Armatile Ireland Tile and marble - tile industry terms explained

The type of adhesive you use depends on a number of factors:
Where are you tiling?
What are you tiling on?
How much tiling experience do you have?

Adhesives can be split into 2 main categories: THINSET and ORGANIC MASTICS.

THINSET adhesives come in powder form and must be mixed with either water, liquid latex or an acrylic additive depending on the type. Thinsets are considered harder to work with because they must be mixed to the right consistency before using. Thinsets have a stronger bond and are more flexible than Organic Mastics (see below). They can also support a lot of weight so they are often used for floor installations. Thinsets can be used in wet areas as well as those exposed to heat.

ORGANIC MASTICS are probably the most commonly used adhesives by DIY'ers. As they are pre-mixed and ready to use, they are considered easier to work with and less time consuming than thinset adhesives. Mastics are good for setting wall tiles because they start gripping the tile even before it has fully cured. Mastics should not be used in areas that will get wet or will be exposed to extreme heat. Be aware that if you are using a solvent based mastic the fumes can be potentially explosive and dangerous when inhaled. Always wear a charcoal filtered mask when working with this and keep it away from any naked flames.

Although a tile size may be stated as 30cm x 30cm the nature of the manufacturing process means that it is impossible to ensure all tiles are of an equal size. It is for this reason that tile manufacturers produce a number of calibrations for the same tile. The specific calibration provides an indication of the variance from the stated size of the tile. When calibrations are indicated at the outset of a project, the tiles will be as close to a uniform size as you are ever likely to achieve. If this is not done however, there can be problems with the grout lines not running straight as a result of the variance in the tile sizes used.

Natural Stone refers to the family of products extracted from quarries rather than produced in factories. This includes marble, travertine, limestone, slate, granite and terracotta.

Porcelain consists of a spray dried body of selected clays, kaolinitic minerals, quartz and feldspar, shaped by dry pressing to form a ceramic material that is then fired at temperatures up to 1250 degrees centigrade.

A key element of porcelain is its extremely low level of water absorption which is below 0.5%. As a result of new innovative processes new porcelain bears a striking resemblence to natural stones such as marble, granite and poryphyry.

Rectification is the term given to the process where tiles are passed through machines which correct their length and width to ensure all tiles are the same size. The tiles are then given a calibre rating depending on their size and this will be indicated on the side of the box.

As tiles are made from natural clays, there are variations in shading from batch to batch. It is therefore essential that sufficient quantities of tiles are ordered at the outset of your project to ensure your tiles are the same shade.

With Natural stone products, there is a natural shade variation between tiles even coming from within the same batch. As these tiles are taken from quarries rather than manufactured in factories, each tile maintains its own individual characteristics. This is one of the main features of this product.

To vitrify is to turn to a glass like state. In this process, the clay is heated until the silicates fuse together to a solid state. Vitrified tiles can either be glazed or unglazed and by method of manufacture can be dust pressed or extruded. Such tiles fall into 2 categories based on the water absorption of the tile body - Vitrified and Semi-Vitrified.

ARMAGH

Station Road

BT61 7NP

T: 028 3752 7007�

BELFAST

58 Boucher Crescent

BT12 6HU

T: 028 9068 2752

NEWRY

Greenbank Ind Estate

BT34 2QX

T: 028 3026 6021

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