Ceramic Tiles For Indoor And Outdoor Decor
There are several varieties of ceramic tiles: for internal walls and floors, outdoor walls and floors and tiles for swimming pools.
If you decide to flag tiles outside (facing facades or lower surfaces of terraces and balconies), then choose a brand with a high frost resistance. The fact that this parameter is directly related to the ability of tiles absorb moisture, and the more it absorbs moisture, the less it is frostproof. When frozen, the moisture will simply break a tile.
To avoid this error, you need to examine carefully the information contained on the packaging, tile, or view the proposed documents. The codes A I or B I indicate that this tile is frostproof and suitable for outdoor usage. The codes A III or B III indicate that the mark is used only for indoor operations. If you need tiles for interior works, you should immediately decide where it should be flagged, on the floor or the wall. The fact is that the floor tiles should have another important quality – high resistance to abrasion.
According to international standards, there are 5 groups of such tiles. They are designated from PEI-I to the PEI-V. The first group is the least resistant to abrasion; the fifth one is the most stable. Classification of groups occurs after severe abrasion. In addition to strength and abrasion resistance, floor tiles should have such a quality as anti-slipperiness. The floor is often flagged by beautiful glossy tiles and then you have to walk on it like on a skating rink. Therefore, tile floor should always be a little rough or smooth but not glossy. This tile has a greater thickness than the one for a wall, and increased durability.
Another important criterion of tile quality is its format and appearance. Tiles must have precise dimensions, absolutely right angles and perfectly flat surface. For glazed tile, the uniformity of its covering is important: same coloring, no stains or whitish edges. The format of tiles can be various; today the most fashionable is 10 x 10 cm, which is very suitable for the kitchen walls design. Ii is particularly preferable to speak about ceramic tiles in the form of parquet, with the format of 15 x 45 cm or 15 x 60 cm.
This type of tile facilitates the process of flagging tiles, and it looks great. But this is only the technical characteristics of the tiles, they don’t effect on the quality. So when you have decided the appointment and performance criteria of ceramics, also learn about its variety. It is not difficult to do: you need to look only at the labeling on the package. If there isn’t any, or you can not make out, there is a very simple method. According to international norms, all labeling on the packaging for the 1st class must be red, for the 2nd one is dark blue, and for the 3rd one – green. There is no need to stop by the external data of tiles. The variety of colors, patterns, structures, surfaces and proportions are sufficient to satisfy the most sophisticated and unusual tastes. If you are not sure of their choice, then entrust the work to a professional designer, who is very familiar with the market of ceramic tiles. His choice will not only satisfy your taste, but also enables brighter display of room style.
