Wood is a beautiful material, so it is often chosen as a floor covering. However, natural wood is rarely used in bathroom decoration, but among the materials that mimic it, the popularity is dominated by ceramic tiles for wood.
Features
The main feature of this material is that by selecting it, you get all the benefits of ceramic tiles, and the exterior looks like a wooden surface. As the tile with a picture for a tree is also provided with a relief texture, thanks to this the material is even more like ordinary parquet.
Floor tiles for wood are made in 2 variations - the dies are:
- rectangular;
- square.
Rectangular are more expensive, but more suitable for imitating parquet masonry. Natural wood differs a lot of textures and patterns, and tiles that mimic a tree are also represented by the same variety of options.
Manufacturing technology
Note that wood-imitating tiles, depending on the manufacture, can be ceramic, as well as porcelain tiles.
Clay is the basis for both variants, but for a ceramic analog the clay semi-finished product is simply pressed and fired, and in the production of ceramic granite tiles, pressing occurs at higher pressures and firing is performed at a higher temperature. This causes a greater strength of ceramic granite material.
Visually, these two versions of the tiles are not too different, but if you need greater strength of the products, it is preferable to be porcelain stoneware.
Advantages and disadvantages
Ceramic tiles for wood have many functional advantages:
- wear resistance;
- easily tolerates the action of aggressive chemicals( is not afraid of treatment with detergents);
- is perfect for underfloor heating( it stores heat and withstands high temperature effects);
- improves floor waterproofing( less risk of flooding the apartments from the bottom);
- is a unique material that, thanks to the wood pattern, natural colors and velvet texture, is very attractive;
- if part of the cover is damaged, it is quite easy to replace the tile( no need to disassemble the entire floor);
- is less expensive than natural wood, especially if the ceramics simulate rare wood.
There are tiles simulating wood, and drawbacks:
- It is cool to the touch, if not to arrange a warm floor.
- Its difficult enough to stack.
- Since the material is durable, it can get bored with its long service life.
Scope of application
The tile that imitates wood can be used both for walls and for finishing the floor. It is important to monitor the intended use of the material purchased, because the floor tiles have more strength, it is more resistant to mechanical stress. It also produces high strength tiles, which can be used in public places and for laying on the street.
On the design of the bathroom tiles read another article. You will find many interesting ways to combine tiles.
Wood tile in the interior
The tile for wood is so similar to a natural tree that the difference is visible only on very close examination. This coating is suitable for almost any interior - both to laconic high-flow, and to cozy country, and to strict classics. The best tile for wood looks in eco-interiors.
Unlike a really wooden floor tiles can be painted in any color( now very popular brown shades). Such a tile can imitate an exotic expensive tree - rosewood, wenge, mahogany and others. In fact, without spending a lot of money, you get a respectable and chic finish.
If the bathroom is small, floor tiles under the tree should be light tone. In this case, tile under the birch, white wood, pine, teak, maple, ash, light oak. Preferably the material with not too pronounced texture, because if the transitions and lines are sharp, this will prevent the effect of visual expansion of space.
In large bathrooms you can afford the finish with rich colors. In such rooms looks nice tile for cherry, wenge, zebrano, pink maple or moraine oak.
Universal shades of ceramics imitating wood are a bleached wood, as well as wenge. They fit almost any style and furniture. The room, tiled with a bleached tree, looks warm and expressive. Wenge tile is better suited for a spacious bathroom. For a decorated in the style of hi-tech bathroom, a gray tile is perfect.
There are also tiles that imitate the aged wood.
Selection rules for
When selecting a wood tile that imitates a wood, pay attention to its marking.
If you require floor tiles, consider:
- wear resistance( PEI) - best of all III and IV;
- chemical resistance - optimally AA or A;
- coefficient of friction( R) - choose 11.
The cost of tile for wood depends on these characteristics - the higher they are, the more expensive the material will be. Domestic ceramics for wood costs a little less.
Among foreign manufacturers, the leaders in the production of stylized wood for ceramics are companies from Spain and Italy.
Stacking features
Stacking of wood-imitating tiles is carried out in the same way as other ceramic tiles. As the coating is embossed, the base should be carefully leveled. It can be represented by a traditional concrete screed, and a wooden version made of moisture resistant plywood. In the case of plywood, the lag must be placed frequently enough that the base does not bend. Top plywood can be covered with gypsum fiber boards( they can be used separately and replaced with plywood).
To maximize the floor tile flooring similar to parquet, pay attention to the seams between the material. Ideally, they should be absent, but if this is not possible, use the thinnest crosses, and the grout select the same shade as the tile itself.
