Terracotta plaques have been used to decorate the walls of houses since ancient times. In addition to enhancing beauty of walls, it improves durability of the plaque. According to historians, not only terracotta slabs, but also ceramic tiles had been used even 1,000 years before the birth of Christ.
They were, however, different in size, shape and design. Archaeologists have found evidence of the use of ceramic tiles during the Egyptian and Chinese civilizations.
The making and use of ceramic tiles today are quite different. In the beginning, tiles meant only the earthen slabs used on the roof of a house. Those handmade tiles are still admired all over the world as art works. The quality of tiles has increased along with development of technology and there is a difference in the designs as well. Tiles are now being made by using the latest nano technology.
Types of tiles
There are various types of tiles in the market. People get confused with different types of tile. You can easily find many kinds of tile description, such as ceramic tile, porcelain tile, glazed porcelain tile, unglazed porcelain tile, through-body porcelain tile, mosaic tile and so on. Where and how the tiles can be used depend on the type of it. Here are some of the types of tiles:
Ceramic Tiles
Ceramic tile is either porcelain or non-porcelain. Ceramic tiles are the most popular one for wall use. As they are light in weight, they are suitable for mounting on any type of wall. These tiles are available in small and medium sizes. Their price is also relatively low.
Homogenous Tiles
Homogenous tiles are used on the floor. However, it is much cheaper than mirror polished tiles. For those who want to use smaller tiles on the floor, they can choose homogenous tiles. These tiles are much more durable and can bear more loads as every single tile of this type is made of the same material.
Mirror polished Tiles
Such tiles are commonly used on floors as they are quite large in size. Due to the gloss, the light reflected on these tiles enhances the brightness of the room.
Rustic Tiles
The biggest advantage of these tiles is that they can be used on both walls and floors. Its design is quite modern and varied. Thus it is more suitable for outside walls, garden, roof, lawn. Available in small and medium sizes, rustic tiles are easy to use. The use of rustic tiles to decorate the walls on either side of the living room or bedroom is more common. This enhances the decoration of the house.
Decorative Tiles
Decorative tiles are used to enhance the beauty of other tiles. Separately, it has no use. Decorative tiles of various types, sizes and shapes are available in the market. It is especially used with other tiles to enhance the beauty of kitchen, bathroom and ceiling. Decorative tiles with different designs as well as special colour themes are available in the market.
Lapato Tiles
Lapato tiles are suitable for use in special places like office, shopping mall and factory. These are called semi-polished tiles. Also known as rugged tiles, lapato tiles are more commonly used in commercial places or public places because, these are very strong and long lasting. These tiles are available in different sizes.
Cladding Tiles
Cladding is a great way to protect a building from adverse weather elements, as well as other types of irritants that could have a negative effect on the building. Wall cladding is the process of layering one material on top of another material which will create a skin layer over the walls.
Stairing/Heavy Traffic Tiles
Heavy traffic tiles fit together individually, you can easily replace areas of your floor that are subject to heavy foot traffic. Compared to traditional carpet flooring, replacing carpet tiles is much easier and a lot more affordable.
Digital and Mosque Tiles
High Definition Porcelain is an exclusive trademarked process tile that utilizes the most technological advanced glazing system in the industry today, digital printing. Mosque Tiles ornately painted ceramic tiles carefully crafted to adorn the interior gallery.
Parking Tiles/ Clay Pavers
Pavers have a broad range of colours, patterns, texture and shapes, they are sturdy and can withstand extreme weather changes, they are load tolerant, they can be easily replaced in case of damage, installation and maintenance are easy and they are non-skid. Pavers are distinctive match or coexistence between us and the natural environment. Colourful pavers do bring creative visual interest in surrounding to otherwise monotonous surroundings.
Matt Tiles
If you want to up the safety underfoot in your home, then the traction of matt floor tiles make them an ideal option. With a more textured surface that gives better grip you can avoid slips and trips in your home, rather than the less practical glossy alternative.
Limestone Tiles
Limestone tiles are made of natural stone, and it’s one of the most affordable options if you want to avoid artificial materials for your flooring. Limestone is a better bargain compared to something like granite or marble. Limestone tiles may show the presence of fossils.
Roof Tiles
Roof tiles are primarily made to keep water out of a home. However, they differ from traditional asphalt shingle roofs in both their material composition as well as their looks. All of Roof tiles are made from processed natural clay. Over the decades, the companies homeowners, are providing architects, engineers and designers with widest selection of size, shape and colour roofing tiles in Bangladesh.
Marble and Granite Tiles
Granite is an igneous rock formed at extremely high temperatures and is largely made up of quartz and combination of other minerals like mica, iron ores and feldspar. It is an incredibly hard construction-grade material that can receive a high polish or be left in its natural state. You should not be able to scratch granite with a knife. Although typically resistant to staining and acid damage, it is somewhat porous and requires sealing. Granite can be recognized by its distinct speckled appearance. The tiles have a 0.5% or less water absorption (W/A) rate. Marble is a metamorphic rock containing calcium carbonate and can be identified by the veins of color streaking through the stone. It can be honed, tumbled for a softer look or polished to a high shine. It is porous, prone to staining and can be scratched with a knife, unlike granite.
Where to use what kind of tiles
Tiles easily enhance the beauty of the house but if you can’t use the right kind of tiles in the right place, the opposite will happen. There are many types of tiles of different designs and sizes. Differences are also there in the raw materials of the tiles. Where a type of tile is suitable depends on the features of the tile and the user’s preference. When choosing the colour of the tiles, care must be taken not to use tiles of different colours or types in the same house.
Bedrooms
As the bedroom is a place of comfort, it’s imperative to use relatively large tiles there. The eyes will relax. If the joint is less, the dirt will be less. If you want more brightness in the bedroom, use mirror polished tiles. You can use rustic tiles on any one wall if you want to get rid of monotony or make some difference. Choose the colour of the rustic tiles in harmony with the floor tiles. Use tiles that are compatible with the floor from the bottom of the walls to six inches.
Living rooms
The dim light in the drawing room is very incongruous. So it is better to use brightly coloured tiles and mirror-polished tiles there. Tiles larger in size will fit if range is greater. Many people nowadays like the texture of wood very much. In that case you can install wooden tiles. To make a difference, you can also use rustic tiles on any one of the walls. In medium to large apartments, there is a family living room with a drawing room. So the selection of living room tiles should be consistent with the drawing room. Tiles with a special theme or texture fit in the family living room. Rustic tiles on the floor will also add extra beauty. You can put rustic tiles on the walls; they also look good against the light. Mirror-polished tiles can be used at window seal level to keep rainwater and dust clean.
Dining rooms
It is best to use ceramic tiles on the side wall of the dining table. However, it must be compatible with all other tiles used in the house. If you want to enhance the beauty, you can use decorative tiles and border tiles suitable for the dining room on the wall. Use large sized tiles to match the drawing room on the floor. Painted tiles will also match.
Kitchens
Kitchen tiles should be selected according to its size. Small size tiles are suitable for small kitchen floors. In case of colour, it is better to choose dark colours. Then dirt will not be easily seen. However, it is better not to make too much difference in the colour of the kitchen from the dining room. Use decor and border tiles to match the kitchen on the wall. You can put ceramic tiles on the walls; the oil sticky feeling can be easily removed. Bathrooms The size of the space should be taken into consideration while selecting bathroom tiles like that of kitchen. Use smaller sized tiles on smaller floors. Use ceramic tiles of matching design with floor to wall. Choose homogeneous or non-skid tiles on the floor to eliminate slippery feeling. Decoration and border tiles should be used on the walls to enhance the beauty.
Written by Asfia Akter Jahan
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