Porcelain tile is a relatively new facing material in the modern construction market. Due to its unique technical characteristics and excellent decorative qualities, it quickly gained high positions in the consumer rating and is widely used for interior and exterior finishing works. Porcelain tile collections are striking in their diversity. They can be matte, glossy, embossed. Often plates imitate natural materials. For example, porcelain stoneware under a tree on the floor will be a very worthy choice for residential premises.
Structure
The materials for the production of porcelain stoneware are the same as for the usual tile. These are clay, quartz sand, mica, feldspar, various dyes and mineral additives. But the end result is different, the reason for this is a different production technology. The history of the use of ceramic tiles dates back more than one century, while porcelain tiles have been present in the building materials market for only a few decades. And while their popularity is almost the same. We can assume that porcelain stoneware is an improved version of ceramic tiles.
Production technology
The mass of crushed ingredients is primarily pressed in molds under a pressure of about 500 kg per 1 cm2. The second step in the manufacture of porcelain stoneware is its firing at temperatures reaching 1300º. As a result, the tile is sintered so much that its structure is homogeneous, dense and practically without pores. After this, the processes of final processing: polishing, trimming faces and others.
This is a classic technology, but if you need to get tiles with a specific, including embossed, surface pattern, then pressing is carried out not in one stage, but in several. It is logical that porcelain stoneware can be stylized as natural stone, but this is far from all of its possibilities. It is real to find tiles with imitation of genuine leather, animal skins, metal, artificially aged surfaces, soil. Porcelain stoneware for wood flooring is becoming more common (photo in review).
Advantages and disadvantages
This material has increased wear resistance and does not wear out at high regular loads. In terms of hardness, porcelain stoneware only slightly falls short of diamond, so no cracks or chips will ever appear on it. In addition to the qualities already listed, porcelain tile is not afraid of moisture, the effects of chemically active substances, or significant temperature changes.
As for the shortcomings, the porcelain stoneware flooring is very cold to the touch. The only way to insulate it somehow is to arrange a warm floor system, which increases its already high cost. Laying porcelain stoneware is possible only on a carefully leveled surface. Despite their high strength, tiles can crack if improperly transported or installed. Another conditional drawback is that the surface of porcelain stoneware is quite slippery. But now anti- slip plates are already available .
Areas of use
Porcelain tile is widely used in industrial premises, in the subway and at stations. As for the domestic use of this material, it is appropriate to use ceramic granite tiles for flooring in places with high traffic: hallways, kitchens, living rooms. Porcelain stoneware is also used for outdoor works: decorating building facades, laying out paths, steps of stairs, open verandas.
Porcelain tiles under a tree on the floor: the romance of wood and the strength of stone
Natural materials are valued more and more - this trend is obvious. Therefore, manufacturers of various artificial coatings make sure that the lines of their collections have options that mimic the structure of natural raw materials. In addition to the texture of natural stone, porcelain tiles under a tree on the floor are also popular. Such tiles can have a colossal color, imitating completely different types of wood, from pine to oak. The floor on which the tiles are laid under the tree may look like decorated with piece, decorative, artistic parquet or parquet board.
With all the love for such a natural material as wood, it is worth recognizing that it is far from always practical. Aggressive environments and significant mechanical stress can cause serious damage to the coating over time. Of course, there are many synthetic materials similar to wood. But they, unlike porcelain stoneware, have much more disadvantages. They are inferior in strength, wear resistance, fire safety, and they can not be called environmentally friendly. And porcelain tiles under a tree on the floor can be laid completely fearlessly. Although it is an artificial material, it is created exclusively from natural raw materials and does not emit any harmful substances.
Porcelain tile for premises
Porcelain tiles on the kitchen floor under a tree perfectly combines not only the aesthetics of natural wood, but the practicality of ceramic tiles. For a room such as a kitchen, where something spills and falls all the time, where you constantly have to wash the floor, this choice of flooring makes sense. Caring for a porcelain stoneware surface is an order of magnitude easier than for wood. Neither grinding nor mastic is needed - just a simple wet cleaning.
In the hallways, porcelain stoneware will also be appropriate due to the high wear resistance and ease of care. Porcelain stoneware for the floor in the living room under the tree will look very noble, and at the same time there will not be any traces of shoes and furniture legs on it. Such a coating does not have to be jealously guarded from damage and periodically restored, like the same parquet.
So, you can choose tiles from a material such as porcelain stoneware for wood on the floor to any interior: from classic to minimalism and hi-tech, and it will serve more than one generation.