Quarry tile

Quarry tile is a building construction material, usually 12 to 34 inches (13 to 19 mm) thick, made by the extrusion process from natural clay or shales.[1][2]

Sizes and shapes

The most traditional size in the US is nominally 6 in × 6 in × 12 in thick. Other common sizes include 4 in × 8 in and 8 in × 8 in.

Finishes

Traditional quarry tile was unglazed and either red or gray; however, modern "decorator" tiles come in a variety of tints and finishes. Industrial quarry tile is available with abrasive frit embedded in the surface to provide a non-slip finish in wet areas such as commercial kitchens and laboratories.

Uses

Quarry tile is extensively used for floors where a very durable material is required. It can be used either indoors or outdoors, although freeze-resistant grades of tile should be used outdoors in climates where freeze-thaw action occurs. Quarry tile is used less often as a wall finish and is occasionally used for countertops, although the wide grout joints can make cleaning of countertops difficult. Most commercial kitchens require a quarry tile to be used because of its slip resistant and non porous properties.

Installation

For floors, quarry tile is usually set in a thick bed of cementitious mortar. For wall applications, it can be set in either a thick bed of cementitious mortar or a thin bed of mastic. For both floors and walls, the joints between tiles are usually grouted with cementitious grout. Grout joints are traditionally about 38 inch in width. Matching trim shapes such as coves, bases, shoes, and bullnoses are available to turn corners and terminate runs of the tile.

See also

References

  1. http://www.ceramic-tile.com/glossary.cfm National Tile Contractors Association
  2. American Society for Testing and Materials Standard ASTM C 242