To The Trade

Tile

Heath tile is available IN an extensive range of colors, SHAPES and styles appropriate for commercial applications.

In our 40+ years of tile manufacturing, Heath has worked with some of the country's top architects & designers, including...

Selldorf Architects
Phillip Johnson’s Urban Glass House, New York City // 2007

Merideth Boswell
Clear Creek Country Club, Fayetteville, AR // 2006

Tod Williams + Billie Tsien
Skirkanich Hall, University of Pennsylvania // 2006
Warton Business School, Pennsylvania // 2003
Folk Art Museum, New York City // 2001
Cranbrook Athletic Center, Michigan // 2000

Marmol Radziner
Marmol Radziner Prefab House, California // 2006

Gensler
Arthur Gensler Residence, San Diego // 2004

Brayton + Hughes
Four Seasons Jackson Hole, Wyoming // 2000

Polshek Partnership
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco // 1993

IM Pei
Bank of Hong Kong, Hong Kong // 1982

Saarinen & Associates
John Deere Corporate Offices, Illinois // 1960

TILE CONTACT
For more information and pricing please contact:

Eric Gaietto, Tile Manager
p 415.332.3732 x10
f 415-332-3204
eric@heathceramics.com

Here are some frequently asked questions and tile installation tips:

Do you have stock in all colors and shapes?
With over 1600 possible combinations of color and size in our standard line, Heath tile is exclusively made to order. We have stock in samples of 2x4” tiles in all glazes for color reference and all shapes in white for shape reference.

How can I clean my tile?
You should be able to use any cleaning product specified for tile, though we suggest first testing the product in an inconspicuous area to be sure. Bar Keepers Friend is a product we’ve consistently used and highly recommend. It can be found in our store, at major hardware store in your area, or online http://barkeepersfriend.com/products.htm. Be aware that if you have selected a non-acid resistant glaze avoid cleansers that contain acids such as vinegar and lemon juice. Also avoid highly abrasive cleansers on higher gloss tiles as they may become scratched.

Do I need to seal my tile?
There is generally no benefit to sealing Heath tile. We only suggest sealing for non-acid-resistant tile in an area such as a bathroom or pool to prevent a patina from forming on the tile.

Do you offer a porcelain tile line?
Heath tile is considered a stoneware tile, which differs from porcelain in the coarseness of the clay and the lower firing temperature. However, our clay bodies are very unique for stoneware, as they are vitreous (virtually non-porous) and very durable. This means that they can, in many cases, take the place of porcelain.

I really like a particular gloss glaze - can I order that in a matte finish?
No. Glaze formulas are unique to their color and finish which cannot be modified independently. However, there are some similar colors in both finishes. If this isn’t the case with the color you’re requesting, we may be able to custom develop something similar with a different finish (note - this would qualify as a custom job and incur additional development fees).

I really do not like the way grout looks. Can I install with a very tight grout line and not the recommended size of 1/8” (3/16” for 12” modules)?
Possibly, however it depends on whether or not the natural irregularity in tile size and shape allows for a tighter fit (typically easier with smaller sizes). It also requires a much more skilled installation to get a good end result. If the grout line is too tight the tile could chip at stress points while the grout dries. Your tile installer should have a grout selection kit with the many shades of grout available and there will likely be a choice that blends in with the tile rather than creating contrast.

It was suggested that I purchase 10% over the amount required for my installation. Why?
This is a general rule of thumb when ordering tile. It’s meant to cover loss of material during cutting and possible job site jostling. Most often when a cut has been made, the remaining piece of tile cannot be used anywhere else, resulting in fewer tiles than expected. Job completions (placing a small order to make up for the tile shortage) are costly and time consuming, and can often be avoided by ordering the recommended 10% overage. As a general rule, tile is one of the last materials installed on a project. If it’s realized that additional tile is needed at this stage, there are often delays in the completion of the overall project while a job completion is produced. As well, due to the inherent batch variation with Heath tile, a second run could end up looking significantly different from the original order.

Do I need to do a mortar set or can I get away with a thinset?
This question is best answered by your installer, contractor or architect. Generally, a mortar is best used on an uneven surface and a thinset on a well prepared and even surface. Mortar is a much thicker material and not used as commonly as thinset.

Can I mix different glazes and sizes in my installation?
Yes, our tile is generally modular from one size to another. However, we recommend keeping to a single clay body, as our clay bodies (white and brown) shrink at different rates resulting in a slightly smaller white body tile than brown body tile.

Why is it so expensive to order less than 25 square feet of tile?
Believe it or not, it is very time consuming to produce small quantities of tile. The set-up time to make 1, 25, 500 square feet takes the same amount of time - changing tools, cleaning glaze guns, setting application parameters, etc. So, the production cost per square foot is considerably higher for lower quantities.

Can I use a gloss-finished tile on the floor?
Higher gloss can scratch and wear faster on a floor (think stones imbedded in shoes).
Also, a gloss will be more slippery and could be unsafe in wet areas. Grit can be added, if necessary, to add slip resistance.

Is Heath tile suitable for commercial applications?
Our tile is used in many commercial applications, including, high traffic floor areas, spas and exterior facades. If certain performance requirements must be met for your commercial application, test data can be provided or performed as needed.

INSTALLATION TIPS

Irregularity and variation in size, shape, glaze color, texture, and finish are inherent and should be expected due to the hand-crafted nature of our pieces. We feel that these characteristics add to the natural beauty and unique quality of our tile and are in no way to be considered flaws. We hope that you’ll find the below tips helpful in achieving a successful Heath tile installation...

PREPARATION:

The installation field should be as square as possible to avoid irregular cuts. Measure the field at the top, bottom, center - check the corners with a square. If the field is slightly out of square, grout lines can be altered or adjusted to compensate (as for irregular tile sizes – a common practice when installing hand-crafted tiles).

Surfaces should be flat. Take a level and run it across the wall – a flat surface will touch the level at all points. Large gaps indicate that the surface will need to be leveled prior to installing.

Whenever possible, mock-up floor installations in place and wall surfaces on the floor - this will show how the tile will fit the space, how to avoid uneven cuts at the row’s end and inform you of the appropriate grout width. Try to avoid cutting tiles less than 2/3 of their original width.

Open all the boxes and pull samples from each to get a feel for glaze variation within the complete order. For a more even blend, pull tile from multiple boxes as you layout the tile.

INSTALLATION:

If the mounting surface is slightly uneven, the tiles may be “back-buttered” with a thicker layer of thin-set* to compensate, helping the front surfaces of the tile lay flush to one another. If the tiles are not perfectly flat this technique can also be used. We recommend a thicker comb on the thin-set to give added flexibility in evening out the front surface of the tile.

Set demarcation lines on the installation surface, close to the center of the installation field, and work outward. Use spacers to set the grout line. Set only 4 columns/rows at a time. Use demarcation lines to help guide how far to comb the thin set.

Install the tile in rows/columns across the field and make sure that you have a level on hand (6’ is best). For each 4 columns/rows, set the level against the leading edge of tile - check that the rows are even and square. At this point tiles can be adjusted in order to square up the installation.

*we recommend thin-set over pre-mix materials for faster drying and a better bond.

GROUT:

Installations always come together once grouted. Do not be alarmed if your installation does not look perfect before getting to this stage. Grout lines should be a minimum of 1/8” (3/16” minimum for 12” sizes). Sanded grout is recommended. If you don’t like the look of sanded grout – install sanded grout and finish with a layer of smooth grout. When working with shaped tile, it’s not recommended that you use highly contrasting grout or the irregularity in shape could become more visible and grout lines will become a focal point.

CARE FOR COMPLETED INSTALLATIONS:

To remove marks on your tile we suggest using Bar Keepers Friend. Avoid using cleansers that contain acids, as some tiles in the Heath collection are not acid resistant (see our price/specifications booklet for specific information). Some tiles should be towel dried after cleaning to avoid watermarks caused by hard water. To clean grout haze, use a weak vinegar solution with a soft rag (note: if the glaze contains copper – discoloration can occur).