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Ceramic Floor Tile Ceramic floor
tile is made from clay which is baked at very high temperatures, resulting
in an attractive and very hard surface. Ceramic floor tile is a varied
material, some types glazed with a layer of liquid glass, others left
untreated for a more natural, rustic appeal. It is worthwhile learning about
the right kind of ceramic floor tile to ensure that the type you choose is
the one that is most appropriate for your installation. Overall, ceramic
floor tile is very low maintenance, particularly in terms of keeping the
surface clean. Ceramic floor tile retains virtually no dirt and can be kept
clean with water and a damp cloth or mop. Ceramic floor tile is also
naturally fire resistant and can actually help to maintain a structure in
the event of a fire, making it popular choice of flooring material by the
safety conscious.
It used to be that it took several days of “firing,” that is, baking the
clay in a kiln to produce a ceramic floor tile durable enough for use as
flooring. Now, with a process called monocottura by which individual ceramic
floor tiles are fired and glazed at the same time, the production time on
ceramic floor tile has been reduced to a matter of hours. Another advantage
is a denser and therefore more durable tile with a flat back allowing for an
easier installation.
Ceramic Floor Tile Grading
Much the same as other types of flooring, some of the considerations to be
taken into account for ceramic floor tile are hardness, slip resistance,
resistance to abrasion, and impact resistance. Generally, these are judged
in terms of application. The decision you make as to the proposed location
of your installation, and the likelihood that the type of ceramic floor tile
you’ve chosen will stand up to the conditions it will need to endure there
should be carefully considered when choosing your ceramic floor tile. To aid
you in making an informed decision, there is a system of ceramic floor tile
grading which standardizes the durability of ceramic tile from the Porcelain
Enamel Institute. This is what is called the PEI (or sometimes just “PE”)
rating, which outlines all ceramic floor tile into groups according to
suggested usage, specifically with the factor of foot traffic in mind. The
PEI rating will be a valuable tool for anyone looking to install ceramic
tile, but is unsure of which type of tile is most appropriate. We are
constantly looking for products and information about ceramic floor tiles. Please contact us to send us your ideas. |
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