FAQs

FAQs for Ceramic Handmade Tiles by Emu Tile LLC

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Q: Where can Emu Handmade Tile be installed?
A: My entire line of handmade stoneware tiles is fired to 2200°F, making them durable enough for most household applications. However, due to the raised surface decoration, I generally recommend installing them on vertical surfaces like backsplashes, fireplace surrounds, and bathroom walls. Relief tiles can create an uneven surface and may become scuffed if placed on heavily used counters or high-traffic floors. If you do install Emu Tile on a horizontal surface, I suggest choosing designs with lower relief and placing them in out-of-the-way areas, such as in a corner or near the wall.

Q: Are Emu Art Tiles perfectly square and flat? Will glaze colors look exactly like those pictured on the website?
A: No. Emu Art Tiles are handmade using traditional methods, so they are not perfectly uniform in size, shape, or color. Glaze colors naturally vary due to the firing process.

Q: Can Emu Tile be mixed with commercially available field tile?
A: YES! Mixing Emu Tile with commercial field tile can create dazzling results at a fraction of the cost of a completely handmade installation.

Q: Is there a size difference between commercial and handmade tile?
A:

• Height and width: Some commercial tiles labeled as 4"x4" may actually measure as small as 3.75”x3.75” or as large as 4.25”x4.25". For my tiles,  4"x4" means very close to 4"x4." My goal is to make all my tiles between 1/16th" and 1/8th" smaller than the listed size, but there may be some variation due to the handmade nature of the product.
• Thickness: My handmade tiles are thicker than most commercial wall tiles (approximately 1/2" thick for most Emu Tiles vs. 1/4" for standard wall tiles). I glaze the sides of every feature tile, so it's fine if they show a bit. If you prefer your art tiles to be flush with the field tile, select thicker wall tiles or use floor tiles, which are often thicker and can also be used on walls. Alternatively, natural stone field tiles are often close in size to my tiles.

Q: Can Emu Tile be mixed with field tile if they are not the same size?
A: Absolutely! If you find field tile that you love but it’s not the same size as your art tile, don't worry! They can still be combined into a beautiful installation by cutting the field tile to fit. One common method is to set either the field tiles or the art tiles on the diagonal. To see examples of this, check out my installation galleries.

Q: Can you glaze Emu Tile to match commercial field tiles?
A: Unfortunately, no. Glaze chemistry is far more complex than mixing paint, so creating an exact match is difficult. Instead, I recommend choosing field tile that harmonizes with your accent tiles for a cohesive look.

If you have any more questions or are planning a tile installation, please feel free to contact me!