Heath Tile FAQ

Our tile is made by hand, glazed by hand, and fired and finished in our tile factory in San Francisco’s Mission District. We create glazes based on Edith Heath’s proprietary formulas, and design new ones based not on what’s trendy, but what’s beautiful, functional, and quintessentially Heath.

Any questions, don't hesitate to call us at 415 361 5552 x12, start a chat, or email tile@heathceramics.com.

Heath Tile FAQ

What do you mean by "perfectly imperfect" tile?

While we have high standards of quality, we do embrace variation as essential to the character and beauty of our tile. Glazes vary and are given a designation from 1-5, based on the degree of variation you can expect. At the same time, certain shapes, sizes, and clay bodies may vary as well. (You can expect +/- 1/16" variation, especially on longer tiles.) Your Tile Specialist will help you understand what to expect and how to make the most of the variation for your project.

Can you tell me more about color and glaze variation?

Variation in the glaze color/texture is rated 1–5. Glazes rated 1 exhibit very little variation; higher ratings show very high tonal and hue shifts. For glazes with a variation of 4 or 5, it is recommended to request several samples to accurately depict the effect the variation will have on the installation. Your Tile Specialist will help you understand what to expect and how to make the most of the variation for your project. You can also find some important installation tips here.

Surface undulation can occur in our tile for the same reason that bowing occurs. Undulation can be anything from a slightly raised corner or edge to undulation across the entire surface. Your Tile Specialist will help you understand what to expect and how to make the most of the variation for your project.

What kind of applications is Heath tile suitable for?

Heath Tile is very durable, making it suitable for most interior and exterior applications, including warm and cold climates (freeze/thaw), residential and commercial floors, walls, counters, showers, baths, swimming pools, spas and fountains (although certain glazes benefit from a pre-grout seal for wet environments; contact your tile specialist for further information on which glazes require a pre-grout seal).

Is Heath tile considered stoneware?

Heath tile is considered a stoneware tile, which differs from porcelain in the coarseness of the clay and the lowered firing temperature. However, our clay bodies are very unique for stoneware, as they are virtually non-porous and very durable. This means that they can, in many cases, take the place of porcelain.

Can I use two different clay bodies in a single project?

At Heath, we offer two clay bodies: white and manganese. Each has distinct characteristics. In general, we do NOT recommend using two different clay bodies in a single project, since the differences between the two may unnecessarily complicate the installation process.

What finish options do you offer?

While there are some similar colors in both finishes, matte glazes cannot be made “glossy” or vice versa: glaze formulas are unique to their color and finish and cannot be modified independently. Custom options may be available for certain projects. Please contact your Tile Specialist for more information.

Please note that some glazes are less acid resistant than others (listed along with the variation number), which may factor into your specific project needs. Our Tile Specialists can help you decide what’s best for your project.

What advice do you have on sealing tile?

All matte and crackle glazes will benefit from a pre-grout seal to aid in grout haze removal and prevent staining from saturated grout colors. Installed tile should be sealed again after grouting to protect the grout and glaze, and potentially re-sealed annually if in a wet location or food prep area. This is particularly important for crackle glazes as the crackle will continue to develop when repeatedly exposed to moisture.

How can I care for my tile?

You should be able to use any cleaning product specified for tile, though we suggest first testing the product in an inconspicuous area to be sure. If your tile has a non-acid-resistant glaze, avoid cleansers that contain acids (such as vinegar and lemon juice). Also, avoid highly abrasive cleansers on higher gloss tiles as they may become scratched. Some tiles should be towel dried after cleaning to avoid watermarks caused by hard water.

Tile ordering considerations

How can I minimize risk?
We strongly recommend ordering 10% more tile than you think you need. This is a general rule of thumb when ordering tile, and it’s important to keep in mind. Usually when a tile is cut, the remaining piece can’t be used anywhere else, resulting in fewer tiles than expected. Job Completions (placing a small order to make up for the tile shortage) are costly and time consuming, and can often be avoided by ordering the recommended 10% overage.

As a general rule, tile is one of the last materials installed on a project. If additional tile is needed at this stage, there are often delays in the completion of the overall project. In addition, due to the inherent batch variation with Heath tile, a second run could end up looking significantly different from the original order.

Why is it more expensive to order a smaller quantity?
Clients are often surprised that ordering a small quantity of tile is more expensive than a large one. Surprisingly, it is very time consuming to produce small quantities of tile. The setup time to make one, twenty-five, or 500 square feet takes the same amount of time — changing tools, cleaning glaze guns, setting application parameters, etc. So, the production cost per square foot is considerably higher for the low quantities.

How much of my order should be unmounted?
Nothing beats a hand installation of a handmade tile, since each piece is unique and benefits from careful placement of individual tiles. For easier installation, some of our smaller tiles can be prearranged onto large adhesive sheets. However, adjustments still need to be made during installation. We recommend 10% of your order be unmounted for seam and edge transitions.

Does Heath tile contribute to LEED credits?

Good news: it can! Please contact a Tile Specialist to learn more and discuss your specific project.

Where can I find more information on installing Heath tile?

Visit our page on Installation Tips for detailed information on your install.

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Printed Napkins

Heath Tile FAQ

Heath Tile FAQ

What do you mean by "perfectly imperfect" tile?

Can you tell me more about color and glaze variation?