Tiler Tiling Terms Definitions

Tilers Advice And Tips - Tiling Terms And Definitions Explained

Tiling Definitions

Tiling is more complex than you think. There many definitions involved in the tiling industry and even types of ceramic tiles have different classifications.

This list of tiling terms and definitons is by no means comprehensive as new products are patented and introduced into the home improvement and building and construction industry on an ongoing basis.

Some Tilers Terms

Here are just a few of the tiling terms and definitions which you are likely to encounter when undertaking tiling jobs.

Ceramic Tile Classifications Defined

The Porcelain Enamel Institute classifies ceramic tiles according to their 'wearability' value.  The classifications are as follows:

• Grade 1 - Suitable for household use - light foot traffic only.
• Grade 2 - This grade of ceramic tile is also suitable for household use but again only within areas of light foot traffic.
• Grade 3 - The recommended grade of ceramic tile for household use - suitable for normal foot traffic levels and not high level foot traffic areas.
• Grade 4 - Suitable for traffic levels within commercial organisations with medium foot traffic.
• Grade 5 - Heavy commercial foot traffic areas.  This grade of tile is recommended at this level.

Wall Tile Trims

A plastic trim which can be bought in various colours, the most popular being white.  The plastic trim is used to provide a smooth edge to tiling introducing a rounded corner where tiling meets on external corners.  Tiling trim is also used on top of tiling when tiles have been fitted to walls but does not cover the whole wall.  Tiling trims have a dual purpose - firstly they are used for safety purposes and soften the often sharp edges of tiling.  Secondly, tiling trims are used to produce a more aesthetically pleasing finish to tiling and sometimes hide a multitude of tiling mistakes as errors can be hidden beneath a plastic trim.

Wall And Floor Tiling Adhesives And Grouts

Grouts and adhesives are used to stick the tiles to walls or floors in tiling work.  Grout is also used to fill in the gaps created by tile spacers between wall and floor tiles.  It is important to ensure that the correct grout and tile adhesive is used for your tiling job.  Check grout or adhesive packaging to ensure that it can be used for your classification of tile otherwise your job could fail, with tiles becoming loose or cracking.   More and more of the tiling grouts and adhesives are being produced in a ready mixed form and are much easier to use than the products of the past which required self mixing with water.

Tile Spacers

These are plastic 'cross' shaped pieces which are used to create a gap between tiles in order to be able to allow movement and uniformity on the tiling work.  When tiles are dried the tile spacers are removed or even left between the tiles and tiling grout is placed between the tiles in the gaps created by the tile spacers.

Glazed And Unglazed Tiles

Glazed tiles are covered by a thin covering of liquid glass and fired at high temperatures.  The purpose of glazing of tiles is to make the tile more fire resistant, heat resistant, scratch resistant, stain resistant and easier to clean.

Unglazed do not have this covering and are more often used in commercial organisations such as food preparation flooring areas.

Tile Cutting Tools

Tile cutting tools can be hand held tools or can be electric.  Electric tile cutters are obviously much faster and they use cold water to cool down the blade which spins to cut the tile.

Tile Nibblers

Used to take small chunks from tiles when tilers just want to trim the tile down or used when going round bends.  Tile nibblers literally 'nibble' away at the tile to take small pieces out a bit at a time.