FAQs
It’s a 100% all-natural product. A mix of different clays, feldspars and minerals combined with water, pressure and heat produce ceramic.
There are an infinite number of designs and they can be adapted to any style or inspiration. Plus, there are all sorts of formats, finishes, thicknesses and textures.
Ceramic requires no maintenance. You just clean it with floor soap and water.
Sustainable. Our processes are more efficient at our production plants and we are committed to energy self-supply with solar power and the recovery of water and excess heat from the production process. The same is true of the raw materials we use as well as any product that is not of sufficient quality for sale.
Versatility. Suitable for indoor and outdoor use. For floors, walls, facades, countertops, furniture panelling, etc.
Hygienic. The inert nature and impermeability of a ceramic surface can prevent moisture and the development of germs and fungi. The electrical insulation capacity means ceramic tiling does not absorb electrically active environmental dust and, therefore, contributes to wellbeing.
Long-lasting. Ceramic is a long-lasting material. Porcelain tiling is one of the most resistant materials to sudden changes in temperature, moisture, chemicals and biological agents. Stain resistance. Does not deteriorate under the sun or with the passing of time.
For outdoor projects, TAU Cerámica suggests our 20 mm thick Outdoor series.
It’s the best material for bearing bad weather and outdoor traffic. These are some of the advantages:
- Resistant to chemicals and cleaning products.
- Resistant to freezing and sunlight.
- Resistant to moss and insects.
- Easy maintenance and cleaning.
- Very resistant to breakage and heavy traffic.
The main difference between porcelain tiling and other types of paving is the minimal water absorption (below 0.5%) and high resistance.
Porcelain tiling is made from a ceramic paste enriched with feldspar flux. This means the material reaches a liquid state when baked. Thus, most of the pores initially present become covered. This reduces water penetration into the tiling and optimizes properties such as resistance to freezing, chemical attacks and stains.
Feel & Mix is the heart of TAU. It’s our differential value and reason for being.
For us, mixing has led to purity. We’ve thought long and hard about the difficulties facing sellers and buyers each and every day.
With our experience, we’ve designed a method that helps them make decisions and the various colour palettes applied to our product are the guiding thread.
This method is accompanied by 8 looks/moodboards representing different lifestyles. Thus, customers can find the ceramic tile they’re looking for well in advance with the least effort possible.
You can install large-format ceramic in any space or project in 5 easy steps:
Prepare the surface (stabilize and level)
Move the pieces with suction cups
Apply double C2 cement-based adhesive with a notched trowel
Use a self-levelling wedge system
We recommend 2 mm seams
Tutorial video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_x-nY7JBIx0&t=75s
Shade variation is a difference in colour between different pieces of the same model. This is quite common in ceramic where each piece in a single batch looks a bit different yet remains in continuity with the rest.
Digital technology is used to create shade variation in models so no one piece is like another which leads to a very real result that looks very similar to the materials found in nature.
There are 4 main surface finishes:
- Matte: There is no shine and it’s a very natural finish. It’s often used in panelling and cladding. The look is more or less smooth yet this finish offers many different options when installing it in any space. Plus, it’s one of the best-selling and most highly demanded finishes.
- Adz or In&Out: We work the surface of these pieces for a better grip to prevent slipping. Thus, it’s one of the most highly recommended finishes for outdoor use.
- Semi-polished: Once the pieces come out of the kiln, our polishing machines use abrasive discs to get a completely polished surface.
- Polished or shiny: Once the ceramic pieces come out of the kiln, a mechanical treatment/process gives the pieces an even shinier look. In this case, the effect is moderate and uneven. It’s a product we recommend for tiling indoor spaces.
Rectified ceramic is cut at 90º angles. The edges are completely straight so they fit together without any problems. This makes it possible to reduce the space between seams, making the ceramic look more spacious.
Non-rectified ceramic often has a curved edge and the ends are not 100% straight. With a bit thicker seam, it’s no problem. These tiles are usually smaller than rectified ceramic.
The installation method is what determines which type to use. Rectified ceramic requires more precision in tiling. Rectified ceramic offers more cohesion in an area.
Cladding means ceramic that is used for walls in kitchens or bathrooms. It can also be placed on less habitual surfaces although in a trendier way given the decorative possibilities offered.
Paving is ceramic used to cover the floors in rooms like living rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, all areas of a home or business premise or even the ground of outdoor areas like balconies, terraces, flat rooftops, etc.
The raw materials used to produce white paste like clay, sand and other minerals come from countries like Turkey and other eastern countries.
Besides the national and international origins of the raw materials, the main difference lies in the finish due to the composition of the soil which can make a piece even brighter in colour.
White paste is recommended for use on walls and indoor uses. It absorbs less moisture than red paste yet it’s not recommended for outdoor uses and paving.
The main difference between porcelain tiling and other types of paving is the minimal water absorption (below 0.5%). Plus, it’s impermeable and hygienic.
Therefore, it’s the product we recommend for outdoor and indoor use. Outdoors, it’s recommended as paving and cladding due to the zero absorption.
We always recommend porcelain tiling for outdoor use for paving and cladding. The zero porosity helps fight against the climate agents and thus prevents accidents.
We also have an Outdoor series which is 20 mm thick material we’ve specifically developed for outdoor paving. It’s non-slip and, therefore, ideal for wet areas like terraces, gardens and poolside.
No, this is not recommended at all.
As manufacturers, we recommend >2 mm for rectified ceramic and > 2.5 mm for non-rectified ceramic.
A seam is the space left between the different ceramic pieces. These seams absorb the tension on the pieces. Building floors suffer from movement (contracting and dilating). An appropriate seam prevents these movements from affecting the pieces.
It’s not necessary. Ceramic can be installed above another type of paving (ceramic, marble, terrazzo, etc.) whenever it’s clean and free of grease.
We recommend using a porcelain tile adhesive so they stick together well.
If it’s non-slip, it has to be in the product description or specifications.
Class 0 and Class 1 paving are for indoor use. Class 2 has an intermediate texture and can be used indoors or outdoors (depending on the customer’s tastes and where it will be installed).
Class 3 paving is non-slip and has the highest level of grip. It’s recommended for outdoor use in wet areas like pools, etc.
Most people use a Class 1 model indoors and a Class 3 model outdoors.
Class 3 non-slip paving is always recommended for pool areas and most often have a rough and rugged surface. It may have a more or less harsh grain.
On the other hand, “easy-to-clean” or soft-look Class 3 non-slip paving can be found on the market. This type of paving is not as rough to touch but provides level 3 non-slip properties when wet, exactly like the rest.
The main advantages of this system over traditional systems is the optimized way heat is obtained in a home as a much more environmentally-friendly, cleaner and more comfortable manner.
This heating system is based on taking advantage of the heat distributed below the flooring either through electricity or water pipes to be transmitted evenly all over the surface.
Ceramic is the most common and more effective material for covering radiant flooring.
Ceramic and porcelain tiling has proven to behave the best with underfloor heating mainly due to their features.
On the other hand, ceramic tiles are the best solution for countering the dilation that changes in temperature can cause in materials.
Although it may seem contradictory, yes, large-format pieces are recommended for small areas.
This is the reason: By using large-format pieces, you use less pieces to cover the area and this means less seams between the pieces and a more spacious look that is more even throughout.
We always recommend purchasing 10-15% more ceramic than needed based on the square metres to be covered.
Some pieces can break during installation and having a few extra square metres is always recommended in case you wish to replace a piece although this isn’t common when installed properly.
For porcelain ceramic, we recommend any C2 cement-based or chemical grip adhesive. It’s ideal for these types of zero porosity ceramic tiles.
For white paste ceramic, we recommend a C1/C2 mechanical grip cement-based adhesive since it’s a bit more porous.
The exact size of a ceramic piece. This material is classified pursuant to the size (calibre) and tone.
During baking, the product expands and contracts which results in a natural variation in the size. This variation is millimetric and needs to be classified.
The maximum calibre range is 2 mm and the minimum is 0.6 mm for rectified products.
The exact size of a ceramic piece. This material is classified pursuant to the size (calibre) and tone.
During baking, the product expands and contracts which results in a natural variation in the size. This variation is millimetric and needs to be classified.
The maximum calibre range is 2 mm and the minimum is 0.6 mm for rectified products.
The resistance, easy maintenance and durability of TAU porcelain tiling with near-zero porosity makes this material ideal for use in homes, public places, industry and commercial premises. In fact, it’s known for easy cleaning and the capacity to withstand any type of dirt.
However, some energetic colouring may accidentally spill or come in contact with the tiled surface and create stains or incrustations which cannot be removed with habitual cleaning methods. In such case, the use of specific products may prevent the stain from becoming permanent. Before fully applying any cleaning agent, spot checking the effect thereof on the surface is recommended to prevent further deterioration.
Ceramic provides a fully functional coating once the maturation time of the materials has passed and requires very little maintenance, only daily cleaning with clean water. In case of stains that cannot be completely removed with a conventional detergent and require the use of solvents or specific cleaners, it is recommended to consult the chemical resistance class of the piece beforehand. It is advisable not to use waxes, oils or similar products.
The following tutorial video explains the different ceramic tile cutting methods and it provides a few tips for reducing tension on the piece and keeping product waste to a minimum.
Cement remover: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxwZPVBiSE4
High-concentrated degreaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHYwp7krIAo
Stain protection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmyqFmxuK8U
Polished paving sealant: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DxE7-AAthY
