Through-Colored Vs. Through-Body Tile-- What does this mean?

“Through-body tile” is commonly a misused term. There are many tile products available that are confused as being “through-body” when in actuality, the product is just a through-colored tile. The following article highlights the differences between through-colored and through-body tiles.

GLAZED THROUGH-COLORED TILE

Manufacturers add pigments to the tile mixture prior to glazing to ensure that the body of the tile will match the color of the glaze surface. Because of this extra step in the manufacturing process, if the tile surface is chipped, the color of the body beneath the chip will closely resemble the color of the glazing, thus making the chip less noticeable.

The following are some of the products that we carry that are considered glazed through-colored:

Esquire Cumberland Plateau Series
Esquire Bengali Series
Florida Loft Series
Mediterranea Metro Life Series
Ragno Lastricato Series
Ragno Nabuk Series
Tau Gres Corten Series- see photo at top-right

UNGLAZED THROUGH BODY TILE

Unglazed tile is porcelain tile with no surface glaze. It is derived from clay, sand and other natural minerals that are shaped into tile and fired at a very high temperature. The result is an extremely dense product with a density so high that water absorption is less than .5%. This product has the same composition throughout the entire “body” of the tile thus bearing its name “through-body”. It is a product that is manufactured in one whole piece without a surface glaze or finish. The color pigments are consistent throughout the tile body.

A benefit of installing a through body tile is its highest abrasion resistance. This is due to the fact that the complete body of the tile is the wear layer, which means it exhibits the same properties throughout the entire thickness of the tile. This type of product is best used in heavy traffic areas such as airports, shopping malls, hospitals, and other commercial applications. Because it is freeze/thaw resistant as well, it is suitable for exterior usage as well such as an outdoor patio, porch, or walkway.

The following are some of the products that we carry that are considered unglazed through body:

Florida Urbanite Series (see photo at bottom right)
Ragno Le Pietre Di Samarcanda
Ragno Metropolitan Series

WHY USE A THOUGH-BODY TILE?

While a true though-body tile is one of the most durable floor materials in the tile world, using this product can be overkill in many cases. Most residential areas do not need a through-body tile. This product will best benefit heavy traffic areas as well as exterior applications.

A glazed through-colored tile will best benefit residential areas in which heavy objects could be dropped on the tile surface, such as a kitchen.