About Down to Earth Tile

A Durable premier quarry tile for outdoor & indoor applications.
Down to Earth is extruded (not pressed) for low absorption and 1/2” thick for added durability. The low absorption means Down to Earth is freeze/thaw resisting and will perform well in the harshest climates - from Minneapolis to Miami. In fact, Down to Earth has been tested to withstand 3,000 cycles of freeze/thaw without incident.

Aesthetically pleasing tile for patios, porches, walkways, sunrooms and mudrooms.
We've designed Down to Earth with an eye toward design. Down to Earth is offered in four earth tone colors. Each color is available in three distinct sizes/textures. Nominal 4” x 8” Velour Texture - the look of a wire cut paver. 6” x 9” Stone Texture - traditional larger format.
Nominal 4” x 12” Slate Texture - a more contemporary design. Down to Earth outdoor tile has random kiln fired shade variation from tile to tile for added appeal.

Unique tile for outdoor & indoor use.
Because Down to Earth is textured the grout color can add to the look of the surface of the tile - see Cleaning and Maintenance page. In either a traditional or contemporary setting, Down to Earth indoor outdoor tile answers the call to have natural elements incorporated into the design.

Slip resisting for indoor & outdoor tile needs.
The concern with slip falls is magnified in an outdoor tile setting. Down to Earth is unglazed and textured with a coefficient of friction 0.8 dry and 0.7 wet. This is considered a very good rating for a tile in regard to slip fall. Because of the Down to Earth textured and unglazed face, the chance of a person hydroplaning and slipping when they walk across the surface is greatly reduced. Hydroplaning is caused by a layer of water developing between the foot and the tile surface. The more irregularities - such as a rough face and texture grooves - a tile has, the less chance for water to build up resulting in the foot skimming the surface - slipping. With unglazed/textured Down to Earth, the problem is greatly reduced as compared to other tile products that might be considered for outdoor flooring tile.

A natural product for any indoor or outdoor tile environment.
With environmental concerns on the minds of consumers, they will be glad to know that Down to Earth:

• is made primarily of natural clay and shale just like brick.

• has one of the longest life cycles of any flooring product.

• is manufactured in a central location, Canton, Ohio.

• is an inert material that can be returned to the earth at the end of its life cycle, as road bed   material for example.

Down to Earth® is a product of Metropolitan Ceramics®.

Metropolitan Ceramics® is the leader in manufacturing high quality unglazed quarry tile for indoor and outdoor tile needs. Metropolitan quarry tile is an extremely durable ceramic quarry tile manufactured by the extrusion process, not pressed.

Metropolitan Ceramics tile has a low absorption body, a tight die skin and an unglazed slip resisting surface for use indoors or outdoors in virtually any climate. The tile has many of the same characteristics as paver brick.

Metropolitan quarry tile is manufactured with a relieved edge that resists chipping. Because of the thickness and the through-the-body color, the tile also resists impact and abrasion.

The color palette consists of natural earth tones that are complementary and enhance other design elements. Because of the natural raw materials and the firing process, the tile produces no off gassing sometimes associated with other flooring products.

Metropolitan Ceramics products are maintenance friendly and - when properly cared for - will meet the most demanding applications with years of quality service indoors and out. The look of Metropolitan quarry tile can actually be enhanced over time.

Metropolitan Ceramics tile can also be used on vertical surfaces. Consult the Tile Council of America Installation Handbook for correct installation procedure.

Metropolitan Ceramics continues with well over 100 years as a leader in producing quality ceramics products. From our central location in Canton, Ohio, Metropolitan combines decades of expertise in kiln firing, with world class production equipment and the finest raw materials. The end result is an outstanding value in unglazed ceramic quarry tile.