Russian-made clinker tiles: selection rules

For many years, the building materials market has been pleasing consumers with the possibility of acquiring clinker tiles. This product is in special demand among the population not only because of its attractive appearance, but also because of its excellent properties.

Despite the fact that the Russian-made clinker tiles began to compete with the goods of foreign firms not so long ago, many domestic buyers have already managed to figure out and understand for themselves all the rules for choosing a useful product.

The clinker tile is a kind of lining material, which is obtained by firing clay at a temperature not lower than 1100C. Various oxides and other components are added to the mixture.In its structure, the clinker tile resembles a stone.

Facing such thermopanels from Russian manufacturers has several advantages:

• Beautiful appearance. Ideally equal geometrical proportions imitate a brick. Facing looks neat, it refines any surface;
• Heat saving. A special method of laying using the “thorn-groove” technology contributes to the creation of a special microclimate in the lining, due to which up to 50% of heat is stored in the room decorated with this product;
• Environmental friendliness. Natural raw materials from which the tile is made, non-toxic, absolutely safe for humans and the environment. Insulators and thermal bases of panels (expanded polystyrene and polyurethane foam) do not harm. Moreover, they can not hit the fungus and mold;
• Frost resistance. A useful feature of the coating is achieved due to low moisture absorption. Serious temperature drops do not affect the clinker tile: it does not lose its characteristics and meets all European standards and requirements;
• Color stability. Provided by the presence of natural ingredients in the product;
• Quick and easy installation. Before laying the clinker tile, no preliminary work is needed concerning the preparation of the surface, which must be beautifully decorated. No need to putty and level. The only time-consuming and time-consuming process is grouting;

• Resilience to the effects of alkali and acids;
• Two in one - facing and warming. When laying such tiles additional insulation of facades is not needed. The clinker panels not only decorate the facade, but also warm the facing building;
• Affordable price. The tile of Russian brands costs much less than imported counterparts, while the quality of the domestic product is no worse. This factor is important, given the solvency of the majority of the population.

Also to the advantages of clinker products can be attributed to the fact that it is able to withstand a large load. This is a very reliable material, which is 5-6 times as strong as concrete. The product is monolithic, ideal for laying on the porch and other surfaces with high permeability, does not have weak spots, and therefore has such a high strength. No damage to this building product is not terrible.. No cracks will appear on it, even by coincidence of long years of service, and certainly there can be no cavities.

However, clinker has certain disadvantages. Although the cost of a domestic product is much lower than a foreign one, such a tile still costs more than usual. But if to take into account all its advantages, it is better to overpay a little and get the goods that will serve their owners for many years, and will not lose either the original appearance or the properties provided by the manufacturer.

Trends in modern construction and repair work indicate that the clinker tile is a rather popular and popular finishing material. It is not surprising that the largest plants built in the Russian Federation began to open workshops for the production of this beautiful and reliable product:

• LSR Group. For the production of clinker brick uses imported equipment and high-quality raw materials of local origin.The result is an excellent product at an attractive price, which is lower than that of imported panels. LSR Group tries not only to produce high-quality goods, but also not to yield to foreign firms in a variety of colors and décor, as well as in the selection of additional elements.

• LLC Kerolayt. Technological processes in the walls of the plant include not only the manufacture of conventional ceramic tiles, but also the creation of clinker.
• Ecoclinker. The Russian company specializes in ceramic products and offers not only clinker tiles for exterior work, but also brick, sidewalk clinker, steps for stairs and other products for construction.

Despite the fact that the production of clinker tiles started in Holland, this product is also being created in many other European countries. Russia is no exception. According to many experts and ordinary citizens, the domestic product is worthy competition to imported.

Start the selection of panels need to determine the color palette. On this basis, professionals conditionally divide clinker into the following groups:

1. Brick color;
2. Beige;
3. Yellow;
4. Dark.

The second stage of the selection is the determination of the texture of the plates. The options in this case are much smaller compared to the color range. As a rule, clinker tiles are produced:

• smooth and overflow;
• with dressing and relief;
• manual molding.

The price of a tile with a complex texture will be higher than that of other models. The purchase of lining material, or rather, the choice of texture, depends on the financial well-being of the buyer, and not on his preferences. It is worth remembering: the more prominent the top layer of the product, the higher its cost.

There is one more important characteristic of tile texture, rather deceptive. Intricate reliefs over a long distance is quite difficult to see,however, in the room where the lighting is constantly changing, the surface of such a product will begin to “play” with different colors, surprising everyone.

The difficult surface of the tile, which is used as a floor material, is ideal from the point of view of safety, because when walking on it the legs of people do not slip. This is especially important for rooms with high humidity (bathrooms, kitchens).

It is worth paying attention to the grout, which serves as a link between the lining and the surface on which it is laid. Cladding and decoration plates should be in harmony in color, but at the same time, be contrasted with each other.

On the features of the installation of clinker tiles on the facades you will learn from the following video.