Tile Resource Guide

Uniform Appearance

Differences between individual pieces from the same production run will be minimal.

Slight Variation

Differences in texture and/or pattern will be clearly distinguishable within similar tile colors.

Moderate Variation

The amount of color and texture on each piece may vary significantly.

Substantial Variation

Color and/or texture differences from tile to tile will be random, resulting in a one-of-a-kind look.

Suitable for wall use only in residential and commercial applications.

Suitable for interior vertical surfaces, light-traffic and residential floors.

Suitable for all residential floors and walls. All commercial walls and light-traffic commercial floors.

Suitable for all residential floors and walls. All commercial walls and floors with medium traffic.

Suitable for residential, heavy commercial and institutional foot traffic.

Dynamic Co-Efficient Of Friction (DCOF) is the newer method used to measure slip resistance and is highly recognized as the most accurate. It is measured in a way that more naturally represents a human stride. This is vitally important especially when considering tile around wet areas such as bathrooms and pools.

Porcelain tile is defined as an impervious tile with a water absorption of 0.5% or less as measured by the ASTM C373 test method.

A scale of hardness ranging from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond) used to determine a material's scratch resistance. Porcelain tile often has a rating of 7, 8 or 9, while other, less scratch resistant non-porcelain tiles are rated at 5 or 6.

All stocking field tile will be sold in full-carton quantities only.

For running bond/brick joint and any offset patterns utilizing tiles (square and/or rectangular) where the side being offset is greater than 15 inches (nominal dimension), the offset pattern will be a maximum of 33% unless otherwise specified by the tile manufacturer. If an offset greater than 33% is specified, specifier and owner must approve mock-up and lippage.

The ability of tile to withstand freeze/thaw conditions with minimal effect. The frost resistance of tile is dependent on the tile's porosity and water absorption levels.

Content that has been made from pre- and post-consumer material in order to preserve the resources needed in manufacturing.

A product that is entirely or virtually entirely made in the United States.