Q. What are the different types of tiles available in the market ?
1. Ceramic Tiles
2. Glazed Tiles
3. Unglazed Tiles
4. Vitrified Tiles
5. Porcelain Tiles
6. Polished Cement Tiles
7. Glass Type Mosaic Tiles
8. Ceramic Type Mosaic Tiles
9. Designer Cement Concrete Tiles
10. Marble Tiles
11. Chequered Tiles
12. Cement Concrete Flooring Tiles
13. Vitrosa Ceramic Tiles
14. Wooden Ceramic Tiles

Q. Are all tiles stain resistant?
A. No all tile are not stain resistant, stain resistance depends on the water absorption.(WA) The higher the WA lower the stain resistance and vice versa vitrified tiles have high stain resistance because of their very low WA.
Q. Can I tile over tile or should I remove them?
A. It is always advisable to remove the old tiles because when fixed over thin set of cement mortar the upper level can be maintained and upper surface of tow tile can be matched. In laying tile over tile firstly cement mortar cannot be used because it will not grip on the previous toles. For this purpose tile adhesive is more desirable but it cannot absorb the thickness variation will show up by the same amount on the surface also.
Q. What is the difference between Vitrified tiles and porcelano tile?
A. Vitrified tiles are unglazed tiles. Their polish is achieved by very hard materials and they are very very strong and durable, whereas porcelano tiles are glazed tiles and their durability is as good as the durability of the glaze applied over them. And glaze are not hard and scratch resistant as the vitrified tiles.
Q. Do ceramic tiles require maintenance?
A. Only a minimum of effort is required to keep surfaces in good condition, due to the fact that glazed wall tiles and flooring are resistant to dirt and not microporous. If laid correctly and washed regularly with plain water, quality ceramic flooring will maintain over time the appearance and the specifications of the product when new. Furthermore, glazed ceramic tiles involve less maintenance than natural stones and marbles.
Q. Do tiles deteriorate over time?
A. The durability of ceramic tiles is superior to that of almost all the other surface finishes on the market. By choosing the most suitable product for your installation, taking due care during laying and cleaning regularly, combined with the manufacturer's experience, their long life is ensured.

1. Continue working in quadrants as before.

• Using a rubber float, apply only enough grout as you can effectively work with.
• In a diagonal direction, press grout into the joints to an even level with the tile.
• Skim excess from tile with the rubber float. You will notice a mild “grout haze” on your tiles.
• Use a damp sponge to remove grout haze from tiles, making sure not to press too hard on joints.
• Continue this process with other joints in remaining quadrants.

2. For joints at the wall and floor interface it is best to use caulk instead of grout. There are benefits to using caulk along wall joints. All tiles may expand or contract depending on temperature fluctuations. The wall joints are also known as expansion joints. Using caulk here will buffer expansion and contraction a bit.

3. After grouting is complete, you are practically done. Wait for the entire floor to cure for about a week before giving it a good mopping to remove remaining grout haze.
You may also choose to seal the grout with a sealer to lock out dirt and or grease.

Cleaning
All ceramic tiles are stain resistant and require very little maintenance. A basic maintenance program would be to dust mop and spot-mop as necessary, then mop with a cloth-mop and neutral cleaner on a regular basis. However, some tiles will have better dirt hiding capabilities than others, and some will be easier to maintain than others.

Dirt hiding capabilities
Tiles with texture and multiple colors will hide dust and dirt better than tiles with smooth, monochromatic colors.

Slip resistance
A ceramic tile surface is more slip resistant than almost any other flooring surface. However, be aware that an abrasive surface will require an occasional deep cleaning.

Sealing
Glazed ceramic tile floor will never need sealing, waxes or coatings of any kind. Some through body porcelain tiles may; check with the porcelain manufacturer to verify requirements.

Sweeping
Tracked in dirt is abrasive and can damage your floor tile. Sweep floor regularly to prevent loose dust & abrasive particles from scratching your floor. Sweep floor with a dust mop or vacuum sweeper (without a beater brush or bar).

Mopping
Mop floor weekly to maintain appearance using a string or cloth-type mop. Sponge mops can streak your floor and shouldn't be used. Clear water or neutral pH cleaners are recommended for ceramic tile and grout surfaces. Follow manufacturer instructions on cleaning and rinsing for best results.

Protect your investment
- Equip furniture legs with felt floor protectors. Dirt and sand imbedded into plastic or wooden legs act as sandpaper as furniture is moved across your floor.
- Place rugs or mats both inside and outside of exterior entryways.
- Place rugs or mats at areas around kitchen sinks and dishwashers to prevent impact damage from dishes and utensils.
- Damaged ceramic tile floor can usually be replaced and restored to original condition if you have extra tile available from your specific shade.
- Purchase several extra pieces to keep on hand for repairs.
- Contact a licensed tile contractor to make the repair.

Never, Never, Never
- Never seal or wax your ceramic tile. These coatings are unnecessary. They will attract and hold dirt on your floor surface.
- Never use vinegar or bleach for regular cleaning. They can adversely affect the tile and grout with continual use.
- Never use steel wool or abrasive cleaners for ongoing maintenance. They can mar your tile surface if used repeatedly.

Keep this in mind
Your ceramic tile can be maintained with minimal effort. Follow these basic care and maintenance guidelines and your floor will retain its beauty for years to come.

1. Tile
2. Tile adhesive or "mastic"
3. A notched trowel
4. A tile saw or a tile scorer
5. A diamond hole saw to cut out radiator pipes and other holes
6. Grout
7. Rubber float (a putty knife will scratch the tile face)
8. Tape measure (or digital laser tape)
9. Bucket (with warm water)
10. Sponge
11. Level
12. Chalk line
13. Pencil
14. Tile spacer

	Durability Ceramic surfaces last longer than most other materials used for floor and wall.		Hygiene Being hygienic and easy to clean, they are recommended for all areas where high sanitary standards are a must.
	Fire resistance Ceramic tiles do not burn, nor do they give off smoke or toxic fumes if they come in touch with fire.		Colour permanence Direct exposure of ceramic tiles to sunlight neither alters their colours, nor causes them to fade.
	Water absorption Our porcelain stoneware products are highly resistant to damp.		Frost resistance All of our porcelain tile products are suitable for outdoor laying as they are frost resistant.
	Resistance to abrasion and tread wear Our range includes floor tiles suited even to areas subject to heavy foot traffic, just choose the right product.		Chemical resistance Ceramic materials are highly resistant to chemical agents.
	Bending resistance Our ceramic and porcelain floorings feature a bending resistance which is above the set standards.		Thermal shock resistance A properly laid ceramic floor will neither deform nor break in extreme temperature conditions.
	Slip resistance The anti-slip factor in ceramic flooring is as good as or better than in other flooring materials.		Stain resistance and maintainability To keep ceramic surfaces clean, all you need to do is wash them regularly with water.