Porcelain tile

Porcelain tiles or ceramic tiles are either tiles made of porcelain, or relatively tough ceramic tiles made with a variety of materials and methods, that are suitable for use as floor tiles, or for walls. They have a low water absorption rate, generally less than 0.5 percent. The clay used to build porcelain tiles is generally denser than ceramic tiles. They can either be glazed or unglazed. Porcelain tiles are one type of vitrified tiles and are sometimes referred to as porcelain vitrified tiles.

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Historically, porcelain was not the usual material for tiles, which were much more often made of earthenware (terracotta) or stoneware. The first porcelain tiles were made in China, and were largely used for decorating walls, such as in the 15th-century Porcelain Tower of Nanjing (now largely destroyed); the use of porcelain tile as wall decoration long remained typical. In Europe, palaces also occasionally featured a few rooms with walls decorated in porcelain plaques, often with forms in high relief. These were manufactured by Capodimonte porcelain and Real Fábrica del Buen Retiro, among others. Historically, porcelain was too expensive for most tiling purposes, but it is now much cheaper (especially in the form of bone china), and is now widely used.

Large-scale production of porcelain tile is undertaken in many countries, with the major producers being China, Italy, Morbi India, Spain and Turkey. Many countries also undertake small-scale production, such as Australia and Brazil.

The wear rating of the tile can be graded from zero to five according to the ISO 10545-7 (also ASTM C1027) test for surface abrasion resistance of glazed tile, and this can be used to determine suitability for various end-use conditions.

The dense, hard surface of porcelain has made polishing a viable alternative to a glazed surface. This means that a tile can be fired, then a polish cut into the surface, creating a shine without a glaze.

Porcelain is much harder than ordinary ceramic tiles and is often selected, despite its higher price, for its hard-wearing nature. Porcelain can be used in both wet and dry areas such as bathrooms, showers, and kitchens.

Porcelain is denser and therefore heavier to handle than other ceramic tiles. For this reason, it is generally more expensive. Being harder, it is more difficult to cut and drill and requires specialist tools, which can hamper fitting and increase costs. Polished porcelain may need sealing, where ordinary glazed tiles do not. The glazed surface is coated with less than two microns' thickness of glaze.

The installation of ceramic of porcelain tiles generally involves the following steps:

1. Planning and preparation
2. Surface preparation, including tile cutting
3. Applying adhesive
4. Laying tiles
5. Grouting
6. Finishing touches
7. Cleaning, sealing and maintenance

Porcelain tiles can be vitrified to reduce their porosity and increase their strength. Vitrified porcelain tiles are created by combining clay with other elements such as quartz, silica, or feldspar under incredibly high temperatures. The vitrification process creates porcelain tiles that contain a glass substrate. The glass substrate gives the tiles a sleek appearance, provides added strength, and makes the tiles water and scratch-resistant. Vitrified porcelain tiles do not need to be re-sealed or glazed.

• Ceramic tile cutter
• Thinset mortar
• Thick bed mortar