Frequently Ask Questions



Product # Directory SALE ITEMS Ready Made and/or Gifts *WESTERN* Western-Design Tile Western Tile Dark Tan Western_Circle Layout Western Triangle Layout Western Tile Murals Livestock Brands Tiles Texas Longhorn Tile WILDLIFE Aspen Wildlife Tile Wildlife Tile Designs • Tan Wildlife Tile Design • Dark Tan Wildlife Tile Designs_Sage Wildlife Tile Designs • Silver Sage Wildlife Tile Designs Lt Moss Green Wildlife Tile Design • Lt Slate Birds, Game Birds & Bird Dogs Design Tile Grizzly & Black Bear Tile Buffalo Design Tile Elk Tile Designs Moose Tile Designs Mule Deer Design Tile Whitetail Deer Design Tile Pronghorned Antelope Tile Mt. Goat and Mt. Sheep Tile Wolf Design Tile *FLY FISHING* Fly Fishing Design Tile Native American Landscape Design Tile *NEW - Wall Clocks* Western Wall Clocks Wildlife Wall Clocks COLOR CHART THE ARTIST COPYRIGHT & TERMS HELPFULL LINKS
		Frequently Ask Questions
		(Q) How durable is the image? (A) Images are digitally reproduced and applied to the surface of the ceramic and tumbled stone tile. The color is applied at 400° turning the ink into gas and impregnating the image into the surface of the specially coated tile. This is not a decal. Because the image is applied to the surface, it is subject to wear under heavy traffic. The surface is UV protected, but caution should be exercised to direct sunlight applications. Tiles are for decorative purposes. Tile surface is recognized as being the hardest and whitest in the industry. UV light inhibitors are included in the coating process to minimize fading from harsh lights and sun. Our tiles fit virtually every need and although warranted for decorative use only have been installed in swimming pools, kitchens and baths, outdoor murals and as design elements in custom furniture. Lab Tested Tile coat and finish has recently received the results of some testing done by our coating supplier. We feel you will find the following information informative. *Light Fastness of Ink and Coating* – tile surface is widely recognized as the whitest available and incorporates UV light inhibitors in the coating process to minimize fading from harsh light and the sun. Our tile passed over 200 hours of Xenon Arc Lamp exposure with no fade, no ink color change, and no yellowing. *Concentrated Chlorine Exposure* - tile exhibited no change after 800 hours of exposure in a concentrated test. The concentration of Chlorine was 1000 times what you would normally find in the common swimming pool. *Pencil Hardness* – tile coating attained a pencil hardness of 8H for the Matte finish, 7H for the Satin, and 3H for the Gloss finish. *Extra Protection* – We have found excellent results by simply applying Min-Wax Urethane Floor Coating (found in any home improvement store) over our coated tile. Some people have even used them on floors! Extra UV Protection – While we do not think it is necessary, you may use a spray on coating such as “Superfrog – Frog Juice” for extra UV protection when doing tiles or murals for outdoors use. (Q) What image sizes are available? (A) Each of the design tile images (silhouettes) can be sized to fit any proportional size. Fitting on one tile or over several tiles. The full color mural sizes are posted next to images. (Q) Can ceramic tile be used in freeze/thaw conditions? (A) Ceramic tile is porous and under some conditions it will absorb moisture. Sudden temprature changes can cause expansion resulting in breakage. Normal shower wall and kitchen backsplash applications have no problems. Porcelain tile is a non-porous tile and should be used in wet freeze/thaw conditions.	(Q) Are tiles suitable for use on floors? (A) Images on ceramic, or tumbled stone are applied to the surface, it is subject to wear under heavy traffic. • Extra Protection – We have found excellent results by simply applying Min-Wax Urethane Floor Coating (found in any home improvement store) over our coated tile. Q) What are Tumbled Stone Tiles? (A) Tumbled Stone is a beautiful, light buff natural stone tile that has been literally tumbled together in large drums. The action of the tiles rubbing against each other produce a rich natural matte surface with nicks, chipped edges, natural veining, rounded corners, and grooves, that display a superb antique flat matte finish. These Tumbled Stone tiles produce a look of ancestral quality. (Q) Full Color Murals - sizes? (A) Images are taken from original watercolor paintings, Sizing the image larger than the original painting is not recommended, but how it is viewed can make a difference. Images are adjusted proportionately to fit your space. Some adjustment to the image may be necessary to prevent a key element, such as an eye, from falling into a grout line. (Q) Can a mural be outside? (A) Limited exterior use is recommended subject to location, climate and method of installation. You may use a spray on coating such as “Superfrog – Frog Juice” for extra UV protection when doing tiles or murals for outdoors use. (Q) Should the tile have a sealer coat applied? (A) Ceramic Tile - A sealer coat is OK but not needed because the image is sealed into the surface of the tile. But you will want to seal the grout, sealing the grout will not harm the image. Tumbled Stone tiles are very porous and must be sealed if used in water applications such as showers or backsplashes. (Q) What can I use to clean the tile? (A) Mild soap. No abrasives or harsh chemicals. Tiles can be cleaned with any household non-abrasive cleaner and a soft cloth or sponge.

		Tile Handling Instructions The following handling and care guidelines should be thoroughly read and reviewed prior to installation and cleaning. Failure to do so may result in unnecessary damage to the tile and/or graphic. We recommend that installers and maintenance personnel be informed of these instructions prior to any activity with the tile.
		Guidelines: • Ceramic or tumbled stone are designed for decorative purposes. • Tiles are coated with a living Polymer coating. This coating carries the color and is extremely durable and scratch resistant, but could scratch when in contact with metal or other hard abrasives like sand, ceramic materials, or hard surfaces. • Do not stack tile on top of each other without the protective poly-bag between them. Failure to do so could scratch the protective coating and image. Never stack unprotected tiles. Under some conditions the image could start to transfer to another tile. • Tiles are specified for a decorative purpose and not for a wear or working surface application, without special consideration and additional coatings. • Using tools that are not completely clean from previous work can mar or scratch these tiles. • Do not set tile with butt taps from trowels or other hard instruments.	• When cutting this tile, it is best to use a saw, as the coating can prevent a clean score mark and result in broken tile. • Use only non-abrasive grout and cleaners. • Do not use Muriatic acid, caustic, or abrasive cleaners and solvents to clean this tile, as it could damage the tile coating and/or affect the color. • Use only household cleaners like Windex, 409 Glass and Counter cleaner, or other non-abrasive household surface cleaners. • Do not expose these tiles to more than 400°F of direct heat, as it can fade the color. • When using as a stove back splash, make sure the heat course is at least 5" from the tile surface.

		Ceramic • Tumbled Stone


		4.25"X4.25" 6" X 6" 8" X 8" 8" X 10" 12" X 12"
		Ceramic Tile - most durable surface finish; matte. Combining function with beauty, a ceramic tile is ideal for bringing art into any environment. *Matte Tiles:* This Ceramic tile is a highly resilient and scratch resistant matte finish wall tile. Recommended for vivid photo and art reproduction. These tiles may be used in backsplashes, showers, or wall murals in any room in residential or commercial buildings. You may use any commercially available adhesive for ceramic tile. We recommend un-sanded grout. Tiles can be cleaned with any household non-abrasive cleaner and a soft cloth or sponge. Available in - 4.25" X 4.25" • 6" X 6" • 8" X 8" • 8" X 10" • 12" X 12" sizes.

		Tumbled Stone Tile Tumbled Stone = Cream to light tan with veins of rust to brown. This is a natural stone so mother nature has the say on color. Color sorting is not avalable. Natural stone creats a great antique look.
		Tumbled Stone Tile - displays a superb antique character of chips, nicks, veining, rounded corners and grooves, with a flat matte finish that produces a look of ancestral quality. Natural stone is highly susceptible to breakage and must be handled very carefully. It also has one of the most durable surfaces in the tile industry. The tiles are very porous and must be sealed if used in water applications such as showers or backsplashs. Tumbled Stone is a compressed sandstone product. You may use standard adhesive recommended for tumbled stone tile. Un-sanded grout recommenced. *Shipping preperation costs are much higher for tumbled stone, tying to prevent breakage.* Available in - 4" X 4" and 6" X 6" sizes.
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	Designers Choice Tile © Copyright by Dick L. Sizemore, 2004, 05, 08
		Last revised: Tuesday, March 09, 2010 at 7:27:17 AM