Ceramic tile is formed with the help of clays and other natural materials. During the formation process, the special clays are mined from the earth, shaped, coloured and then fired in kilns. Traditional ceramic tile can be naturally coloured and left unglazed like terra cotta, or they can have coloured or highly designed surfaces which can be glazed (finished with a glass surface) either in a high gloss or matte finish. Most ceramic tile has either a red or white body colouration underneath the glazed, coloured top layer.
Porcelain tile is an advanced form of ceramic tile and widely popular among home-owners. These tiles are composed of fine porcelain clays and fired at much higher temperatures than ceramic tiles. Due to this process porcelain tile become denser, less porous, much harder and less prone to moisture and stain absorption than ceramic tiles. For these reasons, most porcelain tiles work well for both indoor and outdoor installations. Porcelain tiles are also harder to cut due to their hardness and density.
Unglazed porcelain tile is homogeneous in terms of its through-body colouration. The colour goes all the way through from top to bottom, so scratches or dings are less obvious and contain better slip-resistance. Glazed porcelain tiles may or may not have the same colouration from top to bottom because of the top glazed layer. Glazed porcelain tiles assist seal the microscopic pores therefore are easier to maintain than unglazed tiles. Because porcelain can be prepared to resemble stone, it is sometimes a better alternative than Mother Nature’s natural products simply because it’s less porous and less prone to cracking.
On the contrary, not all ceramic or porcelain tiles are ideal for all residential and non-residential areas. Tile products generally are wear-rated from low to high. A large number of manufacturers worldwide do meet international standards. Because all tiles are not rated for taking floor traffic, it’s essential for consumers to choose a tile appropriate for their project.
Regardless of whether you select ceramic tile or porcelain tile for your decorating project you will find both types of tiles offer a variety of shapes and sizes in field tiles as well as some border and accent tiles. This will help you to obtain an almost unlimited amount of decorating options by mixing and matching different field tile sizes and shapes along with borders and accent tiles to really add pizzazz and charm to your decoration.
Rectified tile requires to be explained, because it is becoming more famous. Rectified tile is usually described incorrectly and is confusing for tile buyers; it is simply tile that has been grinded or sawed after firing to achieve a more exact tile size. A huge variety of tiles will vary slightly in size after being fired (both porcelain tiles and ceramic tiles it is up to 1.5% variation). By grinding or sawing the tiles after firing the manufacturer hopes to minimize the size variations from tile to tile. Although, at this time there are no set ANSI standards set for what the minimum variations are allowed for rectified tiles, it is strictly up to the tile manufacturer.
The tiling project fails to add durability, if you use a wrong tile adhesive. Its binding force is responsible for the cohesiveness between the base and the tiles. You can find different variety of adhesives in the market. Each of them is effective but their application depends upon the tile you use, surface on which it is installed and how you install them.
Some tile adhesives are pre-mixed while some need to be prepared. However, it is better to prepare it according to your requirements. This saves your money as you mix the ingredients as per your tile requirement. Thinset mortar is a popular adhesive used for floor installation. You can use them in areas that are exposed to water or heat. You can find them in Grey and white color.
To prepare the thinset adhesive, pour some water or liquid additive in the bucket. Add the powder into it. Start mixing the solution with help of a margin trowel. Mix it evenly and continuously to prepare a thick adhesive. You can also use a ｽ inch drill, if you have the one at your disposal. It lets you prepare an adhesive that’s strong and durable.
If you are using a drill to prepare the tile adhesive, then run it at slow speed. This prevents trapping of air inside the mixture. Stir it till the mixture becomes hard. Make sure that the paste doesn’t drip when you put it on the trowel. However, make sure that the paste is smooth and applicable. A good adhesive ensures that your installations serve you for a long time.
After mixing allow the paste to slake. Keep it untouched for 10 minutes. This ensures that the water seeps inside the dried chunk of powder. Allow the paste to activate for few minutes. After 10 minutes, stir the tile adhesive and use it for the installation process.
So, prepare the adhesive yourself and add durability to your floorings.
Tiles come in endless incarnations. There are mosaic tiles, marble tiles, granite tiles, decorative patio tiles, glazed ceramic tiles used in the bathroom, and decorative backsplash tiles that simply adorn the kitchen. While they have distinct identities in their textures, colors, and patterns, they are united in the common bond that all are required to be meticulously cleaned. Anyone, who has any interest in keeping their house neat and clean and spruced up, has to concentrate on regular tile cleaning and grout cleaning.
Tile cleaning and grout cleaning should be done frequently in places like kitchen where sticky remnants of cooking easily get plastered to tiles and accumulate in the grout. Wiping the kitchen tiles daily in the areas most prone to dirt accumulation is the best preemptive way of grout cleaning. Weekly, or at least fortnightly, kitchen tiles should be cleaned with good tile cleaning agents. An effective tile cleaning agent that is available in everybody’s home is vinegar. A mixture of equal amounts of water and vinegar can be splashed on the floor in grimy areas and can be cleaned off after a few minutes. In more grimy areas, especially in the grout, vinegar can be applied directly, without diluting it with water. Lemon juice is also a good grout cleaning agent.
With white tiles, whether on the floor or otherwise, bleach will work as a tile cleaning agent. However, bleach should ideally be avoided on colored tiles. On all types of tiles, it is better to avoid tile cleaning agents with too much chemicals as they may cause the tile to fade in the long run. While buying tile cleaning liquids, check the composition to ensure that they do not contain harsh chemicals. Tile cleaning may not be necessary in the bathroom on a daily basis as in a kitchen. However, a quick cleaning every day will minimize slime build-up so that the weekly or bi-weekly tile cleaning and grout cleaning will become a faster, easy process.
There are floor scrubbers and steam cleaners that will suck the dirt out of the grout and will maintain the tiles sparkling clean. However, even a discarded toothbrush can be used for grout cleaning, especially around shower faucets, around the sink in the kitchen, and on the tiles directly against the cooking range on to which drops of oil and seasonings easily get plastered. It is always best to have small rugs or carpets in areas, which are more prone to accumulation of dirt in the form of cooking residuals, or from garden shoes, or by children’s activities. That will preempt the need for heavy tile cleaning and grout cleaning.
These videos & pictures are taken by some of www.justmorocco.com customers. These videos are showing some of the bathroom tile made in Morocco, some of them show an after remodeling a bathroom & a shower into a moroccan bathroom style with moroccan tiles , sinks and camel bone mirrors…please visit us at www.justmorocco.com or you cn visit us also at http