FLOORS | CERAMIC TILES

Ceramic tiles, like  mosaic/terrazzo tiles, are man-made tiles that are affordable, durable, easy-to-clean. In addition they resist stains and scratches and are available in many sizes, colours, shapes. Also, Ceramic tiles can easily match with the decor of any room and hence are a popular flooring choice in homes.

Here, I have described the characteristics of Ceramic tiles along with my rating. The overall rating will help you compare Ceramic with other floor options.

CHARACTERISTICS OF CERAMIC TILES:

Composition: Ceramic tiles are made from a mixture of clay, quartz, feldspar which is then fired at high temperatures (approximately 2200 degrees). The tiles are either unglazed or glazed- the glazed tiles have a hard, non-porous, vitreous (liquid glass) coating applied at very high temperatures.

Occurrence: Ceramic tiles are man-made. * 7

Physical Characteristics: Unglazed Ceramic tiles are soft in nature (scratches easily), have high absorbency (stains easily) and are affected by acids. Glazed ceramic tiles offer a durable surface that is easy to clean, resists stains and scratches, doesn’t fade and is slip-resistant.* 7

Seamless flooring: Ceramic tiles have many grout lines between them and so the floor does not have a seamless appearance. * 7

Porosity: Unglazed ceramic tiles are very porous while glazed ceramic tiles are impenetrable to water.  * 7

Scratches: Glazed Ceramic tiles are durable and scratch resistant to some extent. * 7

Stains: Glazed Ceramic tiles are stain-resistant. *8

Choices: Wide range of colours, patterns, textures is available in Ceramic tiles. * 7

Cost: Ceramic tiles are cheaper than most other flooring options. * 9

Maintenance: Glazed Ceramic tiles are easy to maintain because of the shiny surface. *8

Green rating: Ceramic tiles are not a green option as they are manufactured in factories and a lot of carbon dioxide is released into the environment during their manufacture. * 6

OVERALL RATING OF CERAMIC TILES:  7.3

ADVANTAGES OF CERAMIC TILES:

Fire proof: They do not burn, nor give off smoke or toxic fumes.

Resistance to abrasion: Glazed Ceramic tiles can withstand heavy foot traffic.

Moisture Resistance: The glazed tiles being  impervious to moisture, are an excellent choice for use in wet areas.

Frost resistance: Glazed ceramic tiles will not deform or break in extreme temperature conditions.

Slip resistance: Ceramic tiles can be treated to prevent slipping either by adding an abrasive grit to the glaze or texture to the surface.

Chemical resistance: Ceramic tiles are highly resistant to chemical agents and stains.

Colour permanence: the colour of glazed ceramic tiles does not fade.

Hygienic: Ceramic tiles being moisture resistant, prevent bacteria and fungi from growing.

Easy to Clean: so the best option in areas where high sanitary standards are a must.

Cost Effective: Ceramic tiles are cheaper than many other types of flooring.

Wide range and choice: of colours, patterns, designs, sizes.

DISADVANTAGES OF CERAMIC TILES:

Installation: Tiles need to be installed with a lot of care by an expert layer as any unevenness can cause the tiles to break.

Brittle: If something heavy drops onto ceramic flooring, it can break or chip. If not handled carefully, the edges and corners can break.

Repair: Replacing a broken or chipped Ceramic tile is difficult. The tile with the defect must be cut away along the grout lines, but in the process, the surrounding material could be damaged.

Fade with time: If the Ceramic tiles have designs imprinted on them, then the design wears away with regular wear and tear.

Slippery: when wet unless the tiles are matt finished.

Grout Maintenance: It is advisable to keep the grout lines narrow while laying, to minimize the work involved in cleaning and sealing and to reduce the visibility of dirt.

SUITABILITY OF CERAMIC TILES:

Ceramic tiles are suited in homes as they are easy to clean and can go with the decor of any house as there are so many options available. They are suitable in kitchen back-splashes and food counters as they are hygienic and they are ideal in wet areas like toilets as the tiles do not rot and are impervious to water. But they are less durable and stain resistant compared to Vitrified tiles.

For information on other types of Flooring, go to:
FLOORS