ceramic | white matte | subway

do i need to seal ceramic subway tiles?

if the subway tile you have selected has visible crazing we recommend applying a grout release or sealant prior to grouting.

IMPORTANT: if this subway tile is being grouted with a contrasting grout color vs. a matching one, then you should also seal before grouting because many tiles may have crazing without it being visible to the eye and would only come out with the grouting of the tiles as the invisible crazing absorbs the dye from the contrasting grout.
dry applications do not need to be sealed as the final step of installation.
in wet areas (backsplashes, showers, steam showers, pool & fountain water lines) grout lines and areas of visible crazing must be sealed as the final step of installation.

for all sealing and protecting, clé recommends stonetech stone, tile, and grout sealer from laticrete.

for more information about sealing please see our ceramic subway tile material guidelines.

do you offer trim for your ceramic subway tile?

at clé we follow the international model of no trim and highly recommend our clients to do the same. below are the trim alternatives we recommend for this collection.

- if your project needs to turn a corner either inwardly or outwardly, mitering the tiles to meet seamlessly in a corner gives it the cleanest, crafted finish.

- another way to complete your tiling is to run a bead of caulk or grout along the exposed brick edge.

- like with any of our tiles, you can also build out the sheetrock so that the surface of the finished sheetrock is flush with the surface of the tile.

for more detailed recommendations about trim, please see our trim guide.

how do i take care of my ceramic subway tile?
 
 mild, pH neutral soaps should be sufficient for most cleaning. grout lines can be cleaned with warm water and a soft bristled cleaning brush. subway tiles can withstand common cleaners like bleach, soft scrub cleansers, and multipurpose cleaners. cleaners should be tested before use, as all tiles (glazed or otherwise) can be damaged through rigorous cleaning processes utilizing harsh cleansers or scrub pads. for all other maintenance, clé recommends laticrete cleaning products. 
 
 see our ceramic subway material guidelines for more information.

what type of finish should i expect with this collection?

there are two different glazed finishes in our ceramic subway tile collection, glossy and matte. they both have a smooth surface texture.

how much variation should i expect?
 
 subway tiles have low color and shade variation but it is still very important to blend the tiles from all boxes once they arrive and place them in their installation area to ensure you have the layout you want before installing. do not install without blending tiles from all boxes. our tiles are subject to variations in color, texture, size and finish. 
 
what's crazing, and should this be expected with ceramic subway tiles?
 
 subway tiles are made by hand and can show visible crazing. crazing refers to the hairline cracks which may occur in the glaze surface of tile after firing and is common in handcrafted tile.
 
variation and imperfection ratings:
 
 subway tiles are rated 'level 1 low' for color variation, 'level 1 smooth' for texture variation, 'level 1 slight' for size variation, and 'level 1 light' for crazing.
 
see illustrations in the technical specifications section above, and read more about the ratings in our tile variation & imperfections guide.

why do you suggest i order at least 15% more than my measurements?

industry standard suggests adding at least 15% overage due to tile cuts, potential breakage, or future repairs.
for more information related to ordering and shipping, please be sure to visit our shipping and returns and delivery information resource pages.

clé recommends a 1/16" grout joint with this collection.   


clé recommends using mortar and unsanded cementitious grout that comply with the ANSI A118 or ISO 13007 classifications suitable for your project. Please consult with your installation professional to make these determinations. 
important: if clé ceramic subway tiles are being grouted with a contrasting grout color vs. a matching one, then you must also apply a penetrating sealant or grout release prior to grouting in order to minimize the possibility of the contrasting grout curing in the inherent hairline cracks.
    

grout color selection is always up to our client and/or their design professional. however, clé is often asked for our opinion on best grout selections for our tiles. and due to the large array of grout colors that are now available, clé would like to offer this general guideline on a foolproof grout color selection for any of your clé tiles.   

 first, have your professional tile contractor complete your tile installation, except for the grout portion.

next, when ready to grout, ask your contractor to bring ALL grout color charts from his preferred grout manufacturers, for your review.

lastly, choose a time of day when you are most pleased with the lighting in your space (either natural lighting, installed lighting or a blend of both). during that lighting and time of day, select the grout color that best matches your tile selection.   

 for more information about grouting please see our ceramic subway tile installation & maintenance guide.

square subway - 6"x6"x1/4"
subway - 3"x6"x1/4"
subway - 2"x8"x1/4"
subway - 4"x8"x1/4"
subway - 3"x12"x1/4"
subway - 4"x12"x1/4"

disclaimer: please note all dimensions are nominal. additionally, dimensions between tiles can vary +/- 1/8 inch.