Porcelain Ceramic Tile Porcelain ceramic tiles are generally regarded as being the highest quality of high tech floor tile available in the marketplace today. The raw material ingredients are thoroughly tested and controlled. The tile is formed in presses, which are capable of achieving pressures in excess o1 250 tons, to ensure uniform compaction of the powdered components. Finally, the clay tile is fired in a continuous kiln which reaches a maximum temperature of 2300°F (1220°C) to produce a tile with a very high level of vitrification of surface micropores (less than 1/2%). The final product is sorted to insure that size, color and structural integrity all fall within the tight parameters set for porcelain tile.° The advantages of porcelain tile are many. They are extremely hard wearing and color through, resulting in a floor covering of high longevity. They are chemically resistant to both strongly acidic and strongly alkaline chemical products. Only hydrofluoric acid and its compounds are able to attack porcelain. Specialty slip-resistance enhancing chemical treatments generally contain hydrofluoric acid or its compounds. The tiles low porosity imparts high stain resistance. Most manufacturers of porcelain tile state that their tiles require very low maintenance. The use of topical sealers and waxes are not recommended as the highly vitrified tile inhibits the absorption of these materials. Despite this fact, it is commonly seen in the marketplace where waxes have been applied to porcelain floor in an attempt to increase the gloss level of the tile. This action is followed by extreme frustration when it is discovered that the floor finish just does not want to stick to the tile. The golden rule in porcelain tile floors is " what you see is what you get". If a polished floor is required, a polished porcelain tile is available. When manufacturers refer to a low maintenance floor, they are generally referring to the matte version tile. It must be noted that the floor is "low-maintenance" and not "maintenance-free". This is because even though the surface of the matte tile is very dense, it does have a surface texture that traps the dirt and makes it difficult to clean. This lightly textured surface will vary in intensity from manufacturer to manufacturer and will also vary depending upon the size of the tile. The small 2"x 2" mosaic commonly used in restrooms are particularly prone to this problem. With the advent of the polished and textured surface porcelain tile, special maintenance considerations are now necessary to attend to the specific cleaning and protection requirements of these tiles. Another typical complaint in the marketplace is that not only is the tile sometimes difficult to clean, but also the grout is always dirty. A cause for concern among property management and cleaning contractors. Sanded grout, which is commonly used for tile installations, is a very porous material and will easily stain. Some installers may use a latex modified grout, which will reduce the porosity of the grout. Epoxy grouts are available, but are expensive and difficult to use. The installer always wipes the grout line out between the tiles, resulting in the final level of the grout being below grade. It is, therefore, a natural place for dirt to accumulate. The chemists at Lithofin have developed a full line of products to deal with tile and grout cleaning problems. The use of these products is outlined in the Maintenance section of this site.