Are you renovating a bathroom or looking for a new floor for your living room? Then you're probably hearing a lot of terms thrown around. Ceramic, natural stone, wood look... and then there's also the choice between "rectified" or "non-rectified."
That last term, in particular, often causes confusion. Because what exactly are rectified tiles? Is it worth the investment? And how does it affect the look of your space? In this blog, we'll explain it in detail, so you can make the best choice for your dream home.
What are rectified tiles?
To understand what a rectified tile is, we need to look at how a tile is made. Ceramic tiles go into the kiln to be fired. During this firing process, the clay shrinks. Because not every tile shrinks by exactly the same amount, small differences in size occur after firing, and the edges are often slightly rounded. We call this a 'normal' or non-rectified tile.
With rectified tiles, an extra step is added after the firing process. The tiles are sawn (ground) with extreme precision. This removes the rounded edges, and the corners are exactly 90 degrees. The result? A dimensionally stable tile with razor-sharp, straight edges.
The most important features at a glance:
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Right-angle corners: The sides are straight and sharp.
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Dimensionally stable: Every tile has exactly the same size (calibre).
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Sleek look: Ideal for modern interiors.
The big difference: grout joint width
Why would you choose rectified tiles? The answer is simple: the grout joint.
Because rectified tiles are so dimensionally stable and straight, you can lay them very close to each other. Whereas with normal tiles you often need a grout joint of 4 to 6 millimeters to accommodate dimensional tolerances, with rectified tiles you can work with a minimal joint.
Often, a grout joint width of 1.5 to 2 millimeters is maintained. This may seem like a small difference on paper, but in practice, the effect is enormous. A narrow grout joint in the same colour as the tile makes your floor or wall appear as one large, seamless whole. This gives a very calm, luxurious, and spacious look.
Non-rectified tiles: when do you choose them?
Does this mean that non-rectified tiles (often slightly cheaper) are inherently inferior? Absolutely not. It's a matter of taste and style.
A non-rectified tile has sides that are slightly tapered (rounded edges). This requires a wider grout joint. This fits perfectly with a country, classic, or robust style. Think of a cozy farmhouse kitchen or a terrace with a Mediterranean feel. Here, the floor is allowed to have more "character," and a wider grout joint is actually charming.
Points to consider when laying
If you choose rectified tiles, you choose perfection. This means that laying these tiles requires craftsmanship. Here are three important points to consider:
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The subsurface must be level: Because the joints are so narrow and the tiles are so straight, you'll immediately see any height differences. A perfectly leveled floor is essential.
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Risk of 'lipping': If one tile is slightly higher than the other, you'll immediately feel a raised edge with sharp edges. This is called lipping.
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Use a leveling system: We always recommend using a tile leveling system (clips and wedges) for sizes larger than 30x60 cm. This pulls the tiles tightly together for a perfectly flat result.
