THE A-Z OF ALL THINGS TILING

We have eschewed the M is for Mosaics and P is for Porcelain approach and plumped for a slightly more diverse and eclectic analysis in our compilation of the A to Z of All Things Tiling

A is for Asia

Asia, or more specifically the Asian Pacific region is the largest manufacturer and consumer of ceramic-based tiles in the world.

The market value stood at USD 22.47 billion in 2020 (44% of the global market valued at USD 50.84 billion).

With the global market projected to reach USD 77.82 billion by 2028 (interruptions of a covid-like nature permitting), that would indicate growth to a value of around USD 34.24 billion for the region.

Contrasting these numbers with the North American Tile Market size in 2020 at USD 20.36 billion, the gap is not huge, but it is significant.

Here in the UK, the brick and tile industry measured by revenue is a more modest £1.4 billion (2022).

Nevertheless, the market is expected to increase by 6.4% in 2022 so despite all that has been happening the future looks solid.

However, if you really want to be where it’s at you need to get yourself to the Asia Pacific region and get some serious tiling action in!

For a look at one of the manufacturers in the region, click on the link below:

https://asiapacificceramic.com/

B is for Backer Board

Fibre Cement provides a solid and durable surface on which to tile. Fibre Cement is the industry standard when it comes to tile backing. Traditional methods such as plywood or plasterboards are no longer fit for purpose. This has recently been highlighted by a change in the British Standards advising not to tile on these substrates but rather use an appropriate tile backing board.

Fibre Cement backer board is in 6mm is ideal for floors while a 12mm board is better for walls.

Also very popular is the Insulated Tile Backer Board. Lighter than Fibre Cement but nonetheless an extremely capable product that can hold tiles on the wall up to 60kg/m2 in weight!

The STS tile backing systems are covered by a lifetime guarantee, ensuring complete peace of mind every time they are installed.

https://www.sts-uk.com/sts-construction-boards-collection/insulation-board

C is for Copper Tiles

Although this product has been around for many years, it is currently coming back into vogue.

Copper tiles add a glow of golden warmth to any décor, and they age beautifully, developing a deep and rich patina.

They are ideal as a backsplash and blend well with glass, stone, wood, and bright colours.

They are also easy to maintain and are hard-wearing.

For some excellent examples of the possibilities Copper affords take a look at the link below:

https://www.porcelanosa.com/trendbook/uk/copper-kitchen-tiles/

D is for Delft Tiles

These highly distinctive blue and white tiles, featuring elaborately painted pictures of everyday life, have been in circulation since the early 1600s.

As the name suggests they originated in the city of Delft in the Netherlands (now a bit of a backwater but once a thriving hub).

These days the original tiles are collectors’ items and can cost £100’s (sometimes even £1000’s) per tile.

For examples of what you can buy click on the link below

https://www.regtsdelfttiles.com/

E is for Encaustic Tiles

Unlike normal glazed tiles, the pattern in an encaustic tile is comprised of up to six different colours of clay inlaid as deeply as 6mm into the tile.

Consequently, the pattern remains as the tile wears down and they are therefore perfect for high traffic areas.

Introduced around the thirteenth century (then known as inlaid tiles) they were very popular until the 1500s.

There was a revival in the nineteenth century and Encaustic Tiles became the flooring of choice for prestigious government edifices, such as the US Capitol Building in Washington and the Houses of Parliament in London.

Encaustic tiles laid in the US Capital Building (Manufactured by Minton, Hollins and Co. of Stoke on Trent, England)

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Image: aoc.gov

Below is a testimonial to their ineradicable qualities!

"The indestructibility of tiles may be judged from the fact that the excavations at Pompeii have unearthed apartments where painted tiles are just as beautiful, the colours as fresh and bright as... when the fated city was in all its glory."

Source: aoc-gov

You can own a piece of history by purchasing one of the encaustic tiles excavated from the Palace of Westminster. These tiles, originally laid in the 1850s are available from the link below:

https://www.shop.parliament.uk/collections/tiles/tiles

F is for Firing

This tile manufacturing process is an ancient one that has not really changed all that much through the passage of time.

Ceramic tiles are created by extracting natural products from the earth (mainly clay and minerals), blending mixing, and forming them into a tile shape, glazing the surface where applicable, and then firing them in kilns at extremely high temperatures (around 2000 degrees F).

Porcelain tiles are fired at even higher temperatures (between 2,200- & 2,600-degrees F) which results in vitrification. This means they are more resistant to water than ceramic tiles, even without having to be glazed.

The website below features videos and in detailed information on processes and machinery.

https://www.sacmi.com/en-US/ceramics/Tiles

G is for Glass Tiles

Glass was initially used in the formation of Mosaics back as far as 2500 BC, but it wasn’t until the 3rd century BC that Tiles themselves were made of glass by craftsmen in Greece, India, and Persia.

The unique properties of Glass tiles enable them to reflect light and impart intense colour.

They are more rigid, and hence more breakable than ceramic or porcelain tiles.

A Glass Mosaic depicting sea turtles on a subway platform.

Image: Wikipedia.

For a more in-depth study of the vast possibilities Glass Tiles afford to enhance a wide variety of decors, click on the link below:

https://www.firedearth.com/wall-tiles/glass-wall-tiles

H is for Hygiene

A key consideration that weighed heavily with the residents of New York in the 19th century, the spic and span look and hygienic attributes of the gleaming white tiles in the stations and tunnels of the newly opened subway contributed hugely to this new transport system’s overall success and gave the name to the ubiquitous and hugely popular subway tile.

The surface of ceramic tiles will not absorb fumes, odours, or smoke and are liquid repellent. They are also very easy to clean and maintain.

Initially an ideal surface covering for areas where hygiene was essential such as butcher shops, fishmongers, etc. this type of tile quickly became the wall covering of choice for kitchens throughout the world.

See the STS Subway Tiles blog below for a more in-depth view.

https://www.sts-uk.com/news/subway-tiles-and-a-secret

I is for Ink-Jet

The latest ink-jet technology enables manufacturers to produce a vast range of effects, colours, and finishes

This game-changing method allows ceramic or porcelain tiles to be transformed into authentic-looking marble, limestone, travertine, wood, even textile products.

The replication is of an extremely high standard these days, and the finished tile looks and feels exactly like the real thing, at a fraction of the cost!

The website below includes a video to help you get your head around this amazing technology!

https://ctsupplies.com.au/applying-inkjet-technology-to-tiles/

J is for Jackfield Tile Museum

Part of the Ironbridge Gorge Museums group, Jackfield Tile Museum in Telford, Shropshire showcases the history of the British decorative tile industry for the period between 1840 and 1960.

There is a recreated Pub, Tube Station, and Church among other exhibits, as well as a world class gallery celebrating the best of British Tiles.

Craven Dunnill* (the renowned tile manufacturer established in 1872) still utilizes part of the building in its manufacturing process and weekly guided tours are available to visitors of the museum.

* Craven Dunnill Jackfield was commissioned to complete the restoration of the flooring of the Central Lobby in the House of Commons, which involved relaying 60,000 tiles.

The final tile was laid in April 2021 completing a nine-year-long project.

The 1930s living room tiled period setting at Jackfield Tile Museum

Image: Wikipedia

To find out more, check out the link below:

https://www.ironbridge.org.uk/explore/jackfield-tile-museum/

K is for Kings (and Queens)

Woking Palace in Surry was an important hunting lodge patronized by royalty, and the discovery of historical tile artifacts has shed light on its history.

In order for this edifice to be made fit for a King, it was extended during the 15th Century, and tiles were imported from Spain (Valencia) to enhance the décor.

Henry VII and Henry VIII (with his current wife in tow) frequented the place, as did Elizabeth I.

Later King James VI was a patron, but by the time of Charles II, it was seemingly abandoned and left to go to ruin.

Divers found samples of the blue and white tile when exploring the river adjacent to the ruins.

There is not much left of the Palace today, but historical records indicate is was once a grand palatial complex, satisfactory accommodation for the Royal hunting parties and their accompanying substantial entourages!

One for the tile history buffs.

http://www.woking-palace.org/thehistory.html

L is for Large Format

A recent development in the tiling world, Large Format Tiles started to appear out of Europe (predominantly Italy) in the late 20th century.

Modern manufacturing methods meant that much larger, thinner tiles could be produced without the risk of them breaking due to their own weight.

The aesthetic advantage of using large format tiles is that they will visually expand a space. With the reduction of grout lines comes a cleaner, uninterrupted décor and an area that is easier to maintain and clean!

The move towards using large format tiles has been one of the more significant recent interior design trends.

Devon Tiles provide an insight on what is available below:

https://devontiles.co.uk/largest-size-tiles-ever-seen/

M is for Marble Tiles

Marble is a metamorphic stone that is formed when limestone is subjected to immense pressure over a long period of time.

The result is a material synonymous with beauty and opulence.

Originally utilized by artisans in Greece and Italy over 2000 years ago in the building of their iconic structures (think the Parthenon in Athens and the Pantheon in Rome), Marble symbolizes luxury and timeless elegance.

Check out some of the ranges and configurations available at the website below:

https://www.mandarinstone.com/collections/natural-stone/marble/

N is for NoMorePly®

The UK’s favourite tile backing board

Part of the Ultimate Surface Range, 6mm Pre-Primed NoMorePly® has been the tile backing board of choice for the discerning tiling professional and the DIY enthusiast since 2004.

Backed by a lifetime guarantee and supported by the comprehensive NoMorePly® fixing system, this product provides the tile installer with complete peace of mind every time.

Simple, quick, and easy to fit and lay, the introduction of the Pre-Primed version in 2018 cemented its status as the fastest tile backing board solution in the industry!

https://nomoreply.co.uk/6mm-preprimed-tile-backer/

O is for Onyx

Formed from sedimentary rock made up a type of quartz (chalcedony) fused together through prolonged exposure to both pressure and heat, this quintessentially high-end product has been embellishing the most prestigious living spaces for thousands of years.

A vast range of variable natural patterns colours are available, and this translucent material exudes a luminous gem-like effect that is truly stunning!

Onyx is softer than many other stones so is not suitable for installation outdoors, but it is the option of opulence for walls and floors internally.

A veritable smorgasbord of Onyx options can be viewed by clicking on the link below:

https://www.stonix.co.uk/onyx/

P is for the Potteries Tile Trail

This project comprises six tile trails, one for each of Stoke-on-Trent’s affiliated towns: Burslem, Fenton, Hanley, Longton, Stoke, and Tunstall.

Each one offers a varied and enthralling experience for the Tile History Buff, either by the armchair enthusiast virtually (*Click here for direct link: Virtual Tours: 6 Towns | 6 Tile Trails) or, for the more energetic, the opportunity to view the artifacts in the flesh can be combined with an invigorating stroll (or several), as this fascinating and historically significant “cermica” is explored!

https://www.visitstoke.co.uk/ideas-and-inspirations/potteries-tile-trail

Q is for Quarry Tiles

Something of a misnomer, quarry tiles are not hewn from a quarry. Instead, minerals such as clay, feldspar, and shale (materials which are often quarried) are ground together and extruded before being fired at a very high temperature (over 2000 degrees F) to manufacture the tiles.

Limited in colour range (basically Red, Brown, Tan, or Grey) these tiles are suitable for both outdoor and indoor installations (typically an entryway or sunroom).

Although the tiles are not glazed as part of the manufacturing process, they are classed as vitreous and are therefore water-resistant.

To view sizing and pricing see the link below:

https://www.tileexperience.co.uk/outdoor-tiles/quarry-tiles

R is for Rectification.

This is an edge treatment process whereby a ceramic or porcelain tile is mechanically cut or ground down to an exact size after firing.

Normally there are very slight dimensional anomalies with standard moulded and fired tiles due to minute variations in the firing temperatures that affects the expansion and contraction of the ceramic or porcelain clays.

This can affect the precision of the layout when tiling and Rectification eliminates this and ensures a very neat look along with very narrow grout lines, almost giving the impression of a continuous tiled surface.

Total Tiles elaborate on the theme if you click below:

https://totaltiles.co.uk/tiles/inspire-me/rectified-floor-tiles.html

S is for SPECIALIST TILING SUPPLIES (STS)

Established in Leeds, Yorkshire in 1995 by bathroom and kitchen fitter Martin Burrowes, STS is a long-established player in the industry, albeit with a serious growth strategy as they continue to develop and bring to market new and cutting-edge products. A fantastic culture pervading throughout the organisation, the entire team live and breath the company tents of Cheerful, Industrious, Creative and Sound Family values.

STS HQ in Leeds

https://www.sts-uk.com/

T is for TG4 Boards

This market leading innovation from STS provides a direct to joist, tile-ready floorboard solution with no squeaks guaranteed!

A1 Fire Rated, water resistant, with highly efficient heat absorption and distribution making it the perfect fit for all types of electric and wet underfloor heating systems, TG4 comes in a convenient one man lift size of 1200 x 600mm and with it being tongue and grooved on all four edges, it’s quick and simple to fix, and significantly reduces waste.

Available in 18mm and 22mm thickness, only limit to it’s use is your imagination!

https://nomoreply.co.uk/tg4-floorboard/

U is for the Ultimate Surface

The unsurpassed range of STS Fibre Cement Boards that provide the perfect backing for Tiles of all shapes and sizes.

From the ever-popular 6mm Pre-Primed NoMorePly®, the 9 and 12mm Multiple Use STS Construction Board, and through to the cutting edge technology 18 and 22mm STS TG4 Direct to Joist ready to tile floorboards, this comprehensive range combines quality with ease of use to truly provide The Ultimate Surface.

https://nomoreply.co.uk/

V is for Victorian Tiles

Actually deriving from the Middle Ages, the unique style pertaining to what we term Victorian Tiles was a significant influence in what is now known as the ‘Gothic Revival’ in architecture.

The tile colours and configurations employed in Cathedrals, Monasteries, and the homes of the aristocracy in medieval times enjoyed a popular resurgence among the people of the Victorian era.

This timeless geometric trend has retained its popularity right up until the present and is certainly an aesthetically pleasing option that enhances a wide variety of projects.

Two examples of tile installation in the Victorian style with a both a contemporary and a modern twist.

To allow you to get a more comprehensive picture and to view some examples of this distinctive traditional style, we have attached a link to an installer below:

https://victoriantileslondon.co.uk/

W is for Wastage

A mundane but important consideration, wastage must be allowed for on every tiling job and the rule of thumb is 10%, although it becomes higher the more intricate the project!

There are plenty of good calculators online to help quickly establish what you need for your project while allowing you to factor wastage in. We’ve added a link to one below:

https://www.toppstiles.co.uk/tile-calculator

X is for X-Ray Shielding Tiles

And now for something completely different!

X-Ray shielding tiles are not something you would want in your kitchen.

However, they are a commodity that is much used in medical circles to nullify the adverse effects of diagnostic X-ray procedures.

A new and innovative manufacturing process utilizing red mud has replaced the requirement for toxic lead.

It’s all a bit technical and highbrow, but for those of a scientifically enquiring mind a couple of links below will hopefully provide clarification:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304389421024754

https://www.csir.res.in/development-lead-free-x-ray-shielding-tiles

Y is for York Stone

Formed over 3 million years ago, York Stone has been quarried in Yorkshire since medieval times.

It exploded in popularity in the 18th century when the UK canal system was created, enabling easy transportation throughout the land.

London became a key destination, and many buildings and traditional roads built in that area are still in use today.

One of the major appeals of York stone is its reclamation suitability. Unlike newly quarried stone, reclaimed stone, often having been subjected to hundreds of years of weathering takes on a unique character and charm.

A product that is always in high demand it is eminently suitable for a wide range of construction applications.

Among its many uses is paving, walling, and roofing, and it creates a unique and beautiful look as internal flooring, with hardwearing properties that will last a lifetime (and can then be re-used!)

Yorkstone Paving of Ilkley, West Yorkshire, provide bespoke interior flooring solutions. See below:

https://yorkstonepaving.com/yorkstone-interior-flooring/

Z is for Zellige

This is a style of mosaic tile work that comprises individually hand-cut tile pieces set into a plaster base. It is a form of Islamic art, the pieces typically differing in colour and arranged to form elaborate patterns.

Zellige is one of the main characteristics of Moroccan and medieval Morrish architecture and is thought to have originated in the 10th Century.

A perfect example is to be found in the Saadian Tombs (see below) a historic royal necropolis in Marrakesh. Morocco-a major tourist attraction.