Ceratec Essential Avorio Matte Porcelain Mosaic 2" x 2"

A shower floor has to slope to the drain. Small pieces on a mesh sheet are what let the tile follow that slope, and the extra grout lines give your feet more grip.

In simple terms: Essential Avorio is a 2x2 porcelain mosaic for floors and walls, indoors and out.

It is the matte finish in Avorio from the Ceratec Essential range.

Each sheet measures 12.05" x 12.05", with 2" x 2" pieces. It is 5.7 mm thick. It is full-body porcelain: the colour runs through the tile, so a chip blends in. The spec sheet lists a wet DCOF slip reading of 0.53, an R10 slip rating and water absorption below 0.5%. It is rated for heavy commercial traffic. It is frost resistant. Shade variation is V1, uniform. It is designed by Ceratec in Canada and made in China. Porcelain is fired dense, so it handles water, spills and daily foot traffic and the tile itself never needs sealing.

It suits shower floors, bathroom floors, backsplashes, accent strips in a shower and commercial floors such as stores and offices. Pick it over a larger tile wherever the floor has to slope or the wall needs a detail.

Each sheet covers 1.01 sq ft, so a 40 sq ft bathroom floor takes 40 sheets, or 44 sheets with about 10% extra for cuts and spares. It is sold by the sheet, and a box holds 20 sheets. For every 100 sq ft, plan on 110 sheets with the 10% extra included.

It is listed for outdoor use, but an outdoor floor also needs the right base and slope, so ask us before planning it outside.

In this size, Essential also comes in Bianco, Carbone, Cenere and Polvere. Avorio also comes in 3" x 6", 2" x 12", 4" x 16" and 4" x 8". For edges, Ceratec recommends a 5/16" trim profile.

Our own crews install it, so the people who measure the job are the people who answer for it. See Ceratec Essential Avorio in person at our Mississauga showroom (700 Dundas St E, Unit 3-4, 905-277-2227) or our Barrie showroom (112 Saunders Rd, Units 1-4, 705-726-2272).