Stone

Do I have to seal natural stone?
Yes, all stone must be sealed.

How do I clean natural stone?
Artistic Tile recommends the use of pH neutral stone cleaners specifically manufactured for the care of natural stone. Sweep, vacuum, damp mop, and change your mop water when dirty for daily maintenance and use stone care products when necessary. Always follow manufacturer's directions for product use.

What is the difference between vein cut and cross cut?
Vein cutting is perpendicular to the natural plane and provides a linear appearance. Cross cut is parallel to the natural plane and provides a clouded appearance. Vein cut and cross cut are terms that typically apply to Travertine.

What is the primary difference between limestone, travertine, and marble?
All three varieties of stone are calcium carbonate based. Limestone and Travertine are both sedimentary materials, primary difference being the presence of holes in Travertine due to its formation around mineral springs. Marble is a metamorphic material, and is essentially Limestone that has undergone a change or recrystallization due to pressure or heat.

What is waterjet?
A process performed by a highly pressurized and concentrated stream of water and mineral cutting abrasives. Water jets are particularly useful in cutting elaborate curves and patterns.

Where can I view a catalogue of all your products?
We're happy to offer you our entire product catalogue here: Product Literature.

 

Glass

What setting material do I use for Opera Glass?
Artistic Tile recommends Mapei Kerabond with Mapei Keralastic additive. Please see our Installation Guidelines for complete details.

What setting material do I use for La Leaf Glass?
La Leaf Glass tile may only be installed with Mapei Planicrete W. Please see our Installation Guidelines for complete details.

What setting material do I use for Jazz Glass?
Artistic Tile recommends Mapei Kerabond with Mapei Keralastic additive or equivalent.

Do I need to back butter glass tile?
Glass Tile is typically translucent. Trowel marks and voids reading through the glass can be unsightly. Yes, most glass tiles should be back buttered. This is the case for some mosaics containing glass, including our Hampton Blends collection.

How do I cut glass tile?
Refer to the manufacturer's guidelines which may include Score and Snap, MK215GL10 diamond blade for tub saws, or a Gemini Ring Saw (specialized wet-saw).

Do I have to seal glass tile?
New products are continually being introduced to the market, so please refer to the manufacturers guidelines for the product you have selected.

How do I clean glass tile?
Although glass cleaners may be used with many products, it is advisable to check with the manufacturer regarding specific instructions for their product.

Where can I view a catalogue of your products?
We're happy to offer you our entire product catalogue here: Product Literature.

 

Porcelain

What setting material do I use for porcelain?
Porcelain tile has a low absorption rate and requires a latex modified thinset or medium bed mortar, depending on tile size, to achieve bond. Artistic Tile recommends Mapei Kerabond with Mapei Keralastic additive or equivalent, dependent upon tile size and application.

Should I back butter porcelain tile?
When using the proper size trowel, back buttering of porcelain tile should not be necessary. As long as you can achieve 85% coverage in dry areas, 95% in wet areas, back buttering is not required.

Do I have to seal porcelain tile?
Typically no, although you may want to consider sealing your grout, or choosing a stain resistant grout such as Star Quartz.

How do I clean porcelain tile?
Sweep, vacuum and damp mop using a tile cleaner, so as to not damage your grout.

What setting material should be used for the installation of large format porcelain floor tile?
A latex modified setting material suitable for the installation of porcelain tiles is required in order to achieve proper bond. This may be a thinset or a medium bed mortar, depending on the required depth of the setting bed. Consult your setting material manufacturers instructions relative to your application.

My porcelain appears to be etching or staining. What may be the cause?
It is possible that there is production residue on the surface of your tile and the staining or etching you are seeing is actually the breakdown of this residue, revealing the desired surface of the tile. The entire surface of the tile may need a thorough cleaning, possibly utilizing a more aggressive cleaner such as Aqua Mix's Nano Scrub. It is advisable to consult a tile care professional in this instance.

What is the difference between through-body and glazed porcelain?
A through-body porcelain is one material from top to bottom.

Where can I view a catalogue of all your products?
We're happy to offer you our entire product catalogue here: Product Literature.

 

Ceramics

Do I have to seal clay-body ceramic tile?
Typically not, unless you are installing a crackle glazed tile, which likely will need to be sealed.

How do I clean clay-body ceramic tile?
There are a wide variety of ceramic tile cleaners on the market. Make sure that whatever you choose is compatible with the product that you have in your installation

Should crackle tile be sealed?
Artistic Tile recommends the sealing of all crackle glazed tiles.

What is Bicottura tile?
Tile produced via a double firing process where the raw clay tile is first fired, then glazed, then re-fired.

What is triple fire tile?
Tile produced via a triple firing process where the raw clay tile is first fired, then glazed, then re-fired, and then glazed and fired once more.