H. Winter & Co. recently updated the labels on its tiles in the showroom. Previously, the tile labels indicated additional sizes the tile was available in, what trim pieces were available, whether or not the tile was porcelain, and whether or not it was a stocked tile. Those things can still be found on the new labels however one will also find more technical information on the label including A.D.A. compliancy, shading variation, coefficient of friction, absorption rate, durability class, and what country the tile is made in. (See label at right).


A.D.A. Compliancy
The intention of the Americans with Disabilities Act is to ensure that people with disabilities have access to employment, public accommodations, government services, transportation, telecommunications and commercial facilities.

In reference to floor surfaces, Americans with Disabilities Act compliancy refers to a tile’s slip resistance. A.D.A. recommends on dry surfaces, a coefficient of friction of .60 for accessible routes and .80 for ramp surfaces. Not all manufacturers indicate whether or not their tile is A.D.A. complaint as it is not required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. H. Winter & Co. showroom consultants are more than happy to help you locate A.D.A. compliant tiles.

What’s Your Shade?
V4 Random Variation

Random color differences from tile to tile. Florida Tile's Legend series, which is a porcelain tile made to look like natural slate, features a V4 shade variation with dramatic differences from piece to piece. This variation allows it to have that natural slate look.

V3 Moderate Variation
Colors present on a single piece of tile. Will be indicative of colors on the other tiles. Mix and amounts may vary significantly. Spontaneous shade variations within same color range. Mediterranea's Sunstone series features a V3 shade variation. Check out displays of this shaded, rich, floor tile in H. Winter & Co.'s showroom today.

V2 Slight Variation
The overall appearance is consistent while the tile color, pattern and texture move within individual tiles. Keraben's Augusta series, which features a floor and wall set made to look like tumbled travertine, features a V2 shade variation with subtle color, pattern and textures differences from piece to piece.

V1 Uniform Appearance

Least possible shade variation. Ragno's Revision series, which features a sleek, clean-cut look, has minor shade variation and is very uniform from piece to piece. (see picture at right)


The Slip Factor: Coefficient of Friction
This refers to the measurement of resistance to friction in relation to how smooth or rough a surface is to prevent slippage across the surface. The COF is indicated in a wet and a dry number. The higher the COF, the more slip resistant the tile.

Keep in mind that many factors affect a tile’s slip resistance including, but not limited to:
· Degree of wear on the shoe and flooring material
· Presence of foreign material such as water, oil and dirt
· The length of the human stride at the time of slip
· Type of floor finishPhysical and mental condition of human


Absorption Rate
Water absorption rates are a measure of how much moisture a specific type of porcelain tile is likely to absorb on an ongoing basis. The rating is a procedure to test a tile’s permeability in water. It consists of boiling the tile in water and measuring its gain in weight from its original dry state.

The water absorption rate affects the suitability of various types of tile for interior or exterior applications. For exterior applications, the selected tiles must have a very low percentage of absorption, especially in climates subject to rainfall and/or freeze. In an indoor application, a higher percentage of absorption is acceptable.

Non-vitreous- Indoor use only. Tiles absorb 7% or more of their weight in water.

Semi-vitreous- Indoor use only. Tiles absorb between 3% and 7% of their weight in water.

Vitreous- Interior and exterior use. Frost resistant. Tiles absorb between 0.5% and 3% of their weight in water.

Impervious- Strongest, suited for interior and exterior use. Frost resistant. Tiles absorb between 0% and 0.5% of their weight in water. Esquire's Bengali series is considered an impervious tile and achieves that spa-like atmosphere in a bathroom or a patio tile outside (see picture at right).

Durability Class

This classification describes the visible abrasion resistance of glazed tile. This rating scale helps consumers determine wear expectations for a particular tile choice.

Class I (no foot traffic)- Recommended for wall use in residential and commercial applications only.

Class II (light traffic)- Recommended for both wall use and bathroom floor applications only.

Class III (light to moderate traffic)- Recommended for countertops, walls and floors where normal foot traffic is expected. Florida Tile's Millenia series is a Class III floor tile and works great in interior applications such as a bathroom.

Class IV (moderate to heavy traffic)- Recommended for all residential applications as well as medium commercial and light institutional applications. Supergres's Glance series works great in moderate to heavy traffic such as an office building. Check out displays of this interesting tile at H. Winter & Co.'s showroom today.

Class V (heavy to extra heavy traffic)- Recommended for all residential as well as heavy commercial and institutional applications. Mediterranea's Metro Life series is a tile that works great in heavy traffic areas such as a shopping mall or college campus and features unique shading and texture.