Crazing Brochure

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Tile crazing refers to the appearance of hairline cracks or fissures on the surface of a glazed tile, often prompting homeowners or installers to ask, “why is my tile cracking?”

In many cases, these fine cracks occur only within the glaze layer and are caused by tensile stress that exceeds the tile’s mechanical strength. Tile crazing happens when the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the tile body and the glaze do not perfectly match, creating stress within the glaze surface. This is why crazing is more common in ceramic tile than porcelain tile, as ceramic tile is less likely to have a perfectly aligned expansion rate with the glaze.

In some cases, tile crazing is intentional, known as a crackle finish, where the fine surface cracks are part of the tile’s handcrafted design. When this decorative effect is present, periodic sealing is recommended to help protect the glazed surface from moisture and staining.