Selecting Ceramic Tile

With so many different collections and materials, how do I choose the right product for me?
There is no such thing as a right or wrong product, just the product which is best suited to the use for which it is required. Therefore, it's a good idea to identify the requirements of your project first, then you can let yourself wander among the wide range of choices and styles, relying entirely on your own taste.

Is it advisable to use ceramic products for outdoor laying? What is the most suitable product?
For outdoor laying it is necessary to use tiles which absorb less than 0.5% water, "fully vitrified" according to international standards. All of the collections in Naturgress, Irisgress, and Irisstone with water absorption of <0.04%, are completely frost-resistant and covered by a 50-year guarantee, even for outdoor use.

Can floor tiles also be used for walls?
Yes, if the correct laying methods are used.

Which collections do you recommend for commercial use?
All of the collections in Naturgress, Irisstone, and Irisgress porcelain tile are covered by a 50-year guarantee against tread-wear, frost, and stains, under any conditions of use.

Characteristics of Tile

What are tiles made from?
Ceramic is primarily made up of clays, quartziferous sands, glass substances, and other minerals. Only natural raw materials are used, mixed with water and fired at high temperatures to create a naturally beautiful product.

What is porcelain stoneware?
Made from particular raw materials, porcelain tile (or porcelain stoneware) is a highly resistant ceramic product with a solid structure which doesn't absorb water, doesn't stain, and isn't affected by wear and tear over time.   All of the collections in Naturgress, Irisstone, and Irisgress porcelain tile are covered by a 50-year guarantee against tread-wear, frost, and stains, under any conditions of use.

What is Semigres?
The Semigres trademark identifies single-fired, red body, ceramic wall covering for indoor use, in particular for bathrooms and kitchens.

Are ceramic products environmentally friendly?
Ceramic products are made from natural raw materials using the most up-to-date technology for safe-guarding the environment. Iris Ceramica has obtained both UNI EN ISO 14001 and EMAS certifications which relate to environmental management, and has drawn up the "Environmental Declaration 2000," informing consumers about the environmental impact of its activities and its three-year improvement program.

Do tiles deteriorate over time?
The durability of ceramic products is superior to that of almost all the alternative materials on the market. By choosing the most suitable product for the destination surfaces, taking due care during laying, and cleaning regularly, combined with the manufacturer's experience, their long life is guaranteed.

What is meant by 'shade' and 'caliber?'
Ceramic is a natural product with a natural composition which becomes both beautiful and resistant when fired at very high temperatures. This process, however, can cause slight differences in the shades of color and in the actual dimensions of a tile between one batch and the next. Therefore, tiles are grouped before packaging according to their shade and their caliber. These are then indicated by Iris Ceramica on the label of every pack.

The Benefits of Ceramic Tile

What are the advantages of ceramic floor and wall tiles?
Ceramic products are natural, beautiful, versatile, lasting, resistant, hygienic, and easy to clean.

What are the advantages of porcelain tile?
The advantages include a wide range of finishes and colors and an accurate recreation of the appearance of natural stones, combined with the technical performance of a solid, hard-wearing material which is resistant to frost, stains, chemical damage, abrasion, heavy loads, and fire.

What are the advantages of glazed ceramics?
The beauty and variety of colors, styles, and decorations made available by glazed tiles has always been one of the most valued qualities of ceramic products in general. The glaze also makes cleaning easier and hygienically more effective. Glazed porcelain combines the wide range of choice and the stain-resistance of glazed ceramics with the performance and durability of its bisquit in porcelain tile.

Are ceramic products more or less expensive than other flooring materials?
Ceramic tile prices are competitive, especially if you take into account more than just the initial expenditure: adding up the cost of materials, installation, maintenance and possible repairs or replacements, ceramic tiles are the most economic material for floor, wall, and façade covering.

Cleaning Ceramic Tile

Do ceramics require maintenance?
Only a minimum of effort is required to keep surfaces in good condition, due to the fact that glazed ceramic tiles are resistant to dirt and not micro porous. If laid correctly and washed regularly with plain water, a quality floor will maintain over time the appearance and the specifications of the product when new.

Can tiled surfaces be protected simply using common sense? Or is special treatment necessary?
After they have been laid, ceramic products do not require special treatment or cleaning with particular detergents. Protection against abrasive dirt in entrance areas and against possible falling objects in the areas close to working surfaces is advisable, by means of floor mats. We also suggest that you pay particular attention to protecting newly laid flooring until all construction or restructuring work has been completed.

Purchasing Tile

How do you calculate the quantity of tiles that you need to order?
Once the surfaces in question have been measured, we recommend that you increase the amount required by ten to fifteen percent to allow for waste from laying and future repairs.

Where can I see first hand and eventually buy your products?
At our selected retailers' outlets in Italy and abroad.

How can I find an item which is no longer produced?
Your area retailer can provide you with information regarding the availability of stocks To make it easier to find them, we suggest that you keep the package label when you purchase our tiles.