5 Expert Tips for Maintaining Porcelain Tile in Dental Offices

Porcelain Tile Care + Maintenance Before, During and After Installation

Porcelain tile care and maintenance in dental offices can be handled in 5 simple ways. Porcelain tile is a very durable flooring material that is water resistant, non-porous and requires little maintenance day to day.

There are three main types of porcelain tile products: unpolished, polished, and patterned/ textured. To maintain appearance and protect your long-term investment, consider the following before, during and after your dental office installation.

  • Ensure all construction is completed before final installation as any heavy objects or traffic can damage the surface
  • Ensure you are using materials to cover the tile surface (kraft paper, plywood) during installation of grout to avoid grout residue and related product on the tile
  • Ensure the grout is sealed at all joints
Porcelain tile installation

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Darwin Fisher dental office porcelain tile installation

Porcelain Tile Care After Installation

Depending on location and daily foot traffic, a simple vacuum or sweeping can be executed. For any stubborn areas a damp mop will also work to remove debris that vacuuming or sweeping missed.

If there are any stains that are not easily removed, spot cleaning is recommended rather than taking any type of detergent or chemicals to the entire surface area.

It is also critical not to use any cleaners with harsh ingredients such as ammonia or bleach to clean these problem areas. Over time it may erode the surface finish of the tile by opening the seal, allowing water to cause erosion to both the tile and the grout used to keep the tiles in place.

“The key characteristic with porcelain tile is the grout lines when cleaning, that’s why we recommend industry approved porcelain tile and grout solutions,” says Graham Linton, General Manager of Interior Care.  “This is important as these cleaners already have the proper PH levels and won’t lead to damage as is the case with corrosive and acidic cleaners.”

Porcelain tile care and maintenance

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Darwin Fisher dental office porcelain tile installation

Interior Care is a member of Darwin Fisher Commercial Flooring’s partner program. Established in 1964, Interior Care offers a comprehensive client maintenance package. Owned and operated by the Linton family, Interior Care services all types of flooring finishes, including porcelain tile, hardwood, carpet tile and more. Interior Care is one of the largest privately-owned specialty flooring maintenance service businesses in Canada. Staff maintain over 700 corporate offices across Southern Ontario.

Commercial flooring contractors and installation

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Darwin Fisher dental office porcelain tile installation

Porcelain Tile Care: Glazed and Unglazed

Porcelain tile care and maintenance for glazed and unglazed tile is similar for moderate to high foot traffic areas:

  • Loose debris and dirt can simply be swept or vacuumed daily.
  • If water is needed to remove dust/dirt, simply damp mop and dry.
  • If a cleaning solution is required for more stubborn stains – test the area, do not use any abrasive materials to remove the stain and allow to air dry.
  • Before the wipe down and air dry it is important to make sure that the detergent used is completely rinsed away with a second wet mop with clean water.
  • Do not let any industrial cleaning solutions dry on their own without removing and cleaning with fresh water immediately after staining is removed. By following this process, water spots and any streaking or residue that is left by cleaners will be eliminated.

Textured or Patterned Porcelain Tile Care

There are a variety of options with textured or patterned porcelain tile. Many of today’s styles mimic the appearance of wood or stone and have textured surfaces which may hold dirt. This can require extra cleaning time and more chemical solutions. This porcelain tile will also need to be cleaned more frequently as a simple damp mop will not easily remove dirt from crevices.

dental office porcelain tile installatin

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Darwin Fisher dental office porcelain tile installation

“The cleaning protocol doesn’t really change much between textured, glazed or unpolished surfaces,” says Linton. “Porcelain is a very durable product. It takes a lot to damage the finish. The area that will require the most attention with textured porcelain tile is the grout.”

According to Linton, the same steps apply as above for polished and unpolished porcelain, however when cleaning the grout, if the wrong chemicals are used it can change the colour. The main difference with textured porcelain tile is that a damp mop will not work when there is soiling in and around this surface. Instead, agitation through a rotary scrubbing floor machine with a soft brush attachment will work best.

“Our challenge is the grout lines that are really porous,” says Linton. “These must be addressed with the greatest of care. There is a grout brush we use that is tapered to a point. We agitate all the grout lines then we mop off. We usually spend more time on the grout than on the tile itself.”

porcelain tile for dental office design

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Darwin Fisher dental office porcelain tile installation

5 Expert Tips for Porcelain Tile Care + Maintenance After Installation

Porcelain Tile Care + Maintenance in dental offices is largely comprised of these 5 steps:

  1. It is wise to use walk off matting systems or entrance throw mats to prevent dirt and debris brought in by foot traffic, especially in inclement weather.
  2. Do not use oil-based detergents, wax sealants or cleaners that will create a coating or build up on tiles or grout. This will damage both surfaces over time.
  3. Do not use any harsh or abrasive cleaners or materials such as steel wool pads, scouring pads, or any item containing that contains metal. These small particles can rust and stain the grout.
  4. Do not use abrasive cleaners such as ammonia, bleach or acid-based solutions as these harsh chemicals can damage the tile finish and may alter the colour of the grout.
  5. Any cleaning solutions should be free of any type of dyes or colour, specifically for unglazed ceramic tile. It is important to note that these agents may also alter grout colour.

By following these 5 expert tips for porcelain tile care and maintenance, your porcelain floor will be maintained in the best condition possible, increasing longevity, while protecting your investment.

For a free consultation on your next dental office flooring installation please click here.

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For more information regarding Interior Care, please click here.

 

8 Benefits For Installing Porcelain Tile in Dental Offices

There are 8 benefits for installing porcelain tile in dental offices from application technology to care and maintenance.

Porcelain tile has become a sought after item for dental healthcare and in the marketplace in general. This trend has been growing and continues to increase in 2023 for a variety reasons. A recent research report from  Research and Markets  released in April 2022, states the global ceramic tiles market is expected to reach USD 656.25 billion by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period.

8 Benefits For Installing Porcelain Tile in Dental Offices

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Darwin Fisher dental office porcelain tile installation

The availability of ceramic tiles in a wide range of products including porcelain, glazed, and scratch-free ceramic tiles, coupled with their superior properties including durability, rigidity, and abrasion resistance, is expected to propel the product demand over the forecast period along with increased demand in construction. The durability and enhanced lifespan offered by these tiles are likely to increase their utility in high-traffic commercial construction applications. Technological advancements in the manufacturing process have introduced customization options in color, size, texture, and dimensions, thus likely gaining high traction in residential and commercial building renovation projects.

Specifically, the demand for porcelain ceramic tile is expected to witness a CAGR of 7.6% over the estimated time due to durability and enhanced aesthetics.

8 Benefits For Installing Porcelain Tile in Dental Offices

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Darwin Fisher dental office porcelain tile installation

8 Benefits of Installing Porcelain Tile in Dental Offices

In addition to market factors, porcelain tile has become more popular in healthcare settings such as dental offices as it offers many benefits when it comes to high traffic and long-term maintenance.

  1. Porcelain tile is harder and denser than ceramic products and is also highly resistant to damage such as stains, scratches, and chips.
  2.  This tile is also frost and moisture proof.
  3. As porcelain absorbs very little water, it is much easier to clean and disinfect and can withstand harsher solvents.
  4. The finish is protected and requires no polishing, sealing, or waxing and can simply be cleaned with a damp cloth.
  5. Due to the hard finish of this product, porcelain is also a great investment for heavy foot traffic areas as it is very resistant to wear and tear.
  6. Porcelain is digitally printed making the design options virtually endless. Many different types of natural surfaces can be mimicked including wood, stone, and marble.
  7. Products made from porcelain tile are now classified as green solutions and eligible for LEED points.
  8. Since the pandemic it is more sought after as it is much easier to sanitize and clean making it better suited to the healthcare environment.

 

8 Benefits For Installing Porcelain Tile in Dental Offices

Photo Credit: Bellsam Contracting
Darwin Fisher dental office porcelain tile installation

Dental Office Porcelain Tile Care and Maintenance

Porcelain has slightly better water resistance and is easy to clean and maintain by damp-mopping with a mild water-soap solution. Porcelain is made of clays that are less porous than ceramic clays. The hard surface is more impervious to moisture than ceramic tile and increases durability heavy traffic and use areas. Chip a porcelain tile, and the color continues all the way through; as a result, the damage is nearly invisible. Porcelain maintenance only requires a daily damp mop and periodic sealing of the grout lines. As it offers solid color throughout, porcelain tiles are stronger and more durable, and chips are less likely to be visible.

dental office porcelain tile trends

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Darwin Fisher Dental office porcelain tile installation – herringbone pattern

Porcelain Tile and Ceramic – What is the difference?

The differences between porcelain tile and ceramic tile can be confusing. According to the Tile Council of North America, the industry group that decides whether a tile is porcelain or ceramic, everything boils down to whether the tile can meet a set of highly controlled water absorption criteria.

In November 2007, the Ceramic Tile Distributors Association (CTDA) and the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) launched the Porcelain Tile Certification Agency (PTCA) to certify porcelain tile.

porcelain in dental office

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Darwin Fisher dental office porcelain tile installation

According to the PTCA,  porcelain tile is defined as an impervious tile with a water absorption of 0.5% or less as measured by the ASTM C373 test method. There is tile being sold in the market which does not meet this standard despite it being advertised and sold as porcelain tile. This has led to marketplace confusion, installation problems and liability concerns due to misrepresentation.

Under the PTCA certification program, manufacturers who want to prove that their tile is porcelain — meeting the 0.5% water absorption criteria — can have their product tested to determine compliance with that requirement. They may then use the PTCA certification mark on their product packaging, marketing materials, etc., as confirmation of that compliance.

dental office flooring trends and porcelain tile

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Darwin Fisher dental office porcelain tile installation

As you can see from the pictures that accompany this article, dental offices are no longer cold and clinical. There have been many changes over the past several years and it all starts with the flooring.

For more information about dental offices and flooring installation solutions please click here.

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To see a related article about porcelain flooring care + maintenance, please click here.