IND 336 - Brick & Ceramics

Brick

A rectangular masonry unit made of clay that hardens in the sun or is baked in a kiln.

Standard brick

A type of brick measuring 2-2/3 inches, used for both load-bearing and nonstructural walls.

Brick pavers

Bricks designed for horizontal applications, thinner than standard brick.

Brick veneers/thin bricks

Bricks usually as thick as a tile (1/2 - 3/8 inch), used as an interior finish, not as a structural wall.

Brick veneers compared to standard brick

Walls are lighter in weight, more economical, and require less technical skill for installation.

Brick veneers compared to other wall coverings

More durable, longer lasting, better fire-resistant, and have good sound blocking quality.

Cellular fabrication - Soft-mud

Contains 20% - 30% water, pounded into forms, less dense than other formulas, and has a more irregular & rusticated form.

Cellular fabrication - Extruded

Contains 12% - 15% water, where clay & water are extruded into columns and cut to size.

Cellular fabrication - Dry press

Contains 10% water, pounded into molds with tremendous force, resulting in the most precise & consistent shape.

Brick finishes

Bricks can be finished to add sheen & color, improve cleanability, and prevent water absorption.

Clear coatings

Includes film-forming or topical and penetrating types.

Positive environmental impacts of bricks

Durability, low maintenance, natural thermal mass, and non-toxic properties.

Negative environmental impacts of bricks

Energy consumption, waste generation, transportation issues, and chemical treatments & additives.

Ceramic

A solid material made of a mixture of inorganic materials combined with a bonding agent.

Porcelain

A type of ceramic made from highly refined clay with very little water, fired at very high temperatures.

Porcelain absorption rate

Less than 0.5%.

Glazed ceramic finishes

A liquid-colored glass applied and baked to the tile surface at high temperatures.

Glazed color-body

Color in the tile body matches the dominant color of the topical glaze finish, created with continuous staining.

Through-body ceramic

Material and color spread throughout the entire body, common in porcelain, allowing for use in its raw unglazed state.

Wide range of finishes for porcelain

Choose porcelain when you need a stone-look but extremely durable tile.

Glazed

A type of tile that has a glass-like coating, often providing a shiny finish.

Matte

A finish that is non-reflective and has a flat appearance.

Through-body

A type of tile where the color and pattern run through the entire body of the tile.

Textured

A tile surface that has a pattern or relief, providing a tactile feel.

Honed printed Porcelain tile

A type of porcelain tile that has a honed finish and can feature printed designs.

Textured Porcelain tile

Porcelain tiles that have a textured surface for added grip and aesthetic appeal.

Inkjet / digital print

A printing technology that allows for realistic images to be replicated such as stones, photos, and wood, with high speed and resolution.

Roller Print

A traditional printing method used for applying patterns to tiles.

Tile market

The industry segment that deals with the production and sale of tiles.

Terracotta

Italian for 'baked earth', a type of ceramic called earthenware made from rich, reddish-orange clay.

Clay tile roofs

Roofs made from natural clay tiles that are fired at lower temperatures.

Terracotta tiles

Natural clay tiles that are less dense and durable, with high porosity and a water absorption rate of 8%-10%.

Quarry

Unglazed natural clay tile with a matte finish, hard and durable in traffic, with an absorption rate of less than 3%.

Tile installation

The process of laying tiles, which includes substrate preparation, layout, spreading adhesive, setting tiles, and grouting.

Trim tiles

Tiles used to finish edges and corners in tile installations.

Mohs' scale

A hardness scale for classifying minerals that runs from 1 to 10, with diamond rated at 10.

Durability

The ability of a tile to withstand wear and tear, often classified by abrasion resistance or PEI rating (1-5).

Ceramic tile

A heat-resistant and non-combustible flooring option that does not contribute to flame spread.

Selection

The process of choosing tiles based on their characteristics, such as slip resistance and durability.

Art tiles

Tiles that are relief tiles, carved or modeled into clay, used for decorative purposes.

Positive environmental impacts

Benefits of ceramic tiles including durability, low maintenance, and recyclability.

Global Warming Potential

A measure of the potential impact of a product on global warming, often considered in environmental assessments.

Negative environmental impacts

Drawbacks of ceramic tile production including energy and water consumption, waste generation, and limited biodegradability.