Dallas, TX, July 25, 2009–Dal-Tile has launched a customized cutting service that allows any Daltile or American Olean ceramic or porcelain floor tile to be custom ordered in linear and rectangular sizes, ranging from a minimum of 2” wide to a maximum of 24” long. With the launch, a core assortment of products from top-selling collections in a variety of popular sizes is being offered with a short lead-time. Any of the brands’ other ceramic or porcelain floor tiles can be special ordered.

The service, called Linear Options under the Daltile brand and Linear Express for American Olean, uses the company’s automated cutting equipment to create the custom sizes at the Dallas factory. Tiles can be specified with straight or beveled edges so that all four sides have the same visual appearance. In preparation for the launch of this service, Dal-Tile has made significant investments in new equipment and space at its manufacturing facilities.

“Before our linear-cutting service, anyone looking for linear shapes and rectangular sizes were either limited to a handful of collections that offered those options premade or they had to have the tiles cut down at the job site by their installer. Now, any Daltile or American Olean rectified porcelain tile or glazed floor tile can be ordered in popular linear and rectangular sizes, making the design options virtually endless,” said Lori Kirk-Rolley, senior marketing director for Daltile.  “And since the custom cuts are done at the factory, the quality of the cuts is more consistent and higher quality than doing it by hand.  Additionally, we’re helping reduce labor costs at the jobsite by removing this extra step in the installation process.”

The core assortment of products were selected from many popular porcelain tile collections and are being offered in a range sizes with a three-week lead time, including floor tiles from Daltile’s City View (2” x 24”, 4” x 24”, 6” x 24”), Concrete Connection (3 ¼” x 20”), Metal Effects (3 ¼” x 20”), Fabrique (2” x 24”, 4” x 24”, 6” x 24”), Monticito (6” x 18”), Veranda (3 ¼” x 20”) and Vibe (2” x 24”, 4” x 24”, 6” x 24”) collections and American Olean’s St. Germain (2” x 24”, 4” x 24”, 6” x 24”), Avenue One (2” x 24”, 4” x 24”, 6” x 24”), Nouveau (2” x 24”, 4” x 24”, 6” x 24”) and Ultra Tech (2” x 24”, 4” x 24”, 6” x 24”) collections. However, any ceramic floor tile, including these core offerings, can be custom cut to any size within the minimum width (2”) and maximum length (24”) limits, with lead times to be determined at the time of the order.