Usually tile selection is dominated by the aesthetic factor – tile color, texture and other design elements. But – the same color tiles as radically different technical indicators, which provided important material for use in a particular room or part of the building.
Residential and recreational facilities
It is part of the interior with a distinctly aesthetic importance and tile design is clearly a part of the room style. However, the choice of floor tiles is desirable to draw attention to the functional characteristics of the material.
Otherwise, expect the unexpected rapid damage to the tile surfaces in rooms with higher pressures (in the hallway, lobby, kitchen) or a bad slip spaces to enhance the likelihood of moisture (bathrooms, saunas, etc.)
Floor tiles in the entrance area – a hallway, lobby, etc.
This area is part of the housing business card, so when choosing floor tiles, special attention should be paid to material abrasion resistance, which can affect a variety of housing location. For example, a significant difference between the vestibule of an apartment house 5th floor or lobby for private 1st floor, which goes directly into the garden or street. It is established that the second case, choose a floor tile with a greater surface wear.
Wear resistance (PEI)
The European standard EN 102 tile wear resistance by the letters PEI.
This rate only applies to glazed ceramic and stone tiles and coatings are determined by the degree of wear resistance, which, according to a given floor load is divided into 5 groups:
Group 1 (PEI 1): Area with a minimum load;
Group 2 (PEI 2): premises on which the walk home with the shoes;
Group 3 (PEI 3): all accommodation, hotels, small offices;
4th group (PEI 4): average load of intensive residential and public spaces;
5.grupa (PEI 5): heavy-duty residential and public spaces.
Floor and wall tiles, bathroom (sauna, swimming pool)
Choosing tiles for this part of the interior, is an essential factor in the anti-slip floor tiles, the rooms with a direct presence in water is defined by three parameters defining a given tiled possible glide slope:
(A: flīzējamās gradient exceeding 12 ° (sauna, swimming pool changing rooms)
(B: flīzējamās gradient of 18 ° (walkways and stairs around / at the pool)
(C: flīzējamās gradient to 24 ° (paths and stairs directly to the water)
Since the bathroom is used in various cosmetic and personal care products often have to use special cleaning agents possible stain removal, because both floor and wall tile is recommended to choose a special coating that provides increased resistance to chemical exposure.
Floor and wall tiles for kitchen
Compared with the rest of the interior rooms, the kitchen floor and wall significantly more exposed to different influences and more frequent cleaning, so the wall and the floor is recommended to choose tiles with high resistance to chemical and thermal influences. In addition to this, the kitchen floor tiles is essential for resistance to mechanical damage. Such a specially treated surface of the tiles will not affect the pet nail scratches and they will not scratch, which can lead to shift the furniture.
Public and work spaces
When choosing floor tiles to the premises, pay particular attention to the material wear and flexural strength, and increased resistance to chemical mechanical influences.
However, one of the essential requirements of the public and work areas are security, particularly acute because the tiles slip, which according to EN standard represented by the letter R and divided into 5 categories – according to the specific space and function of load:
° W 9: the lobby, waiting areas and rest rooms;
10 ° W: school facilities, medical facilities, laboratories, restaurants, hairdressing salons;
11 ° W: a restaurant kitchen, mechanical workshops, transition;
12 ° W: ramps, parking lots, swimming pools, shower rooms;
13 ° W: production space with increased safety requirements.
Additional information:
First The more seams – the larger the tile surface anti-slip effect. So, for example, large floor tiles, preferably combined with a small stone mosaic tiles.
Second Misconception is the idea that glides over polished tile – polished tile is greater slip esfekts in the production process of pore polished top surface reduces gliding. Polished tiles are treated with diamond heads, so usually there are two times more expensive than matt tiles. If the polished tile unevenly (U.S. substandard), potential problems in the operation process, the cleaning process less polished spot visually different from the more polished.
Tile facades and outdoor (terraces, balconies, facades, etc.)
Exterior is desirable to choose a tile with a non-freezing solid (extruded) base and low water absorption, which will ensure minimal water absorption and neutralize the harmful effects of temperature changes. In porous tiles will be the base, the higher will be the absorption of water – the tiled krāsies dirt and water droplets freeze / thaw leads to a rapid bojāsies tile surface.
It still seemed impossible yesterday, today is a reality – building facade finishes are offered enhanced eco-compatible ceramic granite tiles, which is treated with a special liquid, cleans the air as well as lush trees.
The wear resistance of a group, frost resistance, temperature changes, chemical and mechanical damage or anti-slip coefficient corresponding to your chosen tiles, you can check a given tile manufacturer’s catalog.
If a point of sale information on the performance of tile is not available, it shows either the seller or the incompetence of the fact that the manufacturer of the tiles are not certified and do not meet European quality standards.
As important a factor as the intended use of functionally relevant material is interior or architectural design solution appropriate tile choice. Color harmony and composition tile placement certainly preferable to entrust a professional designer or architect, in a different optical effect can create different moods, highlight the desired improvement or design deficiencies.
