Frequently Asked Questions About Inglenook Brick Tiles (and yes, we are tile, real brick, clay and ceramic!)
Q: Where can I see your brick tiles?
A: We will gladly send you a sample of our thin brick tiles. We ask for a Visa, MasterCard or Amex number to pay the shipping and $2 each sample charge. You can call us at (717) 806-3900. We also like to talk to you to discover which sample would be the most helpful to you. If you live in the mid-Atlantic, it might be convenient for you to visit our office in beautiful Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to see tiles. Call (717) 806-3900 for an appointment. We are located about an hour and a half drive west of center city, Philadelphia, and the same distance north of Baltimore.
Q: Are you a tile, a brick, clay or ceramic?
A: We are all of them! A tile is anything that is a form of thin cladding. It could be made of anything, and still be a tile. Brick is made of clay, and our tiles have a brick surface. So they are a thin brick. Some people call them a paver (although pavers are usually a little thicker), a tile, a veneer -- but they all are different words for the same thing. Our tiles are both ceramic and clay, because the word "ceramic" is a broad category, and covers many kinds of clay. There are different porcelain clays, stoneware clays, earthenware clays, or terra cotta clays, and they are dug up all over the world. So our brick tiles are made of clay, and are also ceramic.
Q: How many times will I see the same tile in my installation?
A: You will never see a repeating pattern. Each tile is unique, due to the many molds we have taken from antique bricks, and also due to the random surface decoration with different clay powders fired into the surface.
Q: Do the tiles come in sheets, or are they sold by the piece?
A: The thin brick flooring tiles are sold by the square foot, and packed in boxes. They are installed individually, like most tiles and bricks. This allows for different patterns, like running bond, basket weave, herringbone, etc. The decorative accent tiles and corner tiles are sold by the piece.
Q: How do I find an installer?
A: Many customers have a builder already on their project, who has his own subcontractors. Other homeowners install the brick flooring tiles themselves. Many tile manuals and books are available at your local book seller. See our Installation Specification Guide for more details and suggested products. Any tile installer who is accustomed to installing unsealed stone or terrazzo will be at ease with our tiles. A brick mason can also be called. If installers have any questions, please have them call at 717-806-3900, and we are happy to walk them through the process.
Depending on where you live, we can sometimes recommend specific installers. Because our customers are from many locations around the country, we can't possibly have relationships with professionals everywhere. Below are 2 organizations that can help you find an independent installer.
Q: How do I cut the tiles?
A: A wet saw will cut the tiles cleanly.
Q: How can I get a smooth, shiny surface on my thin brick tiles?
A: Use a sealer that will provide a coat that lays on the top of the tiles. Usually several coats are used. See our Installation Specification Guide for details.
Q: How can I seal the tiles without getting a shiny surface?
A: A penetrating sealer is matte, and will invisibly protect your surface from stains. Be sure to seal the grout, also. A color-enhancing penetrating sealer will darken some grouts noticeably, so check this on a sample patch, before applying to the entire floor. Some penetrating sealers are not color-enhancing, and will not change the grout color. We are always available for questions.
Q: I have an existing doorway, with a wood floor in the next room. How can I make sure I have a level transition to the other room?
A: First, the tile itself can be ordered either 3/8" or ½" thick. You will need to install any tile on a firm base, most typically cement board screwed to a plywood subfloor. There are different thicknesses of the cement board, but ½" is generally what is used for this purpose. These products are available at your local building supply store. Measure the distance from the top of your existing floor to the subfloor on the room you are tiling, to see how much depth you have available. That space, plus either the 3/8" or 1/2" for our tile, will determine which backer board you will use to make the transition into the next room. Schulter Ditra, or Blanke Permat, are both used often, instead of cement board, and are thinner.
Q: I have big dogs. How will my brick tile floor hold up?
A: First, your dogs' nails will not scratch your brick flooring. Inglenook Tiles are kiln fired to temperatures very high temperatures, and in the process become vitrified, making them very dense and strong. They will not scratch or crumble. The tiles will also not break under the pressure of his feet. The tiles have a rupture strength of 4 times the American Standard for floor tile. If your dog has an accident, your floor is easily mopped and cleaned, when sealed (see Installation Specification Guide for details). Lastly, when your dog brings in dirt on his paws, it will not be noticeable between clean-ups on your floor. Inglenook Tile brick flooring is very pet-friendly for all these reasons.
Q: How do I clean my brick tile floor?
A: For routine cleaning, vacuum or sweep your brick tiles, as you would any other natural stone floor or a wood floor. Floor or wall interior bricks may be dusted with vacuum cleaner dusting attachments. After vacuuming, occasionally damp mop with a mild soap solution and water, to prevent dirt from building up on your brick floor. Rinse them well, and wipe dry for greater sheen. Do not clean the brick tiles with acids, strong soaps, or abrasives. This will not harm the tiles, but it may affect the sealer.
Please note: Before cleaning with water, first, seal tiles. Unsealed brick tiles are porous.
A: We will gladly send you a sample of our thin brick tiles. We ask for a Visa, MasterCard or Amex number to pay the shipping and $2 each sample charge. You can call us at (717) 806-3900. We also like to talk to you to discover which sample would be the most helpful to you. If you live in the mid-Atlantic, it might be convenient for you to visit our office in beautiful Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to see tiles. Call (717) 806-3900 for an appointment. We are located about an hour and a half drive west of center city, Philadelphia, and the same distance north of Baltimore.
Q: Are you a tile, a brick, clay or ceramic?
A: We are all of them! A tile is anything that is a form of thin cladding. It could be made of anything, and still be a tile. Brick is made of clay, and our tiles have a brick surface. So they are a thin brick. Some people call them a paver (although pavers are usually a little thicker), a tile, a veneer -- but they all are different words for the same thing. Our tiles are both ceramic and clay, because the word "ceramic" is a broad category, and covers many kinds of clay. There are different porcelain clays, stoneware clays, earthenware clays, or terra cotta clays, and they are dug up all over the world. So our brick tiles are made of clay, and are also ceramic.
Q: How many times will I see the same tile in my installation?
A: You will never see a repeating pattern. Each tile is unique, due to the many molds we have taken from antique bricks, and also due to the random surface decoration with different clay powders fired into the surface.
Q: Do the tiles come in sheets, or are they sold by the piece?
A: The thin brick flooring tiles are sold by the square foot, and packed in boxes. They are installed individually, like most tiles and bricks. This allows for different patterns, like running bond, basket weave, herringbone, etc. The decorative accent tiles and corner tiles are sold by the piece.
Q: How do I find an installer?
A: Many customers have a builder already on their project, who has his own subcontractors. Other homeowners install the brick flooring tiles themselves. Many tile manuals and books are available at your local book seller. See our Installation Specification Guide for more details and suggested products. Any tile installer who is accustomed to installing unsealed stone or terrazzo will be at ease with our tiles. A brick mason can also be called. If installers have any questions, please have them call at 717-806-3900, and we are happy to walk them through the process.
Depending on where you live, we can sometimes recommend specific installers. Because our customers are from many locations around the country, we can't possibly have relationships with professionals everywhere. Below are 2 organizations that can help you find an independent installer.
- Team IMI, at 1-800-IMI-0988, or at www.imiweb.org
- Service Magic at www.servicemagic.com
Q: How do I cut the tiles?
A: A wet saw will cut the tiles cleanly.
Q: How can I get a smooth, shiny surface on my thin brick tiles?
A: Use a sealer that will provide a coat that lays on the top of the tiles. Usually several coats are used. See our Installation Specification Guide for details.
Q: How can I seal the tiles without getting a shiny surface?
A: A penetrating sealer is matte, and will invisibly protect your surface from stains. Be sure to seal the grout, also. A color-enhancing penetrating sealer will darken some grouts noticeably, so check this on a sample patch, before applying to the entire floor. Some penetrating sealers are not color-enhancing, and will not change the grout color. We are always available for questions.
Q: I have an existing doorway, with a wood floor in the next room. How can I make sure I have a level transition to the other room?
A: First, the tile itself can be ordered either 3/8" or ½" thick. You will need to install any tile on a firm base, most typically cement board screwed to a plywood subfloor. There are different thicknesses of the cement board, but ½" is generally what is used for this purpose. These products are available at your local building supply store. Measure the distance from the top of your existing floor to the subfloor on the room you are tiling, to see how much depth you have available. That space, plus either the 3/8" or 1/2" for our tile, will determine which backer board you will use to make the transition into the next room. Schulter Ditra, or Blanke Permat, are both used often, instead of cement board, and are thinner.
Q: I have big dogs. How will my brick tile floor hold up?
A: First, your dogs' nails will not scratch your brick flooring. Inglenook Tiles are kiln fired to temperatures very high temperatures, and in the process become vitrified, making them very dense and strong. They will not scratch or crumble. The tiles will also not break under the pressure of his feet. The tiles have a rupture strength of 4 times the American Standard for floor tile. If your dog has an accident, your floor is easily mopped and cleaned, when sealed (see Installation Specification Guide for details). Lastly, when your dog brings in dirt on his paws, it will not be noticeable between clean-ups on your floor. Inglenook Tile brick flooring is very pet-friendly for all these reasons.
Q: How do I clean my brick tile floor?
A: For routine cleaning, vacuum or sweep your brick tiles, as you would any other natural stone floor or a wood floor. Floor or wall interior bricks may be dusted with vacuum cleaner dusting attachments. After vacuuming, occasionally damp mop with a mild soap solution and water, to prevent dirt from building up on your brick floor. Rinse them well, and wipe dry for greater sheen. Do not clean the brick tiles with acids, strong soaps, or abrasives. This will not harm the tiles, but it may affect the sealer.
Please note: Before cleaning with water, first, seal tiles. Unsealed brick tiles are porous.