You Can Use Decorative Ceramic Tile Just About Anywhere
Decorative ceramic tile does indeed have many applications in the home, but let's take a look first at ceramic tile itself. There are many different kinds, both in the way it is made, and in its appearance. This variety in turn leads to a plethora of decorative applications.
How decorative ceramic tiles are made
A ceramic is a material made from clay, and often a variety of other substances, including sand. It is first molded into the desired shape, which is usually flat for ceramic tile. Then it is fired in an oven or kiln at very high temperatures, between 900 and 1400 degrees Celsius. On cooling, the material becomes a hard, durable substance, composed mainly of oxides of aluminum and silicon in a crystalline state.
There are two main types of ceramics. Glazed ceramics have a coating of metallic oxides or ceramic stain that is applied before the final firing. The result is a shiny surface that can have a variety of colors, or even a design or picture. In unglazed tiles, the color comes directly from the clay, and varies from white to red. Quarry tiles and terra-cotta tiles are unglazed.
Porcelain tiles can be either glazed or unglazed, and their unusual hardness and shine comes from the glass that is formed throughout the tile due to the extremely high temperatures of firing.
Pros and cons of ceramic tiling
The reason why decorative ceramic tiles are used in so many different ways is that they have so many desirable properties. They are:
- durable
- noncombustible
- don't fade
- don't stain
- don't warp
- can be made waterproof by sealing or glazing
- are hygienic, since they don't harbor dust or mites
- can be made to resemble stone, and cost a lot less
- can match any room decor
The only con I can think of is that they might be a bit slippery if used for flooring.
How decorative ceramic tile can be used in the home
Most ceramic tiles are made to be used for flooring, but they can also be used for surfaces, such as countertops or vanity tops. They can even be used on walls for shower stalls, wainscoting, backsplashes, or decorative frames around fireplaces or windows. And glazed ceramic tiles are used to line bathtubs and swimming pools, since they are waterproof.
The latest trend is to use ceramic tiles to make murals. These "wall pictures" can be mosaics, which are designs made from small tiles arranged in a pattern. Or larger tiles can be decorated with scenes before being given the final firing, and then arranged on a wall to form a larger picture.
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