How to choose ceramic tiles?

Ceramic tiles are one of the most convenient finishing materials, it is practical and suitable for decorating various rooms, in addition, it can be used for both internal and external works. Other advantages of ceramic tiles are its qualities such as durability, versatility, ease of care and, of course, aesthetic appearance. Today, there are a great many companies producing tiles, collections of ceramic tiles are also diverse, so the choice and purchase turns into a complex task. How not to make a mistake in choosing this finishing material? And by what criteria to choose it?

Table of contents

1. The criteria for which ceramic tiles are chosen
2. Consider some values \u200b\u200bof the icons
3. The choice of color scheme for a certain room
4. How to calculate the required amount of ceramic tiles
5. A few more recommendations for choosing tiles
6. Elite ceramic tile manufacturers
7. A little history of Italian tiles

The criteria for which ceramic tiles are chosen

1) One of the main criteria is climatic conditions, especially if the tile is designed for external robot or decoration of the facade of buildings. It is necessary to understand what is the degree of its frost resistance.

2) Another criterion is a place of application. The tile must be chosen depending on which room should be lined with ceramic tiles of the kitchen, bathroom, hallway, etc., as well as floor or walls in these rooms. To determine the purpose of ceramic tiles, there is a special marking. The tile is also divided into groups depending on the degree of wear, resistance and resistance to various chemicals. Marking is a pictogram that is applied to the packaging

3) Tiles are also chosen according to the color palette, texture and pattern. So, for example, there is a ceramic tile for wood that imitate parquet, or ceramic tiles under a stone. Of course, these are secondary criteria, and they pass to this step only when the first two are taken into account.

4) The latter is the size of the tile, for example, large tiles are chosen on the floor, and the size is suitable for the wall more compact or generally small.

Consider some values \u200b\u200bof the icons

1. There are pictograms in the form of a human foot. This means that ceramic tiles for the floor, and that it is intended for floor cladding, and if the background under the feet is shaded, then the tile has increased resistance to abrasion, this can be used in stores and other rooms that are subject to increased wear.
2. If the contours of the human hand are drawn on the icon, then this tile is designed to facing walls and other surfaces that I do not take any load.
3. The icon in the form of a snowflake indicates the frost resistance of this tile and its resistance to low temperatures.
4. There is also a symbol of fire with various numbers. This is the number of firing through which this tile passed.
5. Symbol A indicates that ceramic tiles are made by more modern methods with a more accurate cutting method.
6. Symbol B, indicates the worst quality, but it is cheaper.
7. If the marking consists of several identical icons at once, then this tile has high quality.

With labels A and B, other additional designations can be used such as:
AI, BI, which means that this tile is designed for external finishes. Basically, this marker marks ceramic facade tiles.

Tiles with AII labeling, BII is also suitable for external facing work, although it has low moisture resistance.

And those tiles that are marked by the AIII sign, BIII can only be used for internal finishing work.

But by the degree of resistance to wear, all types of ceramic tiles intended for floor cladding can be divided into five main groups. Floor ceramic tiles are indicated by PEI characters.

Group 1. This is a tile that can be used in the bedroom or in the bath.

Group 2. Tiles of this group are used for facing rooms and living rooms.

Group 3. This group is suitable for finishing the kitchen or hallway

Group 4 and 5. Since the tiles of these groups are most resistant to abrasion, it is advisable to use them in public places with a high degree of movement, as well as the effects of chemical and abrasive substances.

When choosing ceramic tiles, it is also necessary to pay attention to its packaging in order to find out information about the trademark, the country of manufacture, square meters and the number of tiles in packaging, as well as about color and variety. The packaging should also indicate the aforementioned icons and the designations of groups, which include this tile.

It is necessary to take into account that floor tiles for the bathroom or hallway should in no case be slippery, since it can become traumatic when moisture enters it. The best option for choosing tiles for these rooms is tiles with a rough or matte surface. But for the walls of the bathroom, tiles with great resistance to chemicals are better suited, since the walls of baths are most often exposed to various cleaning, detergents and cosmetics. The same can be said about kitchen tiles, both floor and walls. But here they are exposed to more aggressive means, so the requirements for them should be tougher than for bathrooms.

The choice of color scheme for a certain room

And only after deciding on the purpose and quality characteristics of ceramic tiles, you can do the aesthetic side: design, pattern, color scheme and tile sizes. It is also important to carefully analyze the conditions of the room for which the tile is purchased. Especially you need to pay attention to such characteristics as lighting, a common color palette, the size of the room itself, its style. For example, for a small room, tiles with a large pattern or large size are not suitable. Or tiles in light colors can visually expand a small space, and a vertical pattern will increase the walls in height. On the other hand, on a light tile of scratches or mother -in -law, they will be more noticeable, so it is better to choose a tile of dark tones for the floor in the hallway.

How to calculate the required amount of ceramic tiles

In order to calculate the desired amount of tiles, it is necessary to measure the exact area of \u200b\u200bthe surface to be the surface, and also take into account with which tool the tile will be laid. Do not forget about the figure, sometimes to achieve symmetry you have to take a little more than it goes out of calculations. For greater confidence, it is better to buy 10% more than the required amount, since in any batch, even the highest quality ceramic tiles, let's say a certain percentage of marriage, in addition, do not forget about the possible damage when cutting the material to the desired size.

A few more recommendations for choosing tiles:

1) The reverse side of the tile should be even, without any cracks. General geometry of the correct shape, without bulges and sticking. The flat surface can be checked by applying two tiles to each other, while there should be no gaps and cracks between them.

2) In order to avoid the inconsistency of color or pattern for the entire bought batch, do not be lazy and compare them, taking one tile from different packages.

3) Before using ceramic tiles for facing, you need to check it for water resistance, this is done as follows: put the tile in the water for 10-12 hours, and if microcracks are formed on it, then it is better to return such a tile to the seller.

Elite ceramic tile manufacturers

Today there are many domestic and foreign companies producing ceramic tiles. However, Italian ceramic tiles, as before, are considered the best from both a qualitative and aesthetic side. The most beautiful houses of the world are trimmed with ceramic tiles of Italian manufacturers. At the same time, there are many Italian firms that have long become brands and produce only elite ceramic tiles. Versace, Viva Ceramica, Caesar, Capri, Casabella and others.

A little history of Italian tiles

The history of Italian ceramics has several centuries. The origins of its production lead to the beginning of the tenth century. The first Italian factories for the production of ceramic tiles were on the island of Mallorca, since high -quality raw materials were mined here - a special variety of clay, with the help of which they produced highly porous ceramic tiles.

For the first time, this tile was intended only for facing churches and temples, later it began to be used among the nobility. The most prosperous citizens of Italian cities began to use tiles for the finishing work of their castles. But modern Italian tiles began to be produced at the beginning of the 20th century. Experienced Italian ceramics do not forget about the traditions of the past, but at the same time they are constantly looking for new design and technological solutions. All this leads to the fact that after hearing the words ceramic tiles from Italy, we immediately represent the tile of the highest quality.

Thanks to the merits of the ancestors, Italy is the legislator of fashion in the world of ceramics. The new ceramic tiles of Italian masters, represented in brilliant collections, amazes with its sophistication and unexpected flight of designer fantasy, sometimes we forget that these are just ceramic tiles, it is so reminiscent of paintings or living natural landscapes. Warm ceramic tiles imitating the sand of the desert can instantly transfer you for many kilometers to distant and sultry sugar. Give yourself comfort and a fairy tale by choosing a tile of the best quality for your home.

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Vadim Burova for Strport.ru