One of the oldest building materials - ceramics - has tightly entered the life of modern man. There are many other materials for cladding floors and walls, but in most cases, thanks to a wide range of performance characteristics, buyers opt for ceramic tiles.
The range of application of the material is almost unlimited - from finishing the working corner in the kitchen to floors and walls in lobio of fashionable hotels or halls of exhibition centers.
The main properties of ceramic tiles
- Strength. In terms of hardness and strength, the material leaves reinforced concrete and cement far behind. The described characteristic may not justify itself if errors were made during the installation process.
- Rigidity. The tile does not deform and does not bend at record high tensile loads. With increasing thickness of the product, its stiffness properties increase.
- Thermal conductivity and heat capacity. Ceramics absorb and conduct heat almost instantly. This is due to the popularity of the choice of brick facing tiles for decorating a fireplace or stove.
- Fire resistance and fire resistance. This property is another argument in favor of decorating fireplaces and stoves with the described material. It does not burn and protects the facing surface from ignition. The product does not emit toxic gases when heated.
- Antistatic and electrical insulation properties. The tile does not conduct electric current, this will protect people and animals from being hit by a discharge of static electricity (as happens when walking on synthetic surfaces - carpet, linoleum).
- Color fastness. Ceramics is insensitive to sunlight. It does not fade, does not lose brightness in comparison with paper wallpaper, plastic, fabric coatings.
- Hygiene Tile on an apron - the best solution for the kitchen. Microbes and bacteria do not accumulate on its surface. This explains the popularity of this finishing material in the arrangement of operating and manipulation rooms.
- Chemical resistance. Products are immune to the action of chemically active components (with the exception of hydrofluoric acid).
- Decorativeness. A variety of color and structural offers opens up almost unlimited possibilities for interior design. Smooth glazed ceramic tiles add coziness and elegance to the bathroom, neatness and aesthetics of the kitchen.
Selection recommendations
When choosing a material, some nuances must be taken into account:
- Incorrect lighting can distort the color of the finish. The light from the yellow luminaires directed at the blue tiles can give the walls a greenish tint.
- Mistakes in the selection of colors can affect the mood of residents. The prevalence of light tones in small rooms visually increases their area.
- Do not underestimate the reflection coefficient. In order to get rid of this phenomenon, it is necessary to cover the walls with matte shades.
- For rooms in which the material will often become contaminated, it is necessary to choose colors that will advantageously hide this disadvantage - dark and grainy tones.
Tile for a bathroom
Bathroom tile is the most suitable option. The coating will reliably protect the walls from the harmful effects of moisture, temperature extremes and aggressive environments.
The bathroom is perhaps the only place in the house where ceramics should be decorated not only the walls but also the floor. Water, as you know, sharpens a stone, and it dealt even faster with wood, drywall, paint and putty. Tile here is clearly a winner. In a room where a person washes away fatigue, stress and pollution, it should create an atmosphere of comfort and peace.
What are the requirements for finishing material? Due to frequent contact with water and possible mechanical stresses (in the form of shelves, hanging cabinets, etc.), it should have a low degree of water absorption, minimal porosity and a dense structure.
The wall cladding with glazed tiles is popular - a special coating gives the tile brightness, gloss and gives water-repellent properties. The list of advantages of the described type of material can be supplemented by high density, the absence of cracks, and immunity to alkalis and acids.
Brick tile: scope
The manufacturing technology of imitating ceramic bricks has endowed it with properties that are optimal for use in interior decoration. Designers are ready to offer a lot of ideas for interior decoration, the simplest option is a frame for door and window openings, various kinds of niches, mirrors, rigidly mounted on the wall. Often the material described is used as tile on an apron for the kitchen.
Saving on an expensive imitation of brick and giving the room an original grace will allow facing one of its corners - the less symmetry in the finish, the more holistic, realistic and natural the picture will be.
The brick facing tiles for the decor of a fragment of the wall will look no less impressive. This option is good for zoning, for example, a wall behind a TV.
If you combine several types of ceramics - with an imitation of red brick to finish one wall, and another, yellow or terracotta another, you will get the impression that during construction pieces of two different buildings are connected.
Tiles for the kitchen - a modern attribute of style
It is impossible to imagine a kitchen in a modern apartment without luxurious lining. The latest materials and latest developments will help to elegantly and practically decorate the interior of the room. Before choosing a facing tile, you need to decide on the furniture and design direction. It is important to understand that tiles designed for the kitchen will be exposed to fat, moisture and chemicals.
Selection of tiles depending on the chosen style of the kitchen
The adherent of modern style is suitable for kitchen tiles on the wall smooth, even and glossy. It is better to refuse complex intricate drawings, textures and frequent joints. The ideal solution is the simplicity of the lines and the desire for uniformity.
Country business card - natural stone texture. Handmade painting, tiles with rugged edges or broken into pieces will be appropriate. The trend of recent years is artificially aged finishing material. Priority colors: light brown, coffee with milk, beige, golden.
The task of the Mediterranean style is to transfer everyone who crosses the threshold of the room to the sun-drenched cuisines of Italy, Spain or France. The priority is painting, mosaic, complex textures. For wall cladding with tiles, it is worth choosing bright shades of natural stones: cobalt blue or yellow-green.
What to look for when buying?
In the process of acquiring tiles on the wall for the kitchen, it is necessary to evaluate the coefficient of glazed coating. The higher the value of this indicator, the less likely it is that cracks or chips will appear on the finishing material, thereby it will maintain a neat appearance for a long time. Avoid reflections and glare will help matte tiles. The granular structure will hide small impurities.
In the kitchen, humidity is constantly changing, through the tile steam will penetrate deep into the walls, leading to its gradual destruction. To minimize this outcome, it is necessary to choose a ceramic finishing material with a water absorption coefficient of not more than 5%.
How to calculate the required number of tiles?
When the question of the design of the premises is closed, the stage of calculating the required amount of materials for its implementation. Notebook, pencil and tape measure to help the masters. The latter will be used to measure the area under the masonry.
Before conducting measurement work, the walls must be cleaned of old finishing materials, otherwise the calculation error increases significantly. For example, after plastering the surface, the working area of the wall will decrease, and after removing the old tile, on the contrary, it will increase.
To assess the magnitude of potholes and bulges, it is necessary to depict the area of the room in the projection, so calculating the amount of required material will be easier.
Before facing a brick wall with tiles, it is important to determine the presence and position of friezes, borders, etc. Data must be reflected on paper. Experts recommend: calculate the number of tiles in such a way that there are no pieces of ceramics in the corners.
The amount of finishing material for each wall is calculated separately. The use of pieces, if one could not do without them, is also reflected in the records.
Common cladding technologies
In modern construction practice, the following tile walling technologies are used:
- Seam to seam.
- Christmas tree stitch.
- Diagonally.
- Rushing apart.
The seam-to-seam method is most often used because of its simplicity. Facing tiles for walls are placed in a row. So that at the end of the work the picture was perfect, care should be taken to align the walls in advance. The indisputable advantage of the technique is the minimum amount of cut tiles, the seams will be neat and even, both vertically and horizontally.
The implementation of the "herringbone" method is possible only when working with rectangular tiles. The essence of technology in laying tiles in a cascade. When calculating the amount of material, take 5-7% more in case of losses during transportation or installation.
Diagonal pattern is the most difficult, but if a real master puts his hand to the case, you can achieve the effect of distortion of space using tiles for the inner wall cladding of different colors and textures.
It is important to correctly draw the diagonal along which the styling will be carried out, as well as prepare the cutting tool. The volume of material is calculated in two stages:
- It is necessary to calculate how many whole segments are required for marked diagonals.
- Determine how much tile you have to cut.
The technology of facing the walls with a tear-apart tile involves the displacement of each subsequent row by half a segment. It is performed both horizontally and vertically. Skillfully varying tiles of different colors and textures, you can create a surface layer of any configuration.
Preparatory work. Instruments
Before embarking on the lining process, it is important to study the correct order of work, as well as be prepared in advance for the difficulties that may arise during work.
Initially, it is necessary to determine the amount of work ahead. Perhaps the cladding will be preceded by supporting measures that will increase the time and budget for repairs. In most cases, removing old tiles or other decorative material, as well as leveling the walls, is required.
Facing the exterior walls with ceramic tiles is not much different from interior work. They trim the facade of the building to give the building a unique look. For these purposes, porcelain is indispensable. Finishing the outer part of the house should be done when the air temperature outside the window exceeds 5 degrees Celsius. Otherwise, microdeformations cannot be avoided.
To carry out the cladding, the following tools will be required:
- low power tile cutter;
- level;
- notched trowel;
- large spatula;
- mounting crosses;
- glue;
- solution;
- liquid Nails.
Wall Cladding Methods
Today, there are three technologies for wall tiles:
- Cement mortar.
- Adhesive.
- Liquid nails.
So that the finishing material is firmly fixed and lasts longer, experts fill it with water for 7-9 hours. This time is enough for the liquid to fill all the pores of the tile.
Consider the method of facing the walls with tiles using cement mortar.
At the first stage, accurate marking of the site is carried out. Vertically and horizontally laths are packed - strictly according to the level.
An important feature of the solution is its high drying rate, therefore, in order to maintain its operational properties, it should be bred in small portions for 2-3 rows of tiles.
At the next stage, lighthouse tiles are laid, on which the function of the facing level will be assigned. Installation of each of them is carried out taking into account the thickness of the solution and the permissible step of 60 centimeters. You need to move from top to bottom. Tiles should be at the same level vertically and horizontally. Fasten the guide cord along one of the resulting horizontal lines.
Facing tiles for walls can be installed both from bottom to top, and from top to bottom.
Apply a small amount of mortar to each tile with an even layer. Use a smooth trowel. Remove excess fixing substance with a gear. With a little effort, press the material against the wall, press again in the central part. To make the seams neat and uniform, plastic crosses are installed between us.
The finished cement is applied to the underside of the tile. So that the solution does not penetrate outward, it is shaped into a pyramid with truncated edges. It is important that the edge of the tile touches the guide cord.
Press on the tile with a little effort. On the rail, which is superimposed on the finishing material from above, knock with a hammer.
You can eliminate the waviness using a lighthouse rail. It is recommended to carry out the described procedure after each fixed part, otherwise, due to the unevenness of the wall, the tile will have to be torn down and laid again. The verticality of the seam is easily determined using a plumb line.
Special slips are placed in the grooves between the tiles.
The solution dries completely in 24-33 hours. When the strength properties of the fastening components are confirmed, the linings are carefully removed and the grooves are treated with grout.
Tiling the walls with adhesive
Before laying it is necessary to choose the glue suitable for a specific situation. For example, for a facing tile in a bathroom it is necessary to select structure for internal furnish of rooms with the increased humidity. Ready-made dry mixes or on a polyurethane basis are on sale. The latter should be used for perfectly smooth surfaces.
Walls are cleaned, leveled, primed. Marking on the wall with fixing rails and building level.
The solution is applied to the back side of the tile, applied to the wall. The tile should be pressed down so that the mastic is evenly distributed and displaces the air out.
When the first horizontal layer of ceramics is laid out, a support rail must be installed on it. Use a cord and a plumb line. This will allow for precise adjustments of the material vertically and horizontally.