5 Tips for Getting the Best Cement Tile Prices

Cement tiles are handmade. It’s an amazing process that is extremely labor intensive and one that takes time. A manufactured tile can’t provide the same natural variation like the hand of a tile artisan. That is why prices for handmade cement tile start at $9/SF for plain unpolished tile in an 8"x8" format. Patterned tile generally start at about $12/SF to $15/SF and can reach $20/SF for 8"x8" tiles. If you've got some flexibility with your design and color choices, then here’s five ways to get more cement tile for less.

Tip #1
Use existing patterns in standard colorways.

Use existing patterns in standard colorways or in-stock tiles.Cement tile offers the creative homeowner, designer or architect the ability to create custom patterns in specific colorways. This benefit comes at a cost because new molds, custom colors, virtual designs and strike-off samples are required to create the tiles and confirm the look prior to a full-order. Leverage your buying dollar by working with existing patterns and colorways, or choose from in-stock tiles. You’ll still get a great looking installation; but, you’ll avoid the time and costs of customization.

Cuban Tiles, like those shown here, are stocked.

Tip #2
Use only plain tiles.

Use only plain tiles or solid color tiles that don't have a pattern. Cement tiles in single colors make great flooring designs while providing a rustic fluidity because of the inherit variation in color.

Plain Cement Tiles Create a Stunning Floor and are Less Expensive than Patterned Cement Tiles

For a bold look, you can also use contrasting alternating colors to create a checkerboard pattern.

Plain Cement Tiles in Bold, Contrasting Colors placed in a Checkerboard Pattern Grab Your Attention

Or, choose plain tiles in two or three colors to create a rug design for a room. Consider using a different format for the rug border. For instance, use black 8”x8” tiles for a rug in the center of the room, frame the rug with 4”x8” grey tiles, and fill the area outside the border with 8”x8” white tiles.

Tip #3
Limit the use of patterned tile.

Minimize the quantity of patterned tile required and you can save a bundle - especially on large flooring projects. A tile with a complex pattern or a lot of colors takes longer to make and will have a higher rejection rate. Here's a few great ways to enjoy these tiles and still meet your budget. Make a rug with plain tiles framed in a patterned border tile. Framing a solid color field tile with a decorative border is a great way to use cement tiles. This keeps the design simple but not overpowering. You should consider using plain cement tiles or solid color tiles if you are timid about using the colorful stylistic designs found in many cement tile patterns.

Framing plain cement tile with a decorative border is a great way to use cement tiles.

Or, create medallions or groupings of four patterned tiles separated by a "grid" or row of solid color tiles. You can reduce the tile cost by 25- to 75-percent when compared to a floor that uses all patterned tiles.

Patterned cement tile can be grouped into medallions and separated by a "grid" or row of plain cement tiles.

Tip #4
Use large format tiles

Use the largest format or size available to save both manufacturing and installation costs. Generally speaking, a large tile size or format will be much less expensive to manufacture and install than a smaller size format. This is a great choice when using plain cement tiles because you save costs by simply choosing a larger format. We can provide cement tiles up to 14”x14”. You can save 40% by using 12”x12” tiles instead of 4”x4” tiles.

	Tile Cost (Unpolished)	Tiles 100 SF	Cost 100 SF
4”x4”	$1.29	930	$1,200
8”x8”	$3.89	230	$900
12”x12”	$7.20	100	$720

Tip #5
Avoid dark blue & green colors.

If you can, avoid dark blue and green colors in your pattern or plain cement tiles. Cement tiles are colored with natural pigments. Red, brown and yellow are generally created by adding iron and iron oxide compounds that are abundant and inexpensive. Dark green and blue colors are created with cobalt compounds. Cobalt is the reason these colors will cost more. The saturated blue and deep green colors can add 20% to the cost of the tile.

The deep, saturated indigo and sky blue in this tile makes it beautiful and more expensive.

These tips are guaranteed to reduce the costs per square foot of any cement tile project. If you are flexible with your design and colors, these tips will allow you to get more cement tile bang for your buck!

Tell us what you think. Would you consider implementing any of these tips on your cement tile project? Do you have a money-saving tip you’d like to share? Or, do you have a question about cement tile that you’d like answered – share it here!

Step Up to Spanish Tile | September 2012

Project Pick:
Hand-Painted Spanish Ceramic Tile Risers

Avente's Spanish Tiles are beautifully hand-painted in a variety of colors and patterns on ceramic bisque using time-honored techniques.

Using the Majolica technique of glazing, our Hand-Painted Spanish Ceramic Tile designs include colorful patterns from the different regions of Spain, or the traditional blue and white found in the New Iberica border tiles and liners.

The Majolica technique utilizes an opaque white tin-based glaze that is ideal for vibrant, colorful patterns and designs for ceramics. The centuries-old technique is believed to have originated in 9th century Mesopotamia with the desire to imitate the white porcelain wares coming from China. Over time, and with the spread of Islam, the art made its way through to Northern Africa, and to what is now known as Spain, Italy, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Within our hand-painted Spanish ceramic tile collection, you'.ll find craftsmanship and fine examples of the traditional Majolica ceramic method, such as those used for this Spanish stair riser project:

Alcala

Additional Majolica-Based Patterns

Andalucia

Cadiz

Albacete

Burgos

Caceres

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Tile Tip

Our hand-painted Spanish ceramic tile designs include borders, corners, large decorative tiles, and accent dots. Use the 3"x6" tiles to create a border, or make a bold design statement using the 2" dots in a row. The 1" dots, used as an accent to a floor inset, are a fitting complement to a backsplash consisting of 6"x6" tiles of the same design. These versatile collections, with their stunning colors, create a timeless look that blend well with hand-painted Spanish Field Ceramic Tile, which were created specifically to complement the subtle color schemes found in our Hand-Painted Spanish Ceramic Tile line. Use these tiles for kitchens, bathrooms, warm weather pools and fountains. For more inspiration, check out Spanish Style Stair Risers, Spanish Tiles on an Entry Path, and Spanish Tile on Stair Risers.

Considering Spanish ceramic tile for your next project? Then let us help you find some inspiration. Visit our Ceramic Tile Design Ideas section.

Where would you use hand-painted Spanish ceramic tiles? What pattern would you choose?

Tile Talk Newsletter - July 2012

Project Pick: Cement Tile Pattern Makes an Elegant Floor

The pattern of a cement tile floor adds unmatched beauty and elegance to a room, just like it did over a century ago. Using a cool blue color palette and five colors, this historical pattern creates a sophisticated look that isn't fussy. Keeping with tradition, the patterned field tiles are framed with a border to create a "tile rug" design. The choice of cool colors paired with a bright red accent in the pattern make the formal design very comfortable but still easy to relax in.

The Roseton pattern, from our Mission Cement Tile line, comes in two standard colorways: Roseton A and Roseton B. The Roseton B in an 8"x8" format is used in this month's project pick.

Roseton Pattern in Two Standard Colorways

Roseton B Pattern

Roseton A Pattern

Colors for the Roseton B Cement Tile

Azul Rey

D'Hanis Red

White

Green

Gold

When using an existing cement tile colorway, fill the area outside of the rug with solid colors used in the pattern. Make sure to use only colors from our Mission Solid Color Cement Tiles. You can also change the colors used on this pattern using any of the sixty colors found in the Mission color palette.

>> See all the Mission Cement Tile Patterns

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Tile Tip: Customize the colors on any cement tile pattern. Follow these steps:

1. Decide on one or two patterns you like.
2. Order color chips (cement tile swatches) from the same line as the pattern tiles.
3. Decide on a color palette using two or three colors. Add one neutral color for backgrounds and a contrasting color for accents.
4. Create different virtual designs using your palette. Decide which one you like best.
5. Order strike-off samples. These samples allow you to confirm the design before purchasing an entire order.

>> Browse our entire cement tile collection

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Tile Talk Newsletter - April 2012

Project Pick: Cuban Tiles make Eye-Catching Backsplash


Photo Credit: Kelly von Stroh, Durango, CO, Avente Customer

This month's project pick comes from Kelly von Stroh, an Avente customer, in Durango, Colorado. Kelly was kind enough to send us a photo of her installation and an email that started like this:

"I forgot to send you a picture of our tile installation! It looks great! We LOVE it, and get TONS of complements on the tiles!"
- Kelly von Stroh, Durango, CO

Durango, Colordo is in Southwestern Colorado. It's a beautiful place and is nestled at the foot of the San Juan Mountains. In the summer the bright green aspen, blue spruce and dark green fir trees create a verdant landscape against the rocky brown and grey mountains. You can see where Kelly's inspiration for the kitchen's color palette came from.

The cement tile backsplash is stunning! The kitchen color design is excellent. The green in the tiles looks so nice with the dark wood cabinets and gray tones in the slate flooring. Kelly did a great job of letting the tiles be the focal point of the room – the counter and floor aren’t fighting for attention. As you can see from Kelly's photo, cement tiles provide jaw-dropping beauty and really are show stoppers.

Find out more about this project and Kelly's design process on our blog, Avente Tile Talk. There are some great tips and ideas for anybody that is considering Cement Tile for their project! Read:

>> Cuban Tiles Make Eye-Catching Kitchen Backsplash

The Cuban Heritage cement tile designs from Avente are from patterns re-discovered and saved from from old homes and crumbling estates in Havana. Cuban Tile designs are different from other cement tiles and characterized by the use of elaborate patterns, bold colors and prominent borders, very ofter double borders

Cuban Heritage Design 140 comes in four standard colorways:

Design 140 1A 8" x 8"

Design 140 2B 8" x 8"

Design 140 3B 8" x 8"

Design 140 4A 8" x 8"

You can also customize the colors in these patterns using the Heritage Colors or create your own custom color.

>> See the collection of Cuban Tile Pattens

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Spring Sale! Save 15% on Bird & Nest Tiles

Spring is here and nothing says spring like a sale on our Bird & Nest tiles. The days are getting longer and warmer. The birds are singing and we want to give you something to sing about as well. Celebrate spring and Save 15% on any Bird & Nest tile purchased through May 31, 2012. No coupon needed. Place your order online.

This amazing line of nature-inspired relief tile comes in rich, pooled glazes of blue and plum hues. The large decorative tiles are done in relief and come in 8"x8" and 8"x10" accent pieces. Each tile is equipped with a notch for easy hanging. They make great accents for the patio and kitchen sans grout! They make great mother's day gifts, too!

>> View All Bird & Nest Tiles

>> Read Blog Post: Nothing Says Spring like Bird & Nest Tiles

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Tile Tip:

When planning a budget for small cement tile projects, estimate the cost of freight at about 30-50% of the total order cost.

This is common for small projects when using cement tiles for a fireplace, backsplash or small bathroom where residential delivery is required. The cost of freight increases even more when you aren't near a large city or major shipping lane. In the installation shown in the month's project pick, the freight costs were 45% of the total order cost.

Get the Most from Decorative Tile

Note: This post is the second in an occasional series showcasing designers and hearing their unique perspective when they talk tile!

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Today, Lisa M. Smith of Interior Design Factory shows us How to get the most from decorative tile. Lisa is a real live designer & acrylic artist. Her motto is do it once, do it right. Interior design is a vocation not a hobby, finish a room and move on. Her fun and informative interior design blog is Decor Girl and she tweets design wisdom at @TheDecorGirl.

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Tile is one of those wonderful products which is both a building material and offers artistic appeal allowing for numerous designs and applications. Simply put it is functional and fabulous to look at. This is why tile deserves special consideration in a home construction or remodeling project.

It is a no brainer to put tile in a bathroom when indoor plumbing started tile was a given, practically no bathroom was without it. Walls, ceilings, floors tile covered every surface – because it performed but I won't go off on a tangent. Tile also functions well as a fireplace surround and kitchen backsplash. These are some of the most popular areas for decorative tile – regardless of a home's architectural style.

What happens when one goes to the tile store and after hours ogling the eye candy, falls in love only to learn the price seems too expensive? The beloved tile seems an extravagance and is forgotten (tears do get shed). This need not be the case. Here is how we turned this situation around in a recent bathroom remodel.

Using tile is often a case of value engineering: how to get the most bang for the buck. Before writing off any tile as too expensive, it is important to determine how much of it a project needs. A recent client was ready to forgo the glass mosaic they were in love with because of the price, $40 a square foot sounded like too much.

Of course who wouldn't love a whole wall of this but in a three sided shower we were looking at roughly 90 sqft x $40 = $3,600. We were already pushing the $50,000 budget, time to re-think. One idea was to run bands around the wall of the shower.

Nah, too ho hum though only $400 of the mosaic.

This tile begs to make an impact not be a tiny inclusion. Doing one entire wall in the glass mosaic and the other in the limestone would end up looking like we cheaped out and a bit boring. So… shower + water…waterfall… Perfect, allow the tile to appear as if it is a waterfall pooling onto the floor.

Not only did we modify the design (now only $280 of mosaic in shower) but in doing so the tile became even more of a focal point. Imagine how boring this shower would have looked without it. Yawnable.

This particular bath calls for a fair amount of tile and this wasn't something we would change. Tile covers the floor, side walls of tub enclosure and the walls, ceiling and floor of the shower.

In the end we were able to use the beloved tile even increase its use by further using it as a faux rug boarder in front of the vanity. With a radiant heated floor – real rugs which slide around and get dirty aren't needed but this helps break up the expanse of tile.

When it comes to using tile, especially decorative tile it pays to do the math. Work with a designer and contractor to value engineer the design to get the most for the money. In the end the homeowner is happy. They didn't overspend nor did they have to give up something they really liked and will end up with a very special master bathroom.

Answers to CERAMIC TILE CHARACTERISTICS - fact or fiction?

In my last blog post, I challenged Tile Talk readers with a quiz that targeted the misconceptions and misinformation that exist in the industry about ceramic tile and how and where it is appropriate for it to be used. There is so much information available today, much of which is contradictory and product driven, it is often overwhelming. Common sense is an extremely efficient tool, but some general, unbiased facts are helpful. We had no winner and that tells me that urban tile myths live on. Some debunking is in order, so I'm going to review the quiz, indicate the correct answer and explain why the answers many of you chose are wrong.

CERAMIC TILE CHARACTERISTICS - fact or fiction?

(1) Most tile lines have white clay bodies or bisque. But some cheaper tile lines from other companies have red clay bodies. Is a white clay body superior to a red clay body?

Fiction because — answer B
In an effort to keep color purity when glazing over red clay, a layer called an "engobe" was applied. Eliminating this step by mixing a whiter clay not only made sense but helped keep production costs down.

50% of you answered (A):
White clay is just red clay that has been bleached, so one isn't better than another.
This an incorrect answer, because white clay is a mixture of clays and minerals blended to produce a lighter clay body. No bleach is involved.

Nobody answered (C):
Red clay "bleeds" when cut with a wet-saw, therefore white clay is superior.
Actually red clay does "bleed" when cut with a wet-saw. Particles of red clay get into the water used with a wet-saw, turning the water a reddish color. Any good installer knows to change the water during installation when this happens. Obviously this has nothing to do with superiority of one clay type over another, but over the years it has been added to the urban tile myth collection.

(2) All tile is not made the same thickness, but most popular handmade tile lines are thicker than inexpensive tile lines. Are economy tiles always very thin because they use less clay to keep costs down?

Fiction because — answer C
Inexpensive tiles are thin because they are typically mass produced by machine, which allows the clay to be compressed into a dense but thinner tile size.

Only one reader got the right answer. Both incorrect answers below were chosen by others:

A)   Inexpensive tiles are thin because they are easier to install and the manufacturer can fit more tiles in a box, thereby keeping shipping costs down.
Ease of installation has to do with the surface on which a well-made tile is adhered. Thin or thick, it will be more difficult to install any tile on an uneven surface. It is true, however, that you can fit more thin tiles in a box and that does keep shipping costs down.

B)   Inexpensive tiles are thin because clients for this product don't like thick tiles which are often uneven in surface texture.
Who says thick tiles are often uneven in surface texture? Totally made up reason. Surface texture, whether smooth or undulating is a part of the planned production method.

(3) When purchasing handmade tile, surface glaze irregularities — such as pin-holes, occasional little specks, glaze build-up, glazed over nicks and chips — are not considered defects.

Fact because — answer A
The hand of the ceramic artist is evident in the irregularities that will be inherent in a handmade and hand glazed tile product and are part of their charm.

Congratulations! You all got this one right. But I especially loved one reader who put "all" as the answer. Here's why:

B)   These are not considered defects because purchasers of handmade tile don't want tile that looks machine-made and with cookie-cutter sameness.
While A is the real answer, this one qualifies too. Purchasers of handmade tile by-and-large do celebrate the obvious handmade qualities and don't want a perfect, flat and monotonous look.

C)   All those irregularities are not defects because the Kiln God says so.
Ask any tile manufacturer and they will tell you that the Kiln God rules! The making of most ceramic tile is part art and not an absolute science, even though science is used in production.

(4) I've been told to NEVER mix white or off-white glazes from different tile lines.

Fact because — answer B. 75% of you got this one right.
Factories use different bisque and glaze recipes and over the expanse of a wall or floor, they can look very different from one another. A sample cannot tell the whole story.

A)   Tile manufacturers don't sell standard quantities per box, so figuring quantities needed would be too tricky if ordering from different suppliers.
This is fiction because any good tile showroom should be able to figure correct amounts regardless of the different quantities packed per box by manufacturers.

C)   Tile showrooms discourage mixing whites, like a less expensive field tile with that beautiful but costly molding you love, because it makes the sales associates' job too difficult.
Excellent, nobody picked this answer. It should be so fiction! Run from any tile business that takes this attitude!

(5) Thick tile is stronger and, therefore, more durable than thinner tile.

Fiction because — answer C. 50% of you got this right.
The thickness of tile has to do with the method of production and the type of clay body or bisque, not its strength and durability.

50% of you thought this was the right answer. You are not totally wrong.

B)   A thinner tile is just as strong as a thick one after it is installed and is joined to the wall or floor with the appropriate adhesive.
The key here is the statement that thick tile is stronger and more durable. Installation was not mentioned. Tile production can be controlled to a degree but installation typically is done by an independent installer. Tile, whether thin or thick, is only as good as the surface it is installed on and the skills of the tile mechanic doing the installing. So... strength and durability of a given tile is determined by the quality of its production. Strength and durability of an installation is determined on the quality of the installation surface, installation materials and skills of the installer.

Thank you to all of you who took the time to answer the Tile Quiz and help me debunk those old urban tile myths. I hope you learned to separate some tile facts from fiction along the way.

Hand Painted Tile FAQ’s

This blog is dedicated to the use, design and understanding of hand painted ceramic tile and cement tile. Last month, Sunny McLean issued a design challenge in her post, TILE QUIZ TIME: Fact or Fiction. We're thrilled that so many folks participated; but, alas nobody got all five questions right. So we know our work is cut out for us as we try to dispel the misconceptions and misinformation that exist about hand painted ceramic tiles. Sunny's next post will offer a full discussion of the answers.

Typical Moldings Made from Different Bisque

In the meantime, I wanted to post all five questions as an easy-to-understand FAQ:

1. Are tiles made of white clay bodies or bisque superior to those made with red clay bodies?
   
   No. However, to keep color purity when glazing over red clay, an initial layer called an "engobe" is applied. Eliminating this step by using white clay may help keep production costs down.
   
   
2. All tiles are not the same thickness and most handmade tile lines are thicker than inexpensive tile lines. Are inexpensive tiles thin because they use less clay to keep costs down?
   
   No. Inexpensive tiles are thin because they are typically mass produced by a machine that allows the clay to be compressed into a dense but thinner tile.
   
   
3. Are surface glaze irregularities like pin-holes, occasional small specks, glaze build-up, glazed over nicks and chips considered defects in handmade tile?
   
   No. The hand of the ceramic artist is evident in the irregularities and variation that is inherent in a handmade and hand glazed tile and part of their charm.
   
   
4. Can I mix white or off-white glazes from different tile manufacturers or lines on the same installation?
   
   No. NEVER mix white, off-white or neutral glazes from different tile lines. Factories use different bisque and glaze recipes and over the expanse of a wall or floor, they can look very different from one another. Even if the samples look close there is too much variation when installed next to each other and this problem is amplified with hand painted glazes. A sample cannot tell the whole story.
   
   
5. Are thick tile stronger and more durable than thinner tile?
   
   No. The thickness of tile has to do with the method of production and the type of clay body and bisque, not its strength and durability.
   
   

Handmade Tile with Different Thickness and Glazes

Do you have a question about artisan tile, handmade or hand crafted ceramic or cement tile? Send us an email or write a comment on our blog. We’d love to help you understand how and where it is appropriate for your specific tile to be used. To gain an even better understanding of the myths and truths of hand painted ceramic tile, don’t miss Sunny’s next post! Look for it toward the end of this month.

Five Tile Buying Tips That Save You Time & Money

Recently, I was reading a post on Kelly's Kitchen Sync titled Freight and delivery delays: brace yourselves. She's explains some of the material delays that she's experiencing and why they are happening.

A Successful Tile Installation

Kelly Morisseau, is a second-generation CMKBD (Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer) and a CID (Certified Interior Designer). She works for a residential design/build firm in Northern California and recently penned Kelly's Kitchen Sync: Insider Kitchen Design and Remodel Tips from an award-winning expert. You should buy a copy of this book. But, reading Kelly's tips got me thinking about some of the common mistakes people make when buying hand painted tiles. So, today's post provides a few ways to make your tile project a success.

1. Get samples. You need to see the color and texture of the tile in the location where they will be used and with swatches of other material or paint chips.
   
   
2. Buy several pieces of the same sample. When purchasing hand painted field tile, ceramic tile or cement tile it's a good idea to get four pieces of the same color, colorway, or design to see what kind of variation you might experience. You can also ask the vendor to provide the most extreme cases to make sure you understand the expected range of color.
   
   
3. Allow for waste or overage. I recommend 10% overage to account for uncertainty in dimensions, tile variation, damage during installation, and damage that may occur during shipping. When installing tiles on-point there will be a lot of cuts; so I recommend 15% for overage. Not allowing for waste is a big problem on custom orders since you will experience a similar production time, matching glazes or pigments is difficult, and freight or shipping costs for a few items will much higher than if you would of purchased extra as part of the original order.
   
   
4. Inspect your order the day it arrives. Inspect for shipping damage and breakage. Make sure the quantities, color and size are correct. Remember that hand painted tiles will exhibit variation in color. However, the variation should be within a range and similar to your samples.
   
   
5. Don't schedule the installer for the day after the tile arrives. Allow at least two weeks after your tile is scheduled to arrive to schedule your installer. Customs, freight, and weather all impact delivery. Give yourself some time to allow for delays – they almost always happen.
   
   

Tile "FACTS" — Are They Real Facts or Really Fiction?

Consumers and design professionals are bombarded with lots of tile information. This makes selecting the right tile for a particular residential * project more difficult than it should be. Let's face it, we live in an information age and information is a sales tool. It can be, and often is, used in a self-serving manner. As a consumer or specifier, you must consider the source of the information and use common sense in applying the information provided.

So how DO you know what tile is right for your residential* project?
It all depends on where and how the tile will be used.

Use clothing as an example: if you need to buy a pair of long pants you have to clarify a few things in order to get what you need:

• Who will wear the pants — you or someone else? Male, female, kids, adults? Makes a difference.
• Where will the pants be worn? Hiking? At an elegant party? In the mountains or on the beach? Makes a difference.
• How will they be used? Worn all the time? Worn only for special occasions? Is maintenance a consideration due to use? Makes a difference.

*Please Note — different criteria will apply for non-residential or commercial, public use.

COMMON SENSE

1. Do you need the same kind of tile for wall use as for floor use?
2. Do you need the same kind of tile for a family room floor as for a guest bath floor?
3. Do you need the same kind of kitchen counter tile for a retired couple who eat out often as for an active family of 6 or one who has dinner parties often?
4. Is it important to have a very "hard" or "frost proof" tile for bathroom wall use?

(See answers at the end of the post).

There are 3 basic types of tile bodies — standard ceramic, stoneware and porcelain. Where the tile will be used in the residence and how it will be used will determine the best choice.

Porcelain or stoneware would be the superior choice for exterior applications, such as pool waterlines or B-B-Q's in freeze-thaw climates and areas, particularly floors, that will get heavy residential traffic.

 

All three are typically suitable for light traffic floor use in the residential bathroom. All three are suitable for any wall or vertical residential use.

FACTS:

• Porcelain is a dense, hard (more easily resists abrasion) ceramic tile body that is fired at very high temperatures (higher than for standard ceramic tile), melts and re-solidifies. Porcelain is often called vitreous or frost-proof.
  • Good for exterior use in freeze-thaw climates.
  • Good for interior residential uses that will get heavy wear and foot traffic or be subjected to lots of surface grit.
    • Heavy foot traffic = not your average family — a very big family, or one that entertains on a large scale 6 times a year minimum. Unless everyone in the family crowds in all at once several times a day, residential bathrooms do not get heavy foot traffic.
    • Heavy counter use by "pot bangers" = see same users as above.
    • Entry ways in areas were lots of dirt, grit and/or sand will be tracked in.
  • Not necessary for, but certainly can be used for, all residential interior vertical surfaces (walls).
• Stoneware, like porcelain, is a dense, hard tile body that is fired at very high temperatures, melts and re-solidifies. It too is frost-proof or vitreous.
  • Good for — see porcelain
  • Not necessary for, but certainly can be used for — see porcelain.
• Ceramic tile has a less dense tile body that is fired at lower temperatures that will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. It is not frost-proof.
  • Monocotturra ceramic tile — the tile body and glaze are fused together in one firing.
    • Good for interior residential use.
    • Good for residential floor use (always check with the manufacturer regarding heavy residential foot traffic).
    • Good for residential kitchen and other counter use.
    • Not necessary for, but certainly can be used for, all residential vertical surfaces (walls).
    • May be used for exterior applications in sub-tropical and tropical climates.
  • Bicotturra ceramic tile — traditional ceramic tile made in two firings.
    • Good for all interior vertical surfaces (walls).
    • May be use for some residential floor use:
      1. Very light floor traffic such as found in bathrooms where 50% of the foot wear is slippers or bare feet.
      2. May be used as inserts with other floor tile.
    • May be used for light counter use such as in guest baths or rarely used kitchens.
    • May be used for exterior vertical applications in sub-tropical and tropical climates.
     
• Most all of the popular handmade or decorative tile lines are basic, non-vitreous ceramic tile. 

COMMON SENSE AND FACTS VS. FICTION
So when that sales associate says that you can't use the ceramic tile you love on your guest bath counter top or floor that will only be used maybe two times a year by your fastidious friends and family — do you accept that as fact or is it, in your case, really fiction? What does your common sense tell you?

ASK ME: If, once all the facts are in, you still aren't sure if what you've been told is a real fact or really fiction, ask me and I'll help you find an answer.

SPEAKING OF ANSWERS, HERE THEY ARE FOR THE COMMON SENSE QUESTIONS ABOVE:

1. Not unless you are Spider Man and can walk on walls. Abrasive foot traffic causes much more wear than any wall tile will get.
2. Hmmmm.... If your family consists of only you and your neatnik spouse /partner and you have a house rule that shoes are removed at the door , all chairs have non-abrasive covers on the leg bottoms, well maybe the guest bath floor tile could be used in the family room.......
3. I definitely think that the family with the pot-banger cook and a bunch of kids who routinely use a sharp knife to cut food directly on the tile counter top needs a stronger tile that doesn't show abrasions easily. The retired couple whose idea of cooking is dialing for take-out, not so much.
4. Not unless your bathroom is outside in Montana — or in an igloo. As for hardness, I'm having a hard time visualizing how a wall tile would be subject to abusive abrasions. Flailing the loofah in the shower?