Being familiar with ceramic tile construction helps you understand and evaluate its performance aspects: why certain ceramic tile floors wear better and longer. The main ingredients of ceramic tile and its general manufacturing process have not changed that much throughout the centuries. All ceramic tiles are created from natural products extracted from the earth that are shaped into tiles and then fired in kilns at extremely high temperatures.
2 main types of tile construction:
Glazed
Unglazed
There are 5 steps in the ceramic tile manufacturing process:
Mining
Blending and Mixing
Pressing
Glazing
If the tile is to remain unglazed it skips this step and goes directly to the firing kiln.
Firing
Alternative- porcelain
After the finished tiles have been inspected for quality assurances, they are packaged, crated and ready to be shipped.
Uses
Rating System
Slip Resistance Rating