How can I tell the difference between a quality ceramic floor tile and some of the rubbish being sold?

A. It's a good question, one that you don't have much help answering. However, if you are intending to buy a ceramic tile in the near future, it's a question you will be facing and should take a moment to read and consider the following information: Notes: Ceramic tiles are NOT all alike and some may be considered time bombs ready, waiting, and ticking down until conditions are right to cause you problems. Even the ceramic industry does not make comparative advertising with competition products. Why? By law, much of the European Community is restricted from this activity. Also, it's often viewed as self-destructive. "It's cheap and it looks aesthetically the same." These are often prophetic words. It may sound like just common sense remarks but lower priced materials of any kind normally cost less because there are short cuts in manufacturing them. I am told, "it is not possible to convince a cheap customer to neither buy based on quality issues, nor easily convince a customer who is ...  more