FAQs
General Questions
Yes. We stock all of our products. We also show a selection of specialty items that we can custom order for your specific needs.
Porcelain tile is made from a refined mixture of clay, feldspars, and other high-performing minerals. This mixture is pressed into tile-shaped molds, glazed and then fired in a kiln under extremely high temperatures. This process creates a tile that is durable, water-resistant and very easy to clean and maintain, making porcelain tile a great choice for a range of applications around the home.
Our showrooms have consultants who are trained and experienced with the products we carry and are happy to help decide which products best complement each other for your particular project.
No. Scientific studies have found that granite countertops pose no significant radon or radiation risk. While it’s true that some types of granite do emit radon gas, the studies have shown that even the most active test samples of granite most commonly used in US countertops contribute emissions that are below the levels requiring EPA-recommended remediation. And most fall below what the EPA would consider “background levels” of radon.
Depending on future needs, keeping an extra box or two on-hand could be beneficial. Always refer to your installer when determining quantities.
For definitions to various terms, please visit our Glossary of Terms.
We have a variety of custom items including medallions, fireplaces, columns, mosaics and decorative listelles. There are also a variety of natural stones in many different sizes and colors. Please contact your nearest location for details.
California’s Proposition 65 entitles California consumers to special warnings for certain products that contain chemicals above certain threshold levels. The general Proposition 65 notice is as follows:
WARNING: Some porcelain products, as noted on the pertinent product pages within this website, contain Lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer, and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
WARNING: Granite, Marble, Quartzite and Quartz products, as noted on those product pages within this website, contain Crystalline Silica, a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer, and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Product can be returned within 30 days with a 25% restocking fee. Only full box quantities may be returned, no loose or single tiles will be accepted. Custom/special order materials require a 50% deposit upon order and are non-refundable.
Yes, we are open to the public. Our showrooms are a great place to collect ideas for your project and our informative staff is happy to assist in your selections. Please contact your nearest showroom location for hours of operation.
Please see the link at the bottom of our website to Make A Payment.
Ceramic tile begins as a clay mixture that is then formed into a mold, glazed and finally baked in a kiln. The firing process involves extremely high temperatures that dry and harden the ceramic tile, for a final product with a range of uses in interior spaces. Ceramic is generally not recommended for outdoor use due to its porosity. Learn more about how you can use ceramic in your home or business.
Due to the production method used to manufacture porcelain and ceramic tiles, these products belong to class A1fl – A1 or fireproof, non-combustible materials. For more information, please refer to this article from the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) that highlights tile’s inherent health and safety attributes.
The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) rating for glass tile is 0 (will not burn).
In architecture, light reflectance value (LRV), is a measure of visible and usable light that is reflected from a surface when illuminated by a light source. The measurement is most commonly used by design professionals, such as architectural color consultants, architects, environmental graphic designers and interior designers.
LRVs are frequently reported on paint chips/paint samples or other products that are a solid color. The values are used by lighting designers to determine the number and type of light fixtures needed to provide proper lighting for interior spaces.
For tile, stone and quartz products, it is very difficult to provide an accurate LRV due to the fact that these products are not solid colors. Different sections of these products would produce different values, therefore providing one data point is extremely complicated.
You can learn more about the Red List at this website. The Safety Data Sheets (SDS) that are on our website include information about our products being Red List Free.
Because porcelain and ceramic tiles are kiln-fired at very high temperatures they do NOT emit any volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the indoor air of a building. VOCs can lead to several different types of health problems and are commonly linked to “sick building syndrome.”
Natural Stone
We carry a range of Della Terra® Quartz slabs in many shades of grey to suit your style. From solid grey quartz countertops to lookalike patterns including granite-look, concrete-look and marble-look, you’ll find beautiful quartz in both warm and cool grey tones.
Quartz is engineered in a variety of colors and patterns, including styles that closely mimic marble, granite and other natural stones. White is the most popular quartz color, but other hues include grey, beige, brown, cream and black. Find our entire line of Quartz in a variety of colors and shades.
Granite’s appearance is characterized by coarse, visible crystals of the minerals it contains. Most granite features grains and flecks of various sizes and colors, with common colorations including grey, brown, white, black and even blue or green. Some varieties have a veined pattern, similar to quartzite or marble. Like all natural stone, every slab of granite is inherently unique. Find our entire line of Granite.
Marble has a uniquely soft, creamy and smooth appearance, usually with veining that ranges from delicate to dramatic. Most varieties, including the popular Calacatta and Carrara marbles of Italy, are white in color with light grey veins. However, marble can also be grey, black, beige or brown, and many types of marble have warm undertones of cream or gold. Every slab is naturally one-of-a-kind. Peruse our entire line of marble in a variety of looks and styles.
Granite is a popular natural stone with a timeless style, durable composition and range of uses in the home. Some granites have a coarse-grained appearance and can have a variety of colors, including grey, brown, black, white and more, while others have dramatic veins and movement. Granite is a very dense stone, and one of the strongest and hardest in nature, making it a good choice for countertops that will stand the test of time. Like marble, quartzite and other natural stones, each slab of granite is one-of-a-kind. Learn more about the different styles of Granite we offer.
Granite is a very common type of igneous rock that forms when magma slowly crystallizes under the Earth’s surface. It is made primarily of quartz and feldspar, as well as other minerals including mica. Each of these minerals appear as visible grains in the surface of granite, creating many different colors and patterns in the stone. Have a look at the different styles of Granite we offer.
Traditionally, marble slabs are polished to create a glossy reflective surface. Honed marble, however, is smoothed down on the surface but skips the polishing process. This gives the surface a softer, matte appearance that reflects less light than traditional polished material.
The smooth matte finish of honed marble gives it a beautiful “raw” quality, and its satin-like finish makes it appear lighter in color than a marble with a polished finish.
Because honed marble has not been polished, the pores of the slabs are open leaving it more susceptible to staining; therefore, honed marble will require more frequent maintenance and sealing.
Marble is formed when limestone metamorphosizes under intense heat and pressure in the earth. Marble is composed of a variety of layers of different minerals and sediment, including calcite, silt, sand, feldspar, iron oxide and pyrite. These layers are what give marble its color range and create the one-of-a-kind veining patterns marble is known for.
Marble has been used for thousands of years in homes and buildings around the world. This versatile stone has a range of uses in the home, mostly commonly including countertops, floors and tiles. Often used in the bathroom or kitchen, marble can also be installed in other rooms to add timeless style and a sense of luxury.
As a general rule of thumb, most quartz products are around the same price point as a mid-range granite. Since granite is a natural stone, the cost of a specific variety has to do with factors including the availability of the stone, the consistency of its pattern and the minerals present in the slab. With this in mind, there are granite varieties that are less expensive than quartz, and other granite varieties that are more expensive than quartz.
To clean up spills and messes on your quartz countertops, simply use a soft cloth or non-abrasive sponge dampened with mild dish soap and water. Gently wipe the surface clean. A gentle surface cleaner (free of bleach or acidic ingredients) can be used to tackle tougher or dried-on messes. It’s best to avoid harsh cleaners and abrasives on quartz, including bleach, nail polish remover, oven cleaner, drain cleaner, natural stone polish, and all types of scouring pads.
Granite is an igneous rock–a type of rock that is formed in the earth when magma slowly cools and hardens over time. Granite is one of the most common stones found on earth, and has a very dense and coarse-grained composition. It features grains and flecks of a range of different minerals, including quartz, mica and feldspar.
Marble is a naturally occurring stone resulting from the metamorphism of sedimentary carbonate rocks. It is quarried along naturally occurring marble seams, most commonly found in Italy, China, India, Spain, and the US. Classic varieties like Calacatta and Carrara marble come from those respective cities in Southern Italy!
White quartz countertops are available with a range of patterns and undertones to complement any kitchen or bathroom design. In our line of Della Terra® Quartz, we offer everything from pure white quartz slab to marble-look varieties and other styles.
These terms refer to travertine stone. Travertine has holes naturally. The holes will either be filled at the factory or filled when the stone is installed. Filled vs. unfilled products provide a very different look, therefore it is important to view both materials in an installed setting to determine the look most preferred.
A list of Recommended Uses is provided for every product on our website. If “exterior” is not included in that list of Recommended Uses, that product is not recommended for exterior use. More information about products recommended for exterior use, including a list of those products that can be used for exterior use, can be found on this page.
Installing Products
The standard grout joint is 3/16″. Many factors determine the size of a grout joint, therefore it is important to discuss this with your installer. For more information, please refer to The Tile Council of North America’s website.
No, pools chemicals, such as chlorine and acid, will not harm the glass tile. Glass is acid-proof. Chemicals and the water can cause calcium deposits on the tile waterline, but can be cleaned off using a pumice stone and tile cleaner. However, the grout used in the installation, and every other aspect of installation needs to be chosen carefully and done correctly by your installer.
Please refer to your builder or fabricator for this information.
Yes, typically more material is required when tile is set on a diagonal versus a straight-set. Please refer to your installer when determining how much more material is needed.
Selecting Products
No, they are not. However, many of the colors we carry in slabs are also available in tile.
Yes, we understand the importance of coordinating all the elements for your home and are happy to provide samples during your selection process.
One of the benefits of natural stone is the variation it provides. No two pieces ever look the same. You are welcome to see the current lot when you pick up your stone, however you cannot hand select individual pieces of tile.
Most of our locations have slab areas where you can approve materials. Contact your nearest location for more information.
Slate is not usually recommended for inside a shower area due the oxidization that can occur. However, we recommend other materials that don’t oxidize, such as quartzite. Quartzite has some of the variation you see in slate, but is comprised of other minerals that tend to hold up better in a shower application. Quartzite is a natural stone, therefore sealing is recommended. Another alternative would be porcelain tiles, which resemble the look of slate and do not require sealing.
Due to the fact that slate is a natural product, there are minerals in it that may weather differently over time. Slate is used for exterior installations in many climates that do not experience freeze/thaw conditions. As far as flaking, this is typically referred to as shaleing and is a normal characteristic of slate due to the layers in this type of stone.
The application (for use in a shower, floor, etc.) and the traffic levels it will experience will determine the type of tile you should select. All of our floor tiles are durable enough for residential use. We also have products made specifically for commercial applications. We are happy to direct you to the product that best suits your needs.
Yes, porcelain is a very durable product and can be used outdoors. The specific application will determine which tile and which surface are best for your installation.
We recommend using our R11 Anti-Slip Finish for exterior floors.
If your patio is covered or screened in, porcelain is a great product to install outdoors where it is not subject to the harsher elements of weather. When porcelain tile is exposed and can have fine dust settle on it, or become wet because it is near a pool or sprinklers, it is important to select a porcelain tile that is appropriate for this use. In this type of application, Arizona Tile recommends installing our R11 Anti-Slip Finish. No surface is “slip-proof”, but the R11 Anti-Slip Finish is specifically designed for outdoor, exposed areas as well as wet applications, including shower floors. To be certified as R11 Anti-Slip, a tile must pass internationally-recognized testing.
The DCOF is part of the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) standard specifications for tile and measures a tile’s frictional resistance in an interior setting, not exterior. The DCOF measurement is not a true measurement of the flooring, but rather a measurement of the interaction between the flooring and what is being placed on it. It can be a useful comparison of tile surfaces, but it cannot predict the likelihood a person will or will not slip on a tile surface. Because many variables affect the risk of a slip occurring, the DCOF test results should not be the only factor in determining the appropriateness of a tile for a particular application.
In fountains and pools the material used most commonly at the water line is porcelain tile. Other products that also work well are glass tiles and granite. If the tile isn’t continually submerged under water, there are many other decorative products that may be used as well. For a steam shower, granite, porcelain and glass tile are the most durable products.
Both materials are of excellent quality and durability. Ceramic/porcelain tile is a man-made product and natural stone is quarried from the earth. Natural stone is varied in color and no two pieces ever look the same. It is unique and timeless. Many ceramic/porcelain tiles are made to mimic some type of stone. They are a bit more controlled in range and variation, however many people have difficulty distinguishing between natural stone and ceramic/porcelain tile due to the advanced technology used today. Natural stone requires periodic maintenance vs. ceramic/porcelain, which requires no extended upkeep and is virtually maintenance-free.
The availability of trim pieces varies based on the product selected. Please refer to the products section for more information.
A tile “face” refers to the number of patterns that are on each tile, when a tile is manufactured. The number of faces varies from series to series, but within a series the smaller sizes (such as 12” x 24”) will have more faces than the larger sizes (such as 24” x 48”). It is recommended to mix tiles from several boxes at a time during installation to achieve the best range of faces and colors.
Care and Maintenance
A steam cleaner can be used to clean grout and porcelain or ceramic tile. It should not be used to clean natural stone. Some of the more decorative marbles and granites have soft veins. The force of the water vapor from the steam cleaner might deteriorate the stone.
Yes, and it is recommended to fill the holes. When the installer sets your floor, he/she will fill the voids with the grout color of your choice.
Yes, granite countertops should be sealed periodically. In a new installation, ask your installer if the countertop has been sealed and what product was used. If it has not been sealed, then use a penetrating sealer made for granite. Sealers, cleaners and other products can be purchased at your nearest location. Sealing granite will provide a barrier that will give you time to clean up a spill before it penetrates into the stone.
Grout cleaners are available for stubborn stains. Otherwise, use a ceramic/porcelain tile cleaner with clean water for regular cleanings.
Cracked tile will need to be replaced. Cracked grout can be removed with a grout saw and then re-grouted.
The frequency in which you need to seal your stone surface depends on the area in which the stone is installed. On average, it should be sealed every one to three years. Higher traffic areas may need to be sealed more often. There are several variables that affect this timeframe:
- The type of stone and its porosity
- The traffic in your business or home
- How often you clean your floor
- The type of sealer that has been used previously
If you are going to work with a company to have your stone sealed, they may be able to create a recommended schedule for resealing based on these variables.
Sealing the grout will add a barrier that will give you time to clean up a spill. Please refer to manufacturer information for more details.
For everyday cleaning, simply use a Ph-balanced natural stone cleaner to care for your stone. Natural stone needs to be sealed after installation. There are many sealers on the market that are made specifically for natural stone as well as companies that specialize in sealing and maintaining natural stone.
Sealing adds a barrier to the stone that will give you time to clean up spills that may potentially discolor the stone. Enhancing a stone brings out the natural colors of some stones.
Granite is like any other surface. If exposed to germs, the germs will sit on the surface until cleaned. There are stone cleaners available that are safe to use in most areas of the home, which will help eliminate germs.