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  • Backsplash Tile
  • Kitchen Tile
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  • Commercial Floor Tile
  • Shower Tile
  • Pool Tile
  • Fireplace Surround
  • Outdoor Tile
2023 img hi res full usage design Atypical design Studio photo jordan Layton wainscott offset cardamom 3x9 floor tile iron ore 2 hexagon FC596427 1

Original Ceramic tiles showcase handmade qualities with unique variations in color, crazing, and finish.

  • All Original Ceramic Colors
  • Studio Glazes New
  • Ceramic Stains New
  • Shop Shapes
  • Shop Patterns
  • Trim + Architectural Moldings
Resources
  • All Resources
  • Spec Sheet
  • Installation Guide
  • Design Files
  • Guide to Tile Trim

Your first 5 color samples are FREE through a rep

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT BROWSE ALL SAMPLES
2024 residential full usage 4x4 terre verte satin red jasper satin indigo satin 2x2 red jasper satin bathroom checkerboard straight set 6x12 cove base indigo satin Pluck Architecture Leonid Furmansky FC796720 2

Our budget-friendly ceramics line, Natural Press is made with your largest indoor and outdoor projects in mind.

  • All Natural Press Colors
  • Shop Shapes
Resources
  • All Natural Press Resources
  • Spec Sheet
  • Installation Guide
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Your first 5 color samples are FREE through a rep

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT BROWSE ALL SAMPLES
Modern blue subway wall glass tile 2

Our radiant Glass Tile provides a freshness that pairs perfectly with today’s modern designs indoors or out.

  • All Glass Colors
  • Shop Sizes
Resources
  • All Glass Resources
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Your first 5 color samples are FREE through a rep

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Your first 5 color samples are FREE through a rep

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Glazed Thin Brick Destination Eichler Blue Brick Fireplace

Brick’s hand-mixed glazes enrich its surface, delicately exposing its unique textures and variations with the colors of the environment around us.

  • All Brick Colors
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Your first 5 color samples are FREE through a rep

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2022 img hi res full rights residential photo design plural design studio bathroom floor tile mini star and cross antique white grout FC 407104 2

Our bestselling tile products all ready to ship in five days or less.

  • All Quick Ship Tile
  • Ceramic Tile
  • Glass Tile
  • Brick Tile
  • Handpainted Tile
Budget-Friendly Tile
  • $12 Essentials
  • $18 Foundations
  • Factory Sale
Trade callout

As a member you’ll receive exclusive access to new products, a professional discount, plus personalized service from our trade team who can help bring your vision to life.

Learn More →
Residential Specifiers
  • Find Your Rep
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  • Design Packages
Commercial Specifiers
  • Find Your Rep
  • Custom Projects
  • Commercial Pricing
  • 2025 Resource Book
Meet Your Partners
  • Virtual CEU
Enscape 2025 04 08 12 57 54

Visualize our tile in your space with our comprehensive design packages.

  • All Design Packages
  • Bathroom
  • Kitchen
  • Fireplace
  • Pool + Fountain
Expert Help
  • Custom Projects
  • Tile Installation
  • Book a Free Consultation
Start Your Project
  • Our Custom Capabilities
  • Book a Free Consultation
  • Request a Quote
Glazed Thin Brick Onyx Inkwell 388 Fulton Photographer Patricia Chang 3 Bitterroot

Custom Project Spotlight: 388 Fulton Street

Read Featured Blog →
2019 Img High Res Commercial Social Email Rights Only See Dropbox Laura Owens Artist Tom Powel Photo Laguardia Airport Ceramic Mosaic Custom Colors 1X1 2X2 3X6 Grand Central Ny

Custom Project Spotlight: LaGuardia Airport

Read Featured Blog →
  • Overview
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  • Book a Free Consultation
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Fireclay Installation Services Kitchen Floor Install 2

Introducing: Fireclay Tile Installation

Read Featured Blog →
Client Testimonial Video

Testimonial: How Fireclay Tile Installation Transformed this Client's Bathroom

Watch Testimonal →
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Where Color Meets Craft Original Ceramic Tile

Where Color Meets Craft: Reintroducing Original Ceramic Tile

See Featured Blog →
New traditional bathroom floor subway green tile 3

Nicholas Potts: Historic Primary Bathroom

See Featured Gallery →
Blog
  • All Blog Posts
  • Design + Inspiration
  • Project Spotlight
  • Tile School
Gallery
  • All Gallery Entries
  • Bathroom
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Where Color Meets Craft Original Ceramic Tile

Where Color Meets Craft: Reintroducing Original Ceramic Tile

See Featured Blog →
New traditional bathroom floor subway green tile 3

Nicholas Potts: Historic Primary Bathroom

See Featured Gallery →
Blog
  • All Blog Posts
  • Design + Inspiration
  • Project Spotlight
  • Tile School
Gallery
  • All Gallery Entries
  • Bathroom
  • Kitchen
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Where Color Meets Craft Original Ceramic Tile

Where Color Meets Craft: Reintroducing Original Ceramic Tile

See Featured Blog →
New traditional bathroom floor subway green tile 3

Nicholas Potts: Historic Primary Bathroom

See Featured Gallery →
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  3. Tile School: 5 things You Should Ask Your Tile Installer

Installation Tips and Tricks

Tile School: 5 things You Should Ask Your Tile Installer

By Kali Gibson

Emily Henderson Master Bathroom 16


Asking your tile installer questions will set you and your tile up for success, so we think it's pretty important you know the right ones. Bay Area tile installer, Frank O'Reilly, has been installing tile for many years and we talked with him about his tips and tricks, along with the questions homeowners should be asking their tile installers to ensure the best result. He also shared that it never hurts to be involved throughout the installation process. By communicating with your installer and knowing your facts, you can avoid potential mistakes.

Below, we're sharing Frank's top 5 questions homeowners should ask their tile installers (also, don't forget that you can always ask us questions too).

1. Have they worked with our tile before?
First things first, you should ask if they’ve worked with Fireclay tiles before or handmade tile like ours. Our tile is non-modular, meaning it is not rectified, so grout joints might need to be wider than what your tile setter is accustomed to. Feel free to share our installation guidelines on our website or put them in touch with us if they have questions.


Jen Pinkston's perfectly installed straight set bathroom below illustrates a job well done. Clean cuts, careful planning and placing makes for the best results.

Tile Shown: 2x8s in Flagstone and Calcite

2. What materials are they planning on using?
It is important that you follow rules when installing tile. Depending on the material of tile, where it is being installed, as well as what type of grout is being used can all affect how the installation will be executed. For example, if you have chosen to use a light-colored tile paired with a darker grout, make sure your installer knows to use spacers and grout release to avoid staining (more on that here).

Tile Shown: Our 6" Triangles in Frost, Iron Ore, Salton Sea, and Sea Glass during the installation process; our installer used spacers to keep consistent grout joints.

3. Ask to do a Dry-lay.
A great way to set yourself up for tile success is by asking to do a dry lay with your installer. This can ensure a happy outcome as this is where aesthetics come into play. This is especially true if you are doing a blend of colors, an intricate pattern, or if you've opted for a specialty shape. A shape and pattern dictate how you start the installation and how the tiles should be cut.

Tile Shown: Pickets in a braided pattern; this is an example of a pattern that would benefit from a dry-lay.

You can see in the installation below how important it was to start from the lip of the tub and work upwards:

Tile School: Ogee Drops in Crater Lake.

4. Have they checked the surface you are installing on?
Your installer should check the walls before installation. Check with a level and then proceed, tile should not be set over a curved wall.

5. Ask about Water Proofing.
Always ask your installer about waterproofing, especially if you are setting your tile in a wet area, i.e., bathroom, shower, floors, pools, mudrooms, etc. We seal any of our materials that require it (our White Clay Body for example), but your installer will also need to waterproof the backing, as well as the grout. Grout is getting less and less porous, but it is still the weakest point of the installation where water can penetrate.

Tile Shown: Small Diamonds in Calcite Gloss

Lastly, If you are in the Bay Area and need tile installed, Frank O'Reilly, founder of O'Reilly Tile Design, does wonderful work and is very familiar with our tile!

Do you like any of the featured colors? Order samples online now. Still have questions about tile installation? Simply call, chat, or fill out our Design Assistance Form and one of our talented Design Consultants will get back to you shortly.

Shop the Story

Ogee Drop Tile in Crater Lake Gloss
Picket Tile in Calcite Gloss
6" Triangle Tile in Salton Sea Gloss
2x8 Tile in Flagstone Matte
  • 1/ Crater Lake Gloss, Ogee Drop
  • 2/ Calcite Gloss, Picket
  • 3/ Salton Sea Gloss, 6" Triangle
  • 4/ Flagstone Matte, 2x8

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