Did you know that the requirements in ANSI A137.1 Specifications for Ceramic Tile for dimensional variation depend not only on the type of tile (i.e. pressed floor tile, porcelain tile, etc.) but also how the edges have been finished or how they’ve been sorted in the factory?

Natural tiles are tiles that are not sized or sorted mechanically during manufacturing. These tiles are intended to have more variation in size and straightness of the edges to give the installation more of a “natural” look.

Calibrated tiles are sorted to meet a manufacturer’s stated caliber range. These tiles have tighter requirements for dimensional variation than natural tiles but do not have mechanically finished edges.

Rectified tiles have edges that have been mechanically finished to achieve a more precise facial dimension. Tiles with rectified edges must meet the tightest requirements for dimensional variation of the three types of edges.

Check back, next time we will discuss “What is Caliber Range?”