A

Adhesive

A substance used to bond tiles to a surface, typically made from cement, epoxy, or organic materials.

Anti-Slip

A surface treatment or texture applied to tiles to increase traction and prevent slipping, especially important for wet areas.

Appliqué

Decorative tiles or pieces that are applied to the surface of other tiles to create patterns or designs.

B

Backer Board

A cement-based panel used as a substrate for tile installation, providing a stable, waterproof surface.

Bisque

Unglazed ceramic tile that has been fired once, often used for its natural, matte appearance.

Bullnose

A tile with one or more rounded edges, commonly used for finishing edges and creating smooth transitions.

C

Ceramic

A type of tile made from clay and other natural materials, fired at high temperatures to create a hard, durable surface.

Cove

A concave-shaped tile used to create smooth transitions between walls and floors, particularly in wet areas.

Crazing

Fine cracks that appear in the glaze of ceramic tiles, often caused by stress or temperature changes.

D

Decorative

Tiles designed primarily for aesthetic purposes, often featuring patterns, colors, or textures for visual appeal.

Diamond Saw

A cutting tool with diamond-impregnated blades used for cutting hard materials like porcelain and natural stone.

E

Efflorescence

A white, powdery deposit that can appear on tile surfaces, caused by water-soluble salts migrating to the surface.

Epoxy

A type of adhesive or grout that provides superior strength and chemical resistance, commonly used in commercial applications.

F

Field Tile

The main tiles used in a tiling project, excluding borders, trim, and decorative pieces.

Finish

The surface texture or appearance of a tile, such as matte, glossy, textured, or polished.

G

Glazed

A tile with a glass-like coating applied during firing, providing color, pattern, and protection to the tile surface.

Grout

A cement-based or epoxy material used to fill the joints between tiles, providing stability and preventing water penetration.

H

Hardness

A measure of a tile's resistance to scratching and wear, typically rated on the Mohs scale.

Honed

A smooth, matte finish applied to natural stone tiles, achieved through grinding and polishing.

I

Impervious

A tile with very low water absorption (less than 0.5%), making it highly resistant to water damage and staining.

Installation

The process of applying tiles to a surface using appropriate adhesives, spacers, and grout.

J

Joint

The space between tiles that is filled with grout, allowing for expansion and contraction of the tile assembly.

K

Kiln

A high-temperature oven used to fire ceramic and porcelain tiles, hardening them and creating their final properties.

L

Laying Out

The process of planning and marking tile placement before installation to ensure proper alignment and minimize cutting.

Lippage

The height difference between adjacent tiles, which should be minimized for a smooth, professional appearance.

M

Mosaic

Small tiles (typically 2 inches or less) arranged to create patterns or images, often mounted on mesh backing.

Mortar

A mixture of cement, sand, and water used as an adhesive for tile installation, also known as thin-set.

N

Natural Stone

Tiles made from quarried stone such as marble, granite, limestone, or travertine, each with unique characteristics.

Non-Vitreous

A tile with high water absorption (more than 7%), making it suitable only for indoor, dry areas.

O

Outdoor Rated

Tiles specifically designed and tested for exterior use, with properties that resist weather, freeze-thaw cycles, and UV damage.

P

PEI Rating

A scale from 0-5 that measures a tile's resistance to wear and abrasion, helping determine appropriate use areas.

Porcelain

A dense, durable type of ceramic tile made from refined clay and fired at very high temperatures.

Pressed

A method of tile manufacturing where clay is pressed into molds under high pressure to create the tile shape.

Q

Quarry Tile

A dense, unglazed ceramic tile typically used for flooring, known for its durability and slip resistance.

R

Rectified

Tiles with precisely cut edges that allow for very tight grout joints, creating a seamless appearance.

Repeating Pattern

A design motif that repeats across multiple tiles to create a continuous decorative pattern when installed.

S

Sealer

A protective coating applied to porous tiles to prevent staining and make them easier to clean and maintain.

Spacers

Small plastic or rubber pieces used during installation to maintain consistent spacing between tiles.

Substrate

The underlying surface to which tiles are attached, such as concrete, plywood, or backer board.

T

Thinset

A cement-based adhesive used for tile installation, applied in a thin layer to bond tiles to the substrate.

Trim

Specialized tiles used to finish edges and transitions, including bullnose, cove, and quarter-round pieces.

U

Unglazed

Tiles without a surface glaze, typically used for their natural appearance and slip-resistant properties.

V

Vitreous

A tile with low water absorption (3-7%), making it suitable for most indoor and some outdoor applications.

W

Water Absorption

The percentage of water a tile can absorb, which determines its suitability for different environments and applications.

Warpage

A manufacturing defect where tiles are not perfectly flat, which can cause installation problems and uneven surfaces.

X

X-Pattern

A tile installation pattern where tiles are arranged in a diagonal grid, creating an X-shaped design.

Y

Yield

The actual coverage area provided by a specific quantity of tiles, accounting for waste and cutting.

Z

Zellige

Traditional Moroccan tiles with irregular, handcrafted appearance, often used for decorative wall applications.