Tile Glossary | Tile Terms, Materials & Installation Definitions – Apollo Tile

Samples Ship Free – Don’t Miss Out

info@apollotile.com

A

Abrasion resistance

Abrasion resistance refers to a material’s ability to withstand surface wear caused by friction, foot traffic, cleaning, or repeated contact over time. In tiles and flooring, higher abrasion resistance helps maintain appearance and durability, especially in high-traffic residential, commercial, and outdoor environments.

Absorption rate

The percentage of water a tile can absorb as compared to its dry weight is known as the absorption rate. It is used to determine the durability and long-term utility of the tile by analyzing its porosity and density. The lower the absorption rate, the denser the tile is.

Adhesive Cure Time

Adhesive cure time is the time taken by any tile adhesive to harden completely, ensuring the best bond strength. Once the tile installation is cured completely, the tiled surface becomes ready for regular use, moisture exposure, and foot traffic.

Anti-Slip

Anti-slip refers to the ability of a surface to provide enough friction and prevent falls. In flooring, it describes surfaces designed to improve traction and maintain stability underfoot, especially in areas exposed to water, moisture, or frequent foot traffic. Anti-slip tiles, also known as anti-skid tiles, balance safety with aesthetics and are commonly used in both indoor and outdoor areas.

B

Back Buttering

In simple terms, back buttering refers to applying an even layer of thinset to the back of a tile, using the flat side of a trowel enhances bonding. It helps in a stronger attachment and better coverage, ensuring proper and full contact between a tile and the surface beneath it.

Backer Board

Any rigid construction panel that is used to create a stable base for different kinds of floor and wall installations is known as a backerboard. It is a supportive layer to enhance performance and durability, allowing a flat and strong foundation that ensures proper adherence and long-term integrity.

Backsplash

A backsplash is a protective surface installed behind sinks, countertops, or cooking areas to shield walls from moisture, stains, and splashes. Often made from tile, it also serves as a decorative element that enhances the style and visual appeal of kitchens and bathrooms.

Bed Thickness

Bed thickness refers to the depth of mortar or adhesive applied beneath a tile during installation. Proper bed thickness ensures adequate bonding, surface leveling, and load distribution, helping prevent tile movement, cracking, or uneven surfaces over time.

Bending Strength

Bending strength refers to a material’s ability to resist breaking or cracking when subjected to flexural stress. In tiles, higher bending strength indicates better durability and performance under load, impact, or minor substrate movement.

Beveled Edge

A beveled edge refers to an angled edge treatment that replaces a sharp, square corner with a gently sloped surface. This slope is usually between 25 and 45 degrees, formed along the perimeter of the tile that creates a transition where the tiles connect. A beveled edge tile brings a sense of depth and visual interest to a tiled surface by creating fine shadow lines between the tiles. The angled edge softens the appearance of sharp corners and creates a cleaner appearance.

Bond Strength

Bond strength is a measure that helps us determine how firmly a tile adhesive secures a tile to its substrate. It also helps us to measure how well it can tolerate load, movement, and stress. Proper tile bond strength is a must for long-lasting and durable tile installations in both residential and commercial spaces.

Border

A border is a strip of tile with a contrasting color, pattern, or texture used to frame, highlight, or separate sections of a tiled area. A tile border, as the name suggests, is made of tiles and is used to create a structural and visual boundary in a tile installation. There are various benefits of installing tile borders. Some of the major ones include:

Breaking Strength

Breaking strength is the maximum amount of force a tile can withstand before it cracks or breaks. Considered to be an important measure of strength, it is also a standard mechanical quality metric used across all clay-based and hard-surface tiles. It helps to determine your tile’s durability and suitability for floors, walls, or heavy-load areas.

Brushed Finish

A brushed finish is a special surface treatment that is used on materials like natural stone, ceramic, and tiles to create a matte, lightly textured surface for a soft and natural feel. This resultant surface is not glossy and is smooth to the touch. The matte appearance of this surface enhances the natural sheen and character of the material.

Bullnose

A bullnose is a type of trim tile with a broad convex rounded edge, corner or projection that is used in construction, architecture or the interior design industry. An undeniably best and easy protection for tiles. It is designed to soften sharp corners, prevent chipping, and create a smooth, curved finish for tiles, staircases, and countertops.

U

Unglazed Tile

Unglazed tile is a type of ceramic or porcelain tile without a surface glaze. Its color and texture run through the entire body, making it highly durable, slip-resistant, and less prone to visible wear. It is commonly used in high-traffic, commercial, and outdoor applications.

Unsanded Grout

Unsanded grout is a smooth grout mixture without added sand, designed for narrow grout joints typically 1/8 inch or less. It is commonly used with polished tile, glass, and delicate surfaces, where sanded grout could cause scratching or surface damage.