Looking For Information On Paver Tile?
Generally speaking, machine-made pavers are fired at high enough temperatures to produce semi-vitreous or vitreous tile
. These tiles usually range in size from 4 in. by 6 in. to 12 in. square and are up to 3/4 in. thick. The large pavers are sometimes paired with smaller squares called spots. These accent tiles have been used for centuries and were originally colored with various stains rather than glaze.
Whether used on floors or walls, machine-made pavers should be installed with a thinset adhesive. Because they are vitreous and thus freeze/thaw stable, these pavers can be used in both wet and exterior installations. They require no special setting bed, but because of their uneven surface, they may need to be back-buttered with adhesive to ensure complete contact with the setting bed.
Unglazed handmade pavers are generally produced in Mexico and in the Mediterranean. Those from Mexico are usually terra-cotta-colored, yellow brown, while Mediterranean pave are traditionally doe-colored. Glazed handmade pavers are produced mainly in Mexico, Portugal, Italy and France. All handmade pavers are nonvitreous: fired at low temperatures.
Some remote regions of Mexico these tiles are fired in rigged up kilns made from bodies of automobiles, with the heat supplied by burning discarded tires. About 1/2 in. to 2 in. thick, these pavers range in size from 4 in. square to 24 in square. Because these tiles are often crudely made, a run of a particular dimension can vary widely in size from tile to tile, and individual tiles may bear fingerprints, animal tracks or other such "signatures."
Like machine-made pavers, these tiles are produced primarily for floors. Pavers are unsuitable for Countertops because they are not flat and need to be kept clean. They need to be finished with sealers that shouldn't be used around food. If you really want handmade pavers on a kitchen countertop, you can use them on the backsplash to accent a more practical choice of tile for the work surface. Finally, because handmade pavers are porous, they should not be used in wet interior locations or in exterior installations in freezing climates.
Before setting, the backs of handmade pavers should be cleaned of any debris and loose particles. They can be scraped or brushed and vacuumed or, if time permits, submerged in water, scraped clean with a knife or a margin trowel, rinsed with clean water and turned on edge to dry. Any handmade pavers that need to be cut for the installation should be trimmed on the wet saw rather than on the snap cutter. Like machine-made pavers, they should be installed with a thinset adhesive for floor or wall use. Since handmade pavers generally aren't flat, they too may need to be back-buttered with adhesive to ensure complete contact with the setting bed. Finally, unglazed pavers should be sealed to make grouting easier, and to protect the finished tiles and slow down the wearing process.
Traditionally, these pavers were sealed with hot oil and beeswax, but now they are often sent untreated to the tile retailer, who stains and seals them. If the pavers you select are unsealed, seal them before grouting with at least two coats of sealer. Sealers may be glossy top-coat applications or satin-finished penetrating types. With either type, normal usage means that they may need to be reapplied after a year or so. If a top-coat sealer is used, the floor will need to be stripped and completely resealed each time the sealer is reapplied. The worn spots alone can be refinished with penetrating oil.
Quarry tile
Originally, quarry tile was quarried stone, cut, ground and polished to uniform dimensions. Now the term generally applies to semi-vitreous or vitreous clay tile, extruded and fired unglazed, which resembles the original quarry tile. The bisque of these hard-bodied tiles is available in a variety of colors and treatments.
Quarry tile is manufactured in 4-in. to 12-in. squares and hexagons as well as in rectangles, most commonly 3 in. by 6 in. or 4 in. by 8 in. The pieces range in thickness from 1/2 in. to 1/4 in. Because of their density, these tiles are excellent for floor and countertop use and could also serve for wall installations.
Quarry tile used for floors can be finished with a sealer or left unsealed. If you want to seal quarry tile after installing it, do so before grouting with a top-coat sealer especially made for tile (quarry tile is too dense for a penetrating oil). Depending upon usage, the tiles will need to be entirely stripped and the sealer reapplied from time to time. Because top-coating sealers should not be used around food, a quarry-tile countertop must be left unsealed. This may mean that the countertop will become stained with use and that another tile would make a more practical choice for this installation. (Quarry-tile surfaces are often found in food-processing plants, where staining is less of a problem. Here, the durability of these tiles means they may be repeatedly cleaned with steam or other methods not really suited for home or light commercial use.)
Because they are vitreous, quarry tiles are excellent for wet installations and can also be used outdoors. They need no special setting bed or unusual installation treatment. Whether used for floors or walls, they should be paired with a thin-set adhesive.
by: Matt Millsap
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