Body

• Ceramic tile is comprised of hardened clay. A few are naturally colored and unglazed, such as terracotta, but the majority of ceramic has a glazed surface, which is prone to chipping or cracking if struck by an object; porcelain tile or natural stone is not.
  
  

Transporting

• Special handling is necessary when moving or transporting ceramic tile. Separate pieces in shipping boxes, and pack them in with packing foam. Protect ceramic tile while transporting or shipping it by packing each piece with the opposing "rough" side (unglazed, unfinished back side) to each other. Never pack ceramic tile with the glazed, finished surface facing an opposing glazed surface as the friction will scratch the surface.
  
  

Cutting and Installing

• Trowels and metal tools scratch the surface of ceramic tile, especially high-glaze ceramics with a Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) rating of 1 to 2. Avoid contact with any metal object as you install the pieces. Also beware of handheld tile cutters; the components of the tile cutter providing snapping pressure may scratch or chip the surface of ceramic tile. Expert tile setters recommend using a wet saw to cut ceramic tile instead.
  
  

Grouting

• Sanded grout may scratch of "scuff" the surface of ceramic tile, especially those with a PEI rating of 1. You may need to mask off the surface of the ceramic tile before grouting with a sanded grout. Use a non-sanded grout instead.