Braided Rug Blog

Tiles are available in both glazed as well as unglazed finishes with each having its own different properties. The best option to consider when tiling walls and floors are glazed tiles; they are by far the most suitable.

Baked in a high temperature kiln, the glazed tiles which are commonly referred to as machine-made tiles, are given a strong density of hardness and colour. It is imperative, since clay is porous in nature, that you add a glaze coating to it for additional reliability. They are available in a wide range of tones, designs and colours and are far more stain resistant as compared to unglazed tiles. Due to the glossy finish and the durable quality, glazed tiles are recommended for wall applications and countertops, e.g decorating bathrooms.

Ceramic as well as Porcelain tiles can be found with a glazed finish that adds lustre and durability to the tiles. Most of the glazed ceramic tiles available in the market have a high density that allows very little and in some cases no accrual of moisture. Porcelain and Ceramic tiles are very similar apart from the fact that Porcelain is said to be more durable and is most likely to last longer. They are better because they have been baked in a kiln at a very high temperature and have been made out of a better quality of clay. They are more resistant to moisture and stains and therefore suitable for both wall and floor tiling and can withstand high traffic. Ceramic bathroom tiles are still available however and are fit for purpose.

Today glazed flooring tiles have become quite popular and are the most purchased tile type. Glazed tiles are used for bathroom designs and kitchen wall and floor tiling because of their ability to work well in wet conditions. They are produced in various countries like Spain, United States, Italy and Portugal to name a few. The quality of the tiles is generally rated according to their durability. The Porcelain Enamel Institute grading system is usually used to test this. Their ability to withstand abrasions and other external conditions is included in this. This rating is measured on a scale of 0 to 5 wherein tiles falling in the 0 category are less likely to withstand force as compared to those in class 5, which are considered the best quality of tiles.

Tiles in category 5 are most suitable for heavy traffic areas that are prone to dirt and heavy abrasions. You will find areas that have a constant flow of traffic, such as subways, shopping malls, industrial floors, airports are the best areas to visit. Just like any other tiles, glazed tiles need to be inspected carefully before they are bought for installation. The manufacturer will grade the product, you must look out for this; you will find it next too the CE marking and the BS EN 12004 certification. These grading of tiles will help you determine if the tile type that you intend to buy is suitable for the kind of application you plan for it. Once you have checked for this and compared it to the PEI rating, you can be certain that your purchase has been successful and that you have the right kind of tiles.

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