Bill Vincent - Porcelain Tile Question

15 years ago

Bill, thank you for all your contributions. We all appreciate your willingness to share your knowledge.

I'm looking at a product from Florida Tile called Urbanite Portfolio through body rectified porcelain tile. I was wondering if you know the product and could comment on its quality. One of your posts said to look for a certain number and letter combination to determine quality, but I can't find that post and the Florida Tile site doesn't share that information. Any help you can provide would be appreciated.

Thanks,

jb1176

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

bill_vincent
15 years ago
jb, I've said many times that I've never met a porcelain I didn't like. However, I've also said I'd never use Florida Tile again unless forced to (which just happened about 4 weeks ago-- customer bought the tile before I could advise against it).

In all honesty, I have to say I've never used that line of tile from Florida Tile, but because of my aversion to the company, I doubt I ever would.

As for the letter or number combination, the only thing I can think of that you might be talking about would be something that would only apply if the porcelain in question was glazed, and that's the PEI rating, which rates the hardness of the glaze with numbers from 1 to 5, 1 being so soft a glaze that a dove's feather would scratch it, to 5 being something you could drive a truck over with ice chains and not hurt it.
remodelfla
15 years ago
bill... I don't mean to get personal; but if I may ask; is it an adversion to the company or their products.
Related Discussions
*Bill Vincent -- a question for you please*
Q
Comments (7)
As for the "chiseled edge" tile, is this natural stone, or is this ceramic with a scalloped edge? I ask because alot of times one will be mistaken for the other, and if it IS scalloped (wavy edges), put a carpenter's square up to the tile, and you'll see the outermost edges form a perfect right angle (or atleast they SHOULD). If that's the case, I'd set them with 1/8" between those outermost edges. If not, let me know, and I'll go back to square one! :-)
...See More
Bill Vincent Question?: square cut tile
Q
Comments (3)
Well, you could try a steak knife.... :-) (just kidding-- For some reason, Ron White comes to mind!) Either with a wet saw or a score and snap cutter, if you have one.
...See More
Bill Vincent--tile question for you
Q
Comments (6)
If water got into the curb, it'll do it again once the curb is replaced, and it'll most likely be even worse, if you don't take out the pan, and about 18-24" all the way around the walls, and completely redo the pan. The only way to know for sure is to take it apart and see if there's water getting at the framing. You MIGHT be able to see it if you take the tile (or whatever) off the OUTSIDE face and strip that down to the studs, but that's not a guarantee.
...See More
Question for Bill Vincent re backsplash
Q
Comments (3)
Will I be sorry to mix the order or should I just spend the extra money and order everything from the local store? Absolutely. The very worst thing you can do is order ANY tile, but in particular, natural stone tiles, from two different sources. They may look very similar in the boxes, and even if laid out next to each other. But once they're in place and grouted, it'll be like night and day. Even if mixed, it'll end up looking like a crossword puzzle. I'm begging you-- don't do this. Order all the tile from one source or the other.
...See More
bill_vincent
15 years ago
It's to their products. With reference to extreme sizing of their tile, they've got to have some of the worst quality control in the industry, in my opinion. I did one project years ago with their Natura series, where 12x12's within the same box were as much as 1/4" different in size. When I tried to bring it back, I was told like someone who didn't know anything about the business "sorry, that's just how it is". The hell it is. I mentioned above that after we'd already signed contracts, etc., a homeowner I did some work for a few weeks ago went and bought some Florida Tile (this time a 6x6) for a shower I did. The sizing was still just as bad, relatively speaking. I didn't find any with a 1/4" difference, but 1/8" difference was the norm, not to mention the tile was not square by ANY means. Sorry, but I've got nothing good to say about Florida Tile's products, and therefore the company as a whole.
remodelfla
15 years ago
WOW... I really respect your opinion so I'll cross them off my list of rectified throughbody porcelain suppliers!
jb1176
Original Author
15 years ago
Bill, thank you for your comments and yes, it was the PEI rating that I couldn't remember.

I'm looking for a rectified porcelain tile that mimics real stone in a light cream or golden color - very minimalist in overall apprearance with very low variation for it is going to be pared with Cambrian Black Antique finish countertops. I'd also like to use the porcelain from the floor on the backsplash in large tile (12 by 12 or 18 by 18 format) to put on the backsplash to help maintain the minimal appearance and having a grout line only every 12 or 18 inches. Both the counter and the backsplash would have a matte finish

I've looked at the Dal and Crossville website and will try them again to see if one of their products fits our criteria. I know you have mentioned these two companies before. any other suggestions My first reaction on their sites was that their tiles had high variation and were frequently glazed and lacked through body color and were not rectified.

Thanks again,
jb
bill_vincent
15 years ago
jb-- I can't remember the name of Dal's rectified series, but from Crossville it would be their Empire Series. That one is unglazed and rectified. If you don't mind spending the money, you might look into Porcelanosa and Graniti Fiandre, too. Another one would be Cerdomus.