Iris Ceramica: Faq

With so many different styles and materials, how do I choose the right product for me?

There is no such thing as a "right" or "wrong" product, just the product which is best suited to the use it is required for. Therefore, it's a good idea to identify the requirements of your project first, then you can let yourself wander among the wide range of designs and colours, relying entirely on your own taste.

What is the most suitable product for outdoor laying?

For outdoor laying it is necessary to use tiles which absorb less than 0.5% water, fully vitrified according to international standards.
The products of Dolomiti, Le pietre del mulino, Le terre, Square, To be trend and Petra Aeterna, with water absorption of 0.04%, are completely frost-resistant and covered by a 50-year warranty even for outdoor use.

Can floor tiles also be used for walls?

Yes, if the correct laying methods are used.

What are the tiles made from?

Ceramic is primarily made up of clays, quartziferous sands, glass substances and other minerals.
Only natural raw materials are used, mixed with water and fired at high temperatures to create a naturally beautiful product and to achieve hardness and durability.

What is porcelain tile?

Made from special clay minerals, porcelain tile (or porcelain stoneware tile) is a highly-resistant ceramic product with a solid structure and a hard surface which doesn't absorb water (classified as impervious), doesn't stain, and isn't affected by wear and tear over time.
All of the wall tiles and flooring of Dolomiti, Le pietre del mulino, Le terre, Square, To be trend and Petra Aeterna are covered by a fifty-year guarantee against wear, frost and stains, under any conditions of use. Moreover, glazed porcelain tile requires lower maintenance than natural stone, granite and marble.

What is Semigres?

The Semigres trademark identifies single-fired, red body, ceramic wall covering for indoor use, in particular for bathroom and kitchen decoration.

Are ceramic products environmentally-friendly?

Ceramic tiles are made from natural raw materials using the most up-to-date technology for safe-guarding the environment. Iris Ceramica has obtained both UNI EN ISO 14001 and EMAS registrations which relate to eco-management, and periodically provides a statement of its environmental performance and its improvement programme.
In 2004 the company's environmental commitment was awarded with the ANAB,accreditation mark, reserved for materials approved to be used in sustainable architecture.
Iris Ceramica products have been certified compliant with the requirements of the Green Building Council’s LEED sustainability protocol.
The latest innovation Iris Ceramica has launched on the market, ACTIVE Clean Air & Antibacterial Ceramic™, is a production methodology involving the application of micrometric particles of titanium dioxide, which exploits photocatalysis to allow the production of ceramic slabs with real anti-polluant and anti-bacterial properties, that make an effective contribution to improving quality of life.

Council’s LEED sustainability protocol.

Do tiles deteriorate over time?

The durability of ceramic tiles is superior to that of almost all the other surface finishes on the market. By choosing the most suitable product for your installation, taking due care during laying and cleaning regularly, combined with the manufacturer's experience, their long life is ensured.

What is meant by shade and caliber?

Ceramic is a natural material with a natural composition which becomes resistant when fired at very high temperatures. This process, however, can cause slight differences in the shades of colour and in the actual dimensions of a tile between one batch and the next. Therefore, tiles are grouped before packaging according to their shade and their caliber. These are then indicated on the label of every pack.

What are the advantages of ceramic floor and wall tiles?

Ceramic products are natural, beautiful, versatile, lasting, resistant, hygienic and easy to clean.

What are the advantages of porcelain tile?

The wide range of colours and textures and an accurate recreation of the look of natural stones, granites, slates, travertines, limestones, marbles, quartzites, terracottas and even woods and metals, combined with the low maintenance of ceramics and the technical properties of a hard-wearing material which is resistant to all weather conditions, chemical attack, scratches, stains, fading, heavy loads and fire.

What are the advantages of glazed ceramics?

The beauty and variety of colours, of designs and of decorations made available by glazed tiles has always been one of the most valued qualities of ceramic products in general. The glaze also makes cleaning easier and hygienically more effective.
Glazed porcelain tile combines the aesthetical qualities and the ease of maintenance of ceramic tiles with the durability and surface hardness of its vitrified porcelain body, suitable for both commercial and domestic applications, indoors as well as outdoors.

Are ceramic products more or less expensive than other flooring materials?

Ceramic tile prices are competitive, especially if you take into account more than just the initial expenditure: adding up the cost of materials, installation, maintenance and possible repairs or replacements, ceramic tiles are the most economic material for floor, wall and façade covering.

Do ceramics require maintenance?

Only a minimum of effort is required to keep surfaces in good condition, due to the fact that glazed wall tiles and flooring are resistant to dirt and not microporous.
If laid correctly and washed regularly with plain water, a quality ceramic flooring will maintain over time the appearance and the specifications of the product when new.
Furthermore, glazed porcelain tiles involve less maintenance than natural stones and marbles.

Can tiled surfaces be protected simply using common sense? Or is special treatment necessary?

After they have been laid, ceramic products do not require special treatment or cleaning with particular detergents.
Protection against abrasive dirt in entrance areas and against possible falling objects in the areas close to working surfaces is advisable, by means of floor mats.
We also suggest that you pay particular attention to protecting newly-laid flooring until all construction or remodeling work has been completed.

How do you calculate the quantity of tiles that you need to order?

Once the surfaces in question have been measured, we recommend that you increase the amount required by ten-fifteen percent to allow for waste from laying and future repairs.

Where can I see first hand and eventually buy your products?

At our selected retailers' outlets in Italy and abroad.

Can I visit your showroom?

The Iris Ceramica showroom in Fiorano Modenese, Italy, is open to the public from Tuesday to Friday, from 8:30am till 12:30am and from 2:30pm till 6:30pm, on Saturday from 8:30am till 4.30pm. In order to plan your visit well, we suggest that you call us at +39 0536 862340 and make a personal appointment.

How to check the slabs ?

Before starting to carry out any work, such as cutting, laying or installing on cabinets, we recommend meticulously cleaning and examining the large format ceramics to check for any issues such as:

• Bubbles, cracks and splits;

• Bends, deformations;

• De-shading;

• Any other fault that may be considered a defect.

The processing of natural raw materials, combined with the use of leading-edge patented production techniques, makes it possible to obtain high-tech materials characterized by typical full-body effects, a feature that has always been the exclusive hallmark of quarried marble and stone. Chromatic variations, veining and speckling are thus prized characteristics of Iris Ceramica materials. Slight light-dark shading or variations in colour tone or gloss on the top are due to the manufacturing process and therefore should not be considered a defect. In respect of any replacements, it should be noted that there may be slight differences between new and old large format ceramics. Claims will not be accepted for any large format ceramics, which have already been installed, even if defects were present on delivery.

How can I find an item which is no longer produced?

Your area retailer can provide you with information regarding the availability of stocks. To make it easier to find them, we suggest that you keep the package label when you purchase our tiles.