Porcelain tiles are made from very pure clay and minerals. This is dry pressed and fired at a high temperature to create these tiles with amazing qualities. People often think of porcelain as being delicate and fragile, but porcelain tiles are stronger and harder than a stone floor tile, and much easier to maintain.
Porcelain floor tiles are great for both indoor and outdoor use. They are stronger even than granite and are well suited for driveways; they won’t crack under the weight of your car. They rarely break or chip due to their density. You won’t notice wear and tear with porcelain tiles. Many other tiles have a surface glaze added on top of the tile which can scratch and wear thin with time, but porcelain doesn’t need this, it has a beautiful finish and is naturally water resistant without needing further treatment.
If you want low maintenance flooring then porcelain floor tiles are the one to go for. You don’t need to seal them and they don’t need waxing. Sweeping off the dust and occasionally cleaning with water and detergent is all that is needed. They are no more difficult to maintain than a laminate floor. They are popular in hotels and large offices for this reason, and also because they look so good too.
Unlike terracotta or stone, porcelain tiles are not porous; water doesn’t get into them so there’s no need to use a sealant on them. They’re great for wet areas such as kitchens and bathroom and outdoors, and won’t be ruined if you have a flood. You won’t have to worry about them being stained if you drop food on them in a kitchen. They are also highly frost resistant making them the perfect choice for using outdoors, perhaps round a pool, or in colder parts of your house such as in a conservatory.
Made from natural materials with no added chemicals, and no sealants, porcelain floor tiles are also a good choice for the environment too. The production of porcelain produces virtually no by-products, and waste is recycled back into the production process.
The manufacturing process of porcelain floor tiles has advanced a lot over recent years, you can now buy a porcelain tile that looks identical to a stone tile, so you can have the look of stone while maintaining all the advantages of porcelain such as the strength and water resistance.
Porcelain floor tiles come in a huge array of colours, sizes and finishes. Porcelain is a great choice if you like the look of a type of tile but don’t want the inconvenience associated with it, in some cases you can save money too as the porcelain version can sometimes work out cheaper than the type of tile the porcelain is mimicking. There are some fabulous marble and slate effect tiles. You can achieve a really sophisticated high gloss finish too, creating a tile you’ll be able to see your reflection in, and yet it will not be slippery underfoot.
You are likely to pay more for a porcelain tile than a ceramic one; basically this is because they are better! Like anything else, you generally get what you pay for. Think about your needs and work out which type of tile is best for you. If you need a tile that is hard wearing and low maintenance then porcelain could well be a good option for you. If longevity is key, then definitely go for porcelain. They can look like they’ve just been laid for years. If you are having them laid by a professional you may also want to take into account preparation time. The extra money you spend choosing porcelain tiles may well be saved due to porcelain tiles being easy to lay in regards to preparation compared to say a marble tile that needs a lot of preparatory work.
The manufacturing process of porcelain tiles results in perfectly identical, perfectly straight edged tiles every time. They will fit together like a dream. If you’re after pristine clean lines in your home or establishment, porcelain is well worth considering. Porcelain tiles also work well on walls; using the same type of tile on both the floor and the walls of a room can give a great effect. It works particularly well in a bathroom, and with the tiles fitting so closely together you don’t need to worry about water seeping into the grouting in a wet room.
Are there any disadvantages with using porcelain tiles? Well, if you’re laying them yourself, you will probably find, due to their strength and density that you’ll need to put a little more effort into cutting them than you would with ceramic tiles. This strength of tile obviously pays off once you have your floor down, as it will last a long time without cracking or chipping, so it is worth the extra effort. The same applies if you need to drill a tile, make sure you have spare drill bits to hand! Of course if you are hiring a professional to lay the tiles then they will have plenty of experience of porcelain tiles and strong tools to cope with them, so it shouldn’t be at all tricky for them.
Porcelain tiles are also well suited to under floor heating systems.
{ 0 comments }
