Tile Terminology: A Glossary of Important Mosaic Tile Terms
There is nothing more frustrating than watching a video about a subject like mosaic tiles and not understanding key terms in it. What is a substrate? What's the difference between Carrara and Calacatta marble tiles? What is a waterjet and how is it important to tiling? There are plenty of terms in the industry that aren't necessary for someone to know if they are not planning to lay the tile themselves, like substrate and v-notched trowels. But, you do need to know the basic terms used for tiles and grouts when you're picking a design for your next home design project. Here is my list of tile terminology for the people interested in knowing what they're choosing for their next tiling project, but who will leave the dirty work of installation to someone else.
Abrasion Resistance
A rating from 0 to 5, with 5 being highly resistant to abrasion that determines how well a tile material withstands foot traffic or friction on its surface. Do not use tiles with 0 rating on a floor where they are subject to lots of wear and tear.
Commercial Tile - View Details>>
Absorption
The absorption rate, expressed as a percentage, for different tile materials. Porcelain has a very low absorption rate of only .5 percent, making it ideal for humid areas like the bathroom and kitchen.
Bathroom Tile - View Details>>
Backsplash
It's the area behind your kitchen or bathroom countertops that is tiled over to protect the walls from moisture damage.
Herringbone Mosaic - View Details>>
Border
A tile border can be laid an outline of the floor or as a decorative feature along the tops of walls or tubs or to frame a mosaic.
Mosaic Border - View Details>>
Carrara Marble Tile
A type of bluish-gray marble that is only quarried from one city in the world: Carrara, Italy. The veining is smaller and finer than Calacatta marble and it is less expensive.
Basketweave Mosaic - View Details>>
Calacatta Marble Tile
This stone is also quarried from the same region of Carrara, Italy, but has far more distinctive and dramatic veining. It also has a much whiter background which makes the bold veins really stand out.
Cement Tile
Made from cement that is pressed and not fired. They can come in a tremendous variety of designs, many of them using traditional Moroccan tile themes.
Exterior Tile - View Details>>
Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tile is a fired clay that doesn't meet the low absorption rate of porcelain tile. It tends to absorb more water, making it softer and less durable than porcelain.
Custom Tiling
Custom designs are unique, one-of-a-kind, creations requested by a specific client and installed to their design specifications.
Custom Waterjet Tile - View Details>>
Dimensional Tile
Tile that often looks sculpted and has a high relief created with modern tools, creating a 3-D effect.
Dimensional Tile - View Details>>
Engraved Tile
Ceramic and stone can be engraved with lasers such that the design is cut into the material with precision. Here is a grid pattern that has been engraved into a ceramic tile.
Dimensional Tile - View Details>>
Etched Tile
Etching works by removing only the top layer of the material in an abrasive action using sand, acid, or even a waterjet. It doesn't cut as much as it wears down the area and thus the finish can be slightly rougher than an engraving, if done with sand. Here's a stone tile done with a waterjet tool.
Floor Tile
Tiles designated as "floor" tiles mean they can withstand a large amount of abrasive action, but are too thick or heavy to hang on a wall.
Stone Field Tile - View Details>>
Glass Tiles
Tiles made from glass that are either glazed or unglazed. They can come in strips, like Soho strips or they can also be vitreous glass tiles that are small mosaic pieces.
Glass Mosaics - View Details>>
Glazed Tile
Any tile that has an additional glazing put on top to protect the top layer from moisture. In the case of glazed glass tiles, the glaze is more to alter the decorative coloring.
Grout
A mixture of silica, sand, and cement used to fill in the joints between tiles. It can come in many different colors, not just white.
Porcelain Waterjet Tile - View Details>>
Hand-Painted Stone Tile
Tile that is hand painted by artisans to create beautiful, unique, borders and murals.
Custom Painted Murals - View Details>>
Honed Stone
A finish that is semi-polished, but not matte. It softens the surface of the stone and makes it smoother.
Stone Field Tile - View Details>>
Medallion
A circular design inset that is a highly decorative feature in a room. Here is one on the floor.
Waterjet Medallion - View Details>>
Mural
A work of art that is detailed on a wall, it can be made with tiles or paint or any other media.
Mosaic Murals - View Details>>
Mosaic
A work of art created with tiny pieces of stone, glass, metal, or any other small item. Mosaic tile is typically 1" square or less and put together on a grid backing, for easier tile laying.
Pool Mosaics
Work of arts, created with mosaic pieces, that are going to decorate the bottom of a pool.
Glass Mosaic Tile - View Details>>
Porcelain Tile
A type of ceramic tile that is fired at very high temperatures to create a hard tile that has an absorption rate of less than .5 percent.
Porcelain Tile - View Details>>
Stone Tile
Tiles made from any natural stone, including marble, slate, and limestone.
Tile Layout
The repetitive pattern used to lay out the tiles. Tiles can be laid out in a grid pattern, which is the traditional block layout. However, there are also a variety of other types of patterns, including diagonal, brick, herringbone, and chevron. Here is a pebble tile pattern.
Wall Tile
Tile designated as wall tile is not recommended to use on floor projects because it won't be able to withstand the wear and tear.
Waterjet Technology
A modern cutting tool using a highly pressurized water stream to make precise cuts in fragile or difficult-to-cut materials, like stone.
Waterjet Patterns - View Details>>
What Else Is There to Learn?
There is still much more to learn in tile terminology when it comes to the different names given to stones and ceramics, so here is a YouTube video that can provide more of a visual dictionary for specific types of tile materials: Still have questions about the different types of tiles available? Contact us for a consultation to learn more.