FAQs

The difference between natural stone and porcelain can be slight in visual appearance but there are some significant differences. Porcelain tile requires no maintenance, whereas any natural stone requires a sealant since the surface is porous and susceptible to staining. Both natural stone and porcelain tile can be used in wet or dry environments. The pros of porcelain is that it is maintenance free. The pros of natural stone is that it is unlike any man-made material and holds beauty that sometimes only a natural material can achieve.

The term dye-lot is used to identify tile from different shipments or batch of production. It is natural to have variations in size, colour, and/or pattern from batch to batch of tile, as it is man-made.

We always recommend ordering your tile ahead of time to ensure it is reserved for you when you need it. Ordering all of your tile at once will prevent you from having any mixed dye-lots.

Tiles imported from Italy or Spain are typically made with higher quality porcelain. The material itself is much denser, durable, and slip-resistant. The standards for pattern, colour definition, and sizing accuracy is more regulated. Due to the high standards set by our European products, we carefully select any material from China or Turkey from reputable manufacturers to ensure they are comparable.

The term rectified means that the tile has a precise 90 degree, smooth edge. This allows you to achieve thin grout lines of up to 1/16”. A non-rectified edge has a slight bevel. A rectified edge is preferred when you want minimal grout lines, typically seen on porcelain tiles. Non-rectified edges are typically seen on ceramic wall tile as it is not necessary to do tight grout lines.

The V-Shade classification indicates the level of variance in tone, shade, and texture between every tile in a single production run. It runs from a scale of V1 to V4: V1 has little or no change from piece to piece whereas a V4 has drastic differences. Generally plain black and plain white glossy tiles are V1 due to the smaller margin of error in production. Tiles with a V4 rating are preferred to achieve a more handcrafted, natural look with less repetition in colour and patterns.

There are different methods of testing slip resistance and when browsing through our products, you will find two methods used: dynamic coefficient of friction (DCOF) or German Institute for Standardization (DIN) 51130. DCOF: this method of testing determines the friction level of flooring when wet, essentially measuring the conditions of walking on tile. See below general guidelines for this method: >0.42 – suitable for interiors that are dry or wet and level >0.60 – suitable for interiors that are dry or wet and level, and exteriors >0.65 – suitable for interiors that are dry or wet, and exteriors, and ramps and inclines DIN: results are determined through a ramp test that tests degree of slipperiness by slope. The ratings range from R9 at minimal friction (less than 10 degree slope) to R13 at very high friction (more than 35 degree slope). Please note: these guidelines do not necessarily measure overall level of safety of the flooring but are rather results from testing in a controlled environment.

Frost resistance measures the ability of tile to withstand freeze and thaw conditions, mainly contingent on its level of water absorption and porosity. The more moisture that penetrates the tile, as temperatures go down the freezing, the water expands and can cause cracks in the tile. This is a factor that must be considered when selecting flooring for outdoor applications in any area with freezing weather.