How Ceramic Tile Is Manufactured
Posted by Guest on Apr 15, 2012 in Featured, Manufacturing | 0 comments
Ceramic tiles, like cement tiles, are made of clay. Though both are formed in a similar way, they are processed differently. Along with clays, talc and other minerals make up a ceramic tile. All these raw materials are quarried and refined. The quality of each material will dictate the overall quality of the tiles that will be formed.
Once the materials have been refined, it is now time to form the ceramic styles. The initial step involves the presses. The atomized clay mixture is placed on movable die that resembles a tray. The clay must have enough moisture to enable it to keep its shape during contact.
When the tiles have been set in place, 10,000 tons of compression goes down. This action forms the shape of the tile. It is then followed by the first glazing process, rendering it white and clean. This enables the finishing glazes to adhere quickly. Now it is time to decorate the surface of the tile. There could be lots of variations depending on the amount of rollers that a manufacturer has.
After glazing, the sides of the tiles are brushed. This is to ensure grouts would easily adhere to the body of the tile. The tiles are then placed in drying cubes to let them dry thoroughly and make sure that moisture is taken out as much as possible. To prevent explosion when in the kiln roller, tiles must be dried to 1% before they are subjected to heat. The tiles are now ready to be taken to the roller kiln. The roller kiln bakes the tiles at 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit or 1,200 degrees Celsius.
The first manufacturing of ceramic tiles dates back 15 years ago. The entire process has tremendously leaped forward. Before, a tile should be fired first before it could be glazed. Manufacturers nowadays have developed a method to enable the tile body and glazing be fired simultaneously. This process is referred to as monocottura. And when the body of the tile was not able to give out the desired color. englobe is applied prior to glazing. The englobe prevents stains from reaching the surface of the tile.
Methods Use to Create Ceramic Tiles
There are several steps in forming a ceramic tile, which includes the following:
Dust press. A dry mixture of clay, talc and minerals are pressed unto a mold and subjected to high temperatures.
Extrusion. This method involves the use of slightly wet materials. The materials are forced through a nozzle until it forms into the desired shape.
Slush mold or wet pour. A wet mixture of materials is placed unto a mold of the desired shape.
Ram press. Is similar to dust press, except that it involves larger tiles.
How To Design Artistic Ceramic Tile Layouts
Posted by Guest on Apr 1, 2012 in Ceramic Tile Layouts, DIY, Featured | 0 comments
With a little creativity coupled with a good imagination, it is very much possible to come up and design artistic ceramic tile layouts on your own. While getting the services of a professional will ensure you’ll get enticing and appealing ceramic tile layouts, doing so will cost you more money. So, rather than spending a hefty sum on something you can easily accomplish on your own, allowing your imagination to work will help you create ceramic tile layouts according to liking and design preference. Wouldn’t it be better to have customized ceramic tile layouts that you designed yourself?
So how can you design artistic ceramic tile layouts without the aid of a professional? You can draw inspiration from tile layouts designed by others or you can check out similar projects that may have done by your friends, relatives or family members. This way it will be easier for you to learn more about the qualities and characteristics of ceramic tiles, which in turn will aid you easily come up with a great tile layout.
Think about the possible patterns, styles and designs you can create with the use of ceramic tiles. There are endless of design possibilities that you can do with ceramic tiles, the only limit is your imagination. You can put your ideas into writing so you can remember them easily. This will also help you compare the tile layouts you have come up with and help you decide which one is the best.
Explore magazines containing pictures of ceramic tile designs. The best way to devise a great tile design is by getting inspiration from magazines or online websites featuring myriads of ceramic tile designs. Depending on the type of ceramic tiling project you want to work on, ceramic tiles can be used as wall murals, shower surrounds floor tiles or kitchen countertop/table top tiles. You can also combine tiling project to maintain design cohesion in your home.
Take measurements of the area where the ceramic tiles will be placed and installed. Note possible obstacles such as electrical outlets, uneven flooring, and bath spouts, which you should also factor in when creating the layout. Survey the area where the ceramic tiles will be installed and see if the layout you want to use will aesthetically fit in it. You can take pictures of the area where the ceramic tiles will be installed to help you get a clearer picture of whether the layout you have in mind is the perfect match or not.
Create a diagram of the ceramic tile project on a graphing paper. Scale the layout you have in mind on the graphing paper using a ruler and pencil to see if the measurements you have taken previously line up, while also noting the obstacles you wrote down earlier.
Finally, study the diagram you have created and then decide if you are ready to take on the ceramic tiling project on your own. If not, you can always choose to hire a professional to carry out the ceramic tile installation for you.
The Advantages Of Ceramic vs Hard Wood Flooring
Posted by Guest on Mar 18, 2012 in Featured, Flooring | 0 comments
Ceramic tiles and hardwood floors are the two most preferred materials used for floorings. Both materials are durable, provide longevity and lend a beautiful flooring appearance. As much as they have similar characteristics, they have several differences as well.
Hard Wood floors
Hardwood floors are dent and scratch resistant. They however trap in moisture. The appearance of hardwood floors always depends on the type of wood from which they are taken from. Hardwood floors are easier to clean. You just need to sweep the dirt away with a broomstick. If maintained properly, this type of flooring can last for a lifetime. Beautiful rugs can be placed on top of it to make it appear homier.
Hardwood floor have two types.
- Solid planks – Solid planks usually have to be nailed down during installation. But it should only be used over a wood type sub floor.
- Engineered planks – Engineered planks come in narrow and wide planks. They are glued or stapled to the sub floor. Engineered planks are more dimensional and can be used in almost any area of the house. It is less costly to install engineered planks per square foot than installing ceramic tiles in the same manner.
Wood floors are not ideal for areas that often get wet, such as the bathroom floors. And you would need a very low-level sub floor when you chose to use hardwood as flooring. If hardwood is to be used in the kitchen flooring, rugs should be placed on top of it. This is too avoid spillage, which would damage the hardwood floor’s finish. Your chairs should be installed with chair pads to prevent scratching. And in areas where the hardwood floors get the most sunlight, discoloration is evident.
Ceramic Floors
Ceramic floors are also resistant to dents and scratches, but it susceptible to chips. One must avoid carrying heavy objects on ceramic tiles. If the object accidentally drops, the tile could chip.
Ceramic tiles can be hand painted and comes in a large array of colors, sizes and shapes. You can even have a customized pattern to get exactly what you want. Ceramic floors need more maintainance when it comes to cleaning than hardwood floors. The seams and grout can easily accumulate dirt. Thorough scrubbing must be done to ensure the tile’s cleanliness. This type of flooring needs a sturdy sub floor and the tiles should be well adhered to it. For areas that often get wet, such as the bathroom, ceramic tiles are the perfect choice for flooring materials.
Each type of flooring has its own advantages and disadvantages, whether you choose hardwood floors or ceramic tiles, you must regularly clean the floor and make sure it is properly maintained so that it could last for a lifetime.
What To Look For In A Good Quality Ceramic Tile
Posted by Guest on Mar 4, 2012 in Featured, Shopping | 0 comments
Ceramic tiles make any flooring look extraordinarily beautiful. Ceramic tiles come in all sorts of shapes and colors. It is a good investment too, as ceramic tiles are durable and lends an upscale look to any surface. You can even match several styles to fit the decoration that you are looking for.
Before purchasing ceramic tiles, make sure the one you’ll purchase is the perfect fit. There are several considerations to consider when purchasing ceramic tiles for your home.
- There are varying sizes of tiles. The size of tile that you must purchase depends on the room and its application. Smaller ceramic tiles measuring 12-inch squares or smaller are ideal for small rooms. Larger tiles are ideal for bigger rooms, as they often overpower room decors.
- Select the color and shade of the tile. Modern tiles often feature a rugged surface to mimic the natural earth stone color and consistency. Tiles have four categories when it comes to color consistency. A low rating has consistent shade and texture. A moderate rating has average variation of texture and shade. A tile with a high rating has extreme variation of texture and shade. And a ceramic tile with random rating has severe variation of shade and texture.
- Determine the density of the tile. Different tiles have varying gloss levels and surface texture. The gloss level that you should choose should depend on what type of flooring it is going to be set upon. You also have to determine the moisture absorption capacity of a tile. As the density increases, its capacity to absorb moisture decreases. Therefore, for floorings that usually get wet, like the bathroom, it is ideal to purchase tiles with less density and higher moisture absorption capacity.
- Choose the grout color. The grout color that you would choose should depend on the overall color of the tile.
Know that there are several types of ceramic tiles available in the market. So, the type that you should choose will depend on the function that it will serve.
Quarry tile
Quarry tile is manufactured by the extrusion from natural clay or shale. It is made from a mixture of unglazed tiles. Quarry tiles are somewhat porous and come in three shapes -squares, rectangles and hexagons.
Porcelain tiles
Porcelain tiles are probably the strongest and most durable of the ceramic tiles. They absorb less water and are moisture resistant.
Glazed tiles
Glazed tiles often become slippery when wet. This type of tile is not suitable for flooring use. But it is best used on countertops and walls. Glazed tiles can also be hand painted and come in several decorative styles and patterns.
Mosaic tiles
Mosaic tiles have the ability to resists moisture and do not chip easily. This type of tile is ideal for almost any type of surface.
How To Do Your Own Ceramic Tiling Project
Posted by Guest on Feb 19, 2012 in DIY, Featured | 0 comments
Are you thinking of taking on your own ceramic tiling project? If so, then be sure to read this article. Deciding to install ceramic tiles on your own will definitely provide you with bigger savings. Hiring a professional to do it for you can be very expensive, therefore, if you are really looking to save some dollars then doing the tile installation yourself will be the most practical thing to do. Besides, installing ceramic tiles is not as difficult as you initially thought it to be. There is a wealth of information online that will help you accomplish this project without any difficulty. You can check out DIY videos showing how to properly install ceramic tiling or read DIY articles. To help you succeed in your ceramic tiling project, here are a few basic tips to keep in mind.
Figure out where you intend to install the ceramic tiles. Before starting with the actual ceramic tile installation it is important that you decide first where you intend to install them. Are you planning on installing them on the patio, concrete floor, kitchen floor, or the porch? It is important that you determine where you will install the ceramic tiles so that you can envision how they would look once installed. This will also help you decide on what is the best ceramic tiling layout to use. The tiling layout you should choose will depend greatly in the area where you want to place the tiles. Of course, it should blend with the existing design and motif in that area to guarantee design cohesion.
Measure the area where you plan to install the ceramic tiles. It is critical that you get accurate measurement of the area where the ceramic tiles will be installed to help you figure out how many ceramic tiles you have to purchase. It would be better to purchase more tiles than needed rather than come short.
Prepare everything you need for the tile installation. When you have purchased the tiles and you are already certain where you want to install them, next thing to do is to prepare the things you need for the tile installation. Watch DIY videos or read articles about ceramic tiles installation if this is your first time doing the task on your own. You may also enlist the help of someone who have experience installing ceramic tiles.
If there are old tiles on the area where the ceramic tiles will be placed, you have to take them out first and clear the area of installation before placing the new ceramic tiles.