Tiles have become more than a furnishing material in the modern construction field. People prefer tiles that have more durability and strength. Although there are different tiles in the market, ceramic tiles are highly preferred. So, what makes it one of the go-to tiles in the market? Here is everything you need to know about ceramic tiles and why you must consider them for your dream home.
What are Ceramic Tiles?
Ceramic tiles are made from excavated earth materials such as clay, sand, quartz, water, and other natural elements. These tiles can withstand heavy weight and can withstand high temperatures. These types of tiles are versatile and are used in residential buildings, commercial sites, restaurants, shops, offices, bathrooms, and kitchen floors.
Types of Ceramic Tiles
Glazed Tiles
These tiles come with a layered finish that is either glossy or matte. Glossy finished tiles have a polished look, with a smooth texture, that is suitable for wall installations. On the other hand, matte-finished ceramic tiles are ideal for natural stone designs and are used for both walls and floors.
Wall Tiles
These tiles are globally used in showers, kitchens, hallways, backsplashes, and other accent walls. They come with attractive designs that boost the appearance of the room and come with similar sizes as floor tiles.
Floor Tiles
These are matte-finished floor tiles that are extremely durable compared to other tiles. It is essential to make sure that the ceramic tiles are suitable for the floor, based on the type of building and requirements.
Properties
- Withstand weights up to 350-400 kilograms per square centimeter.
- Easy to clean and have low maintenance.
- Resist acid and alkalis and prevent the floor and walls from discolouring.
- Lightweight and thinner in size compared to mosaic. Ceramic tiles are just one-third of the weight and 7.5 mm thick compared to mosaic.
- They are germs-free and are ideal for places where hygiene is crucial.
- They act as natural soundproof and can be used to reduce external noises inside the structure.
Material used for Ceramic Tiles
- Clay- Primary material that gives the plasticity to form the shape.
- Feldspar- It acts as a fluxing agent that lowers the melting point to protect the structure from fire and to improve its strength and durability.
- Sand (Silica)- Provides structure and stability to the tile and resists fire.
- Alumina- Improves strength, hardness, thermal and chemical resistance of the tile.
- Pigments- Colour pigments are used to provide the required colour for the tiles.
- Water- Used for blending the other raw materials to form a workable paste to shape the tiles.
Manufacturing Process of Ceramic Tiles
Batching
The raw materials are weighed and batched to achieve the desired physical and chemical properties.
Mixing & Grinding
After batching, the ingredients are weighed, and they are added together in a shell mixer, ribbon mixer, or intensive mixer to ground them into finer particles under dry grinding. Sometimes, water is added to improve the blending process, and the water is dried out using filter pressing and dry milling.
Spray Drying
If wet grinding is done, the excess water is removed by spray-drying, pumping the slurry to an atomiser, and spraying hot air into the nozzle. On the other hand, the granulation process is used for dry grinding, where the material is mixed with water to form granules.
Forming
The prepared free-flowing powder is placed in a mold and compressed under high pressure, where the tile body is forced through a die to give tiles the desired shape.
Drying
Once the tiles are formed, they are dried in a controlled environment to remove the moisture content. This method is helpful to improve the strength and durability of tiles.
Glazing
The tiles are glazed by heating at high temperatures in a kiln. This process melts the glaze and forms a layer on the surface of the tiles, to give a shiny look.
Firing
The tiles are burnt again to improve their hardness, and durability, and to make them resistant to water and stains.
Pros & Cons of Ceramic Tiles
Pros
- Very hard, durable, and has high water resistance.
- Low maintenance and can last for decades if cared for properly.
- Easy to clean stains, dirt, and liquids, with a gentle sweep.
- Resistant to moisture.
- Can be cut into different sizes and shapes to create unique designs.
- Available in different colour palettes for aesthetic appearance.
Cons
- Difficult to install.
- Uncomfortable to stand for a long period.
- Poor heat resistance.
- Not recommended for high-rise buildings.
How to Install Ceramic Tiles?
- Prepare the substrate that is ideal for laying ceramic tiles. The flooring should be even and free from moisture and gaps, and they need to be sealed.
- Dry-fit the tiles from the middle to create a cross pattern without mortar and avoid cutting tiles against the wall.
- Spread the mortar across the surface and lay the tile by pressing the tile to the thin-set mortar.
- Leave a 1/4-inch gap between the tile and the wall or between other tiles using tile spacers. Tap the tiles with the rubber mallet to level them.
- After installing, remove the tile spacers and press the grout using the rubber float, moving it diagonally.
- Seal the gaps between the tiles using the sealer with a brush, after wiping off the excess grout from the tile faces.
Cost and Maintenance of Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tiles are affordable and easily available, making them one of the budget-friendly tiles in the market. These tiles are also easy to maintain, as they just need a wipe to clean dust, stains, and other chemicals.
Porcelain Tiles vs Ceramic Tiles
Durability
Porcelain tiles are thicker, longer-lasting, and have high resistivity. Ceramic tiles do have high durability and strength but are comparatively lower than porcelain tiles.
Water Resistance
Porcelain tiles absorb less water and are widely applicable in places exposed to water. Although Ceramic tiles have pore holes in them, they can resist water when properly sealed.
Design Options
Both tiles come in various colours and have various design options. Porcelain tiles have more design options; however, ceramic tiles have different aesthetic choices such as colour.
Cost
Porcelain tiles are expensive compared to ceramic tiles, due to their use of heavy equipment in the manufacturing process.
Conclusion
Ceramic tiles are highly preferred tiling options for many residential and commercial sites due to their more appealing and eye-catching looks to the interior structure. These tiles have immense advantages in their arsenal and have versatility in their applications. Although they are hard to lay, they are cost-effective and have low maintenance compared to other tiles or mosaics.