Ceramic tiles are the most commonly used tiles around the world. They can be used in almost every room, on the wall, floor, and even counter or table tops. However, there are few things every homeowner should know about ceramic tiles before installing them in their home. Having a basic knowledge of ceramic tiles will help you save time and money by allowing you to choose the correct tiles for your project. So here are the basics:
While most people assume that all ceramic tiles are made up
of 100% clay and some are, most are actually made from a combination of
materials. Most ceramic tiles on the
market today are actually a combination of clay, talc, sand, shale, and
vermiculite. These materials are first mixed
together and then water is added. This mixture
is then shaped into what is called a biscuit; this is the body of the tile.
This biscuit is dried and typically fired only one time in a kiln at around 2,000
degrees Fahrenheit. Tiles that are fired
at lower temperatures or for shorter periods of time are usually more
porous(less water-resistant). Tiles
which are fired for longer and at higher temperatures are usually denser and
therefore less porous (more water-resistant).
This process can last anywhere from a few minutes or hours, up to a
week.
The next step in making ceramic tiles is the glaze. This is where the tile receives its
color. If a tile is left unglazed, like
quarry tiles, the tiles will be the natural color of the clay from which they
were produced. The glazing process
actually adds more than just color, it is a protective layer for the body of
the tile, and can be used to add texture as well. Typically the glaze is made up of silica and
pigment and can be added in the initial firing of biscuit or after, and then
the tile and glaze are fired again. Just
like the biscuit, the temperature and time that a glaze is fired will affect
its strength. Stronger and more durable
glazes are fired for longer and at higher temperatures than weaker ones.
Ceramic tile is classed into 3 different types, which to the
consumer is very important because it is these classifications which tell them
what conditions the tile can and can’t be used for. The first type is called nonvitreous
tile. These tiles have many air pockets
which means they will easily absorb water.
These air pockets are a result of being fired at low temperatures and
for short periods of time. This makes
them cheaper to manufacture and therefore are the least expensive type of
ceramic tiles to buy. Nonvitreous
ceramic tiles should not be used in wet areas inside or outside the home. They can easily be damaged by wet conditions,
bacteria, and freezing conditions as the water they absorb can freeze inside
them causing them to crack. Because
these tiles are soft-bodied they also should not be used as floor tiles.
Semivitreous tile is less water absorbent than vitreous tile
but not totally water resistant. It is
usually fired at around the same temperatures as vitreous tiles but for a
longer time. With less air pockets these
tiles can be used in wet conditions if they are properly water-proofed. However, they should not be used outdoors as
they are still very susceptible to cracking if they were to become wet and then
freeze.
Vitreous tiles are much denser tiles than the first two
types and are therefore much stronger and much less porous. This comes from the long hours and high
temperatures at which it is fired. These tiles can be used in wet areas inside
and out, and because they are strong they make excellent floor tiles. These are the best all around ceramic tiles
for the average homeowner. However, it is very important to check the manufacturer’s
specifications because while these are hard-bodied and durable tiles, not all
vitreous tiles have a durable glaze and because of this cannot be used as floor
tile.
The most durable and dense of all ceramic tiles are what are
called impervious tile. As the name
implies they are almost impervious to water which makes them great for use in
wet conditions like showers. This also makes them impenetrable by bacteria as
well and typically won’t freeze and crack when used outdoors. While these tiles can be more expensive than
the less durable types they make up for it with their toughness and durability. Impervious tile is most commonly used in
hospitals, restaurants, and commercial settings where sanitation and
cleanliness is extremely important.
With the background information you now have on ceramic
tiles you can easily make an accurate decision on which type of ceramic tile is
the best for your project.
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