What Is Daltile? Definition & Guide
Quick Definition
Daltile is a subsidiary of Mohawk Industries - the world's largest flooring manufacturer - that produces and distributes tile, natural stone, and quartz countertop slabs across North America. With over 200 showroom and distribution locations, Daltile is one of the most widely accessible material suppliers for countertop fabricators, primarily known in the slab market for their ONE Quartz Surfaces brand.
TL;DR
- Daltile is owned by Mohawk Industries and operates 200+ locations across North America
- Their countertop slab brand is ONE Quartz Surfaces, with 70+ colors
- They also distribute natural granite, marble, and quartzite slabs
- Massive distribution network means fast material access for fabricators nationwide
- Pricing sits in the mid-range for engineered quartz
- Their tile business is far larger than their slab business, so countertop expertise varies by location
- Fabricators should verify slab-specific inventory separately from tile inventory
Daltile in the Countertop Fabrication World
The Mohawk Connection
Understanding Daltile means understanding Mohawk Industries. Mohawk is a $10+ billion flooring conglomerate that owns Daltile, Marazzi, Pergo, Karastan, and dozens of other brands. Daltile operates as Mohawk's tile and stone division.
For countertop fabricators, this corporate structure has practical implications:
- Massive buying power - Mohawk's scale means Daltile can negotiate favorable pricing on raw materials and pass some of that through to fabricators.
- Broad distribution - 200+ locations means most fabricators in the US are within a reasonable drive of a Daltile facility.
- Tile-first mentality - Daltile's primary business is tile and flooring. Their slab countertop division is growing but represents a smaller share of their revenue compared to dedicated stone distributors like MSI.
ONE Quartz Surfaces
Daltile's primary countertop product is ONE Quartz Surfaces, an engineered quartz line manufactured using Breton technology (the Italian company that invented engineered quartz production).
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Colors Available | 70+ |
| Slab Size | 126" x 63" (jumbo) |
| Thickness Options | 2cm and 3cm |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime residential, 10-year commercial |
| Manufacturing | Breton technology |
| Price Position | Mid-range ($50-$85/sq ft installed) |
Popular ONE Quartz colors include:
- Micro Carrara - Fine-veined marble look
- Sahara Latte - Warm neutral with subtle movement
- Silver Mist - Gray tone for contemporary kitchens
- Luminous White - Clean white with minimal patterning
Natural Stone Distribution
Beyond quartz, Daltile distributes natural granite, marble, and quartzite slabs. Their natural stone selection is smaller than MSI's - typically 80-120 granite colors and 20-40 marble/quartzite options at any given location - but covers the most popular residential choices.
Fabricators working primarily with natural stone often supplement Daltile purchases with material from dedicated stone distributors. But for shops where quartz makes up 50-70% of jobs (increasingly common in residential work), Daltile's ONE Quartz inventory is competitive.
What Fabricators Need to Know About Working with Daltile
Location Quality Varies Significantly
Because Daltile has 200+ locations, the quality of service varies more than with smaller distributors. Some Daltile branches have dedicated slab sales staff, proper slab warehousing with A-frames, and individual slab photography. Others are primarily tile showrooms with a limited slab selection in the back.
Before committing to Daltile as a primary supplier, visit your nearest locations and evaluate:
- Do they have a dedicated slab warehouse area?
- Can they show you individual slab photos?
- What's their typical in-stock depth on popular quartz colors?
- How quickly can they source specialty colors?
Ordering Process
Daltile uses a dealer portal system for trade customers. Fabricators can:
- Browse ONE Quartz colors and availability
- Check natural stone inventory by location
- Place orders and schedule pickups
- Access marketing materials for customer-facing sales
Pricing Structure
Daltile uses a tiered pricing model based on annual volume. Fabricators processing higher volumes receive better per-slab pricing. For a shop doing 25-40 jobs per month, negotiating program pricing on your top 5-10 quartz colors can save $3-$8 per square foot at wholesale - which adds up to $2,000-$5,000+ per month across your jobs.
Daltile vs. Dedicated Stone Distributors
| Comparison Point | Daltile | MSI Surfaces | Arizona Tile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Locations | 200+ | 40+ | 28+ |
| Quartz Selection | 70+ (ONE Quartz) | 100+ (Q Premium) | 60+ (Della Terra) |
| Natural Stone Depth | Moderate | Extensive | Curated/Premium |
| Primary Business | Tile & Flooring | Stone & Tile | Stone & Tile |
| National Coverage | Strongest | Strong | Western US only |
| Slab Expertise | Varies by location | Generally strong | Strong |
Making the Most of Your Daltile Account
Identify your best local branch. Not all Daltile locations are equal for slab buyers. Find the branch with the best slab inventory and build a relationship with their stone sales rep, even if it means driving an extra 20 minutes.
Combine slab and tile orders for leverage. If your shop also handles backsplash tile (many fabricators do), combining slab and tile purchasing through Daltile gives you negotiating leverage on both.
Log every slab immediately. When you pick up slabs from Daltile, enter them into your inventory system before they hit the A-frame in your shop. Fabricators who track material manually lose an average of 10-15% to waste and misallocation. SlabWise automates inventory tracking so every slab is accounted for from purchase through fabrication, cutting waste and preventing the $1,500-$4,000 cost of a remake caused by using the wrong material.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Daltile?
Daltile is owned by Mohawk Industries, the world's largest flooring manufacturer. Mohawk acquired Daltile in 2002.
What is ONE Quartz Surfaces?
ONE Quartz Surfaces is Daltile's engineered quartz countertop brand. It uses Breton technology and includes 70+ colors with limited lifetime residential warranties.
How many Daltile locations are there?
Daltile operates over 200 showroom and distribution locations across the United States and Canada.
Does Daltile sell natural stone slabs?
Yes. Daltile distributes granite, marble, and quartzite slabs in addition to their ONE Quartz product line. Natural stone availability varies by location.
Is Daltile quartz good quality?
ONE Quartz Surfaces is a solid mid-range quartz product manufactured using proven Breton technology. It carries appropriate certifications (NSF, Greenguard) and performs comparably to other major quartz brands.
Does Daltile sell to homeowners?
Daltile showrooms are open to homeowners for browsing and material selection. Purchasing typically goes through a fabricator, contractor, or authorized dealer.
How does Daltile pricing compare to MSI?
Daltile ONE Quartz pricing is generally comparable to MSI Q Premium, with both sitting in the mid-range. Specific pricing depends on color, volume commitments, and regional factors.
Can fabricators get volume discounts from Daltile?
Yes. Daltile offers tiered pricing programs based on annual purchase volume. Higher-volume fabricators receive better per-slab rates.
Does Daltile offer slab delivery?
Most Daltile locations offer slab delivery service. Fees and minimums vary by location and distance. Many fabricators prefer to pick up slabs to inspect them before transport.
What thickness options does Daltile quartz come in?
ONE Quartz Surfaces is available in 2cm and 3cm thicknesses. 3cm is standard for most US residential countertop installations.
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Sources
- Daltile - Company website and ONE Quartz product information (daltile.com)
- Mohawk Industries - Annual reports and corporate data
- Breton S.p.A. - Quartz manufacturing technology
- Natural Stone Institute - Industry data and standards
- National Kitchen & Bath Association - Market sizing
- Freedonia Group - U.S. countertop market report ($22.1B market)