Are tiles from Villeroy & Boch wear-resistant and slip-resistant?
Yes.
Abrasion, i.e. surface wear, occurs on floor coverings as a result of subjection to grinding and scraping, and can lead to visible changes to the high-gloss finish of glazed tiles.
Glazed vitreous tiles are classified with regard to their wear resistance. The wear resistance groups range from group 1, indicating very light wear resistance, to wear group 5, indicating heavy duty wear resistance.
Villeroy & Boch also offers slip-resistant tiles. Special tiles with surfaces featuring varying degrees of profiling or roughness provide the tile covering with anti-slip properties (accident prevention). Accident insurance companies require slip resistance in work rooms, in public areas which are subject to an increased risk of slipping and in barefoot areas. In the commercial sector, slip resistance is classified according to rating groups R9 to R12. The higher the R group, the greater the slip resistance. In barefoot areas, slip resistance is rated according to groups A, B and C.
Are nonvitreous and glazed vitreous resistant to chemicals?
Yes. They are resistant to household chemicals and bath water additives in accordance with DIN EN 122, and to acids and alkalis where specified. Unglazed vitreous tiles are resistant to chemicals in accordance with DIN EN 106, with the exception of hydrofluoric acid and compounds of the same.
Why glazed edges?
Glazing offers technical and visual advantages for the tile covering. It enables the tile covering to be produced with corners and edges which are both absolutely hygienic and aesthetically pleasing.
A tile package contains approx. 20% of tiles with glazed edges.
What is ceramicplus?
ceramicplus is a modified and refined ceramic surface finish with water- and oil-repellent properties.
How is a ceramic seal achieved?
As a result of a special manufacturing process, the surface of the glazed vitreous becomes so dense as to render it stain-proof.
Where can I obtain information on formats and colours for a tile range?
Your dealer will be able to provide you with our Villeroy & Boch brochures, containing a complete overview of all articles. A complete overview of colours and formats for each range is also available on the internet. Brochures.
Can cracks occur in the glaze?
Yes. These hair-line cracks, which are also referred to as crackling, can occur as a result of tension between the ceramic body and the applied glaze. Tension between the substrate and the tile may also result in this effect.
The products on which hair-line cracks may occur are marked with a corresponding symbol (drinking glass), indicating this possibility of crazing.
What exactly is moisture penetration?
Every tile covering with a high water absorption capacity - including vitreous group BIII as per DIN EN 14411 E > 10% - will absorb moisture if the installed tiling is exposed to water. As a result, the tile body acquires a darker appearance in the middle than at the edge. This discoloration is promoted by water-permeable joints, by layers forming moisture barriers in the substrate (water becomes trapped between the moisture barrier and the glaze), and by high humidity in bathrooms with inadequate ventilation or air circulation. In principle, the ceramic body will always dry out again. The greater the extent to which a room is used, the more important it is to ensure thorough and regular airing.
Do tiles contain substances which are harmful to the environment?
No. The manufacturing process is free of toxic substances. Tiles consist of mineral raw materials, primarily silicon and aluminium. Plastic raw materials are clays and kaolin, hard materials are feldspar, quartz, chalk and dolomite. As a result of the firing process the tiles no longer contain any organic compounds, which means that they do not represent a health risk (the ideal covering for people who suffer from allergies). Tiles from Villeroy & Boch comply with the quality requirements of European quality standards DIN EN 159 and DIN EN 176.
Are tiles from Villeroy & Boch frost-resistant?
Yes. Our fine ceramic vitreous and porcelain stoneware tiles are classified as frost-resistant in accordance with the standard EN 14411, group BIa and BIb, which stipulates requirements relating to water absorption and freeze-thaw cycling in accordance with DIN EN ISO 510545-12. Despite continual quality control and compliance with the above-stated criteria, frost damage may nevertheless occur if the tiling is not installed in the correct manner or laid on defective substrates. We cannot be made liable for any such damage as the manufacturer of the tiling.
Does Villeroy & Boch also offer hand-painted tiles?
Yes. These are hand-painted prior to the décor firing process. They are particularly high-quality tiles and bear the marking "hand-painted".
What does the abbreviation UPEC stand for?
This refers to a French standard for the classification of ceramic floor tiles according to their service properties (this standard applies in France only). The EN standard for tiles applies in parallel with this standard.
What special aspects need to be considered when using tiles with metal inlays?
A change in the appearance of the brass surface is unavoidable. The surface changes as a result of being walked over. This is not a quality defect, but results from a chemical reaction with the air. Only acid-free, non-caustic cleaning agents should be used for maintenance cleaning. Stubborn dirt can be removed with conventional household cleaning agents.
What does "slip-resistant" actually mean and in which areas must such tiles be used?
To a large extent, no regulations apply as yet in the area of private use, e.g. private bathrooms or kitchens, although there is a growing demand here for tiles offering a degree of slip resistance. For safety reasons, in the case of showers that are flush with the floor in private bathrooms, Villeroy & Boch recommends implementing the requirements for public areas.
Are tiles within a range always the same size, how are the packs labelled?
The tile format is given as a nominal dimension, which is made up of the work size (actual size) plus the recommended joint width. In the industrial manufacture of tiles, variations in the size (calibre) of the tiles are inevitable. The sizes are sorted, labelled and boxed separately. For Villeroy & Boch tiles, an explanation of the possible calibres for a specific tiles is to be found on every package. The calibre code is stated on every package next to the shade code and specifies the actual size of the tile.
Example: For a tile in format 30 x 30 cm with work size 296 x 296 mm, the following general calibre data will be stated on every package
Calibre Code
295 x 295 mm 5
296 x 296 mm 6
297 x 297 mm 7
Nominal dimension: 30 x 30 cm
Work size: 296 x 296 mm
Calibre 7
Actual size: 297 x 297 mm
Joint width: 3 mm
Printing on the box:
Nuance Calibre
45 X 7
Nominal dimension: 30 x 30 cm
Work size: 296 x 296 mm
Calibre 6
Actual size: 296 x 296 mm
Joint width: 4 mm
Printing on the box
Nuance Calibre
45 X 6
Can tiles of the same colour but with different nuances be laid together?
Ceramic tiles are made from natural raw materials and therefore vary in terms of surface finish to a certain extent within standard tolerances. Minor differences in colour, décor, structure, gloss or surface roughness may occur. However, many tile ranges require an even visual effect and differences in nuance would adversely affect the overall appearance. The tiles are therefore sorted by 'nuance' (only Grade 1), and labelled and boxed separately. The nuance is identified by a code of two figures followed by a letter, e.g. 45 X. Tiles with different nuances should not be used together. To compensate for any remaining differences of shading within one nuance, the contents of the boxes should be checked before tiling and the tiles mixed as necessary, i.e. tiles from several boxes laid alternately.
In some tile ranges, floor tiles in particular, the colour-play is an integral part of the character of the range and intentional. That is to say, based on an average colour shade and brightness (nuance code), tiles of differing colour shades, structures and brightness are intentionally chosen for combination. In such cases, differences in colour shading are intentional and not reason for complaint. For a varied, yet balanced overall effect, we recommend checking boxes from these tile ranges, too, and mixing the tiles when laying. Where basic tiles and décor tiles from the same range are used together it is essential that the nuance codes match. The first two figures should always be identical. On some décor tiles, the figures are followed by a letter. If this is the case, the letter must be identical to that of the basic tiles.
What are rectified tiles?
Rectified tiles have a naturally ground contour on the upper edge. If this upper edge is slightly angled, it is referred to as a bevelled or broken edge. As a result of the production process, this can differ within standard tolerances or, in the case of tiles with a structured surface, it can differ as a result of the surface. Bevelled edges can make joints look wider.
What are exactly nonvitreous, vitreous and porcelain stoneware ?
The key difference between nonvitreous, vitreous and porcelain stoneware is water absorption. Villeroy & Boch leads the field with its range of tiles:
Nonvitreous is basically used as wall covering. It is manufactured using clays, quartzes and limestone. The advantage of this type of tiles is that they are easy to cut and drill.
Glazed vitreous and porcelain stoneware can be used both as a floor and wall covering. They are manufactured using clays, quartzes and feldspars.
Wear on floor tiling is generally caused by sand and other dirt particles that adhere to the soles of shoes and that act like sandpaper under high pressure when the wearer walks over a surface and performs turning movements. As not all glazes possess the same resistance to surface wear, glazed vitreous and porcelain stoneware tiles are categorised according to five groups of differing resistance, namely wear resistance groups 1 (suitable for minimal stress) to 5 (suitable for high levels of stress), and are labelled accordingly.
Unglazed porcelain stoneware has one of the highest wear resistances of all floor coverings. Even after decades of intensive use, this homogeneous material shows hardly any signs of wear.
Should you fail to find the answer to your question here, please send an e-mail to: info.fliesen(at)villeroy-boch.de
