Choosing floor tiles is an important and crucial moment in any renovation. Not only the course of the process itself, but also the final aesthetic result will depend on how correctly the material was chosen. In order to answer the question, it is necessary to clarify a number of specific requirements presented to this finishing material. When it comes to choosing ceramic tiles, it is better not to succumb to patriotic feelings and move away from stands with domestic tiles. This will be better than scolding a poorly executed repair because the wrong choice was made. Since, unfortunately, domestic tiles do not meet the standards that are necessary for high-quality repairs.
The price of a good tile cannot be less than $15. per square meter. Today, almost every tile collection has light and dark versions, with decorative elements (borders, relief inserts, etc.).
It is better to choose glossy tiles for walls and matte tiles for floors. Experts do not recommend laying glossy tiles on the floor, since during operation its surface may become unusable. The choice of decor also needs to be approached intelligently. The fact is that cutting small elements is not recommended, due to the fact that joining such parts in the future will be very difficult and the end result may ultimately disappoint you.
It is better to avoid using borders in small rooms altogether. This will complicate correct selection plumbing and aesthetic perception of the entire renovation.
It is also important to choose the right grout. Its color should match the color of the tile, but you can choose a grout that is two or three shades lighter. It is better to choose dark tiles for the floor and bottom of the bathroom; it is more practical. There will be fewer problems with cleaning. Guided by these simple rules, choosing tiles for your renovation will be easier. 
Shape and color
Today we can say that small floor tiles are out of fashion. The main trend now is large format tiles. Beautiful, durable, strictly maintained modern style, it will satisfy every taste. Sales specialists recommend floor tiles of sizes 100x100 and larger - first of all.
The huge size of the tiles allows you to radically change the appearance of the room, transforming the space around. You can achieve an even greater effect by placing it diagonally.
Parquet or tiles, which is better?
Wherever you are doing renovations, in a private house or new apartment, sooner or later the question arises, which flooring is better to choose. Indeed, today his choice is so great that to the common man It is quite difficult to understand all the intricacies of this or that material.
Parquet boards and laminate are quite popular materials for flooring. And if there are almost no complaints about the first one (except for the price), then the choice of laminate should be approached in detail. This coating does not last long and after a while it will have to be changed again, and this is a new waste of time and money.
Ceramic tiles that imitate the texture of real wood create the impression of human unity with the surrounding nature
Advantage of ceramic tiles
Among the floor materials that are used for finishing, tiles occupy a worthy, one of the first positions in popularity. Floor tiles have excellent decorative qualities, are easy to clean, and last quite a long time. Thanks to the smooth surface, maintaining the tiles in proper condition is much easier than taking care of parquet, linoleum or carpeting.
Primarily, ceramic floor tiles find their use in wet areas such as the bathroom or kitchen. The closed structure of the material does not allow dust to accumulate or microorganisms to multiply. This makes it an ideal cover for people suffering from asthma or allergies.
To make a floor with such a coating clean, you just need to vacuum it and then wipe it with a damp cloth.
Important! Choosing detergents for tiles, you need to carefully read the instructions. Using low-quality products when cleaning the floor may not in the best possible way will affect its purity.
Durability
Hardly carpet covering or a laminate coating can last you a long time, a maximum of 5-7 years. While the service life of ceramic tiles can easily reach 40 or even 50 years. Today, only the following can boast of such durability: parquet board. However, unlike tiles, parquet will need to be updated periodically.
Of course, the survivability of a particular material will depend on the quality you choose. For example, single or double fired ceramic tiles will last you at least 30 years.
Porcelain tiles have an even longer service life; such material will delight you for at least 50 years. Coating from natural stone, which has good resistance to acids of any type, is no less durable. 
After 10 years of operation, it will look something like this: laminate (Fig. 1) and ceramic tiles (Fig. 2)
How to make tiles shine
- In order to give the tiles an extraordinary shine and shine, use it to wash warm water with a small amount of ammonia.
- After this, apply a light layer of linseed oil to a clean surface, adding beeswax or liquid silicone to it.
- Once dry, wipe the floor with a soft microfiber cloth until the solution is completely removed.
You can improve the appearance of tiles only by regularly caring for them. At heavily polluted, use special means with the addition of industrial alcohol.
You can also use it to clean tile flooring. folk remedies. For example, potato decoction or regular starch does the job perfectly.
After each procedure, it is advisable to apply to the tile surface thin layer linseed oil or special cream. This will allow the floor to maintain its appearance without changes for much longer.
Ceramic tiles for apartments
It is no secret that the choice of ceramic tiles is influenced not least by the type of room in the apartment or residential building in which it will be used. Based on this criterion, the following classification can be made:
- Wet areas (bathroom, toilet)
- Kitchens
- Living rooms and bedrooms
- Hallways and corridors
Even before purchasing, it is imperative to study the main qualitative characteristics of the selected ceramic tile: wear resistance, porosity, frost resistance, tensile strength, surface hardness, chemical resistance, coefficient of friction, tone and caliber. Compositions for filling joints between tiles also play an important role, allowing to increase the service life and aesthetic qualities of the finished coating.
True, you should choose floor tiles for finishing the floor taking into account the requirements for the material, depending on the purpose of the room. If this is, for example, a hallway, which floor tiles should you choose?
Floor tiles in the hallway and corridor
The hallway differs from other rooms in its high traffic flow. This is a place where dirt and sand accumulate, which are carried by household members on the soles of their shoes from the street. In the hallway, the floor tiles should be thick enough so as not to be damaged by the weight of a person.
The load on the floor at the entrance to the apartment is one of the most significant. The more dirt there is on the soles of your shoes, the faster the flooring in the hallway will lose its appearance. This is why it is so important to dry your feet thoroughly upon entering, especially in wet weather.
What technical characteristics and performance qualities should the tiles purchased for laying on the floor in the hallway have? Of course, first of all this:
- moisture resistance;
- resistance to abrasives;
- resistance to intense physical impact from outdoor shoes of household members and guests.
These requirements are met by tiles belonging to classes: A, AA. In addition, in the hallway the floor is often wiped, that is, subject to intense wear, so it is advisable to purchase class 3 tiles. She is also not afraid of the impact of the soles of street shoes. 
It is very important that the tiles have as little water permeability as possible. The surface of the material must be non-slippery. In addition, the tiles must match the interior design in color and style of the room. In this regard, large tiles for the hallway floor are the best option.
Floor tiles can visually enlarge small corridor. To do this, it is recommended to use light-colored tiles with a smooth surface. Dark tiles, especially small size, on the contrary, will reduce the room.
To make the hallway seem more spacious, you can put light brown, blue or gray tiles on the floor. It is not recommended to use black color, as chips and scratches will be clearly visible on it.
Ceramic relief tiles on the floor, laid immediately in front of the exit, will help give the room more volume. This will not only be an interesting design technique, but also a safety measure - the place near the threshold will not be slippery.
Laying floor finishing should be carried out using tools that correspond to the class of tiles used. Inaccuracies in the process of laying tiles are not acceptable, otherwise you will need to redo it again.
Every year, it becomes more and more difficult to accurately decide on the issue of choosing flooring for the kitchen, not because there are few quality products, but, on the contrary, due to the fact that its range is only growing, production technologies are becoming more perfect, not to mention that multifaceted types of design, imitation, etc. can be used. Which tile to choose?
Of course, ceramic tiles are the ideal solution for the kitchen; they are easy to install, easy to clean, and, moreover, not as expensive as other materials, especially considering their durability and resistance to damage.
The walls here get dirty as a result of cooking and are exposed to cleaning compounds during regular cleaning. Something is always happening to the kitchen floor: people are pouring on it. hot water and broth, leftover food and kitchen utensils fall, various, sometimes very heavy, appliances press on it: washing machine, fridge, kitchen cabinets, plate. The requirements for mechanical, chemical properties and water absorption of tiles are especially high.
More often than not, people just stop at classic versions tiles, but there are simply amazing ones modern solutions. For example, every housewife wants to show off an expensive coating, say, a marble floor in the kitchen. It's possible! All you have to do is buy ceramic tiles imitating marble. At the same time, neither by touch nor by appearance, it will be indistinguishable from natural stone.
The same trick is available with granite. Surprised? In this case, you will be even more pleased with the possibility of creating a seamless coating, that is, an imitation of a continuous canvas is created, accordingly, dirt will not get clogged in the seams, and the interior acquires wealth and well-being.
There is also a tile that completely imitates natural wood, accordingly, by laying out such a covering, you can complete the idea with the parquet used in other rooms. And you don’t have to worry that the parquet will swell because milk has escaped or borscht has spilled, because the tiles are easy to clean.
Floor tiles for the kitchen can be very original, but at the same time the prices remain quite affordable and reasonable, and compared to natural products made of stone and wood, the price is simply ridiculous. So take advantage of worthy offers from leading manufacturers. There are many options, the main thing is to make the right and informed decision.
Bathroom and toilet
Every new day of the apartment owners begins and ends here, so it is especially important to create comfort and good mood in these rooms, so that cleanliness and beauty please the eye.
Cosmetics and hygiene products can leave permanent stains on floors or walls. And the cleaning agents and detergents used to clean them have sufficient chemical activity. All this suggests that for both walls and floors, it is necessary to use tiles with high levels of moisture resistance and acid resistance.
The perfect combination of ceramic tiles with overall design interior
For laying on the walls in the bathroom and toilet, choose glazed tiles, matte or glossy, and an excellent addition to it are borders and decors, pieced or assembled in panels. The vertical arrangement of ornaments allows you to visually enlarge even very small spaces.
The latest trends in tile fashion are imitation of nature: stone, wood, plant fibers. These textures will be ideally combined with almost any decoration of adjacent rooms. To finish the floor, use non-slip, highly porous tiles of abrasion class I or II.
Living room and bedroom
The traditions of antiquity in the use of tiles for flooring in the living room and bedroom are becoming relevant again. Free space for your flight creative imagination there really is quite a lot here, because... you can use a variety of decorative elements, panels, additions, various installation options.
If there is a need to make cool ceramic floors warmer, then a system that can warm you up on cold winter evenings receives well-deserved attention.
The loads on the floors here are not the same everywhere. In bedrooms, tiles of abrasion classes I and II are used, because traffic here is very low. In the living room and hall, the load on the floor is more significant, especially where they stand dinner table, wardrobes and sofas. Here, a combination of different tile abrasion classes from II to IV is justified.
How to calculate the required number of tiles
The first thing you need to do is measure the area of the room. To do this, multiply the length of the room by the width, the resulting product is the area of your room. 
Most often, floor tiles, like any other, are sold square meters. Knowing the area of the room, you can easily calculate required amount tiles It is only important to take into account that diagonal laying will require 10-15% more material than conventional installation. There the error due to fitting rarely exceeds 5%.
Tiles are usually used to decorate the walls and floors of bathrooms, kitchens, hallways, and balconies.
Before you buy this finishing material, pay attention not only to its appearance, but also to its physical parameters. Let's figure out what is meant by the markings on tile packages.
Physical parameters of the tile
Tile manufacturers put various symbols and attributes on packaging that characterize this type tiles The quality and scope of its use depend on these characteristics:
- abrasion resistance (classes from I to V) - the higher the class, the more resistant to abrasion the lamellas are. Classes I, II and III are for walls only, classes IV and V are suitable for floors;
— hardness, scratch resistance (calculated on the Mohs scale from 1 to 10) — the higher the indicator, the less the lamellas are susceptible to scratches;
- water absorption (group I - up to 3%, group IIA - from 3 to 6%, group IIB - from 6 to 10%, group III - more than 10%). The lower the water absorption of the tile, the less porous it is and the less it allows moisture to pass through;
- slip resistance - the higher the value (on a scale from R9 to R13), the less slippery the surface of the tile coating is;
- resistance to chemicals used in the household.
Decorative elements
— moldings (friezes) — narrow decorative tiles, placed as the last row of tiles, as a dividing horizontal element between the lower and upper lamellas at a certain level in the interior or, for example, vertically - in the form of columns;
- decorative tiles (decors) - lamellas of the same size as the main tile, decorated with a pattern or even a drawing (for example, a flower pot or a jar of jam, fruit or a drawing...). Decors are placed on the wall in different positions (not necessarily at regular intervals) in one row or along the entire plane of the wall;
- ceramic plinth - located in the corner between the wall and the floor.
Good advice
It is worth buying 10% more tiles than the size of the wall or floor. Almost always, waste is inevitable during installation.
Smooth coated slats are easier to keep clean. Porous or rough castings get dirty faster.
The tile seams on the floor should be grouted with a fugue that is a tone darker than the color of the lamellas - a light fugue gets dirty faster.
Buy tiles in our online store because only we have the best prices and free shipping to the client's door.
“There are a lot of all kinds of floor tiles on sale, each seller praises his product. There are also very beautiful samples that fit perfectly into the interior. But I want the tiles to be not only beautiful, but also durable. How to choose floor tiles according to all the rules so that they last for many years?” Our expert shares his experience.
Floor tiles are subjected to enormous loads every day, including mechanical, impact and abrasion.
Therefore, it is very important to choose tile elements with appropriate physical and mechanical characteristics, that is, sufficiently strong, wear-resistant, practical and durable. So how to choose tiles for the floor? We'll figure out.
How to choose the right floor tiles
As a rule, all the main specifications indicated on the packaging. As already mentioned, the most interesting criteria are wear resistance and strength.
At the same time, there are other parameters that have no less impact on durability and practicality.
https://youtu.be/BHUjR1eK6Dk
Wear resistance
The wear resistance of glazed floor tiles is the ability of the top layer to withstand abrasive influences. Experiments are carried out using an abrasive composition, water and a device resembling millstones.
Depending on the number of rotations (turns) that the surface can withstand, all floor tiles are classified into five wear resistance classes:
PEI I (cl. 1)
Low impact ceramic floor tiles. You can move on the surface only in soft shoes or without shoes. Suitable for rarely used rooms - storerooms, toilet rooms, etc. The maximum speed does not exceed 150.
For every person who decided (or was forced) to start renovations in an apartment, there comes a time when they need to answer the question - “How choose ceramic tiles?“In this case, the following questions most often have to be addressed:
Bathroom tiles:
Which one is needed? bathroom tiles?
Where to buy tiles For bathroom?
Which one is needed? tiles for small bathroom?
Honest bathroom tile price?
Which ceramic tiles to choose? bathroom? Rectified or not?
Which bathroom tile grout?
Floor tiles:
How to choose ceramic floor tiles?
Where buy floor tiles?
Is it possible to put heated floor under tiles?
Wood floor tiles– is it possible to put it?
Kitchen tiles:
Kitchen backsplash tiles– which one to choose?
Kitchen floor tiles- what are the requirements?
Tile kitchen backsplash- What are the benefits?
Boar tile for backsplash– is it worth putting it in?
Which ceramic one to choose? kitchen tiles?
A little history of ceramic tile production
15x15 tiles in a Soviet bathroom
If you look back a little, many will remember Soviet bathrooms, lined with white 15x15 tiles somewhere up to the middle of the wall. And then it went Oil paint up to the ceiling. Anyone who saw this horror will never forget!
However, this dull monotony is explained extremely simply. The technologies that existed in the USSR did not allow the production of high-quality tiles even in this format. Attempt to produce ceramic tiles bigger size led to an increase in the defect rate to 90%. So everyone used either 15x15 tiles or wild boar 7x15.
The same situation existed in the West, but ceramic tile production technologies began to develop rapidly in Italy in the late 60s and early 70s. It was then that the Italian ceramic industry was founded. Many now famous Italian families entered the ceramics business during that period.
As ceramic tile production technologies improve, each manufacturer strives to produce tiles in ever larger formats, and today the maximum format produced in series is 160x320 centimeters.
So let's look at bathroom tiles.
Which one is needed? bathroom tiles?
Where to buy tiles For bathroom?
Of course, all online stores keep prices on average 15% lower than in their own retail store. However, if you decide to purchase tiles from a “pure” online store without a showroom, then you should worry about what you will do if, God forbid, one or two tiles break, or the calculations turn out to be incorrect. In most cases, online stores do not deal with such orders or claims. They simply do not have the ability to solve such problems. Therefore, the optimal solution is to lower the price in a retail store by demonstrating low prices in the Internet.
For floor tiles:
Supreme Flaviker
Floor tiles have already crossed boundaries floor application, and is increasingly used for both flooring and wall coverings. And thin ceramic granite is already used for countertops, doors, and for cladding partitions and facades.
What should it be floor tiles?
Floor tiles should be primarily functional. If you plan to place it at the entrance, then it should be non-slippery and wear-resistant. Ceramic granite with a natural or lapped surface is quite suitable for the home. The surface of such a tile, upon closer inspection, consists of polished dots interspersed with matte depressions.
For interior spaces Ceramic granite is best suited, and the stronger the shine of the tile, the more expensive it is, since the cost of high-quality polishing is very high. Remember that for lappatted ceramic granite the most important enemies are: high-heeled shoes, wheels on chairs, sand on shoes. If you don’t roll around the room on a chair on wheels, pushing off the floor with stiletto heels without first removing the sand from the floor, then this floor will serve you for a long time, most likely for decades.
Recently, 80x80, 90x90 and 120x120 formats for laying on the floor have become increasingly popular. The effect created by such tiles is strikingly different from “standard” 60x60 tiles.
Is it possible to put heated floor under tiles?
La Fabbrica Astra
It is both possible and necessary. In Italy, for example, heating radiators are practically not used, and all heating comes from underfloor heating, which is of course much more pleasant. For ceramic granite fired at 1200 - 1300 degrees, heating from a heated floor is completely painless. There is simply no difference between an electric heated floor and a water heated floor for tiles.
Wood floor tiles– is it possible to put it?
Of course you can! The only thing you need to do is to avoid sagging of the wooden floor. If the floor bends, the tiles will fall off over time. Therefore, the wooden floor is strengthened, waterproofed, covered either with GVL sheets, or a light screed is made and ceramic tiles are glued. The ideal solution there will be a choice of tiles from ABK group (ABK, AREANA). Their new technology Wall&Porcellan allows us to produce tiles with very serious elasticity. This will compensate for vibrations of the wooden base.
Kitchen tiles:
Kitchen backsplash tiles– which one to choose?
The classic solution for a backsplash in the kitchen - 10x10 tiles - is gradually going out of fashion. Actually it's not very practical solution, since grease settles on the tiles very abundantly, and it is not possible to clean the seams between the tiles simple task. Of course, modern steam tools, which soften a layer of fat with a jet of hot steam, are very helpful, but it’s easier to have flat surface apron with minimum quantity seams and low surface roughness.
Tile kitchen backsplash- What are the benefits?
Considering the amount of fat that is released when cooking in the kitchen, it is very important to carefully select the material for the apron. The use of natural marble in the kitchen is, of course, beautiful at the beginning of use, but natural stone absorbs fats at an amazing speed. And now, instead of a beautiful and expensive countertop made of natural marble and a matching apron made of the same marble, you have some kind of spotted stone that can never be washed.
The ideal solution for a kitchen backsplash is large format ceramic tiles. Buying lappatted ceramic granite with a marble pattern in the 80x240 or 120x240 format solves all problems with the porosity of natural stone and with seams in small tiles. Just one 120x240 tile, cut in half, covers the entire backsplash in 75% of kitchens.
You can make a design in a modern style - for example, using a clean solid color tiles from Laminam in 5 mm thickness, or using a marble tile pattern Aesthetica from the factory in 6 mm thickness. Of course you can choose different tiles on kitchen apron, but we must always remember the listed problems. Common mistake when choosing tiles for the apron, purchase a mosaic for the apron. Whatever this mosaic is, numerous seams between the mosaic elements will cause a lot of problems for the owner.
Choosing ceramic tiles for the kitchen floor is not difficult if you have already chosen tiles for the backsplash. However, if the apron is made of a different material, then you should choose carefully to avoid common mistakes when choosing tiles.
All of the above problems with backsplashes are also true for floor tiles. Large-format rectified tiles with a lapped surface are the optimal solution for kitchen floors. The polished surface of ceramic granite from reputable manufacturers will be easy to clean from adhering dirt, which is inevitable in the kitchen. A small seam (1.5 mm) between rectified tiles will get less dirty than a standard one (3-5 mm) for non-rectified tiles. But of course, if the above problems do not concern you, and specially trained people are doing the cleaning, then this article is not for you.
Boar tile for backsplash– is it worth putting it in?
The very term “boar”, which came to us in Soviet times, awakens memories of 30 years ago. Today this type of design is called “loft” and is at the height of fashion. All the arguments for and against have been stated above. It is not possible to decorate a kitchen in the loft style without using tiles that imitate brick, unless you decide to cover everything with special bricks, which ultimately cost twice as much as tiles. For example, the collection is intended for cladding “brick-like” walls. However, if style issues are not decisive, then perhaps you should refrain from such a choice in favor of more modern design solutions.
It's just overflowing with different options. You can find both simple inexpensive tiles and exclusive designer ones, but the range various options is so vast that even experienced builders and designers sometimes find it difficult to navigate it and choose the most suitable option for specific conditions. So, what rules should be followed when choosing tiles for the bathroom so that it is beautiful, practical and durable.
No. 1. Deciding on the design
Since the choice of tiles is quite extensive, you can create almost any design in the bathroom. The first thing every buyer pays attention to is color material. So, White color - This is a win-win option that can be easily combined with bright colored items. Some people find white color too boring, but with its help you can significantly expand the space of a small bathroom. But still, pure white walls are not an acceptable option, so it is better to choose a warm white shade or dilute the walls with some other color.
Great for the bathroom blue and, which give a feeling of coolness, as well as warm beige and coffee shades which create a cozy and relaxing atmosphere in the room. Bright shades better used as accents, and black color tiles make the room gloomy, and are contraindicated if the room does not have a window.
Experienced designers advise when working with tiles take into account several nuances:
- artificial lighting may change the color of the coating, and this should be taken into account already at the selection stage;
- glossy tiles may tire your eyesight as it creates glare in lamp light;
- vertical drawings on the tiles can be visually done room above;
- large patterned tiles It is better not to use if the bathroom is not very large, otherwise it will seem even smaller;
- For Naturally, it is better to use tiles light shades to visually expand the boundaries of space.
No. 2. Choosing a style
There are a great variety of different styles for decorating a bathroom, and each requires a specific approach to choosing tiles.
Classic style
So, classic style provides for dividing the walls into two parts: the upper one is finished with tiles light tone, the lower one along with the floor is of a darker shade. also provides for a combination of tiles with ornaments and plain ones, and color scheme should be the same.
East style
Great for bathrooms East style which is conducive to relaxation. But in this way, you can only organize rooms that are spacious enough so that you don’t end up with an overly cramped space that has an irritating rather than a calming effect. If you decide to create in the bathroom oriental interior, then pay attention to the tiles rich colors: , green, red, gold, turquoise, as well as options with characteristic pattern. You can lay out some kind of pattern on the walls or floor.
Country style
No. 3. Tile surface type: glossy, matte or mirror
Today you can find glossy and matte tiles on sale: both have a number of undeniable advantages, but when choosing, you need to weigh all their main properties so that the bathroom space is comfortable and cozy.
Glossy tiles
Glossy tiles- a more common option. It attracts buyers with its ability to reflect light and ease of care. But here you should be extremely careful. If glossy tiles of light shades give almost imperceptible glare, then dark ones glare strongly, which can irritate the eyesight. By the way, glossy tiles with a completely identical color will always seem brighter than matte ones.
Matte tiles
Matte coating- calmer, does not reflect light, but traces of splashes on it are more clearly visible. The material is excellent for flooring as it has a slightly rough surface. Often matte tiles imitate some kind of material and have an interesting texture: you can find materials imitating wood, pebbles, stone, metal, leather, etc. This material will look great both on the floor and on the walls.
Mirror tiles
Also on sale today you can find mirror surface tiles, with which you can achieve visual magnification space. You can lay out such tiles on one of the walls in the bathroom; you can use them only as inserts between regular tiles. By the way, such inserts can completely replace you. Can be laid diagonally on the floor or on the walls to create greater depth in the space. In addition, such tiles are also used today to decorate the ceiling to visually make the room taller.
No. 4. Selecting the tile size
If the bathroom has decent area, then you can choose tiles of any size for walls and floors. If the room is miniature, which occurs in most cases, the choice of tile size should be approached with the utmost caution. Small mosaic tiles can play a cruel joke and make the bathroom even more miniature. If you choose a large tile, the space will be divided into several large ones. geometric shapes, which will make the room even smaller. Small repeating patterns, as well as large bright ornaments, will not work.
The best option for a small space- usage medium tiles. So, you can choose a square one with dimensions of 20*20 cm or a rectangular one with dimensions of 20*30 cm. A rectangular one can adjust the perception of the room: if it is laid out horizontally, it will make the room longer, and if it is laid out vertically, it will be taller. On the floor, tiles can be laid diagonally: this is how the illusion of additional space is created.
No. 5. Tile type
When choosing a tile, it is important to pay attention not only to its design, color and size, but also to its performance characteristics, so that the material is suitable for use in a bathroom, does not slip, can withstand all loads, is durable and strong. The manufacturer must indicate on the packaging about the type, category of tiles, about their atmospheric and chemical resistance, and the possibility of using them as floor or wall decoration.
First you need to deal with types of tiles. There are three of them in total, according to the European labeling, and they are easy to recognize by their characteristic colors:
- first grade - red marking,
- the second is blue,
- the third is green.
First grade has the highest quality, no more than 5% of defective tiles are allowed, and testing is carried out from a distance of one meter to the samples.
Second grade also provides for the presence of defective samples up to 5%, but in in this case testing is carried out from a distance of 2 meters.
Third class tiles is not of high quality, and more than 5% of defective products may be found in a batch.
Domestic manufacturers Such markings are rarely used, so you should look for information about the possible percentage of defects on the packaging.
No. 6. Physical properties
The signs on the packaging will help you understand the basic properties of the tiles. So, floor tiles are designated symbol of the foot, such material is more reliable, strong and durable. Wall tiles are marked palm icon.
It is also important to pay attention to material resistance to chemicals. This property is marked with a flask sign indicating the degree of resistance: AA, B, C, D. When it comes to choosing tiles for the bathroom, it is better to take the most stable material (AA), since in this room it is always present high humidity, detergents and cosmetics are used various kinds. Otherwise, you risk getting streaks and stains on the material after some time.
Wear resistance of the material indicated on the packaging in Roman numerals and can be of five classes. For residential premises, there is no point in buying material whose class is higher than third, since the load on the tiles will be minimal. If a small number of people live in an apartment, then you can choose first-class tiles, saving a little.
No. 7. Manufacturer name
Of course, we can safely recognize them as leaders in quality Italian companies Valverde, Saloni, Tilegres. Their products combine beautiful appearance and excellent performance, but such samples are not cheap. They also performed well Spanish manufacturers, incl. Aparisi, Pamesa, Novogres, Ceramica.
Lithuanian and Slovak The tiles also performed well due to the price/quality ratio. Also common Chinese products under the brands Cimic, Omica, Hitom, and the prices for these tiles are quite reasonable at high quality products. Domestic manufacturers who use modern equipment, also produce excellent products that compete with world leaders in the field. These are Shakhty tiles, Kerama - Marazzi, Kerabud, Sokol Factory.
No. 8. We evaluate the appearance
Before purchasing, it would be a good idea to look at the tiles and evaluate how well they are made. You should be guided by the following parameters:
- enamel must be intact, without cracks, chips or other defects. There should be no foreign inclusions on it, and the presence of red or yellow stripes on it should immediately alert you, because this is how defective tiles are marked in production;
- There are increased demands placed on floor tiles. Doesn't interfere conduct such an experiment: place the tile face down on a rough surface and rub it, if there are no marks left, then the material is of high quality;
- correct geometric shape tiles and compliance with the parameters specified on the packaging;
- moisture resistance: water should collect on the surface in drops;
- anti-slip surface, especially when it comes to floor tiles. This is easy to check: just wet the surface and run your finger over it. If this can be done easily and your finger glides well over the surface, then the material is not suitable for the bathroom, as it can be dangerous.
No. 9. We calculate the quantity
Correctly calculating the number of tiles is very important. If there is not enough of it, then you may not be able to find the same one in the store, which will cause problems, and if there is too much, then it is uneconomical, and the excess will clutter up the free space. To correctly calculate the amount of material, you need to know parameters of the room and the selected tile, and to simplify the problem you can take advantage construction calculator . Experts advise adding 7-15% to the result obtained.
In conclusion
Choosing tiles for the bathroom is a responsible task that needs to be approached with special attention. It is necessary to take into account a lot of factors from appearance and size to performance characteristics and the name of the manufacturer, and then the material will delight you with its ideal appearance long years. We hope the tips above will help you make the right choice.
