Porcelain Tile with sharp edges

crackpot · 03-31-2010, 05:42 PM

I am considering purchasing some porcelain tile for a laundry room. However, the tile with color and size (18x18) I like also has a very sharp edge from the manufacturer. Other tiles seem to have a slight eased edge. Is it possible to sand/ease the edges of the tile prior to install? Is that what the pros would do? In my opinion, the install would have to be dead level and perfect to avoid sharp corners with this tile. Should I just keep looking for a different tile?

JazMan · 03-31-2010, 10:51 PM

Hi Crackpot,

I installed a tile like that several years ago, what a pain, had to wear gloves because of the sharpness.

What you have is a poorly finished rectified tile. It was made the normal way, then it was put through a rectifier which grinds the tiles to make them square, hence no eased edges. Tiles are rectified so they can be set closer and reduce the amount of "grout valley". It's a nicer look and easier to maintain.......however rectified tiles are harder to work with.

You need a very flat floor and take your time setting them. Normally the spec is for the floor to be flat within 1/4" in 10 ft. and 1/16" in 12" of the required plane. With large tiles you want it flatter than that, I say within 1/8" in 10 ft. max. Maybe keep looking if your floor isn't that flat.

Jaz