Achieve a Thin Grout Joint with Rectified Tile

Tile with a rectified edge, also known as rectified tile, is an excellent product for achieving a clean, thin, tight grout joint. Thin grout joints is a great benefit because it is less grout that will become dirty, which is less grout that has to be cleaned! A rectified tile achieves a modern, contemporary look and overall is a higher end tile.

Rectified tile is made differently than average ceramic or porcelain tile. Ceramic and porcelain tile is pressed into a mold prior to the firing process. As a result, sizes are nominal and there is a slight variation in size from piece to piece depending on the lot and caliber in which it was made. Rectified tile is also pressed into a mold prior to the firing process then machine cut afterwards after coming out of the kiln for more precise sizing. This eliminates size variations.

There are a few things that one must know prior to installing rectified tile. A 1/16” or 1/8” grout joint can be achieved with this type of tile, which is a grout joint that many contractors and installers are not comfortable installing. It is more work from an installation standpoint to install this type of tile, so be sure that your installer is willing to work with this product. H. Winter & Co. offers a list of recommended professional installers that are experienced with installing this type of product.

As with any tile installation, the substrate that you are installing the rectified tile on must be very level. This is a common issue on a concrete slab. If the floor is not level, the tiles will not be level when installed which creates lippage. To ensure a level floor, we recommend using TEC’s EZ Level Premium Self Leveling Underlayment. It is a fast-setting, cement-based leveler for large areas.

In addition to a level floor, if there are any cracks in the substrate, a crack isolation membrane must be used to prevent cracks from transferring through the tile. TEC’s Hydraflex Waterproofing Crack Isolation Membrane forms a smooth, monolithic, watertight surface over walls and floors as well as stops in-plane cracks in the substrate up to ¼” from transferring through the tile. Hydraflex can be applied over the EZ-Level or can be applied by itself if the floor is already level.

H. Winter & Co. offers many different manufacturers of rectified tile. We carry the following product lines that feature rectified tiles:

• Campani Agathae (see top left picture above)


• Tau Gres Corten


• Mediterranea Tantra, Metro Life, Havana


• Ragno Revision and Metropolitan


• Florida Tile Urbanite


• Keraben Chicago
  

Stop by the H. Winter & Co. showroom to see displays and samples of these astonishing products or click on the supplier link from our website (hwtinerandco.com) to see the manufacturer’s photos of these product lines.