GLOSSARY OF COMMON TERMS FOR TILES, STONE AND & GROUT CARE
Throughout the site we will refer to a variety
of terms such as “cement based grout” and “penetrating
sealers”. This page has been included to give a brief explanation
of such commonly used terms. It is by no means an exhaustive list
but we will be adding to it over the coming months. top
Acid Cleaner
Cleaner based on acids for use in removal of cement, rust lime scale
and other mineral or calcium based contaminants. Not to be used
on acid sensitive surfaces such as marble and limestone. top
Agglomerate Marble
Some times known as conglomerate, this is a material in either tile
or slab form comprising pieces of marble or other natural stone,
held together with a binder (usually cementitious or resin). Slabs
and tiles are usually polished and allow an affordable alternative
to solid marble flooring. top
Alkaline Cleaner
Cleaning solution based on alkaline chemicals. Used for deep cleaning
of organic contamination e.g. grease, grime, general dirt. Will
also remove or at least ‘dull’ some surface polishes
or coating sealers top
Below-Surface Sealer
Sealer that works below the surface of the tile or stone. Sits ‘in’
the surface rather than ‘on’ it. The job of a below
surface sealer is to provide reaction time. AKA: Impregnating, penetrating
or sub-surface sealers top
Cement Based Grout
Joint filler for tiles and stone using grey or white OPC cement
and very few additives. Can be un-sanded for a fine finish in narrow
joints (such as a typical white wall grout) or sanded (containing
silica sand grains) for extra structural stability in wider joints
top
Ceramic Tile
Wall, floor or mosaic tile made of fine clay that has been fired
in a kiln at a moderately high temperature. Can be glazed or unglazed.
top
Coating sealer
Sealer that is applied to and remains on the surface of the material
being sealed. Often visible, leaving some kind of ‘finish’.
This type of sealer aka: surface or topical sealer, is in the wear
zone and will require maintenance and more frequent reapplication.
Typical applications include Slate, Quarry Tiles, Sandstone and
other porous, textured material. Not recommended for smooth or dense
surfaces such as polished marble or honed limestone. top
Coatings
Any surface coating such as sealers, finishes including polyurethane
varnishes top
Colour intensifier
AKA Enhancers, Enrichers and Highlighters. Designed to bring out,
highlight or enhance the natural colour, character and veins in
stone. Especially on worn or weathered surfaces or stone that is
dull by nature (such as tumbled marble, some slate). Often result
in a darkening of the material. Some are also sealers but many must
be used in conjunction with other products in order to provide a
seal. top
Dwell Time
The amount of time a [cleaning] solution is allowed to sit on the
surface being cleaned (so as to allow the chemical time to ‘work’)
before scrubbing. top
Enhancer
See colour intensifier top
Enriching Sealer
See colour intensifier top
Fine Rubbed
Term used by some stone producers (esp. slate) to describe the degree
of mechanical polishing that the material has undergone. Like Honed,
it is smooth and flat but not highly polished top
Finish
Polish, sheen, gloss or other visible effect often associated with
surface sealers but can be just a polish (with no actual sealing
capabilities) top
Glaze
Very thin layer of glass applied to ceramic (and other) tiles. Glazes
come in a huge variety of colours, effects and qualities. top
Glazed Tile
Tile with glazed surface top
Granite
Natural stone used for flooring, cladding and worktops. Many varieties
available top
Honed
See Fine Rubbed top
Impregnating Sealer
See below- surface sealers top
Latex Grout
Cement Based grout with latex or polymer modifiers added. Modifiers
can be in powder form (within the grout) or liquids that are added
at the grouting stage. They help to reduce the water permeability
of the grout and at the same time increase its’ adhesion and
resilience by imparting a little flexibility. top
Limestone
Natural calcium based stone, often very soft and supplied for flooring
with a honed finish, it is usually very porous and requires sealing.
top
Marble
Natural stone, (metamorphosed limestone) harder than limestone but
still porous. Can be polished, honed or tumbled. top
Penetrating Sealer
See below-surface sealer top
Polished (stone)
Usually refers to a shiny surface on hard stones such as marble
or granite that is achieved by mechanical grinding with fine diamond
abrasives rather than an ‘applied’ polish such as wax.
top
Polymer-Modified Grout
See latex based grout top
Porcelain
Type of ceramic tile made using very fine, high quality materials
with high silica/porcelain content. Fired at much higher temperatures
they are typically much less porous than other tiles and do not
always require sealing. Can be glazed or unglazed. Can also be smooth
or textured and even mechanically polished like natural stone. top
Porosity
Describes how porous the material is (not the same as density) the
higher the porosity, the greater the need for sealing. top
Porous
A porous material will allow water born and other contaminants to
penetrate and should be sealed top
Quarry Tile
Type of ceramic tile, usually unglazed and available in earthy colours.
Hard wearing, traditional tile that is usually extruded and can
exhibit slight irregularities. Fired at lower temperatures than
ceramic tiles but higher than terracotta, often slightly porous.
top
Quartzite
Natural stone with appearance like slate but showing more crystalline
structure. Can be porous. top
Reaction Time
The time provided by a sealer for you to react to a contaminant.
Example; Red wine spill on white marble floor; with some sealers
you may get a reaction time of a few minutes before the wine gets
through and begin to stain, with others it can be anywhere from
2 to 12 hours. With no sealer you have very little reaction time
if any. top
Riven
Natural finish of quarried stone (esp. slate) the rippled effect
that is present when slate is split along its’ natural cleavage
lines.
Sandstone
Natural stone with porous, granular texture, usually very porous.
top
Sealer
Below or on surface treatment for tiles, stone and grout. The job
of a sealer is to provide REACTION TIME and to help prevent staining
by putting a barrier between the stone and the contaminant. top
Slate
Natural stone material available from all over the world in a variety
or colours and finishes. Less porous than limestone but most require
sealing, esp. if used as flooring top
Solvent Based Sealer
Describes a sealer that uses a solvent or VOC as the carrier or
dispersant. Often has associated fumes, toxic or flammable characteristics.
top
Strippers
Chemical designed to remove coating sealers and wax or other polishes
top
Sub-Surface Sealer
See Below-surface sealer top
Surface Sealer
See Coating Sealer top
Surface Staining
Term used to describe apparent stains in the ‘exposed’
surface area of the stone, (above the position of the sealer) when
using below-surface sealers. This means that the sealer has done
its job by keeping the contaminant at the surface where it can be
more easily cleaned. top
Surface Wetting
Temporary darkening/ water-marks at the surface of the stone (above
the sealer), should dry out within minutes under normal conditions.
top
Terracotta
Fired clay tile, fired at lower temperatures than quarry tiles and
are more porous and less regular in size and shape top
Terrazzo
Marble chips held together in a cement or resin binder. Can be in
tile format or can be laid ‘in-situ’ (laid like a floor
screed) usually mechanically polished to varying degrees. Can benefit
from sealing top
Topical Sealer
See Coating Sealer top
Travertine
Falling somewhere between marble and limestone for hardness and
porosity, often characterised by a pitted surface which can be filed
with grout. top
Tumbled Marble
Honed marble that is then distressed or ‘aged’ by tumbling
in a machine, removes sharp edges and gives a dull, soft character
to the tile. Can benefit from enhancing. top
Unglazed Tile
Ceramic tile, quarry tile or terracotta with no glaze top
Water absorption
The water absorption factor is a measure of a tile or stone’s
porosity. For example a stone with a WA factor of 6% means that
if immersed in water until saturated, it will absorb an amount of
water equal to 6% of its’ own dry mass. 6 % is very porous;
a typical quarry tile may have a WA factor of around 2% where as
porcelain tiles may be closer to 0.05% top
Water-based Sealer
Describes a sealer that uses water as the carrier or dispersant.
Does not have any of the problems or issues usually associated with
solvents. top
Wear Zone
Unlike below surface sealers, surface sealers are on top of the
stone/tile and thus take the traffic from feet etc so they are said
to be in the wear zone. top
Discalimer
These recommendations are intended as general guidelines for the
product/situation covered.
- Glossary terms are intended to give a brief
understanding of terms as used on this site. Stones are described
in general terms we do not claim to be 100% geologically accurate
in describing the natural stones listed
- ALWAYS READ PRODUCT LABEL ENTIRELY BEFORE
USING
- ALWAYS CONDUCT A SMALL TEST TO DETERMINE
DESIRED RESULTS
- Any advice or recommendations given
on this site are given on the strict understanding that neither
Tile and Stone Care or the Taylor Tiles Group can accept any responsibility
for damage or loss arising out of the use or misuse of such advice
or recommendations
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