Tiling and grouting commercial kitchens

When it comes to tiling commercial kitchens, everyone familiar with these projects agrees that the installation is facing a harsh environment. The substrate, waterproofing products, mortar, grout and tile are under constant attack by varying temperatures, boiling grease, bacteria, harsh chemicals, acidic cleaning techniques and the abundant use of water.

Quarry tile makes an excellent finish choice for commercial kitchen floors due to it meeting Class IV requirements of ANSI A137.1 (heavier amounts of traffic with greater amounts of dirt and/or other abrasives present). This excellent quality tile floor will not last long unless careful attention is given to the use of properly selected, chemically resistant, setting materials. Quarry tile is unglazed, which increases the slip resistance, making it an excellent choice for areas subject to spills and excessive moisture, such as commercial kitchens. Quarry tile production has a history in the brick manufacturing industry and contains many raw materials very similar to that used in the manufacturing of brick. These hard-fired, low-absorption, commercial tiles are high quality and considered to be very durable. They are hard fired in kilns at temperatures exceeding 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. For slip resistance, the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) recommends that tile have a Dynamic Coefficent of Friction (DCOF) greater than 0.42 for wet tile surfaces. The DCOF AcuTest® measures dynamic friction, which is the frictional resistance one pushes against when already in motion. Quarry tile is also commonly manufactured and available in treaded and abrasive textures ideal for slippery wet areas.