Glazing offers technical and visual advantages for the tile covering. It enables the tile covering to be produced with corners and edges which are both absolutely hygienic and aesthetically pleasing. Depending on the series the tiles are provided with one or two glazed edges. They are marked with[ ] [ ] . A tile package contains approx. 20% of these tiles.

Yes. They are resistant to household chemicals and bath water additives in accordance with DIN EN 122, and to acids and alkalis where specified. Unglazed vitreous tiles are resistant to chemicals in accordance with DIN EN 106, with the exception of hydrofluoric acid and compounds of the same.

Your dealer will be able to provide you with our Villeroy & Boch brochures, containing a complete overview of all articles. A complete overview of colours and formats for each range is also available on the internet.

Every tile covering with a high water absorption capacity - including vitreous group BIII as per DIN EN 14411 E > 10% - will absorb moisture if the installed tiling is exposed to water. As a result, the tile body acquires a darker appearance in the middle than at the edge. This discoloration is promoted by water-permeable joints, by layers forming moisture barriers in the substrate (water becomes trapped between the moisture barrier and the glaze), and by high humidity in bathrooms with inadequate ventilation or air circulation. In principle, the ceramic body will always dry out again. The greater the extent to which a room is used, the more important it is to ensure thorough and regular airing.

Yes. These hair-line cracks, which are also referred to as crackling, can occur as a result of tension between the ceramic body and the applied glaze. Tension between the substrate and the tile may also result in this effect.
The products on which hair-line cracks may occur are marked with a corresponding symbol [ ] (drinking glass), indicating this possibility of crazing.

Yes. Our fine ceramic vitreous and porcelain stoneware tiles are classified as frost-resistant in accordance with the standard EN 14411, group BIa and BIb, which stipulates requirements relating to water absorption and freeze-thaw cycling in accordance with DIN EN ISO 510545-12. Despite continual quality control and compliance with the above-stated criteria, frost damage may nevertheless occur if the tiling is not installed in the correct manner or laid on defective substrates. We cannot be made liable for any such damage as the manufacturer of the tiling.

This refers to a French standard for the classification of ceramic floor tiles according to their service properties (this standard applies in France only). The EN standard for tiles applies in parallel with this standard.

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No. The manufacturing process is free of toxic substances. Tiles consist of mineral raw materials, primarily silicon and aluminium. Plastic raw materials are clays and kaolin, hard materials are feldspar, quartz, chalk and dolomite. As a result of the firing process the tiles no longer contain any organic compounds, which means that they do not represent a health risk (the ideal covering for people who suffer from allergies). Tiles from Villeroy & Boch comply with the quality requirements of European quality standards DIN EN 159 and DIN EN 176.

Yes. These are hand-painted prior to the décor firing process. They are particularly high-quality tiles and bear the marking "hand-painted".

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The tile format is given as a nominal dimension, which is made up of the work size (actual size) plus the recommended joint width. In the industrial manufacture of tiles, variations in the size (calibre) of the tiles are inevitable. The sizes are sorted, labelled and boxed separately. For Villeroy & Boch tiles, an explanation of the possible calibres for a specific tiles is to be found on every package. The calibre code is stated on every package next to the shade code and specifies the actual size of the tile.

Example: For a tile in format 30 x 30 cm with work size 296 x 296 mm, the following general calibre data will be stated on every package

Calibre                 Code
295 x 295 mm          5
296 x 296 mm          6
297 x 297 mm          7

Nominal dimension: 30 x 30 cm
Work size: 296 x 296 mm
Calibre: 7
Actual size: 297 x 297 mm
Joint width: 3 mm

Printing on the box:
Nuance               Calibre
  45          X            7

Nominal dimension: 30 x 30 cm
Work size: 296 x 296 mm
Calibre: 6
Actual size: 296 x 296 mm
Joint width: 4 mm

Printing on the box:
Nuance              Calibre
  45         X             6

Ceramic tiles are made from natural raw materials and therefore vary in terms of surface finish to a certain extent within standard tolerances. Minor differences in colour, décor, structure, gloss or surface roughness may occur. However, many tile ranges require an even visual effect and differences in nuance would adversely affect the overall appearance. The tiles are therefore sorted by 'nuance' (only Grade 1), and labelled and boxed separately. The nuance is identified by a code of two figures followed by a letter, e.g. 45 X. Tiles with different nuances should not be used together. To compensate for any remaining differences of shading within one nuance, the contents of the boxes should be checked before tiling and the tiles mixed as necessary, i.e. tiles from several boxes laid alternately.
 
In some tile ranges, floor tiles in particular, the colour-play is an integral part of the character of the range and intentional. That is to say, based on an average colour shade and brightness (nuance code), tiles of differing colour shades, structures and brightness are intentionally chosen for combination. In such cases, differences in colour shading are intentional and not reason for complaint. For a varied, yet balanced overall effect, we recommend checking boxes from these tile ranges, too, and mixing the tiles when laying. Where basic tiles and décor tiles from the same range are used together it is essential that the nuance codes match. The first two figures should always be identical. On some décor tiles, the figures are followed by a letter. If this is the case, the letter must be identical to that of the basic tiles.

To a large extent, no regulations apply as yet in the area of private use, e.g. private bathrooms or kitchens, although there is a growing demand here for tiles offering a degree of slip resistance. For safety reasons, in the case of showers that are flush with the floor in private bathrooms, Villeroy & Boch recommends implementing the requirements for public areas.

The key difference between nonvitreous, vitreous and porcelain stoneware is water absorption. Villeroy & Boch leads the field with its range of tiles:

Nonvitreous is basically used as wall covering. It is manufactured using clays, quartzes and limestone. The advantage of this type of tiles is that they are easy to cut and drill.

Glazed vitreous and porcelain stoneware can be used both as a floor and wall covering. They are manufactured using clays, quartzes and feldspars.

Wear on floor tiling is generally caused by sand and other dirt particles that adhere to the soles of shoes and that act like sandpaper under high pressure when the wearer walks over a surface and performs turning movements. As not all glazes possess the same resistance to surface wear, glazed vitreous and porcelain stoneware tiles are categorised according to five groups of differing resistance, namely wear resistance groups 1 (suitable for minimal stress) to 5 (suitable for high levels of stress), and are labelled accordingly.

Unglazed porcelain stoneware has one of the highest wear resistances of all floor coverings. Even after decades of intensive use, this homogeneous material shows hardly any signs of wear.

CeramicPlus is a modified and refined ceramic surface finish with water- and oil-repellent properties.

Rectified tiles have a naturally ground contour on the upper edge. If this upper edge is slightly angled, it is referred to as a bevelled or broken edge. As a result of the production process, this can differ within standard tolerances or, in the case of tiles with a structured surface, it can differ as a result of the surface. Bevelled edges can make joints look wider.

A change in the appearance of the brass surface is unavoidable. The surface changes as a result of being walked over. This is not a quality defect, but results from a chemical reaction with the air. Only acid-free, non-caustic cleaning agents should be used for maintenance cleaning. Stubborn dirt can be removed with conventional household cleaning agents.