less porous) clay fired at a much higher temperature, therefore is less likely to break, it resists scuffs and nicks better and it is resistant to water. In a bathroom glazed (glossy) tiles are slippery on a floor, that is why retro (spiral, hex) floor tiles are unglazed porcelain. If they were ceramic they would soak up water like a sponge. In a kitchen the porcelain is better for wear resistance. Ceramic floor tiles are sold, but they are glazed in a matte or satin finish, often textured. The problem is that the edges are not glazed and the water gets soaked into the tile through the grout. This is a real problem where the tile meets the tub if it not caulked well and water drips. Definitely seal your grout! Terracotta tiles (authentic ones, anyway) are low-fired stoneware - they soak up water. They were only used in warm weather areas originally with dry climates - they should never be used in humid or temperate (cold winter) areas as they are guaranteed to be destroyed in no time. Porcelain vs Ceramic – Porcelain is MUCH more durable than ceramic (stoneware). Porcelain is a finer (less porous) clay fired at a much higher temperature, therefore is less likely to break, it resists scuffs and nicks better and it is resistant to water. In a bathroom glazed (glossy) tiles are slippery on a floor, that is why retro (spiral, hex) floor tiles are unglazed porcelain. If they were ceramic they would soak up water like a sponge. In a kitchen the porcelain is better for wear resistance.

Ceramic floor tiles are sold, but they are glazed in a matte or satin finish, often textured. The problem is that the edges are not glazed and the water gets soaked into the tile through the grout. This is a real problem where the tile meets the tub if it not caulked well and water drips. Definitely seal your grout!

Terracotta tiles (authentic ones, anyway) are low-fired stoneware – they soak up water. They were only used in warm weather areas originally with dry climates – they should never be used in humid or temperate (cold winter) areas as they are guaranteed to be destroyed in no time.

]]> By: sablemable http://retrorenovation.com/2009/05/14/porcelain-bathroom-tile-in-a-rainbow-of-colors-styles-from-american-universal/comment-page-1/#comment-37581 sablemable Thu, 14 May 2009 21:34:36 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/?p=13946#comment-37581 This website is fun! I spent over an hour playing around with the tiles. This website is fun! I spent over an hour playing around with the tiles.

]]> By: sablemable http://retrorenovation.com/2009/05/14/porcelain-bathroom-tile-in-a-rainbow-of-colors-styles-from-american-universal/comment-page-1/#comment-37569 sablemable Thu, 14 May 2009 15:39:26 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/?p=13946#comment-37569 TY, Pam! I adore your tile pattern/colors! Gotta love that pink! TY, Pam! I adore your tile pattern/colors! Gotta love that pink!

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