What is ceramic floor tiles. Types of floor tiles and their characteristics What is the floor tiles except ceramic

One of the most popular floor coverings is ceramic tiles, which have a very high service life, up to 40–50 years, while the tiles do not lose their performance characteristics, both in terms of pattern retention and strength. Floor ceramic tiles are of the following types:
- glazed;
- unglazed;
- porcelain stoneware.

glazed tiles

Glazed floor tiles consist of a glossy vitreous coating that gives them extra density and hardness. A pattern is applied to this coating, which gives increased moisture resistance when the tile is used in wet rooms. The only drawback of such a tile is that it is corny slippery.

Such a coating is well suited for both the kitchen and for the corridor or hallway. The tile well withstands the effects of detergents, household chemicals and is easily washed from contamination.

Unglazed tiles

Unglazed floor tiles differ from glazed ones in that they do not have a pattern, but are made in different colors. This coating has a wide range of applications and can be used in any area of ​​your home. The only drawback is the scarcity of decorative solutions, but designers often use it in mosaics and combined floors.

Like glazed tiles, unglazed tiles can be glossy or matte. As a rule, glossy is used in public spaces as an interior. It is beautiful, but it is not recommended to walk on it without using a special anti-slip coating, so designers often use it to frame and decorate the main matte tile.

Porcelain tiles

There is a new type of floor tile - porcelain stoneware. This tile is obtained by mixing basalt and spar chips. In finished form, the tile is very similar to granite, it can be used in the bathroom or toilet, as it is not very slippery even when wet.

Porcelain stoneware is excellent as a covering for underfloor heating, it retains heat and is quite resistant to various temperatures. In addition, the tile has an anti-vandal coating, so it is not afraid of either women's heels or children's cars.

Regardless of the type of tile you choose, pay attention to its manufacturer and its quality. A good coating that will serve you for many years should have a quality certificate, the best of which is a certificate of conformity with the UNI EN standards developed by the European Commission for Standardization (CEN) in Italy.

Floor tiles for the floor compare favorably with rolled materials. Firstly, it allows you to create a variety of laying options on the floor, secondly, damaged areas of the floor can be easily replaced and, thirdly, there is practically no waste material left during the installation process. In addition, tiles can easily be overlaid with a raised floor that hides communications. Unlike roll materials, this will not impede access to inspection hatches.

Features of the tiled floor

All tiled materials are classified according to several criteria at once:

1. By type of raw material. Floor manufacturers make tiles from the following types of raw materials:
   • phenolic and polyvinyl chloride;
   • rubber and synthetic;
   • polymer cement and colloxylin;
   • coumarone and polymer concrete.
2. By structure. There are models with one or more layers that come with either a subbase (fabric, rubber) or without it;
3. In terms of aesthetics. The tile can have not only rectangular and square, but also figured shape. They also vary in color, size and texture. Floor modern tiles can have a glossy or rough surface, be made with embossing or a pronounced relief.

You can learn more about the differences and classifications of tile coatings from the video.

Characteristics of tiles

All types of floor tiles must have certain physical and mechanical properties that would ensure the wear resistance of the coating during operation. To date, the basic requirements for ceramic products are defined by GOST 6787-2001. In accordance with the main provisions of this document, when choosing a model, special attention should be paid not only to the aesthetic, but also to the technical side of the issue.

What properties should a high-quality coating have?

• Wear resistance. Tiles made from any type of raw material have a certain wear resistance class, the choice of which is largely determined by the intensity of floor operation. The greater the patency in the room, the higher the coverage class should be;
• Frost resistance. An obligatory criterion that should be taken into account when it is necessary to lay the floor in rooms with a low temperature. It shows the critical temperature at which the material will begin to crack;
• Hypoallergenic. Some types of raw materials contain volatile chemicals that can be harmful to health. They cannot be used in residential premises, but due to good technical indicators, they are used in manufacturing enterprises;
• Fire resistance. In rooms with a high risk of fire, it is necessary to take into account the temperature and time of exposure to fire at which the floor can catch fire;
• Moisture resistance. This indicator is taken into account when laying the floor in rooms with a special microclimate. Raw materials should not only be waterproof, it is desirable that they include components that would prevent the development of microbes and mold;
• Resistance to mechanical and chemical influence. This point is especially important when using tiles in enterprises where the floor is exposed to chemically active substances, as well as to intense mechanical influence;
• Friction coefficient. Some types of materials have a fairly smooth and slippery surface. The degree of slip is determined by 4 main categories, which indicate the level of safety of movement on the surface.

The main types of tile coatings

As already mentioned, floor tiles can be represented not only by ceramic models. Today, there are many types of natural and synthetic materials, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages. So, the main types of coatings include:

• Carpet and cork;
• Metal and quartz vinyl;
• Ceramic and stone;
• Rubber and PVC.

Some of the listed types of floors are used exclusively for commercial purposes, while others can be used in residential areas. To understand the advantages and disadvantages of each model, consider the features of all materials.

Traditionally, for finishing surfaces in "damp" rooms, ceramic floor tiles are used. This is due to the good physical and mechanical properties of the material, as well as its aesthetic appeal. According to the manufacturing method, there are two main types of ceramic products:

• Extrusion. Produced from clay raw materials by forcing a liquid mass through an extrusion head;
• Pressed. The tile is made from mixture, which is molded with a press under very high pressure.

Depending on the processing method of the semi-finished material, the floor covering can be glossy or rough, with or without an enamel layer. The advantages of ceramic flooring include:

• Low level of water absorption;
• Chemical resistance;
• High level of wear resistance;
• Resistance to high temperatures;
• Long service life (at least 20 years).

If it is necessary to lay the coating at manufacturing enterprises, they prefer models with a very dense base and low porosity. They have the best wear resistance, but they are more expensive. In the circle of ordinary consumers, Gres tiles for the floor are in the greatest demand.

The tile of this manufacturer is created using a special technology in which kaolinite is added to the clay mass. Thanks to this, the coating is very durable and in terms of its technical parameters it is not inferior even to granite. A distinctive feature of the material is high frost resistance and resistance to moisture.

PVC tiles

Floor tiles made of PVC materials are one of the most budgetary floor options. In fact, this is an ordinary linoleum, which is made in the form of plates. They can go both on an adhesive basis and without it. The coating consists of several layers, which provides it with a sufficiently high level of wear resistance.

You can lay the material not only on a concrete screed, but also on plywood or old linoleum. The advantages of PVC boards include:

• the possibility of laying on any type of base;
• high moisture resistance;
• no shrinkage during operation.

However, the synthetic floor has several tangible disadvantages, in comparison with ceramics:

• short period of service (no more than 10-12 years);
• "fear" of high temperatures;
• instability to certain types of chemicals (acetone).

Depending on the conditions of use, there are several classes of PVC tile coating:

• 21-23. It is used in residential areas with low traffic;
• 31-33. It can be used not only in residential premises, but also in public buildings;
• 41-43. Suitable for warehouse and industrial facilities with a high level of traffic.

Vinyl and quartz vinyl tiles

Vinyl tile is a multilayer synthetic material that has good aesthetic performance, as well as wear resistance and moisture resistance. As the name implies, the material contains vinyl, which provides the floor with good technical characteristics.

As a variety, a quartz vinyl coating is also isolated. It costs a little less than a vinyl floor, which is due to the addition of an inexpensive filler, sand, to the coating composition. The tile consists of several layers, the main of which include:

• Protective - represented by a polyurethane wear-resistant film;
• The main one is made of vinyl;
• Decorative - contains a picture;
• Lower - can be made of polymer or fabric.

Basic quartz vinyl coating:

• moisture resistance;
• good depreciation;
• neutrality to the effects of chemicals;
• anti-slip properties;

In addition, vinyl floor tiles for underfloor heating are just perfect, due to the good heat transfer of the material.

metal tile

Modern technologies have made it possible to produce floor coverings not only from traditional types of raw materials, but even from metal. Thanks to a special polymer film, the floor does not oxidize upon contact with water. Due to this, the technical characteristics of the tile are significantly improved.

Of course, metal models are most often used in manufacturing plants, which is due to intense loads on the coating. A concrete surface reinforced with just such a tile becomes practically “not killed”. In addition, it has increased heat resistance, unlike synthetic raw materials.

The main advantages of metal products include:

• wear resistance;
• fire safety;
• impact resistance;
• durability.

In private dwellings, metal coatings are extremely rare, since the surface of the metal is quite cold. That is why it is most often equipped in the underfloor heating system.

stone tile

For the manufacture of tiles, artificial or real granite or marble is used. Both types of material have high wear resistance and at the same time have excellent decorative qualities. The photo shows floors made of clinker tiles.

The advantages of the floor include:

• long service life (at least 25 years);
• frost resistance;
• aesthetics;
• fire safety.

Whichever type of tiling you choose, you must first take into account the technical qualities of the model. For example, hygroscopic materials should never be used in damp rooms, while others are afraid of frost or undergo large linear expansion with temperature changes.

The convenient "format" of the tile coating allows it to be used in any type of room, as evidenced by the reviews of ordinary consumers:

• Didn't want to put regular tiles in the bathroom, and imagine my surprise when I saw vinyl tiles. Firstly, it costs less than the traditional one, and secondly, it is easier to lay it. I've been using it for two years now and have no complaints. Of course, in some places it has faded a little, but, in principle, the floor looks pretty;
• A year ago, I put cork tiles in the dining room. It turned out very well, in my opinion. If any of the squares lag behind or deteriorate, replacing them, in general, is not difficult;
• For a long time it was necessary to change the floor in the kitchen, but there was not enough money for tiles. Then my wife and I, at our own peril and risk, decided to put PVC plates. Pah-pah, but for three years nothing has been peeling off anywhere.

Overview of tile manufacturers

In the process of choosing floor tiles, it is very important to pay attention to the manufacturer. It is not always possible to determine the quality of the material by appearance, but the good reputation of the manufacturer is already at least 60% of success.

Among all the facing materials for the floor, many people prefer to choose floor tiles. It is chosen because it has excellent aesthetic characteristics, it can be used in any room, fits perfectly into absolutely any interior, has high mechanical resistance and durability. In addition, they produce it in different sizes, this allows the buyer to make a choice in favor of the most convenient option, and the service life of the product sometimes exceeds 50 years. In care, floor tiles are unpretentious and are not subject to heavy pollution and dust. However, having come to the store, buyers are wondering what kind of floor tiles to choose? Let's talk about each of them.

Floor tiles are classified according to different criteria. Depending on the method of its production, pressed tiles and extruded.

• Pressed tiles consists of a substance resembling clay - a mixture. This material is pressed into special shaping matrices. These matrices can be of completely different shapes. After pressing, the molds with the substance are fired using the autoclave method. Firing is needed to give strength and durability to floor tiles.
• Extruded tiles- the tile substance is pressed through the extruder. This is a special device with a given geometry. After that, the resulting sheets are cut to special sizes and fired.

Floor tiles are divided into glazed and unglazed. The first has a glossy finish, on which you can apply absolutely any pattern. This tile has a high moisture resistance. Accordingly, the second type is without the named coating.

Separately, as an independent species, stands out porcelain tile. In appearance and composition, it resembles natural granite. The production technology of such floor tiles is the same as the production of pressed tiles. The composition of porcelain stoneware includes basalt chips and spar mixture. Once a tile is produced, it must be fired. Modern technologies allow firing tiles at temperatures up to 1400 degrees. This temperature allows you to create changes in the structure. So, it is possible to produce a monolithic or porous structure, which will differ in the degree of wear resistance.

The most common floor tiles are ceramic tile. It is made from natural clay and natural stone. Due to this, it is quite durable, wear-resistant and environmentally friendly.

Advantages of ceramic tiles

Ceramic tiles have a fairly rich history. Mentions of it are associated with ancient Rome. However, back then only the rich could afford tile floors. Pottery was made by hand, so it was very expensive. Already in those days, people realized that ceramic tiles are strong, reliable, durable and beautiful material.

Today it is no longer a luxury and is available to everyone. The presence of properties such as strength, wear resistance, moisture resistance and environmental friendliness often becomes a decisive criterion when choosing this building material for finishing the kitchen and bathroom. Often, the decoration of apartments involves the installation of a "warm floor". Floors that have been covered with ceramic tiles heat up fairly quickly and cool down slowly. This is due to the excellent thermal conductivity of this material. In addition, during warm-up, it will not emit any harmful substances.

According to its purpose, the tile is wall and floor. Floor tiles are extremely durable and have a high abrasion class. And the technology of its production is more complicated: pressing takes place at higher pressure, and firing at higher temperatures.

When choosing ceramic tiles, you need to correctly evaluate the surface that will be finished. If it is located in an open area or in a room with high humidity, it is better to use embossed tiles, under paving stones or natural stone. And for a living room or a large hall, ceramic tiles with a polished surface are perfect. Properly selected materials will help create a room that will delight you for a very long time.

What is floor tiles

If you ask people what material for finishing the floor and walls is the most practical, most will answer that it is tiles. And this is really a very convenient facing material to use, which becomes unrivaled when finishing a bathroom, toilet, corridor, kitchen, porch, facade cladding. In this article, we will look at how to choose a tile, what types of it are, where they are used and how they differ from each other.

Collection elements

The standard collection of ceramic tiles consists of 5 elements:

1. Dark background.
2. Light background.
3. Decor. A matching decorative element for inserts is usually the same size as the background. It cannot be cut in any way, you need to think over the layout in advance without trimming.
4. Border. Used primarily to separate dark and light backgrounds or to avoid narrow undercuts. In size, it most often represents a decor cut in height, it can only be shortened in length.
5. Floor tiles. Most often square, larger in size than the main elements.

In fact, in one collection of such elements there can be several types, and there can also be pencils, cornices, panels, roses, plinths, steps.

Comparison table of tile types

The difference between porcelain stoneware and ceramic tiles

The main difference between porcelain stoneware and ordinary tiles is different production technologies. For its manufacture, greater pressure (400-500 kg per cm2) and temperature (1200-1300 degrees) are used. Due to this, it has significantly better technical indicators of frost resistance, density, water absorption, resistance to chemicals and high durability. Porcelain stoneware was originally conceived as a tile for technical applications (for public and industrial spaces), but now it is used everywhere: in bathrooms, on stairs, facades, countertops.

When laying porcelain stoneware, you need to use special adhesives.

There are several types of porcelain stoneware according to the type of surface:

• Technical. Reminiscent of natural granite: the surface has a natural color, high strength and low price.
• Glazed. Glaze was applied to the surface, followed by firing. In general, this coating gives strength and reliability, but eventually loses its appearance.
• Matte. Unpolished porcelain tile.
• Polished. Usually its surface is polished to a mirror finish. Looks better but costs more. After intensive use, the surface becomes matte.
• Structured. It has a relief surface that can imitate wood, leather, fabric or natural stone.
• Satin (or waxed). A decorative surface that is not suitable for heavy loads. It is slightly shiny, but not as slippery as polished.
• Rectified. Due to the angles that are cut at 90 degrees without chamfers, such porcelain stoneware becomes visually seamless. It is usually large in size and is well suited for highly loaded public areas where extra seams will interfere with cleaning.
• There are also other surfaces that are less common: rustic (aged), lapped (semi-gloss), anti-slip.

Wood effect porcelain stoneware

Manufacturing type

• Pressed tiles. It is made from powdered raw materials, which are formed under high pressure. A powder with a moisture content of 4-8% is compressed in two directions under a pressure of 200-400 kg/cm2. Due to this, the granules are mixed and partially deformed. As a result, even before firing, a dense and durable tile is obtained.
• Extruded tiles. It is made from a pasty mass passed through an extruder to give the desired shape. The strip leaving the extruder is cut into the required dimensions.

Surface type

• Glazed. It is covered with colored glass, due to which it becomes brighter and juicier. The glaze itself initially consists of a mixture of mineral compounds, it is applied and melted onto the surface. After cooling, the mass forms a glass. Glaze can be colored or white, transparent or matte. With double firing, it is applied already to the burned surface, and with a single firing, it is applied to the dried one.
• Unglazed. It has a uniform composition and color throughout the thickness. Usually it is not decorated with drawings or decorative coatings, and the top and wrong sides are no different. It is made in one firing.
• polished. In addition to conventional pressing and firing, the surface was treated with abrasive discs. Before grinding, the rough layer obtained after firing is cut off.
• Unpolished. No polishing step.

Quality classification

• Tile type. The first grade usually has tiles with marriage up to 5 pieces per hundred. The second and third grade may have more marriage. Please note that each manufacturer may have their own criteria for determining the grade of the product.
• Tone. The production technology does not allow achieving the same tone on all products. Therefore, before packing the goods and removing the marriage, the tiles are divided into categories depending on the color tone. Most often, the tone is indicated on the packaging in the form of a stamp with a letter designation.
• Format (caliber). After firing, the tiles may vary in size. Before packaging, manufacturers also sort them by size, within established tolerances. On the packaging, next to the nominal size, factory dimensions are also indicated. For example: 10x10 cm (W 980 × 980 mm). Factory size is shown in parentheses.

Accordingly, you need to buy ceramic tiles of the same tone and size.

wear resistance

The method for determining unglazed tiles is determined by the EN ISO 10545.6 standard, and for glazed tiles - EN ISO 10545.7 (PEI method).

According to abrasion resistance, ceramic tiles are divided into 5 types:

• PEI I - for low-traffic areas with no contaminants that cause abrasion. For example: bathrooms, bedrooms.
• PEI II - for medium traffic areas that are subject to low to medium abrasion. For example: offices, living rooms.
• PEI III is suitable for most environments with medium to high traffic and moderate pollution. For example: kitchens, stairs, balconies, halls and small offices.
• PEI IV - for rooms with a high load. For example: restaurants, offices, shops, public places (with the exception of the area near the cash registers, narrow aisles).
• PEI V is the most abrasion resistant type of ceramic tile. You can use it in any place without fear for the appearance of bald spots on the glaze.

Porosity and water absorption

Clinker side and walkway

Types of ceramic tiles with low water absorption are better suited for use in damp or unheated rooms, in pools and outdoors due to increased frost resistance.

• Category I - low water absorption (AA less than 3%);
• Category II - medium water absorption (AA from 3 to 10%);
• Category III - high water absorption (AA over 10%).

Friction coefficient

Depending on the friction parameter, you can determine how slippery the ceramic tile will be. The designation R with a number determines for which zone this type of tile can be used.

• R9 - working premises, entrance groups, stairs, shopping centers;
• R10 - public and sanitary premises (kitchens, workshops, garages, warehouses);
• R11 - car repair shops, rooms subject to moisture on the floor;
• R12 - refrigerating chambers;
• R13 - places of production of fish, vegetables.

Alternative Coating Options

How to replace the tiles in the bathroom on the walls:

• Plastic panels. Cheap moisture resistant material that does not require special skills during installation. Mounted on glue or crate.
• Moisture resistant paint. Suitable for painting areas that will not be in direct contact with water. For example, if you are installing an enclosed shower room, then the rest of the walls can be painted to reduce the cost of repairs. But in terms of labor intensity, this process will be more difficult.
• Mosaic. Expensive material, it is mainly used for facing rounded elements. A large number of seams require constant care.

An alternative to tile in the bathroom on the floor:

Multi-colored PVC tiles

• Epoxy poured floor. An expensive option, but very beautiful and durable. As a background for it, you can use a solid color or photo printing.
• Vinyl tiles. A good alternative to tiles in the bathroom and toilet on the floor. It looks beautiful, is not afraid of moisture, several collections can be combined in one room. You need to choose options that do not have a self-adhesive layer, but are laid on glue.
• Linoleum. Cheap temporary solution.

Summing up

For such wet rooms as a bathroom, it is worth choosing moisture-resistant non-slip types of tiles: porcelain stoneware, clinker, monocottura. In order not to overpay several times, you should not choose complex layouts with a lot of decor that designers like to offer in stores, as long as you leave more money with them.

Article in the topic: the rules for the competent layout of tiles on the floor and walls.

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proplitki.ru

what types of tiles are - an overview

Currently, the choice of ceramic tiles is very wide. To choose the right type of tile, you need to know how they differ from each other.

Tiles differ in the method of molding into pressed and extruded. Pressed ceramic tiles are made from a powder mixture that is molded with a high pressure press. Extruded tiles are made from doughy mass. Molding occurs by passing a mass of materials through the opening of the extruder.

Tiles are enameled and non-enamelled. Enamelled tiles are obtained by applying colored glass to the surface. Enamel helps to give the tile various decorative and technical properties, such as gloss, color, pattern, hardness, and so on. Non-enamelled tiles are uncoated and uniform in composition. It can have a dense ("vitrified") or porous structure.

Ceramic tiles also vary in shape and size and can be rectangular, square, octagonal, hexagonal and other shapes. The size can range from "mosaic" to slabs with a size of about a meter.

The main types of ceramic tiles

• Faience - pressed enameled ceramic tiles that have undergone a double firing process. They have a white porous base.
• Majolica, cottoforte - pressed enamel tiles with a colored porous base. This type of tile is fired twice, first the body, then the enamel.
• Monocottura are single-fired pressed enamel tiles. The base can be both porous and compacted, white or colored.
• Cotto - extruded non-enamelled tiles with a red and porous base.
• Gres red - pressed non-enamelled tiles with a red dense base.
• Gres "porcellanato" - pressed non-enamelled tiles with a light or colored body. They have a very dense base, plain or with a pattern resembling granite.
• Clinker - extruded enamelled or non-enamelled tiles that have undergone a single firing process. They have a dense multi-colored base.

postroyka-dom.com

What is modern tile

Decorating the floor and walls with ceramic tiles is a design solution that never goes out of fashion. Just what do you prefer? Tile is an excellent finishing material that has many varieties. How not to get lost in this diversity? Let's try to figure it out.

Production of ceramic tiles

Ceramic tile is another name for tiles. In production clay of different grades is used. Depending on the variety, each of the varieties of tiles acquires its own special properties.

Tile Golden Tile Rummyata

This type of cladding can be used both outside and inside buildings. The classification of the material occurs according to the following indicators and parameters:

By place of application:

1. wall;
2. floor;
3. facade;
4. sidewalk;
5. for pools.

Geometric dimensions and shape:

1. square;
2. rectangular;
3. diamond-shaped;
4. unusual shape.

Material used for making:

Mode of production:

1. pressing method;
2. extrusion.

Product Density:

Top layer type:

1. glazed;
2. unglazed;
3. matte;
4. satin;
5. corrugated.

Material range

The composition of any ceramic tile is clay and a variety of additives. The resulting clay dough is either pressed or extruded through an extruder and then trimmed with a special knife. After that, raw blanks are sent to the kiln for firing. For glazed, several firings (2–3) are used, for unglazed, one is enough.

With the help of glaze, the tiles can be given any color and pattern, as well as increase the hardness and reduce the water absorption of the top layer. Unglazed surfaces can easily be given the desired color. For this, paint for tiles is used.

The following factors influence the technical parameters of the final product:

• type of molding;
• temperature conditions in the furnace;
• roasting duration.

Frost resistance is a very important indicator of tiles. It directly depends on the degree of water absorption. The more water it absorbs, the worse the material tolerates frost.

Types of ceramic tiles

Kitchen interier

Varieties of tiles differ from each other in technical characteristics, manufacturing technology, quality of clay, as well as appearance.

Floor tiles are:

• faience;
• clinker;
• porcelain stoneware;
• majolica;
• cottoforte;
• terralia;
• cotto;
• monocottura and monoporosis.

Faience tiles are white ceramics. It has a white color due to the white clay that makes up the base. Topped with glaze. Substances are added to clay dough that can lower the melting point of the clay. Such a tile is produced by pressing, then it is fired twice. The material has a porous structure and strongly absorbs moisture, therefore it is recommended for dry rooms, such as kitchens.

Clinker tiles are a particularly durable material. It contains chamotte clay, fluxes, coloring oxides. The material is glazed and unglazed. Clinker tiles have low water absorption (0-6%), high strength and abrasion resistance, which makes them very attractive for outdoor use.

Provence style kitchen

Porcelain stoneware is distinguished by many as a separate finishing material. However, this is the main floor tile, although it has a different name. Produced from clay with a high content of Fe2O3 (iron oxide) and has a very dense structure, more like glass, uniform throughout its thickness, never glazed. Porcelain stoneware perfectly imitates natural stone. Tiles are produced polished, matte and embossed.

Majolica is made only from red clay. It is pressed and double fired. It has a highly porous base, always covered with an opaque glaze. Such a tile can only be used in dry rooms (water absorption 15-25%), however, its main purpose is to finish the walls.

The Cottoforte tile is fired twice, but at low temperatures. It contains chamotte clay. Such a tile has high strength, although the percentage of water absorption is quite large - up to 15. The surface of the tile is glazed and decorated with a pattern. It is applied to registration of floors in rooms.

Terraglia. This type of tile is now almost not produced. It is expensive, since high-quality materials are used in production, and according to the manufacturing technology, it requires double firing. The base of the tile is white, highly porous, the decorative layer is decorated with a pattern and covered with transparent glaze.

Ceramics in the bedroom

Cotto is a tile based on the color of the material from which it is made, usually yellow, red or terracotta. It happens both glazed with two types of glaze, and without it. The base is porous, however, the peculiarity of the shape and structure of the pores make it possible to use it for both exterior and interior decoration. It can also be used as floor tiles.

Monocottura is an enameled tile made from white clay. Very durable and wear resistant. It happens both floor and wall. Monoporosis is one of the varieties of monocottura. Its classic texture is an imitation of white marble.

Width, length - what are they like for a tile?

The sizes of a tile are so various that all cannot be listed. The collection may include decorative elements - borders, panels, ornaments.

Approximate parameters of floor tiles (in centimeters) are given below.

• Squares (10x10; 20x20; 30x30; 33x33; 40x40; 45x45; 60x60);
• Boar (36.5 × 12);
• Rectangles (30x15; 20x40; 20x60; 30x60; 17x100);
• Figured tiles (triangular and polygonal have individual sizes for each collection). In addition to all of the above, there are tiles with torn edges, which, when laid, overlap each other, thus creating a monolithic surface, without visible seams.

Modern design

The tile of especially small sizes - 5 × 5 cm and especially large ones - with a length of one of the sides of a meter or more, stands apart. The first opens up a lot of scope for design imagination, and the second makes it possible to make a floor covering with a minimum of seams.

Both cases are the exception rather than the rule. Tiles of small size tiles allow you to create a unique floor covering, as well as finish difficult places where ordinary tiles have to be cut. Giants fit perfectly into minimalist interiors, but require perfect evenness of the base. Working with them is much more difficult than with mini products.

Why are corners needed?

On sale you can often find a profile for tiles. It is needed at the final stages of wall decoration. Profiled corners are required to protect the outer corners of tiled walls. They are made from different materials:

• regular and anodized aluminum;
• brass (normal and stainless);
• of stainless steel;
• from PVC.

These elements are mounted with one edge under the tiles. PVC corners come in different colors. They can be chosen both to match the color of the tile, and in contrast with it.

Another type of corners is plastic. Usually they are white, so they go well with the color of the composition with which the seams are rubbed.

Tuscany Uralkeramika

In addition to the design of the outer edges of the tiles, the profile can be used during the installation process as a starting rail, with which the horizontality of the bottom row of the cladding is maintained. In this case, first the profile itself is attached to the base (wall), and the lower edge of the tile rests on it. This mounting element prevents tiles from sliding under their own weight, as a result of which horizontal rows can be laid out perfectly evenly, without fear that after a while, until the glue has hardened, the tiles will slide down.

The upper edge of the tiles (if the walls are laid not to the ceiling, but to the middle) is made out with an outer corner, if decorative border elements are not used. There must be an empty space of about 2 cm deep between the wall and the top row of tiles for the corner to fit properly. We put our corner there, press it against the tiles, pour tile glue on top, remove the excess with a spatula.

It remains to wipe the corner with a damp cloth. After about a day, grouting can be done.

Conclusion

Tiles are an excellent choice for finishing both walls and floors. It can be so different that choosing what you need seems to be, although difficult, but quite an exciting experience. Ceramic products come in different sizes - from the smallest to the largest. This gives a lot of space to your imagination. It remains only to choose the right material in appearance and price.

When choosing facing materials for the renovation of a residential or office space, we devote more time to the color of the floor tiles, their size and how they will be in harmony with the rest of the interior details. In the case of using ceramic materials for construction and repair work, it is also necessary to choose the right tiles in terms of strength, resistance to mechanical damage and weather changes.

Has a certain level of moisture absorption. Not all types of floor tiles can be used outdoors. During heavy rain and then frost on the ground, tiles that are not intended for the street may burst or become unpresentable. If the task is to clad an outdoor exit or threshold on the street, then it is better to take ceramic tiles with the highest level of water absorption. Then the ceramic tile will serve for a long time, and it is not afraid of frosts and temperature changes. The frost-resistant tile has a designation in the form of a snowflake on packing. But do not forget that when ordering tiles from Italy or other countries with a warmer climate, manufacturers do not always have in mind the frost that we know firsthand.

Tiles with a low level of water absorption are not recommended for use in shower rooms, saunas, hallways. Although in these rooms there is no sharp drop in temperature, but exceeding the permissible level of moisture can adversely affect the appearance of the facing material.

In addition, if you already pay attention to the degree of possible interaction with water, then you should not forget about the level of strength. For example, often many people do not pay attention to the special designation on the boxes with tiles in the form of letters and Roman numerals. They mean the number of times that a product can be sanded before it becomes unusable. Accordingly, the higher the number, the stronger the ceramics. However, if we are talking about home renovations, and not a walk-through office building, then it is not necessary to purchase material with a high strength code. For offices or shops, a tile that has a leg or foot icon on the box is perfect. Under no circumstances should tiles intended for walls be used for the floor. Such a product will quickly become unusable and can be dangerous, since it does not have any special “anti-slip” coatings.

If the tile is placed on the kitchen floor, then, among other things, you should pay attention to the degree of chemical resistance of the product. This is especially important when purchasing floor tiles for catering establishments with a large flow of people. In the kitchen, it is vital to regularly destroy germs and disinfect the surface, including the floor surface. To do this, housewives use various household chemicals, and sometimes even mix them for the best effect. This can not only adversely affect the appearance of ceramic tiles, but also lead to its physical destruction. To prevent this, it is necessary to select a facing material with a high resistance to chemicals. You can determine this on the box, where the Latin letter will be indicated. The closer to the beginning of the alphabet, the stronger the tile will be. For public places, floor tiles with the designation AA are generally recommended; no household chemicals will be afraid of such a floor at all.

When choosing floor tiles, you need to keep safety in mind. It is not recommended to use smooth ceramic tiles in children's rooms, in the kitchen or in the shower. When in contact with water or simply with high humidity, the tile becomes smooth, like glass, which can be life threatening. In such cases, it is better to purchase tiles with patterns or a matte surface. Such material will reduce the level of danger and give the room an additional charm.