11.19.2015

What Consumers Should Know About Ceramic Tile

By Mattie Knight


Choosing the right construction material for any home improvement project is challenging. Tile is suitable for a variety of projects. If you live in San Francisco, CA and you are installing a new floor, shower, or countertop, ceramic tile offers multiple benefits when it comes to installation, durability, and maintenance.

Ceramic is made with water, minerals and clay. The mixture is then fired at high temperatures. Glazing involves treating the fired tile with a liquid glass solution and exposing it to high temperatures a second time. This creates a surface that is resistant to stains and scratches.

This type of tile offers an attractive finish that is less expensive than natural stone such as granite or marble. It works well in hallways, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens. This material is lighter than stone, so it may be used in second floor rooms without worrying if there is ample support. If you have a pet or small children, ceramic is a good option because it is easy to maintain.

When using this material for bathroom and kitchen floors, the grout is the most vulnerable point. The tiles are water resistant but grout is porous. This makes grout susceptible to stains, so it is important to clean up liquid spills immediately. Installing small tiles with very thin grout lines will reduce the risk of mold and mildew growth.

You should always buy more material than you need for your current project. This allows you to replace any single tile that breaks, chips, or cracks and saves you the expensive of replacing the whole floor. You can order custom-made tiles to match, but they are expensive.

You must use water resistant adhesive if you installing these tiles in a bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room. This keeps the tiles firmly in place even if they get wet. The material expands and contracts with air pressure and temperature changes. By installing the grout properly, you can avoid damage to individual tiles caused by contraction and expansion of the material

Some homeowners do not like the idea of having an uneven kitchen countertop, but these tiles are suitable for this application because they resist heat and stains. Using an epoxy or acrylic grout will help prevent staining from foods and liquids. To protect the glossy finish, you should avoid scrubbing too aggressively when cleaning.

Regular maintenance, regardless of the application, will eliminate the build-up of grease, detergents, and dirt, which can make the surface slippery. If floor tiles are treated with a slip resistant agent, homeowners should avoid using detergents containing oil and wax cleaners to keep the no-slip properties intact. Using the cleaner recommended by the manufacturer will yield the best results.

Tiles made of ceramic are extremely affordable. They are available in a wide variety of sizes, colors, and designs. They offer great flexibility when it comes to creating a unique look because it is possible to mix and match colors and patterns any way you choose.




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