In 2006, more than 3.3 billion square feet of tile was sold in the United States. That is nearly a 50 percent increase since 2000.

Sales volume increases each year.

Add all these new sales to existing installation, and it is plain to see that there is a lot of tile that needs to be cleaned.

Many additional opportunities open up when carpet cleaners begin to think of themselves as servicing their customer’s floor cleaning needs.

Because man-made tiles are durable and forgiving, they are a good starting point to begin your diversification into cleaning other types of flooring.

This article will examine the most common man-made tiles, along with an explanation of how they are made.



Ceramic tile
Ceramic is a broad category that can include all tiles made from clay and other non-metallic minerals.

In general use, ceramic tile is used to describe tiles that don’t fall into one of the other groups such as porcelain, Saltillo, clay, etc.

Clay, feldspar and flint are common ingredients, but many other minerals may be included.

Most ceramic tile goes through a high temperature process called “firing.”

A key advantage of ceramic flooring is its durability. Ceramic is resistant to alkaline, acids and solvents used in cleaning.

Some ceramic tiles are able to withstand compressive loads from 50,000 to 100,000 pounds per square foot.

Ceramic’s abrasion resistance keeps it from being scratched by gritty soil under foot.

One way to categorize tile is by their abrasion resistance. If the tiles abrasion resistance meets or exceeds its use, properly maintained tile will not show wear for many years.

• Group I is suitable for use on walls or very light foot traffic.


• Group II is for moderate traffic in the residential environment.


• Group III is acceptable for all residential uses.


• Group IV means the tile can be use for any residential use and also light to moderate commercial use.


• Group V is for heavy commercial foot traffic. Examples would include the common areas of shopping malls, food service areas, as well as exteriors and use in wet areas.

Other advantages offered by ceramic flooring include the wide variety of styles, colors and patterns available. They are made from abundant and readily-available materials, are non-allergenic and resist fire and water.



Porcelain tile
Porcelain is a high density ceramic tile made from special clays using the dry press method and fired at high temperatures.

It becomes highly resistant to abrasion.

Porcelain ceramic will be rated in Group IV or V. Another qualification to be called porcelain is that the tile must absorb less than .5 percent of its weight in water.

Quarry tile
Quarry tile is produced by the auger extrusion method. The tiles are fired at 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. The dark red color comes from the minerals in the clay body.

Normally, there is no glazing or pattern added.

Brick pavers are another type of clay tile. They have a rougher texture and often are cut to a size that gives the floor the look as if it were paved with bricks.



Saltillo tile
True Saltillo tile is produced from clay that is found only in Saltillo, Mexico.

Similar tile that is produced elsewhere will be called “Mexican” or “Saltillo style” tile.

This tile is made with a low degree of automation. As a consequence, the tiles may not be exactly square or flat. There will be variation in color.

Some tiles may exhibit chipped or uneven edges, craters on the surface or even animal footprints. The latter may be accidental or intentionally placed on some tiles. These are considered signs of authenticity rather than defects.

Firing is performed in primitive kilns at lower temperatures, but for longer time than other ceramic tiles. Some may even be sun-baked.

“Super” Saltillo tiles are stamped with a press that produces a squarer tile with smoother edges.

Due to the difference in the way they are produced, Mexican style tiles require special installation methods.

They should be sealed, but only using an impregnation sealer. A topical coating will provide a high gloss, but this soon wears away in traffic paths leaving an unsightly difference. The only solutions are frequent reapplication of the coating or a difficult procedure to strip the coating.

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Scott Warrington has more than 35 years of experience in the carpet cleaning industry and related fields. He serves as the technical support specialist for Bridgepoint Systems and Interlink Supply. He can be contacted atscottw@bridgepoint.com.