Ceramic tile floors

It is not a secret that the ceramic tile is the most resource that is tested by time. Already dozens of years, this material is successfully applied in residential buildings, and in office space, and even on the territory of industrial buildings. This suggests that the ceramic tile is really easily competing even the most modern materials that may have some advantages.

It is interesting that, in contrast to many other materials, the ceramic tile is placed on the floor, on the walls, as well as on many other surfaces. It is thanks to the versatility that the material has become so common. However, this is not all the advantages that the ceramic tile possesses. Next, we will look at the main advantages and disadvantages of this material.

In this article, we will analyze the main features of this finishing material, as well as consider the device of floors from ceramic tiles. It must be said that even on our own forces you can create a really high-quality floor, which would not be inferior to modern coatings according to the characteristics. In addition, we will not bypass and the common difficulties that occur when creating a ceramic coating.

Features of ceramic floor

Often, ceramic floors create in bathrooms, in restrooms. However, recently, there are practically no restrictions in this regard. The essence is that ceramic floors are installed in the kitchens, and even on the balconies. The most important thing is that the material is combined with the existing room design, and also did not create any inconvenience. Fortunately, on sale you can find a wide variety of options for this product, which in the best way to fit to one or another premises.

First of all, the tile lays in the bathroom. If you are just equipped into a dwelling, it does not prevent initially to restrict ourselves to these space. Thus, the tile is stacked and for a certain period of the hosts analyze the situation. Perhaps the tile is too cold, or creates some discomfort when moving over the surface. Thus you need to understand whether it is necessary to lay ceramics on the floor throughout the rest of the house. Such a conclusion will ensure maximum comfort in the dwelling.

It should also be borne in mind that the creation of a ceramic surface in the whole house is the cost process, and it will take too much time and effort. Accordingly, it will be almost impossible to carry out all the work alone, especially if there are practically no experience in this matter. If we have a bathroom, here it is quite possible to show your initiative and create a full ceramic floor. A small space will not hurry and create a really decent surface.

Well, at the end I would like to say that most of the success depends on the selection of tiles. On sale just a colossal choice of tiles, and it creates some difficulties. With a limited choice of special oscillations, no, but a wide range creates some uncertainty, since it is quite possible to make an incorrect choice and a long time to regret it. It is important to note that sometimes consultants can help with the choice of the best tile. There are also special directories with which you can choose the most suitable type of product in accordance with the available room of the room or dwelling in general.

Advantages and disadvantages of ceramic tiles

Before purchasing ceramic tiles, it is necessary to analyze the main advantages and disadvantages of this material. As in many other cases, the characteristics and other features of the tile may differ depending on the manufacturer and the existing space.

To begin with, consider the advantages of ceramic tiles:

• Strength. Surely, many know that ceramics tiles are distinguished by very high strength. This is true, and even modern materials are not able to make decent competition to ceramics under this characteristic. High strength means that the tile is extremely difficult to damage, so in spaces that are actively used by people, ceramic material is indispensable. If the tile is really high-quality, even after a dozen years she will look like the same bright and colorful, which it was when buying.
• Resistance to wear. This advantage could be attributed to the previous item, but I would like to say a few words about wear resistance. As you know, ceramics are actively used in public places where you can face huge fluxes of people. In such conditions, the tile and demonstrates its wear resistance. Most often, ceramic material remains in the initial state for long years. Ceramics is not eternal, but it is quite capable of surviving the owners.
• Range. As we have already mentioned earlier, you can find hundreds of various types of ceramic tiles. First of all, buyers pay attention to the appearance of products, and it is often right. It is from the outer component of the tile that the perception of the surface will depend on the future. Despite this, the tile sometimes seems beautiful, but in the general surface can not impress the owners after laying the material. In this case, as mentioned earlier, some consultations should be conducted with specialists, or to use the appropriate product catalog. Companies that produce tiles are often developing small catalogs in which you can find ready-made venges to the ceramic tiles. Accordingly, such examples will allow faster to make the right choice.
• Moisture resistance. Considering the fact that the ceramic tile is often stacked in the bathrooms and restrooms, one can safely assume that the material is moisture resistant. Everyone knows about it, but the main advantage is the simplicity of cleaning these surfaces. In addition, it is thus ensured a certain level of hygienicness.
• Fire resistance. If we are talking about finishing materials, the fire resistance is an essential factor. The thing is that materials that can boast the presence of this property, allow you to be confident safe indoors. In the case of unforeseen situations, no surprises will happen, especially if the room is in a hospital or a similar institution. Ceramics is not amenable to burning, and this advantage is used in construction and repair for many years. It is worth paying attention to the fact that no other finishing material can make a worthy competition.

Disadvantages of ceramic tiles are also of great importance. First of all, it is worth paying attention to the fact that today it is possible to become a victim of poor-quality products, so some other points can be added to the lack of the lack of a lack of a lack of a lack of a lack of a shortage.

• Fragility. Unfortunately, it is possible to damage the ceramic surface very easily, and especially bad when ceramics are finished surface in places where heavy items have. For example, in the hall you can simply drop the television console to the floor and detect the crack on the material. Accordingly, it is often ceramics and stacked in the bathroom, where items that can damage the material are practically no. It is also worth paying attention to the fact that much depends on the thickness of the material, so when you purchase it is necessary to seriously refer to this issue.
• Thermal conductivity. The negative side in this case concerns exactly low thermal conductivity. The thing is that the surface of the ceramics is very cold, so it is necessary to create heating to ensure comfort, or lay the carpet (or another coating) to the floor. Perhaps the ice surface of ceramics will seem enjoyable in a hot summer period, but sometimes even in warm weather to step on ceramics - the task is not simple.
• Soundproofing. In the event that the ceramics laid on the floor without an additional insulating layer, no sound insulation and we can talk. Almost all third-party sounds in the room will be clearly audible. Of course, if necessary, creating high-quality sound insulation will not be much difficulty, it is especially important to take care of the residents of panel houses.
• Price issue. The acquisition of high-quality ceramic tiles is the cheapest pleasure. Despite the huge range of this product, and considerable competition in this market, manufacturers are in no hurry to reset prices. Indeed, it is not all allowed to bind a large room. At the same time, you can be confident in high quality products, and in the fact that it will easily serve for many years.

Ceramic Tile Installation Process

In order to consider the device of floors from the ceramic tile in detail, it is necessary to analyze the material installation process.

First of all, we will need the following tools and consumables:

• roulette;
• slab;
• gear and rubber spatulas;
• tile glue / cement mortar;
• grout;
• drill;
• crosses (to install seams between tiles).

Preparatory activities

• First of all, you need to install an old coating to the base floor. Most often, this event is carried out in the old rooms, where the floor has a rather deplorable state.
• Now it's time to align the surface. In this case, you need to create a high-quality screed, which will make the surface of the floor with respect to all standards. You can also find self-leveling mixtures that create an excellent foundation for further work with the surface.
• In the end, it is necessary to prepare glue (or cement mortar) for laying tiles. It is worth noting that, depending on the volume of work, this event can be delayed for a long time.

Installation tile

• After we prepared glue or cement mortar, you need to evenly distribute the material to the surface. It is important to keep in mind that the thick layer of the binder material is not a mandatory requirement, it is often a thin layer of glue that allows you to create a better surface. Before laying the tile to the surface, it should be moistened. This will significantly improve the adhesion of the material with the surface and will ensure the excellent durability of the coating.
• When laying the tile, the distance between the units of the material is 3 mm (or more). To do this, it is advisable to use the cross, which was mentioned earlier. Such a fixed distance will make it possible to create an excellent surface, and after laying the cross are easily removed.
• The last stage of work is putting seams between tiles. For this, an appropriate mixture is used, which provides not only the outer appearance of the surface, and the required level of moisture insulation.

Basic errors encountered in the process of creating ceramic surfaces

If we are talking about laying the tile, then here you can face with a considerable amount of problem points. First of all, you need to know about the following errors:

• Horizontal base. Often, the hosts believe that the leveling of surfaces is an optional moment, and in such conditions it can be faced with the fact that the tiled surface will gradually lose the initial appearance, and cracks will be formed on the seams. Thus, you need to make sure that the surface on which the tile is installed is perfectly smooth.
• Void in the mixture. With the use of cement mixture, various emptiness can be formed. Thus, it negatively affects the strength of the surface, as well as on the overall condition of the coating. It is necessary to prepare only a high-quality mixture and provide a high-quality seal.
• Temperature conditions. During the installation of the tile, it is necessary to observe one temperature regime, otherwise it is impossible to exclude that the mixture will begin to crack or simply deform, and then the tile surface will be unnecessary externally.