What Is Ceramic Tile Complete Guide

What Is Ceramic Tile ?

Everything You Need To Know About Ceramic Tiles

The ceramic tile is made up of mixture of clay, sand,  quartz and water. This mixture is fired at high temperature.

The ceramic tiles are extensively used in the home interior design, construction industry and commercial buildings.

The ceramic tiles can be used either as a wall tile or as a floor tiles. However, these tiles are mainly used as a wall tile. The porcelain tiles and vitrified tiles are preferred as floor tiles.

Ceramic Wall Tiles

Ceramic Wall Tile

Ceramic Floor Tiles

Ceramic Floor Tile

The most popular category of ceramic tiles includes the glazed ceramic tiles. These tiles are commonly called as glazed tiles due to its glossy finish.

These tiles are available in different sizes, colors, patterns and designs. The ceramic tiles are used in kitchen, bathroom, washrooms, pantry and other wet areas.

Where Do We Use Ceramic Tiles ?

The ceramic tiles are versatile tiles and produced in different sizes, colors, shapes and surface finishes.

These tiles are best suited as a wall tile rather than a floor tile. The ceramic tiles are not very good in compressive strength due to its porosity and the low density.

However, due to the grazed coating, these tiles have excellent water repellent and stain resistance. The ceramic glazed tiles make an excellent choice for the kitchen splash back tiles, bathroom wall tiles, pantry area and other such wet areas.

Ceramic Matte Finish Tiles

Ceramic Wall Tiles For Bathroom walls

Ceramic Glazed Tiles

Ceramic Wall Tiles For Bathroom

The ceramic tile body has inherent weakness due to its porous body and low density material. And therefore, these tiles are being replaced by the porcelain tiles as a floor tiles.

The porcelain tile is a much better option as a floor tile as compared to ceramic tiles. However, the ceramic floor tiles are also available in the market.

How Ceramic Tiles Are Manufactured ?

The ceramic tiles are manufactured using natural minerals. The basic ingredients used to manufacture these tiles include a mixture of clay, sand, quartz and water.

The raw minerals ( clay + Sand + quartz + water ) is subjected to intense heat and pressure. The tiles are fired at very high temperature ( 1100 Celsius ).

The mixture is poured into the tile molds and the design texture is applied on the tile surface. At this stage, the tiles go through the  first round of heat treatment.

How Ceramic Tiles Are Manufactured

The color pigments and other admixtures are added during the manufacturing process to render various color shades to the tiles.

For glazed ceramic tiles, a protective layer of glazing is applied using the quartz which gives a glossy finish to the tiles. The fully baked tiles are gradually brought to the normal temperature.

Types Of Ceramic Tiles

The ceramic tiles can be categorized into different types based on its usage. The most common types of ceramic tiles include :

Ceramic Wall Tiles

The ceramic tiles make an excellent choice as a wall tiles. The wall tiles are relatively thinner ( 6 mm ) as compared to the thickness of the floor tiles ( 8 mm ).

These tiles are widely produced by almost all tile manufactures. Further, its available in wide range of colors, designs and relatively much cheaper.

Glazed Wall Tiles In Bathroom
Glazed Wall Tiles In Kitchen Splash back

Ceramic Floor Tiles

The ceramic tiles are mainly used for residential floors with very low usage. These tiles are not recommended in cold weather conditions due to low frost resistance .

Important

The ceramic body cannot withstand severe cold weather conditions due to its porous ceramic body and the high water absorption.

The ceramic tiles have low frost resistance and develop cracks if water gets absorbed into the tiles. 

Ceramic Floor Tiles

Wood Design Ceramic Tile Flooring

Ceramic Floor Tiles

Wood Design Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic Decorative Tiles

The ceramic tiles offer the widest range of decorative tiles at most reasonable price. The thin ceramic body can be easily molded into different shapes, color shades and design patterns.

The glossy finish small tiles in various shapes and bright colors displayed in the tile showroom are glazed ceramic tiles.

Ceramic Elevation Tiles

The elevation tiles with ceramic body are another type of popular ceramic tile. The elevation tiles are used for wall cladding tiles to decorate the building facade and also interior walls.

These tiles are available in various natural stone wall designs and the brick wall design patterns.

Wall Elevation Tiles
Wall Elevation Tiles Brick Design

Advantages Of Ceramic Tiles

  • High Stain Resistance.
  • The ceramic tiles offer the widest range of all types of tiles.
  • These tile installation and fitting is simple.
  • These tiles can be fitted with cement paste.
  • No special skills and tools required for installation.
  • The ceramic tiles are reasonably priced.

Disadvantages Of Ceramic Tiles

  • The ceramic tiles cannot be used for heavy traffic area.
  • Low frost resistance
  • These tiles cannot withstand severe cold weather conditions.
  • Low scratch resistance.
  • Low impact resistance.
  • Tiles can easily crack due to accidental impact.

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