Where can Emu Tile be installed?

I fire my entire line of tile to cone 6, or 2200°F, making it durable enough for most household applications.  However, because it has raised surface decoration, I generally recommend it for vertical surfaces like backsplashes and fireplace surrounds.  Relief tile makes an uneven surface for a counter or a floor. 

Can Emu Tile be mixed with commercially available field tile?

YES!  I recommend that you do.  Dazzling results can be achieved at a fraction of the cost of a 100% handmade installation. 

Is there a size difference between commercial and handmade tile?

Thickness: My handmade tile is thicker than most commercial wall tile (many of our designs are 1/2 inch thick vs. 1/4 inch for standard wall tile.)  This poses no particular problem for wall installation.  I always glaze the sides of my tile, so it looks fine if they show.  If you prefer that the art tile be flush with the field, simply select thicker wall tile or use floor tile, which is often thicker and can be used on walls.  Floor tile has the added benefit of being more durable than wall tile.

Height and Width: Matching height and width of tiles from different manufacturers can be tricky.  A tile labeled as 4”x4” can be as small as 3.75”x3.75” or as large as 4.25”x4.25”, depending on the company that produced it.  My tile are almost exactly the size that they are labled, but they are a handmade product so expect slight variation. When shopping for field tile, carry a measuring tape so you can be sure of the true dimensions of the tile you are buying.  Better still, carry an art tile with you so you can compare. If an exact match isn’t available, get field tile that is slightly larger rather than too small.  (My 4"x4" tile mix well with standard wall tile, which are 4.25"x4.25".)

What if the field tile is a different size than Emu Tile?

If the field tile you select does not match the size of your chosen art tile, don’t worry! They can still be combined into a great-looking installation by cutting the field tile to fit, or framing the art tile with trim tile. Consult your local library or a good tile setter to learn more. (I recommend the Sunset book, Complete Tile, for information on how to plan and set a tile job.)

Can you glaze Emu Tile to match commercial field tile?

No. Glaze chemistry is more complicated than mixing paint.  It is very difficult to create an exact match.  Instead, I recommend choosing field tile that compliment or harmonize with the color of the accent tile.