What Consumers Should Know About Ceramic Tile

By Mattie Knight


The key to success in any home build or renovation is selecting the right construction materials. You have a nearly endless variety of choices, but you must choose the right material for the job. Local San Francisco, CA suppliers offer a wide variety of options if you want to use ceramic tile for floors or countertops in your bathrooms and kitchen.

The raw materials used to make these tiles are minerals, clay, and water. The manufacturing process involves mixing these materials and exposing each tile to extremely high temperatures. Some tiles are glazed, meaning they are reheated after applying a liquid glass to the surface. The result is a scratch and stain resistant material that is extremely durable.

Ceramic is an easy material to maintain, making it a good option for households with pets and small children. It is less expensive than marble, granite, and other natural stone materials. It is also lightweight enough to use on a second story. Weight is often an issue in older buildings. Kitchens, living rooms, bathrooms, entryways, and other high traffic areas are good places to use ceramic floor tiles.

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.

Kitchen and bathroom tiles require adhesive that is resistant to water. This ensures they stay in place with changes in temperature and air pressure. Proper grout installation is necessary to avoid damage caused by expansion and contraction.

Ceramic is resistant to staining and high heat. This makes it a good material for kitchen countertops as long as you do not mind having an uneven surface. To protect the grout from stains, use a grout made with epoxy or acrylic. Use a light touch when cleaning as being overly aggressive can damage a high-gloss finish.

Some floor tiles have a slip resistant coating. Waxy cleansers and oily detergents can cause this coating to deteriorate. To keep the coating intact, check the manufacturer's specifications for the best cleaning solution to use. Keeping up with regular maintenance will ensure the tiles do not become dangerously slippery due to built-up dirt, detergents, and grease.

These tiles offer nearly endless ways to enhance any interior design. They are more affordable than other types of tile and come in a vast array of designs, colors, and styles. You can opt for solid colors for a conservative look or mix multiple colors to come up with creative designs that are unique.




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