QuarryBasics® unglazed ceramic quarry tile  offers the combination of long wear and great looking colors and shapes. The colors coordinate to fit high traffic, multi-use, commercial and residential design needs. QUARRYBASICS are the foremost natural, unglazed, high density ceramic quarry tile made in the U.S.A.

Metropolitan Ceramics' QuarryBasics® quarry tiles are designed for areas of heavy use. The products are extruded and fired in kilns at high temperatures to create quarry tile that is very low absorption (vitreous), slip resisting and extremely durable. Metropolitan Ceramics' QuarryBasics® quarry tile meets or exceeds eight durability tests, including breaking strength and abrasion resistance.

Specified for commercial kitchen floors throughout the United States and abroad, use QuarryBasics® tiles for the most formidable commercial flooring applications. Places like food processing plants, convenience stores or public spaces, anywhere extremes in temperature and wet conditions are prevalent will benefit from having a QuarryBasics® quarry tile floor.

QuarryBasics® unglazed quarry tiles are available in seven natural earth tone colors, including Raven, a nearly black color. QuarryBasics® quarry tiles are ½" thick for added strength.

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QuarryBasics® XA Abrasive silicon carbide embedded in the surface combined with a metallic additive through-the-body makes XA Abrasive a one-of-a-kind slip resisting ceramic quarry tile with a dynamic coefficient of friction ≥.70 - well above the industry guideline of .42. The silicon carbide and the metallic additive work together to help keep your floor safe from the effects of spills, moisture, extreme temperatures and heavy traffic. Use QuarryBasics® XA Abrasive in the most extreme environments like fast paced restaurant kitchen floors or anywhere durability and slip resistance are essential.

Use XA ABRASIVE in These Areas • Heavy Traffic • Areas Subject to Spills & Moisture • Places with Extreme Temperatures • Where Added Durability is a Must • Indoors and Out in Any Climate • Anywhere Slip Resistance is a Concern.

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Metropolitan Ceramics' METRO Tread® features nine raised treads across the surface of each tile and spaced 5/8″ apart for added slip resistance. METRO Tread® has a dynamic coefficient of friction of ≥.60 wet at time of manufacture. Wet areas with high traffic like commercial kitchens, restaurant kitchens, bar areas and food preparation stations will benefit from a METRO Tread floor.

Install METRO Tread® in a linear pattern for areas such as hallways and ramps when the traffic flows across the tread. For general installations like commercial kitchen floors, METRO Tread® tiles must be installed in a grid - checkerboard - pattern for proper slip resistance.

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Metropolitan Ceramics' METRO® Pavers are the foremost unglazed high density quarry tile pavers made in the United States. METRO® Pavers are engineered to meet the demands of heavy truck traffic and industrial applications like breweries, food processing plants, warehouses, auto dealerships, and commercial garages. Fork lifts, rolling tables and equipment on casters, tool boxes, vehicles, cart traffic, trailers and dollies are examples of the types of heavy equipment that can move over METRO® Pavers quarry tile pavers.

• Metro Pavers pass all applicable modulus of rupture testing.
• Metro Pavers meet the ASTM standard for industrial floor brick ASTM C410.
• Metro Pavers have relieved edge and uncompromised die skin body resists cracking, spalling and erosion.
• Metro Pavers resist thermal shock and can be used indoors and outdoors in any climate.
• Metro Pavers dense vitreous body composition resists mold, bacteria and chemical attacks.
• Metro Pavers meets the ASTM standard ASTM C279 for chemical resistant masonry units.

Note: installation methods should include 100% coverage for mortar when the application involves heavy static or rolling loads such as vats or vehicles. The recommended installation methods in the Tile Council of America's “Handbook for Ceramic Tile Installation", and ANSI (American National Standards Institute) standards should be followed.

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Down to Earth® is an indoor/outdoor, naturally slip-resisting unglazed quarry paving tile from Metropolitan Ceramics® combining earth's elements and components for captivating commercial and residential installations. Down to Earth® is 1/2″ thick, has through-the-body flashed colors and a textured surface  - perfect for a balcony, patio, walkway, pool surround, mudroom, sunroom, entryway or courtyard.

Aesthetically Pleasing
Down to Earth® is offered in four earth tone colors. The 4″ x 8″ Velour Texture is standard; other sizes are available by special order.

Unique
Down to Earth adds a natural paving brick element to any hardscape design. Since Down to Earth is a ceramic tile, you can install it over any adequately prepared substrate including concrete slabs - indoors and out.

Slip Resisting
Slip falls are a concern in any setting. Down to Earth has a dynamic coefficient of friction ≥.60 wet - well above the industry threshold of .42 for ceramic tile.

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Royal Thin Brick ® is a decorative unglazed thin brick. The bricks have a classic wire-cut texture. They are tumbled for a distressed, worn appearance that works well for adding a traditional brick aesthetic in both residential and commercial settings. Depending on how the bricks are fired, there are both shade variation and single tone colors in the palette. Colors range from light gray and beige to rich reds and dark browns and near black. Royal Thin Brick is available in select blends for even more design options. The blends create a pleasing natural color range.

Royal Thin Brick is available in Queen Size, which is a broader face than modular brick. The Queen size (2 ¾' x 7 5/8") adds character to the bricks, making them more engaging for residential and high-end commercial installations. Royal thin brick is 5/8" thick. Royal Thin Brick can be installed just like ceramic tiles, following the same tile set methods. You can use Royal on any substrate suitable for ceramic tile for the flexibility to create a brick application and change the look of any area.

Use Royal Thin Brick for a variety of interior and exterior installations on both floors and walls. Think of Royal Thin Brick for accent walls, backsplashes, walkways, patios, bar areas, mudrooms, home exterior and around a fireplace. With Royal Thin Brick, there are unlimited options for adding the look of real brick to your home or business.

METROBRICK®  thin brick veneer is fast becoming one of the most attractive finishes available. You can Install thin brick in a variety of areas using straightforward tile setting methods and quickly achieve a brick finish in remodeling and new construction projects. When installing thin brick, we recommend using a 3/8″ grout joint. Use thin brick in areas where full-face brick is often not practical and without additional construction work required with full face brick.

The METROBRICK Fast Ship Program offers high-quality, low absorption, real kiln-fired thin brick for use in all types of commercial and residential brick veneer applications.

METROBRICK's Fast Ship Program includes nine colors and seven blends available in inventory* for a fast turnaround. The METROBRICK Fast Ship Colors are available in the modular brick size (2 1/4″ x 7 5/8″) and a traditional brick wire cut texture. Corner and edge cap pieces are also available.

With METROBRICK Fast Ship, you can create a brick wall finish over any adequately prepared vertical surface. METROBRICK has been installed throughout the United States in various applications including schools, hospitals, hotels, restaurants, retail, residential projects and multi-use facilities. Use METROBRICK anywhere a brick finish is desired, both indoors and out.

*Most items listed can be shipped within five days of placing the order (lead time for blends is approximately two to four weeks). Levels of inventory vary. Our ability to fast ship is based on a first-come-first-served basis. Levels of inventoried items will fluctuate. Inventory is designed to assist in a quick turnaround for smaller quantity orders- typically under 10,000 sq. ft.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. We hope the images in this photo gallery will help you visualize ways to use our quarry tile and thin brick products. Their versatility is unmatched, giving you the quality you need for so many applications around a home or business. From Metropolitan Ceramics Metro Pavers for a brewery floor to QUARRYBASICS for a kitchen floor, we can provide the product you need for your next project.

These installation images will show you a variety of applications for Metropolitan Ceramics'  thin brick products. They were chosen to illustrate the variety of ways these products can be used – both indoors and out.

Ironrock is committed to providing our customers with sustainable products while keeping with the company's commitment to good stewardship toward the environment and our community. This page gives more insight into the steps we are taking to save resources and energy in the manufacture of Metropolitan Ceramics' quarry tile and thin brick products.

We will also look at the positive environmental impact Metropolitan Ceramics' quarry tile products have once installed, for the life of their use and beyond. We will look at testing for durability, product life cycle, indoor air quality and recycled content.

Metropolitan Ceramics® quarry products are one of the longest lasting flooring products available. In fact, a study conducted by the Tile Council of North America found quarry tile to be the best value among competing floor covering products based specifically on the price and longevity of the product.

Cradle to Cradle is fast becoming the standard by which the sustainability of building products is measured. This concept puts focus on the entire life cycle and re-use of a product. Metropolitan® quarry tile is an excellent cradle-to-cradle product because it is mined at close proximity to the manufacturing site and it can last for many years and even centuries. At the end of a building's life, it can be removed and reused as tile or recycled as a roadbed material with no negative impact on the environment.

Green Squared is North America's first sustainable product program written exclusively for tiles and tile installation material. Green Squared involves the sustainability product standard ANSI A138.1 and the third party certification to that standard.

Metropolitan Ceramics is your source for Green Squared Certified ceramic quarry tile and thin brick. Ironrock, maker of Metropolitan Ceramics quarry tile, METROBRICK thin brick, and Royal Thin Brick, has gone through the certification process with SCS - Scientific Certification Systems - and has obtained Green Squared Certification for all products.

This means that Ironrock has met the certification criteria in all categories, including environmental product characteristics, environmental product manufacturing /raw material extraction, end of product life management, progressive corporate governance and innovation. Part of the certification includes certified products; all Metropolitan Ceramics quarry tile and thin brick products are Green Squared Certified.

Ironrock has taken part in an industry-wide Environmental Product Declaration - EPD. The EPD reports the environmental footprint of North American made ceramic tile across all major impact categories within a 60 year building service life. This EPD is an initiative of the Tile Council of North America. Use the EPD to fulfill requirements of leading green building programs.

Health Product Declarations provide full disclosure of a manufacturer's product ingredients. Ironrock has third-party certified material ingredient disclosures (HPD's) verified for accuracy by WAP Sustainability and in compliance with the LEED v4.0 and v4.1 requirements for material ingredient reporting and optimization. Download the disclosures for each Ironrock product line here.