All About Ceramic Tiles

Many homeowners and do it yourselfers have heard the term porcelain tile. This refers to tiles which are made from special “porcelain” clays and have been fired at very high temperatures. This process vitrifies the tile which makes it very hard, like glass. This also makes the tile dense, forms a strong solid structure and a hard surface which doesn’t absorb water (classified as impervious), doesn’t stain, and isn’t affected by wear and tear over time.

There are two main types of porcelain tile. Glazed porcelain and through-bodied porcelain. Glazed porcelain has a body made of the porcelain material and then a glaze is applied over the surface much like a regular ceramic tile. It is fired in a kiln and the result is a very strong bodied tile. Many tile manufacturers are switching their production to porcelain bodied tile because for a slightly higher cost, they can produce a superior grade tile - glazed porcelain tiles.

Through-bodied porcelain does not have a glaze. The clay is pressed and then fired. It may have texture and color applied to the surface before firing but it is still the porcelain material from top to bottom. The result is a strong tile that can withstand extreme surface traffic. There is no glaze that can wear off. If the tile chips, the same or similar color is underneath.

Because of the high cost of manufacturing this type of tile, only a very small percentage of the tiles you might see in a tile store are true through bodied porcelain tiles.

Most often this type of porcelain tile is installed by commercial users who have a need for the strength and durability of through bodied material.

Porcelain tiles typically have water absorption of 0.5% or less. Ceramic tiles have water absorption greater than 0.5%. Because porcelain tiles have a low water absorption, they are usually frost resistant – although, not always. To know if a tile is frost resistant, you should check the manufacturer’s literature and product specs. Porcelain tiles tend to cost more but are well worth the extra cost.

Understanding the terms shade and caliber
Ceramic Tile is a natural material with a natural composition which becomes resistant when fired at very high temperatures. This process, however, can cause slight differences in the shades of color of a tile between one batch and the next. Therefore, tiles are grouped before packaging according to their “dye lots” or shade and their caliber. The “dye lot” (or shade of that batch of material) is then indicated on the label of every box.

This is why when placing your order for tile, it is very important to order enough tile to not only complete the jo ut also to have extra for any repairs that may need to occur sometime down the line. Five to ten percent extra tile on most orders should be sufficient.

Grading of Tile
PEI ratings PEI rates are more applicable for floor tiles and are ratings that measure the abrasive resistance of the tile’s glaze on a scale of 0-5. This test is only for glazed tiles and does not apply to unglazed porcelain tile or other unglazed types of tile.

Class 1 (PEI 1): Recommended for wall use
May be used both on interior walls or bath floors without direct access to outdoor elements. 

Recommended for tiles that are suitable for residential bathrooms with light barefoot foot traffic. Some wall tiles may be used on the floor.

Class 2 (PEI 2): Light Residential Use
May be used where abrasive foot traffic is minimal – such as bathrooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, living rooms, and sunrooms. Tiles can be used in residential areas, but not areas with high foot traffic such as kitchens, hallways etc.

Class 3 (PEI 3): All Residential floors
For floors subject to normal foot traffic and usage (including kitchens, outdoor entryways and hallways). These tiles can be recommended for all residential installations with normal foot traffic.

Class 4 (PEI 4): All Residential floors and light-medium Commercial floors with moderate traffic Suitable for light to medium commercial applications. Will withstand light to moderate foot traffic in many commercial areas (commercial kitchens, hotel rooms, small offices, etc).

Class 5 (PEI 5): All Residential and busy Commercial
Ideally suited for all residential and heavy traffic commercial areas under normal foot traffic conditions (shopping centers, hotel lobbies, hospitals, and industrial applications). For very high traffic areas, consider an unglazed through-body color porcelain.

Glass tiles are perfect for your kitchen especially if you’re thinking of having a contemporary or modern look. These provide a very clean and sleek look that will surely bring in lots of light into the area. Glass tiles are durable as well and are not very hard to maintain aside from what most people would think. Here are some design tips when using glass tiles.

There are different types of glass tiles and colors can vary from transparent to colored opaque.

These acquire colors through mixed pigments in molten glass during manufacturing. The color and shade permeate within the tiles’ body. During the firing method, a layer of pigment is fused to the tiles’ surface. As a result, colors of them are permanent and well-protected against moisture. Color is generally uniform among batches of glass tiles. Clear glass tiles do not use any pigments and are simply molten then fired.

Glass tiles have many advantages. It is moisture-proof which makes it very useful and sturdy in the kitchen. It works best and is most commonly used in walls where it allows light to enter the area without heat.

It is very aesthetic as well considering the variety of colors so people usually create mosaics which serve as a centerpiece of the kitchen. It is good both indoors and outdoors and with its non-permeable quality, endures moisture, heat, fire and ultraviolet rays. By installing glass  wall tiles, other surrounding structures are protected against instant temperature changes.

Smalti is a type of glass tile made up of melted silica with sodium. Some metals and metal oxides are used to stabilize the material before it is fired and hand-cut. Fused glass tiles are usually translucent in nature with a visible opaque layer. Sintered ones usually come in 1 to 3 square feet measurement. It is manufactured by pressing glass powder then heating to fuse particles.

Terrazzo glass tiles involve a cast method using glass and concrete amalgam. Cast tiles have a layered appearance created by putting glass chunks into a mold. Slumped glass has a contoured or curved appearance.

All Rights Reserved @ Ceramic Glass Tiles

Mosaic tiles come in the beautiful collection of modern and classical tiles that can be used on the floors or on the board in the bathroom or kitchen. They are available widely in different colours, shapes, shades, sizes and thickness.

Mosaic tiles come in varied forms. They have been around the world, in fact since the Roman sun used to be the frequent harbinger of a day. The glass mosaic tiles are mainly used for art and craft works, they are made up of thick glass and are glossy and moisture proof. If someone likes to experiment and mix and match then also these tiles are very useful for them.

One can find amazing artwork in mosaic flattened marbles which can add to the grace of the tiles.

Apart from these, tumbled glass can also be used to add variety to the Mosaic tiles.

Then there are extremely cute and adorable mosaic mini tiles available, which are also quite light on the pocket. These tiny tiles reduce the effort that is needed to cut and, therefore, render them with a smooth texture.

In case of rich colours one can use ceramic mosaic tiles which are made from unglazed porcelain.

For a sophisticated look, one can use glass or metallic mosaic tiles as they have copper dust throughout which makes them look more stunning.

These tiles can be used mainly in the bathrooms and kitchens as some of them reflect back the lustre of water in a beautiful way. Before someone installs them, they must put together the kind of design they wish to see and see how they look together. Make sure that the tiles look good and this act is quite a helpful one as Mosaic wall tiles  and Mosaic floor tiles are not as cheap as other tiles, but they definitely look gorgeous.

By using different materials and doing a logical assortment of these tiles one can give a great look to the décor. The best thing about these tiles are that anyone can create they are prone to be used in multiple combinations. Hence, anyone with a creative mindset can adorn his/her floor with different sorts of tiles (for instance, a combination of ceramic tiles, glass tiles and mosaic tiles can be used on a single floor).

Nowadays there is a vast variety of mosaic tiles available online on different websites. Anyone can pick and experiment their choice of tiles to suit their preference in the comfort of their home thus saving time and money.

About the Author:- Jason Colling is a renowned writer, who has written articles on various interior designing techniques related to floor decor. His articles focus on various uses of porcelain tiles , mosaic tiles , natural stones and adhesives.

Source: Play and mix match with the colourful Mosaic Tiles
Previous Post: Glazed Ceramic Tiles | colourful Mosaic Tiles