Porcelain tile for a floor: subtleties of the choice and laying

A few decades ago, a new material appeared on the floor covering market - porcelain stoneware. He immediately attracted the attention of not only experienced craftsmen, but also ordinary users. In a relatively short period of time, this coating has gained considerable popularity. This is due to the fact that this material very successfully combines all the necessary qualities from both the aesthetic design and in terms of operation.

The unique technical characteristics of this coating, as well as the variety of textures and a wide choice of color solutions, make it possible to use ceramic-granite tiles in facing works on various objects. It is perfect for arranging apartments and houses, as well as personal plots.That is why it is worth learning more about the features of this material, its varieties and some advantages.

The structure of porcelain stoneware is often compared with glass, so it is impossible to deny the fact that it can also break. However, this does not mean it as a fragile material. Moreover, it is necessary to make tremendous efforts to find worthy competitors for it in terms of strength.

In this case, concepts such as hardness and fragility are completely different terms. It is possible to break ceramic granite tiles if the installation rules are not observed, as well as during careless transportation. However, after proper installation of porcelain stoneware, there is no doubt about its strength.

Plates of this type are made with a thickness of 4 to 30 millimeters. The most popular should be considered from 10 to 14 mm. They are most often used for facing the floor in various rooms. It should be noted that the cost of this material is directly dependent on the indicators of thickness. Also, the price is influenced by its colors and texture. But despite the high costs, yet customers are satisfied, because the properties of such tiles fully justify the costs.

There is the possibility of making tiles to order. Their thickness is three centimeters. With such parameters, they still show extraordinary strength and durability. These characteristics do not depend on the thickness of the product, but on the quality of installation. Therefore, you can find poor-quality lining of a more dense material, which will be unstable to mechanical stress.

Components that are used in the manufacture of porcelain tiles, mined in the quarries. At the same time, clay, which is one of the main components, has a certain composition of chemical elements. The quality of the future product directly depends on this condition. At the factory, for each individual grade of clay, a specific vessel is used, since further mixing of all components occurs in strict observance of carefully calculated proportions.

After that, the mixture is transferred to the mill, where it is grinding. The resulting batch is folded in silos. It is here that porcelain is stored until firing and pressing.

Thanks to such a complex production technology, this material was recognized among users. Its performance properties are suitable for cladding both interior and exterior, however, porcelain stoneware has found an especially wide distribution as a floor covering.

Quite often porcelain tiles are confused with ceramic tiles. Indeed, these materials are similar not only in appearance, but also in their composition as well as their operational characteristics. However, between them there is a significant difference. It lies in the technology that manufacturers use. Therefore, porcelain tile in comparison with its progenitor has no voids inside, microcracks and porosity.

It is these properties that make it more durable and provide high strength. Also, it is not so susceptible to changes in temperature and copes well with various kinds of external influences.Due to the presence of such superior ceramic tile qualities, this material is chosen for lining floors in various rooms.

To distinguish porcelain tiles from the usual ceramic tiles, just look at its cut. The coloring pigment is visible throughout the depth, since, unlike ceramics, it is added at the very beginning in the production of porcelain stoneware.

After studying some of the differences in porcelain stoneware from ordinary ceramic tiles, as well as natural granite, you should learn more about the basic properties and characteristics of the material described.

Here are criteria that deserve special attention:

• Strength;
• Moisture resistance;
• Durability;
• Format;
• Thickness;
• Resistance to loads.

Relative to the strength of porcelain tiles has been said enough. Therefore, it is worth recalling only that corundum surpasses it in this parameter. Consequently, there is no doubt that this material will show proper qualities.

Also, due to the hydro-barrier, this material is capable of tolerating rather low temperature conditions, even -50 degrees. It is worth noting that a simple ceramic tile quickly loses its quality with a negative reading of the thermometer.

The next important characteristic is the wear resistance of tiles. Its resistance to abrasion is usually calculated on a scale of PEI.

She, in turn, is divided into 5 classes:

1. for walls;
2. for flooring in a residential area in which a small permeability is assumed;
3. for places with average traffic (about a hundred people within an hour);
4. for public places;
5. for places with heavy traffic.

The latter include airports or train stations. To determine the level of durability will help packaging. On it, the named categories are indicated by the manufacturer in the form of Roman numerals.

Porcelain tile is produced in a different format. The choice of tile size should be selected based on the parameters of the room. So, large plates do not always fit in small space. In this case, the main criterion of quality is not the aesthetic side, but the question of the service life of the lining.

This is due to the fact that, for example, for porcelain tiles of 60x60 cm in size, a better base and glue are needed. And for 30x30 cm plates, such conditions are not advanced. Therefore, an alternative is considered to be a product, the size of which is 45x45 cm. It is the plates of the specified format that designers note as the most optimal solution suitable for any room. In addition, they are quite undemanding during installation and adequately respond to some base errors.

It should be said about the possibility of porcelain to the load resistance. So, the highest indicator of the load that this material is able to endure is 2000N. It is worth noting that this property is directly dependent on other characteristics, such as thickness or size. However, when testing ceramic granite, a truck weighing 30 tons was used.The tile at the same time was applied the big size which with advantage transferred such loading.

Despite the abundance of worthy and competitive characteristics of ceramic granite, one should not forget about both the advantages and possible disadvantages of finishing the premises with this material.

In addition to high strength and excellent performance, ceramic tile has a number of advantages.

Among them are the following criteria:

• high degree of corrosion protection of facades. This is made possible by qualities such as endurance at various temperatures, as well as moisture tolerance;
• availability of a wide range. Porcelain is an artificial creation of manufacturers and is made in factories. That is why it is presented on the market in various forms, textures, sizes and colors. Thus, among such a variety, you can easily find an option that fits into any design style;
• reduction of cash costs for building repairs in the future. The high cost of ceramic granite pays off completely due to its positive qualities and saves the owner from the cost of possible alterations in the future;
• providing comfort indoors;
• the ability to create a unique design due to the abundance of aesthetic properties;
• additional protection from the outside (when it comes to finishing the wall covering);
• resistance to pollution.

However, in spite of these advantages, porcelain tile is not without some minuses.

Among a small number of deficiencies can be identified as follows:

• the high cost of the product and the installation itself;
• The floor is not warm enough. However, this can be corrected by warming;
• massiveness. It is this factor that makes the delivery and installation of this material time consuming. In addition, additional processing may sometimes be required.

Despite these drawbacks, the advantages still greatly prevail over them. That is why experienced craftsmen compare all the above criteria and ultimately stop their choice on ceramic granite. They are well aware that with the right approach, any deficiency can be turned into a virtue.

To date, there are several varieties of porcelain. They are determined by various parameters:

To design a different design, tiles of different sizes are required. In some cases, small formats are needed, and in others, large ones, the size of which reaches 1200x600 mm. However, most often in the decoration there are medium-sized square plates. Their sides range from 200 to 500 mm. Thanks to the possibility of choosing a tile for this parameter, its scope is significantly expanded. That is why porcelain is suitable for both external and internal facing.

To begin with, it should be noted that ceramic granite is very much in demand in the classic style of decoration. This is due to the fact that this material for flooring looks very similar to natural stone.And as you know, it is he who most favorably emphasizes the beauty of classic design. However, manufacturers do not sit idly by and constantly improve their manufacturing technology. The appearance of such types of ceramic granite is connected with this.

• Glazed, semi-polished (lappatirovanny) and polished;
• Matte and glossy as well as unpolished;
• With a relief - structured;
• Covered with wax;
• Rectified.

The selection of one or another type of ceramic granite tile depends entirely on the designer’s idea.as well as the practical side of the room itself. So, for example, for buildings that position themselves as commercial or exhibition, it is better to choose a surface with a relief. Production-type rooms will be reliably protected with a finish of thickened or antistatic material. If the premises suggest the possibility of frequent pollution, the ideal solution would be a glazed coating.

Thanks to a large selection of shapes, textures, sizes and textures using ceramic granite tiles, you can easily implement the most daring design projects. In addition, manufacturers have not forgotten about the appearance of their products. Therefore, today it is enough just to find a tile of any color and design.

In its standard form, porcelain stoneware looks like natural granite. However, even this embodiment can be varied by adding a certain color. So, it is quite often possible to meet a floor covering from ceramic granite, for example, black or white color. Marble and stone finishes have also become very popular.

In addition to the above, special attention should be paid to products with drawings. With their help, you can bring to the interior a certain storyline that can be extended to the entire design.Especially such models are actively used in exhibition halls, adding a touch of sophistication and emphasizing the purpose of the room.

Fans of non-standard solutions manage to create a mosaic floor with the help of porcelain stoneware tiles. This design is called patchwork. It can also be found in public places.

From the foregoing, it follows that, despite its cumbersome, products made of ceramic granite are distinguished by their multifunctionality and are able to decorate with their presence various buildings and individual rooms. Their relevance is guaranteed in any of the existing styles. This is provided by the possibility of choosing the color solution, as well as by the variety of the design of the tile itself.

One of the first and main issues in the design of the interior of his home, which must be addressed, is the question of choosing a ceramic granite tile for each specific room.In Russia, the interior of the floor surface of this material is no longer a novelty. With it, designers add sophistication to the design of any room.

It is necessary to familiarize with some recommendations concerning what type of porcelain tile is better for using in this or that room. After all, each room is unique in its own way. Due to its unique characteristics and properties, porcelain tile is a versatile finish, because of the proposed variety you can find a suitable option for the hallway or balcony, and for the bedroom or living room.

More recently, it was quite difficult to imagine such a material as ceramic granite as a flooring in the living room. Often its use was common in places such as the kitchen or bathroom. This is due to the practicality of porcelain and its simplicity in the care and operation. This material was used taking into account these particular qualities, and not as an interesting approach in the design relation.

Today, thanks to the continuous improvement of production technology, porcelain tile is suitable for use as a material for decorating even rooms for daily use.In addition to the wide range of porcelain products offered, one should not forget about the possibility of connecting the floor heating system to them.

The floors in the hallway and the corridor have special operating conditions. This part of the dwelling is considered the most passable. In addition, there is often movement in outdoor shoes, as well as the surface is subjected to constant mechanical stress (bags, strollers, etc.). All this after a while is expressed in some deterioration of the state of the tile. Therefore, choosing porcelain tiles in the hallway, you should consider the listed nuances.

First of all, selecting tiles from ceramic granite in the corridor, you should carefully examine the packaging. It shows the degree of durability. In this case, it is better to buy products with indicators III or IV. Despite the large daily throughput, this will be quite enough. Still, it is not about the station, but about the apartment.

To add aesthetics in a given room, designers often combine several variations to get a complete picture. It also allows you to combine or divide the hallway and hallway.

The most common combinations are:

• Tile under wood and stone;
• Monophonic products with small splashes;
• Abstractions and geometric patterns.

Modern designers are experimenting not only with combinations of the same material, but also combine several different ones. So, for the second coating, you can stop the choice on ceramic tile, linoleum, parquet or laminate. With proper approach to this issue, you can get the original design of the hallway. Especially such a decision would be appropriate for a long room. This combination will visually revive her.

When choosing a floor covering for the kitchen, it is necessary to be guided not only by the aesthetic side of the issue, but also take into account the purpose of this space. Therefore, it is very important to pay attention to the technical characteristics of the material. In this situation, ceramic granite is the right choice. A tile made of it will last a long time. However, its appearance may deteriorate slightly, despite all sorts of pollution, even the most serious. Moreover, a wide range allows you to choose the right design for other elements of interior decoration, which can also be made of ceramic granite tiles.

The next room, which perfectly complements the facing of porcelain, is a bathroom.

Based on the variety of textures and properties that modern manufacturers endow with their products, you should choose the tile according to the following criteria:

• Anti-slip qualities (help to avoid injury even if the floor surface is wet);
• Moisture resistance, as well as resistant tolerance of detergents and abrasives;
• Resistance to various kinds of mechanical stress (scratches, bumps, etc.);
• Durability.

Experts do not recommend the use of corrugated tiles, because its purification is quite time-consuming process. It is more expedient in the bathroom to limit the finishing of the floor from a rough or smooth material. With regard to durability, then when you purchase you should choose a product labeled I, II or III. It is worth noting that the first two indicators are intended specifically for the bathroom.

In order for the surface to adequately tolerate exposure to various chemicals that are used in its purification, it must have the lowest possible porosity. At the same time, the level of resilience should reach a high mark.

On product packaging, such indicators are usually indicated as:

• Foot pattern and shaded background - high level of wear resistance;
• A foot on a black background is a floor covering product.

In addition, some manufacturers indicate the presence of anti-slip properties.

Another area where porcelain stoneware can be used as a floor covering is a balcony.Especially this material is suitable for unheated or completely unglazed structures. In addition, it is the balcony that is exposed to the weather. Therefore, porcelain tile for the floor will be a real find for this room. It should be noted that with open space it is best to give preference to products with anti-slip properties.

When the choice of material is made, you should familiarize yourself with some of the features of its installation.

To properly lay the tile, you must adhere to certain rules:

• Bearing in mind the high cost of porcelain stoneware, it is best to make the necessary calculations in advance and designate the required quantity. In order not to miss anything, it is recommended to draw up a diagram of the site itself, where it is planned to perform the installation. However, we must not forget that with such work there should always be a small margin in case of trimming.

• Before you start laying it is important to make sure that all the plates have the same shade and format. If you bought products with a pattern, then you need to check its fit. To do this, take a few tiles from different packages and compare them with each other.
• After that you need to prepare the basis for the future surface. It should be without any flaws. If some irregularities were found, then you should get rid of them with a primer.
• The next step is cutting plates. Due to the high strength of the material, it will be very difficult to do this at home using a grinder and tile cutter, especially if the design project involves a large number of patches. Therefore, a better solution in such a situation would be to give porcelain stoneware to cutting. The workshop will certainly take care that the result does not differ from the factory source.

• After such preparations, you can proceed to the installation itself. First you should lay out the first row. Next, it is necessary to draw a straight line along the lower boundary with the help of a laser level, which is indicated by a predetermined pattern.
• Separately, you should indicate the correct choice of glue. It is worth remembering that its quality is directly dependent on the width of the tile, as well as its weight. In addition, the adhesive solution is selected taking into account the characteristics of the room in which the installation of porcelain stoneware. For example, for a bathroom glue with moisture resistant properties is required. It is mixed to the consistency of sour cream and insisted for some time.
• The solution is applied to the plates, and its surplus is removed with a notched trowel.
• Next, you should attach the tile to the floor and press down a little. After that, it is shifted to the desired point. Mark grooves can be with the help of plastic crosses. To complete the gluing process, you need to knock on the perimeter of the entire tile.
• After this, the first row is glued in accordance with the marked line. All plates should be located in a single plane. And if we are talking about porcelain with a pattern, it is important to follow the pattern.
• By the same principle, the rest of the rows are laid in strict accordance with the drawn scheme.
• After the ceramic granite tiles are dry, you can proceed to the mashing joints.The mastic will perfectly cope with this task. This putty will only strengthen the properties of porcelain.

How to lay porcelain on the floor, see the following video.

Many are interested in the possibility of laying porcelain tiles on wooden floors. In this regard, the masters of the contradictions arise. Some consider it useless, others - on the contrary, a very practical solution. If you nevertheless decided to install porcelain stoneware on a wooden floor, then special attention should be paid to its surface:

1. First you need to strengthen the base with screws and, if possible, lay plywood boards. This will help get rid of unwanted bends that may have been formed earlier. This moment is very important, because the durability of the future coating depends on it.
2. It is necessary to produce high-quality waterproofing base, since it is undesirable to hit the wood moisture even from the adhesive solution.
3. It is recommended to use glue and putty with epoxy properties. They are more elastic and easier to stick to waterproof surfaces.

The rest of the process of laying tiles of ceramic granite on the basis of wood fully complies with the above rules.

Since the porcelain stoneware is quite unpretentious in the care, the care of the flooring will not be difficult. In addition, the implementation of some tips will significantly increase its service life.

That is why a new surface should be treated with a light solution of acids. When choosing a cleanser, you need to take into account the degree of contamination of ceramic granite, as well as its toxicity. It is not recommended to use a substance that has a negative effect on the human body. This precaution will avoid possible unpleasant health problems.

Cleaning agent should be applied to the entire surface area. It should remain on it for some time. On average, this interval is 30-60 minutes. After this period, the coating is washed with water. And for greater efficiency, use a brush. After these manipulations, it is enough to wipe the tiles with a dry cloth.

Homeland porcelain - Italy. In the 70s of the last century, he was introduced to the whole world. Thanks to its unique consumer qualities, the production of ceramic granite began to actively develop in other countries.

For example, Spain quickly adopted these skills and also took up the manufacture of ceramic granite tiles. And it should be noted that the Spanish porcelain, as well as Italian, is considered one of the best of its kind. However, domestic producers did not stand aside, and today a huge amount of Russian and Belarusian porcelain stoneware can be found on the market.

Among the most popular manufacturers are the following:

• Kerama Marazzi;

• Italon;
• Estima;

• Grasaro.

All products manufactured by these firmsmeet quality standards and have all the necessary certificates. In addition, the stated requirements are fully consistent with Italian. And the equipment itself, which is used to manufacture them, also most often comes from Italy.

However, it is wiser to buy goods from a trusted supplier. This fact is confirmed by user reviews. Complaining about the high cost of the product, buyers are still satisfied that they have made a choice in favor of a deserving company. They note that all expenses really have an absolute payback. Those who are already fortunate enough to have a ceramic granite tile floor finish in their home, advise others to try out all the declared properties and characteristics of the product.

Porcelain tiles perfectly complement the cozy atmosphere in the living room. Light and unobtrusive pattern in the style of the panel adds sophistication to the entire interior of the room.

Ceramic granite flooring in the hallway.A simple and practical solution for an attractive design.

The floor is made of granite in the kitchen. The specular gloss is proof of proper installation and care of the surface.

Due to the variety of textures and shades, a cozy atmosphere in the bedroom can be achieved even with the use of ceramic granite tiles.