Name of floor tiles. Floor tiles: from ceramics to cork, looking for options

Ceramic floor tiles are a material that has been used in construction for several millennia. When excavating Babylonian temples, archaeologists often find examples of glazed ceramic bricks, perfectly preserved to this day. And currently, few floor coverings can compare with tiles in terms of wear resistance, practicality and durability.

According to the manufacturing method, all ceramic floor tiles are divided into pressed and extruded.

Pressed tiles are produced using special equipment (knee-lever or hydraulic presses). Before producing a raw semi-finished product from monofraction powders, a working mixture is prepared according to the recipe. The mixture includes the main components (low-melting and refractory clays, koalin) and special additives. Used as additives quartz sand, feldspar, perlite, glass, porcelain production waste and various chemical reagents - surfactants, thinners, thinning components. White clays are rarely used for the production of floor tiles, since products made from them are softer in structure.

After pressing, the tiles are dried and sent for firing, after which they are decorated (glazed, engobed and painted). At the last stage, the tile, in addition to its aesthetic finish, becomes waterproof.

In the manufacture of floor ceramic tiles using the extrusion method, after preparing the raw material mixture, the resulting dough-like mass is pressed through a special “mouthpiece” of the extruder. At the exit, a long strip is obtained, molded to a certain width and thickness. Subsequently, this workpiece is cut into separate fragments, which are sent for drying with hot air, firing and finishing.

It should be noted that hand-made ceramic floor tiles are also produced, the price of which is quite high due to exclusivity. This material belongs to the premium class and can be created according to the artist’s sketches, created taking into account your wishes.

However, if you want to add a touch of originality to the interior, you can paint the tiles yourself, using acrylic paints for ceramics. If the resulting result is fired in the oven, the durability of the painted motifs will be quite durable, and your economy class ceramic floor tiles will turn into a “masterpiece” that exists in a single version.

Key Features

The basic physical and mechanical properties of the flooring are indicated in regulatory documents, in Russia the interstate standard “Ceramic tiles for floors GOST 6787-2001” is currently in force. When choosing a tile, you must definitely pay attention to its markings, not being guided only by aesthetic considerations.

The most important indicators when choosing floor tiles are:

abrasion (wear resistance). Even when laying tiles in rooms with low traffic (kitchen or bathroom in an apartment or private house), it is advisable to opt for class III abrasive resistance. Tiles of classes IV and V can be used in lobbies, corridors, as well as in public buildings(shops, bars, shopping centers, hospitals).

frost resistance. This indicator is important if the floors are intended to be finished in unheated room(garage, shed, storage terminals, etc.). Directly depends on such an indicator as porosity, determined by the degree of water absorption. A tile is considered frost-resistant if its water absorption coefficient is less than 3%. It should be noted that unique properties frost-resistant and water-resistant tiles directly affect its cost. That is why you should not be surprised that to finish the pool you will need ceramic floor tiles, the price of which is by no means budget.

chemical resistance. It is especially important for rooms where sanitary cleaning often has to be carried out. The maximum indicator is marked with the letters AA; such material can be laid not only in the bathroom or kitchen, but also in medical institutions, kindergartens, etc.

Installation of ceramic tile floors

Ceramic tiles on the floor are best laid on a cement-sand base, but laying on an existing coating is also possible if it is without visible defects, durable and even. It is best to strengthen the plank surface by laying a layer of waterproof plywood with additional treatment with a water-repellent primer. It is undesirable to use tongue-and-groove boards as an alternative, since solid wood can bend during use.

Particular care is required in preparing the base if wood-look ceramic floor tiles are used for the flooring. After all, this type of tile often has a textured roughness that imitates the relief structure of natural wood species, which requires ideal alignment of the base.

Currently, special mastics and adhesives are often used as a working solution, on which ceramic floor tiles are laid; you can buy them in specialized construction stores.

When purchasing, pay attention to the special properties of the adhesive composition (frost resistance, water resistance, etc.) and the consumption of the mixture, which are always specified by the manufacturer.

If you decide to lay tiles on the floor yourself, it would be a good idea to familiarize yourself with the basic rules of the job. Detailed master classes on laying ceramic floor tiles, photos of which are presented here will help you avoid mistakes typical for beginners. This is especially important if a “warm floor” system is planned during installation, which allows you to ensure maximum comfort in your home.

For visual marking, it is recommended to stretch the cord, attaching it with nails to the walls, to a height of 1.8 cm from the floor. After applying the adhesive or mastic with a notched trowel, lay the first tile, called a lighthouse tile, at the intersection of the cords near one of the corners. In order to ensure a strictly horizontal position of the tile fragment, tap it around the perimeter with the handle of a trowel.
The tiles are subsequently laid using special calibrated spacers to obtain a gap of a certain size. Periodically it is necessary to measure the distance from the laid tile to the lighthouse, adjusting the width of the joints, ensuring accuracy of laying. A level that is attached to a long rail for ease of use will also come in handy in your work.

If you have doubts about your abilities, you will have to invite a qualified craftsman, which is more than desirable if the floors are finished with wood-look ceramic floor tiles, which should be laid either completely without seams, or using spaced crosses minimum size and tonal grout. In addition, such tiles will require quite careful adjustment of individual fragments according to the pattern in order to create the complete illusion of natural wood.

Choosing facing materials to renovate a residential or office space, we spend more time on the color of the floor tiles, their size and how they will harmonize with the rest of the interior details. In 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 frosts on the soil, tiles that are not intended for the street may burst or take on an unpresentable appearance. If the task is to tile an external exit or threshold on the street, then it is better to take ceramic tiles with the most high level water absorption. Then the ceramic tiles will last a long time, and they will not be afraid of frosts and temperature changes. Frost-resistant tiles are marked with a snowflake on the packaging. But do not forget that when ordering tiles from Italy or other countries with warmer climates, manufacturers do not always expect the frost that we know firsthand.

The same tile with low level water absorption is not recommended for use in shower rooms, saunas, hallways. Although there is no sharp drop in temperature in these rooms, the excess permissible level moisture can negatively 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 boxes of tiles in the form of letters and Roman numerals. They indicate the number of times 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 repairs, and not about walk-through office building, then it is not necessary to purchase material with a high strength code. For offices or shops, tiles that have an icon in the form of a leg or foot on the box are perfect. Under no circumstances should you use floor tiles intended for walls. Such a product will quickly become unusable and can be dangerous, as it does not have any special “anti-slip” coatings.

If the tiles are laid on the kitchen floor, then, among other things, you should pay attention to the degree chemical resistance products. 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 surfaces, including the floor surface. For this, housewives use various household chemicals, and sometimes they even mix it for better effect. This can not only have a detrimental effect on the appearance of the ceramic tiles, but also lead to its physical destruction. To prevent this, you need to select a facing material with a high level of resistance to chemicals. This can be determined 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; such a floor will not be affected by any household chemicals.

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

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

Collection elements

The standard collection of ceramic tiles consists of 5 elements:

Dark background.
Light background.
Decor. Matching decorative element for inserts, usually the same size as the background. It cannot be cut in any way; you need to think through the layout in advance without cutting.
Border. Used primarily to separate dark and light backgrounds or to avoid tight cropping. In terms of size, the decor is most often cut in height; it can only be shortened in length.
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, rosettes, plinths, steps.

Comparison table of tile types

Photo Types of ceramic tiles Main component Water absorption, % Type of production Number of firings Front surface Application

Majolica	Red clay	15-25	Pressing	2	Colored glaze	Walls inside dry rooms
Faience	White clay	10-20	Pressing	2	Colored or transparent glaze	Walls and floors inside dry rooms
Cottoforte	Several types of clay	7-15	Pressing	2	Colored glaze	Indoor floors
Cotto	Red clay	3-15	Extrusion	1	Most often unglazed	Indoor floors, less often facades and external floors
Monocottura	Red clay White clay		Pressing	1	Glazed	Walls and floors inside buildings, frost-resistant types are used for external floors
Clinker	Different types of clay	0-6	Extrusion, sometimes pressing	1	Glazed or unglazed	Internal and external floors, facades, edges around the pool
Red-based porcelain tiles (red gres)	Red clay	0-4	Pressing	1	Unglazed	Interior and exterior floors
Porcelain tiles (gres porcellanato)	Several varieties of light clay	0-0,5	Pressing	1	Most often unglazed	Interior and exterior floors, facades, window sills and countertops

The difference between porcelain stoneware and ceramic tiles

The main difference between porcelain stoneware and regular tiles is different technologies production. For its production, 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. Initially, porcelain stoneware was invented as a tile for technical application(for public and industrial premises), but now it is used everywhere: in bathrooms, on stairs, facades, countertops.

When laying porcelain tiles, you need to use special adhesive compositions.

There are several types of porcelain stoneware by surface type:

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 over time it loses its appearance.
Matte. Unpolished porcelain tiles.
Polished. Usually its surface is polished to mirror shine. It looks more impressive, but costs more. After intensive use the surface becomes matte.
Structured. Has a relief surface that can imitate wood, leather, fabric or a natural stone.
Satin (or waxed). Decorative surface, which is not suitable for heavy loads. It is slightly shiny, but not as slippery as polished.
Rectified. Due to the corners, which are cut at 90 degrees without chamfers, such porcelain tiles become visually seamless. It is usually large in size and is well suited for high-traffic public spaces where excess seams will interfere with cleaning.
There are also other surfaces that are less common: rustic (aged), lappated (semi-gloss), anti-slip.

Wood-look porcelain tiles

Manufacturing type

Pressed tiles. It is made from powdered raw materials, which are formed under high pressure. Powder containing 4-8% moisture is compressed in two directions under a pressure of 200-400 kg/cm2. Due to this, the granules are mixed and partially deformed. The result is a dense and durable tile even before firing.
Extruded tiles. Made from a paste-like mass passed through an extruder to give the desired shape. The strip coming out of the extruder is cut to the required dimensions.

Surface type

Glazed. It is covered with colored glass, making it brighter and more juicy. The glaze itself initially consists of a mixture of mineral compounds, it is applied and melted onto the surface. After cooling, the mass forms glass. The glaze can be colored or white, transparent or matte. With double firing, it is applied to the already fired surface, and with single firing, it is applied to the dried surface.
Unglazed. It has a uniform composition and color throughout the entire thickness. Usually it is not decorated with drawings or decorative coatings, and the top and back sides are no different. It is made in one firing.
Polished. In addition to the usual pressing and firing, the surface was treated with abrasive discs. Before grinding, the rough layer obtained after firing is cut off.
Unpolished. Does not go through the polishing stage.

Quality classification

Type of tile. The first grade usually has tiles with defects of up to 5 pieces per hundred. The second and third grades may have more defects. Please note that each manufacturer may have its own criteria for determining the type of product.
Tone. Production technology does not allow achieving the same tone on all products. Therefore, before packaging the goods and removing the defects, 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 letter designation.
Format (caliber). After firing, the tiles may vary in size. Before packaging, manufacturers also sort them by size, within specified tolerances. On the packaging, next to the nominal size, the factory dimensions are also indicated. For example: 10x10 cm (W 980x980 mm). The factory size is indicated in brackets.

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).

Based on abrasion resistance, ceramic tiles are divided into 5 types:

PEI I – for low-traffic areas with no dirt that causes abrasion. For example: bathrooms, bedrooms.
PEI II – for medium-duty areas that are subject to low to medium abrasion. For example: offices, living rooms.
PEI III – suitable for most environments with medium to high traffic levels and moderate levels of pollution. For example: kitchens, staircases, balconies, halls and small offices.
PEI IV – for rooms with high loads. For example: restaurants, offices, shops, public places (except for the area near cash registers, narrow passages).
PEI V is the most abrasion-resistant type of ceramic tile. You can use it anywhere without fear of bald spots appearing 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 rooms or without heating, in swimming pools and outdoors due to increased frost resistance.

Category I - low water absorption (AA less than 3%);
Category II – average water absorption (AA from 3 to 10%);
Category III – high water absorption (AA more than 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 it can be used this type tiles

R9 – work premises, entrances, staircases, shopping centers;
R10 – public and sanitary premises (kitchens, workshops, garages, warehouses);
R11 – car repair shops, rooms exposed to moisture on the floor;
R12 – refrigeration chambers;
R13 – places of production of fish and vegetables.

Alternative coating options

How to replace bathroom tiles on walls:

Plastic panels. Cheap, moisture-resistant material that does not require special installation skills. Attaches to glue or lathing.
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, the remaining walls can be painted to reduce the cost of renovation. But in terms of labor intensity, this process will be more difficult.
Mosaic. Expensive material, it is mainly used for cladding rounded elements. A large number of seams require constant care.

Alternative to tile flooring in the bathroom:

Multicolored PVC tiles

Epoxy self-leveling floor. An expensive option, but very beautiful and durable. You can use a solid color or photo print as a background for it.
Vinyl tiles. A good alternative to tiles in the bathroom and toilet 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 option.

Let's sum it up

For wet rooms such 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, which designers like to offer in stores, as long as you leave more money at them.

Article on the topic: rules for proper layout of tiles on floors and walls.

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proplitki.ru

what types of tiles are there - 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 molding method: pressed and extruded. Pressed ceramic tiles are made from a powder mixture that is molded using a high-pressure press. Extruded tiles are made from a dough-like mass. Forming occurs by passing a mass of materials through the opening of an extruder.

Tiles are enameled and non-enamelled. Enameled tiles are made by applying colored glass to the surface. Enamel helps give tiles various decorative and technical properties, such as shine, color, pattern, hardness and so on. Non-enamelled tiles have no coating and are 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 measuring about a meter.

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 – pressed, single-firing enamel tiles. The base can be 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 reminiscent of granite.
Clinker – extruded enameled or non-enameled tiles that have undergone a single firing process. They have a dense multi-colored base.

postroyka-dom.com

What are modern tiles?

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

Production of ceramic tiles

Ceramic tiles are another name for tiles. Clay is used in production different varieties. Depending on the variety, each type of tile acquires its own special properties.

Golden Tile Rammiata Tile

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

By place of application:

wall;
floor;
façade;
sidewalk;
for swimming pools.

Geometric dimensions and shape:

square;
rectangular;
diamond-shaped;
unusual shape.

Material used for manufacturing:

Mode of production:

pressing method;
extrusion.

Product density:

Top layer type:

glazed;
unglazed;
matte;
satin;
corrugated.

Material range

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

Using glaze, you can give tiles any color and pattern, as well as increase hardness and reduce water absorption of the top layer. Unglazed surfaces can be easily coated desired color. For this purpose, tile paint is used.

The technical parameters of the final product are influenced by the following factors:

type of molding;
temperature regime in the oven;
firing duration.

Frost resistance – very important indicator 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 technical characteristics, manufacturing technology, quality of clay, as well as appearance.

Floor tiles are:

earthenware;
clinker;
porcelain stoneware;
majolica;
cottoforte;
Terraglia;
cotto;
monocottura and monoporosa.

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

Clinker tiles – especially durable material. It contains fireclay clay, fluxes, and coloring oxides. The material can be glazed or unglazed. Clinker tiles have low water absorption (0–6%), high strength and abrasion resistance, which makes them very attractive for outdoor use.

Kitchen in Provence style

Many people classify porcelain stoneware as a separate finishing material. However, it is a basic floor tile, although it goes by a different name. It is made from clay with a high content of Fe2O3 (iron oxide) and has a very dense structure, more like glass, is uniform throughout its thickness, and is never covered with glaze. Porcelain tiles perfectly imitate natural stone. The 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 and is always covered with an opaque glaze. Such tiles can only be used in dry rooms (water absorption 15–25%), but its main purpose is finishing coat walls

Cottoforte tiles are fired twice, but at low temperatures. It contains fireclay clay. Such tiles have high strength, although the percentage of water absorption is quite high - up to 15. The surface of the tile is covered with glaze and decorated with a pattern. Used for decorating indoor floors.

Terraglia. This type of tile is now almost never produced. It is expensive, since high-quality materials are used in production, and the manufacturing technology requires double firing. The base of the tile is white, highly porous, decorative layer decorated with a pattern and covered with transparent glaze.

Ceramics in the bedroom

Cotto is a tile with a base color of the material from which it is made, usually yellow, red or terracotta. It comes either glazed with two types of glaze or without it. The base is porous, however, the peculiarity of the shape and structure of the pores allows it to be used for both external and interior decoration. This type can also be used as floor tiles.

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

Width, length - what are they like for tiles?

The sizes of tiles are so varied that it is impossible to list them all. Collections may include decorative elements - borders, panels, ornaments.

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

Squares (10×10; 20×20; 30×30; 33×33; 40×40; 45×45; 60×60);
Boar (36.5×12);
Rectangles (30×15; 20×40; 20×60; 30×60; 17×100);
Figured tiles (triangular and polygonal have custom sizes for each collection). In addition to all of the above, there are tiles with torn edges, which overlap each other when laid, thus creating a monolithic surface, without visible seams.

Modern design

What stands out is the tiles of especially small sizes - 5x5 cm and especially large ones - with the length of one of the sides being a meter or more. The first opens up great scope for designer's imagination, and the second makes it possible to make a floor covering with a minimum of seams.

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

Why are corners needed?

You can often find profiles for tiles on sale. 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 (regular and stainless);
of stainless steel;
from PVC.

These elements are mounted with one edge under the tiles. There are PVC corners different colors. They can be chosen either to match the color of the tile or in contrast with it.

Another type of corners is plastic. Usually they white, therefore they go well with the color of the composition that is used to grout the seams.

Tuscany Uralceramics

In addition to decorating the outer edges of the tiles, the profile can be used during the installation process as a starting rail, with the help of which the lower row of cladding is maintained horizontally. 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 the tiles from sliding under their own weight, as a result of which horizontal rows can be laid out perfectly evenly, without the fear that after some time, until the glue has hardened, the tiles will slide down.

The upper edge of the tiles (if the walls are not laid out to the ceiling, but to the middle) is decorated with an outer corner, if decorative border elements are not used. For correct installation There should be an empty space approximately 2 cm deep between the wall and the top row of tiles. We put our corner there, press it against the tiles, pour tile adhesive on top, remove the excess with a spatula.

All that remains is to wipe the corner with a damp cloth. After about a day, you can grout the joints.

Conclusion

Ceramic tiles are an excellent choice for finishing both walls and floors. It can be so different that choosing what you need seems, although difficult, but quite exciting. There are ceramic products different sizes– from the smallest to the largest. This gives a lot of scope to your imagination. All that remains is to choose suitable material By appearance and by price.

Among all the floor covering materials, many prefer to choose floor tiles. They choose it because it has excellent aesthetic characteristics, it can be used in any room, fits perfectly into any interior, and 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. Floor tiles are easy to maintain and are not subject to heavy dirt and dust. However, when they come to the store, customers wonder what type of floor tile to choose? Let's talk about each of them.

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

Pressed tiles consists of a substance resembling clay - charge. This material is pressed into special form-forming matrices. These matrices can be completely different shapes. After pressing, the molds with the substance are fired using the autoclave method. Firing is necessary to give strength and durability to the floor tiles.
Extruded tiles– the slab substance is pressed through an extruder. This is a special device with a given geometry. After this, 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 design. This tile has increased moisture resistance. Accordingly, the second type is without the named coating.

Separately, as independent species, stands out porcelain stoneware 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. After the tile is produced, it must be fired. Modern technologies allow you to fire tiles at temperatures up to 1400 degrees. This temperature allows changes in the structure to be created. Thus, 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. Thanks to this, it is quite durable, wear-resistant and environmentally friendly.

Advantages of ceramic tiles

Ceramic tiles have quite a rich history. Mentions of it are associated with ancient Rome. However, back then only the rich could afford tile floors. Ceramics were made by hand, so they were 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 the decisive criterion when choosing this building material for finishing kitchens and bathrooms. Often, the finishing of apartments involves the installation of “warm floors”. Floors that have been covered with ceramic tiles heat up quite quickly and cool down slowly. This is due to the excellent thermal conductivity of this material. In addition, during heating it will not emit any harmful substances.

According to their purpose, tiles can be wall or floor. Floor tiles are extremely durable and have a high abrasion rating. And the technology of its production is more complicated: pressing occurs 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 indoors with high humidity, it is better to use relief tiles, similar to paving stones or natural stone. And for a living room or 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 types of floor tiles are there?

Among the many modern floor covering materials floor tiles is one of the most common, which is not at all surprising. It has a fairly attractive appearance, high mechanical strength and excellent performance characteristics. In addition, the tiles may differ in their sizes, the presence of ornaments and patterns, as well as physical properties, on which the scope of its application depends. The service life of a floor covering that was made according to all the rules using high-quality facing materials can exceed 50 years, while the original appearance of the coating is preserved for long period operation.

Ceramic floor tiles are practically not susceptible to contamination, they are easy to clean and withstand the effects of detergents well. Another important advantage of the tile is its resistance to chemically active substances, which allows the use of such coating in laboratories, canteens and production workshops.

Types of floor tiles and methods of production

Depending on the production method, there are pressed and extruded tiles.

The first type of tile is obtained by pressing from a plastic mixture - a mixture, which usually includes filler and binder like clay. The process of forming a product is carried out using a press and a forming matrix in which it is placed required amount source material. After giving the desired shape to the product, it is fired using the autoclave method, acquiring the necessary strength.

Extruded tiles are made by pressing the initial plastic mass through the molding hole of an extruder head of a given geometry, after which it is cut and fired.

Floor tiles can be glazed or unglazed. Glazed tiles have a glassy glossy coating that is highly hard. Thanks to this coating, which can be coated with various patterns, the product has an attractive appearance and is characterized by increased moisture resistance. Unglazed tiles are homogeneous in composition and differ more simple method manufacturing. Required color in this case, it is obtained by adding the desired dye to the original mass.

In addition there is separate type floor tiles - porcelain stoneware. By its appearance and mechanical properties this type of facing material resembles natural granite, however, the technology for its production is the same as that of pressed ceramic tiles. Ceramic granite is made from a mixture of spar or basalt chips and a special type of clay by pressing and subsequent firing under pressure in an autoclave.

Main characteristics of floor tiles

Each type of floor tile differs not only in appearance and size, but also in technical characteristics that determine the scope of application of a particular product. We will look at the main ones in detail.

Frost resistance- determines at what minimum temperatures the coating can be used without the risk of cracking. It is important when choosing a facing material for external use and is most relevant for the northern regions of Russia, where the temperature in winter drops below -50 degrees.
Water absorption- shows how much moisture the product can absorb in relation to its total volume and is expressed as a percentage. This parameter must be taken into account if you plan to apply coating in rooms with high humidity, such as a swimming pool, sauna or shower.
Wear resistance— characterizes the material’s resistance to scratches and abrasions as a result of mechanical stress. For floor coverings this is one of the most important parameters, on which the service life largely depends.
Resistance to chemicals determines the inertness of the material with respect to the effects of acids and alkalis.
Fire resistance and fire resistance- depends on thermal expansion tile material and is expressed in the maximum permissible temperature at which the product will not crack.
Slip resistance— shows how safe the coating will be for people. This characteristic is especially important when choosing a coating material in crowded areas.

How to choose floor tiles for your home

If you are planning to cover the floor, you should Special attention pay attention to the choice of material used. Not only the durability of the coating, but also the ease of use, as well as its appearance, will depend on this. When choosing, you should be guided by both aesthetic considerations and the technical characteristics of the type of tile you choose.

Kitchen floor tiles must have increased resistance to exposure chemical substances. As a result of the inevitable appearance of stains on the floor from hot grease, oil and other food products, you will have to use it quite often. detergents, which contain alkali, so the material from which the tile is made should not interact with it. In this case, you can use glazed or unglazed tiles designed for use in aggressive environments and having the appropriate chemical characteristics.

Choosing floor tiles for hallway, you should take into account that you will walk on it in shoes, in addition, quite often various heavy objects brought from the street are placed in this place, for example suitcases with metal legs, which can leave scratches on the floor if it is made of insufficiently hard material. material. Such a coating must have increased mechanical strength and resistance to mechanical stress. When choosing, it is best to give preference to tiles of dark colors with a variegated pattern, since dirt will not be visible on it as well as on a light, monochromatic coating.

Glazed tiles, which have a low water absorption coefficient, are usually used to cover the bathroom floor. This coating will serve for a very long time and will not lose its original appearance over time from constant exposure to moisture. To ensure a safe wet floor, it is best to use products with a textured surface that provide good slip resistance.

For flooring in living areas, such as the living room or bedroom, you can use different kinds cladding imitating any structure. For example, wood effect floor tiles will resemble parquet in appearance, and at the same time have all the advantages of ceramic products - strength, wear resistance, unpretentiousness and durability.

Floor tile manufacturers

Nowadays, on the market of facing materials you can find tiles of both imported and domestic production. Products from European manufacturers such as Caesar, Argenta Ceramica and Acif are especially popular. Along with excellent quality, they offer a wide selection design solutions, annually releasing new collections floor tiles, price which, however, is quite high.

If you are interested in inexpensive but practical solutions, pay attention to the products Kerama Marazzi, which is produced in Russia using unique technology Italian company Kerama Marazzi on modern equipment and fully consistent European standards. The facing materials of the Belarusian company Keramin, which are characterized by their low cost, excellent workmanship, and a wide variety of colors and patterns, are also very popular. The “Sakura” collection recently released by this manufacturer in Japanese style was greeted with great enthusiasm by consumers and received a lot of positive feedback.

Thanks to the wide range of products, you can choose any floor tiles, sizes and the design of which will fully match the interior of your room. At the same time, it is not necessary to buy luxury products from the best Italian brands. Among the inexpensive tiles from domestic producers You can also find high-quality and attractive cladding materials that will serve you for decades.