Porcelain tiles
Porcelain tiles – the material is durable, not afraid of moisture, does not burn and does not emit toxic substances when heated, and also, which is important in rooms where the use of electrical appliances, does not conduct electric current. In addition, ceramic is not afraid of chemicals, so it is easy to clean and disinfect. Porcelain tiles have only one drawback: low thermal conductivity, but modern underfloor heating systems make it possible to turn this drawback into an advantage. In order to take full advantage of all the advantages of porcelain tile, one condition must be met: ensure its correct installation.
Often, porcelain tiles are used not only for its intended purpose – the arrangement of the floor, but also for wall cladding, which looks no less aesthetically pleasing and attractive. Most often, the walls are concrete or brick. When using adhesives, flat concrete walls generally do not require any additional processing. It is recommended to level brick walls with cement plaster. Plastered concrete or brick bases are called non-deformable, and common vitrified tiles glue can be used to lay tiles of no more than 600×600 mm on said bases. If the walls were leveled with drywall, it is recommended to treat them with special primers, they will improve the adhesion of the glue to the base and protect the drywall from moisture that will penetrate from the adhesive layer.
When porcelain tiles larger than 400×400 mm are used for the installation, or it is decided to lay the tiles from the ceiling to the floor (so that the cut tiles are at the bottom and do not attract attention), it is necessary to use a adhesive that does not slip on vertical surfaces. This adhesive solution is very flexible, easy to apply, does not slip on vertical surfaces and has a higher adhesion (stickiness) to the base, which guarantees the reliability and durability of the coating. The adhesive is available not only in gray, but also in white. White glue is used in cases where it is necessary to preserve the original color of a transparent or very light facing material (for example, if transparent decorative tile elements are used or if you decide to add mosaic or natural stone decoration to the design of the room).
In recent years, plasterboard frame structures have often been used to create interiors. And if the drywall is not fixed to the wall closely, but with the help of guides, then such a foundation is usually subject to deformations, for example, due to temperature changes and a number of other factors. It is recommended to use special deformable (elastic) adhesives to coat these surfaces. They are not only elastic, but also have additional properties: they are characterized by fast setting of strength, and after laying the tiles, the joints can be rubbed after 3 hours. However, you will have to hurry with the installation, the tiles should be laid on the glue already applied to the wall in no more than 20 minutes.
Certain types of glue, on the other hand, are distinguished by a longer “life” time on the surface (approximately 30 minutes). It is recommended for use in hot climates or high indoor temperatures to prevent the adhesive from drying out before laying the tiles. By using this glue, you can adjust the porcelain tile placement in one hour. If necessary, lay the tiles on substrates such as metal, plastic, wood, etc. (for example, lining a worktop or air duct), it is recommended to use polyurethane or epoxy-based adhesives.
Recently, the technical properties of Porcelain tiles have undergone important changes, which could not fail to affect the shape and format of the products. Thanks to qualities such as durability, strength and ease of maintenance, Porcelain tiles have gained popularity among architects and interior decorators. Today they are increasingly used on city streets, in public places, shopping malls, and in those private indoor spaces where ceramics used to look unusual. The secret of this versatility lies in the variety of designs, finishes, colors and formats of Porcelain products. Today we will talk about the format. The refinement, originality and even the functionality of the planned interior largely depend on it.
How To Choose The Right Ceramic Coating
To choose the right ceramic coating for creating a new interior or modifying an old interior, you need to know well what products are on offer and what are the characteristics of their use. In fact, this is comparable to the safe transport service, where the reliability of the carrier, the safety of the cargo and the guarantees of its safety play an important role. So, in the case of Porcelain floor tiles, each individual format has its own advantages and functional properties: it all depends on the space to be decorated. We draw your attention to a series of general recommendations.
Small 20×20 mm tiles, sometimes called mosaics, are ideal for cladding rounded surfaces or for highlighting individual areas of a room. So, the mosaic decoration of the shower cabin allows you to visually delineate the functional areas of the bathroom. Tiles in classic or even retro format will create a cozy atmosphere in rooms such as the kitchen, living room or garden gazebo. The 20×20 mm tile format is experiencing a true renaissance today, in both floor and floor coverings. This often uses new colors and textures in an edgy style.
The most popular formats suitable for any premises are still square and rectangular formats of 200×200 mm, 400×400 mm, 200x600mm. To give the interior a more modern look, these products can be laid diagonally or mix tiles of different colors and finishes. Additional products like stripes and borders will help you customize any floor or floor covering. By combining small with large products, you can achieve an interesting effect. When using single-color or neutral color coatings, this contrasting combination avoids monotony.
Large format tiles have appeared on the markets relatively recently. By reducing the number of joints, it creates an attractive visual effect of the entire tiled space. Products in sizes 1200 x1200 mm and 600×1200 mm, are best suited to decorate exteriors and, in general, any open space, when it is necessary to create a feeling of spaciousness. Such tiles, laid horizontally, will look original on the floors of the living room. The possibilities of the base tiles are complemented by profiled products designed for special applications, even for the coating of complex surfaces (corners, joints, steps, skirting boards), as well as a variety of decorative products that allow to achieve an effect specific aesthetic. The assortment of molded and decorative products must be well studied: this is where the solution you need so much can be.
