Ceramic/Vinyl
Types of Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tile has been used for centuries and offers consumers more options in color, texture, pattern and overall beauty than most other floor covering materials. With new manufacturing techniques today's ceramic tile designs are virtually indistinguishable from natural marbles, travertines, slates and other stone products. Glazed ceramic and porcelain tiles are great choices for bathrooms, kitchens, foyers, sun rooms and great rooms.
For over a century homeowners have counted on Mohawk for all their floor coverings. With Mohawk Ceramic Tile you can let your imagination go free and express your unique and personal decorating tastes. Mohawk Ceramic Tile features all the latest tile fashion trends in colors, sizes and designs including decorative insets and borders. To help you select your Mohawk Ceramic Tile there are some terms you should know before going shopping.
Wall Tile
Ceramic wall tiles are normally less durable than tile designed specifically for flooring. Most wall tile is glazed with a semi-gloss or matte surface. The glazed surface has a very low slip resistance and becomes slippery when wet. Therefore, glazed wall tile is much more suited for wall or countertop applications rather than floors.
Glazed Ceramic Tile
Glazed Ceramic Tile is comprised of two basic elements, clay and water. Various clays are mined, ground and blended to a fine powder, and pressed together to form the body of the tile. The pressed clay body is then dried to reduce the moisture content. Next, the surface of the tile is coated with a colored glaze (similar to glass). The glaze is then permanently fused to the surface of the tile by firing it in kilns at approximately 2000° Fahrenheit, to form the finished product.
Porcelain Tile
Porcelain tile is made from a blend of fine-grain clays and other minerals to produce a very dense body, which makes it highly resistant to moisture, staining and wear. Because of these features, porcelain tile will withstand years of heavy foot traffic in both interior and exterior applications while maintaining its color and beauty.
ColorBodyT Porcelain Tile
This is the densest of all tile types, ColorBodyT Porcelain Tile has a through-color body and is defined by its <0.5% water absorption. These tiles can withstand heavy foot traffic and are suitable for both indoor or outdoor applications.
To determine the overall performance and durability of the glazed surface of ceramic tile, there are standardized industry tests and classifications which rate tile's specific resistance to scratching, breaking, abrasion, moisture, etc...
Scratch Hardness
Most tiles are rated for hardness or scratch resistance using the MOHS Test and rating system. The MOHS test rates tile from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest). Ceramic tile with a value of 5 or more is suitable for most residential floor tile applications. Tile with a value of 7 or higher is normally acceptable for most commercial applications or heavy traffic areas.
Wear Rating
To help select suitable tiles for specific applications tiles are rated the P.E.I. (Porcelain Enamel Institute) scale. The tiles are evaluated for wear resistance on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest).
- PEI 1: Light Traffic - recommended for residential bathrooms or other areas with light traffic and where shoes are not frequently used.
- PEI 2: Medium Traffic - recommended for residential interiors, except entryways, kitchens, stairs or any area where tiles may come into contact with gravel or sand.
- PEI 3: Medium-heavy Traffic - recommended for all residential interiors and light commercial applications. Not recommended for commercial entryway.
- PEI 4: Heavy Traffic - suitable for all residential interiors and most commercial applications, including shopping malls and public areas.
- PEI 5: Heavy-plus Traffic - all residential and commercial areas where heavy-duty wearability is needed.
Water Absorption
Ceramic tile are also classified by their water absorption rate which reflects the density of the body of the tile. There is a direct relationship to the water absorption rate and the suitability of the various types of tile for interior or exterior applications. Tiles suitable for exterior applications must have a very low water absorption rate, especially in climates subject to freezing and thawing cycles. These are typically porcelain body tiles which have a moisture absorption rating of less than .5 %.
Shading
Like the natural products themselves tiles will vary in shading. This adds to the beauty and design of the products. When choosing a tile it's best to view 2-3 tiles together to visually determine the overall appearance of the tile.
VINYL
Product features:
- Unlike old-fashion linoleum or vinyl flooring, today's resilient sheet flooring is by far the most versatile type of flooring available.
- Available in hundreds of colors and designs
- Warm, quiet and comfortable
- Built-in protection against discoloration from mold & mildew
- Durable
- Easy to clean
- Affordable
RESIDENTIAL CARE
IMMEDIATELY AFTER INSTALLATION
- Protect and do not disturb the sealed seams on your resilient sheet flooring for at least 16 hours after seam sealer application to ensure a proper seam bond.
- For ungrouted DuraCeramic, DuraCeramic Options, DuraStone, resilient sheet and resilient tile floors, keep traffic to a minimum during the first 48 hours to allow the adhesive to harden. For grouted DuraCeramic and DuraCeramic Options, keep all traffic off the floor for 24 hours, then open to light foot traffic only for the next 24 hours. Resume normal traffic after 48 hours.
- Furniture should not be placed on the floor until the adhesive and grout, if applicable, has had adequate time to dry (48 hours for grouted DuraCeramic and DuraCeramic Options and at least 24 hours for all other products).
- Always move heavy furniture and appliances with care to avoid gouging or tearing the floor. First, lay strips of plywood or hardboard panels on the floor. Then roll, "walk" or slide these items on the strips. Do not push or pull appliances and heavy furniture without taking these precautions.
- Wash your floor using Congoleum Bright 'N Easy No-Rinse Cleaner or other suitable resilient floor cleaner 48 hours after installation.
Caution: Resilient flooring, like other types of smooth floors, can become slippery when wet. Allow time for the floor to dry after washing. Immediately wipe up wet areas from spills or wet feet. Place mats at outside entrances to prevent water, snow or ice from being tracked onto your floor. Improper polishes or finishes can also cause slipperiness.
PREVENTATIVE CARE
- Make sure furniture legs have large surface, nonstaining floor protectors. Replace small, narrow metal or dome-shaped glides with smooth, flat glides that are in flat contact with the floor. Glides should be equipped with self-adhesive felt pads to avoid scratching the surface of the floor. The pads should be checked periodically for grit and wear and replaced when necessary.
- Heavy furniture or appliances that are not moved often should be equipped with flat, nonstaining composition furniture casters or cups of appropriate size - available square from 1 ½" to 2 5/8" and round from 1 3/8" to 1 5/8".
- Mobile appliances and furniture should be equipped with easily swiveling casters. They should be at least 2" in diameter with nonstaining hard rubber treads at least 3/4" wide. Do not use ball-shaped casters.
- Place mats at outside entrances to prevent dirt, grit and soil from being tracked onto your floor. Use 100% latex- backed mats, because some rubber-backed mats or carpets may permanently stain your floor.
- To help prevent staining from asphalt tracking, we recommend the use of a latex-based driveway sealer.
- Draw drapes and blinds during peak periods of strong sunlight. Resilient floors, like other home furnishing products, may discolor or fade when overexposed to the sun.
- Heat-producing appliances such as a refrigerator or range, or hot air registers emitting a direct flow of heat in excess of 120° F, even intermittently, can scorch, burn, discolor or fade your floor. Cigarettes, matches and other very hot objects can also damage your floor.
- Avoid wearing stiletto or spiked heels on your floor. These types of heels can indent or damage many types of floors.
REGULAR CARE (All Products)
- Sweep or vacuum regularly to remove dirt and grit that can abrade, dull or scratch your new floor. Do not use a vacuum with a beater brush, because it may damage the floor's surface.
- Wipe up spills promptly with a damp cloth or mop.
- Wash your floor with Congoleum Bright 'N Easy No-Rinse Cleaner or other suitable resilient floor cleaner. Caution: Avoid one-step "mop and polish" products, dishwashing liquids and oil-based cleaners. These may leave a residue which can attract dirt and dull your floor's finish. Avoid cleaners that contain abrasives or solvents which may permanently damage your floor.
- A copolymer or acrylic grout sealer compatible with acrylic grouts may be used on DuraCeramic grout. Do not use a penetrating silicone sealer on the grout.
- The gloss level may change over time depending on the amount of traffic, care, and maintenance the floor receives. To restore the appearance, first use Congoleum Bright 'N Easy Polish Remover to remove any ground-in dirt and excess polish buildup. Rinse thoroughly. Then apply Congoleum Bright 'N Easy Floor Polish (03002) to obtain a high-gloss finish or Congoleum Bright 'N Easy Satin-Gloss Floor Polish (03007) to obtain a satin-gloss or natural-gloss finish. Do not apply polish to Xclusive.
These products require a polish to seal and protect the color and design. A minimum of two coats of polish for residential use and three to five coats for commercial use is required.
Initial Residential Maintenance
After the floor has been installed and the adhesive has dried (48 hours), initial maintenance MUST BE performed on your Foundations, Specifications, Alternatives, Special Effects, Selections, Choices or CX Series floor. If these instructions are not followed, permanent staining may occur.
- Sweep or vacuum the floor regularly to remove loose dirt.
- If needed, after installation use lighter fluid applied with a clean cloth to remove scuff marks and adhesive residue. Keep traffic off treated area for 30 minutes.
- Wash your floor with Congoleum Bright 'N Easy No-Rinse Cleaner or other suitable resilient floor cleaner. Be sure it is thoroughly dry before applying polish.
- Apply a minimum of two coats of Congoleum Bright 'N Easy Floor Polish to seal and protect your floor.
Caution: Lighter fluid is a flammable solvent. Carefully read and follow cautionary information on label.
Regular Maintenance
- Follow the general maintenance tips.
- Apply additional coats of polish as needed. Periodic Maintenance
Periodic Maintenance
- Periodically, it will be necessary to remove polish buildup. Use Congoleum Bright 'N Easy Polish Remover, following label instructions. Rinse well and allow to dry before re-applying polish.
- Each time the polish is stripped, apply a minimum of two coats of Congoleum Bright 'N Easy Floor Polish to reseal and protect the floor