Today we'll talk about how to choose porcelain stoneware for the floor. Determine which tiles are suitable for flooring and which ones to avoid. We will tell you how not to be disappointed in porcelain stoneware, and how to make your floor almost eternal.
What is porcelain stoneware?
How did porcelain stoneware appear? Consumers have always liked natural flooring materials: wood, stone, ceramics, etc. But each of them had its own drawbacks. Therefore, the manufacturers were faced with a difficult task: to make a cheap and durable material that is not inferior to natural material in strength, but devoid of all its shortcomings.
Porcelain stoneware
The solution was invented: you need to take a mixture of sand, mica, spar, clay and granite chips, compress and burn in the oven. The result is a very dense, durable and completely moisture resistant material.
Porcelain stoneware has the same strength as granite, but at the same time does not absorb water, is resistant to chemically active substances, washes perfectly and can be given any texture, shape and color.
What material is suitable for the floor
There are several types of porcelain stoneware on sale, it can have a different surface:
- glossy (polished),
- semi-gloss (partially polished),
- matte and even repeating the texture of natural material,
- rough, anti-slip.
Never use glossy or polished porcelain stoneware for the floor. It is very traumatic! Especially in bathrooms where you will step on the floor with damp or wet feet. You have a 90% chance of slipping!
Glossy porcelain stoneware tiles can only be used on walls.
Semi-gloss and partially polished material should be used with care, and it is better to avoid it altogether for flooring, as it is also considered slippery.
Porcelain stoneware on the floor
Ideal for flooring is matte or textured porcelain stoneware tiles. Such a coating will be safe, pleasant to the touch and easy to care for. The texture can completely imitate wood parquet, laminate, natural stone, aged ceramic tiles and so on.
Rough or anti-slip tiles are used on stairs, thresholds and in areas with increased risk of injury. This coating is more difficult to wash, since the surface is very grippy, but it provides perfect grip on the sole and eliminates slipping.
Wear resistance
Porcelain stoneware tiles differ in wear resistance classes. These classes were developed by the Porcelain Enamel Institute and therefore the abrasion resistance index is called the first letters of this institute - PEI, and has 5 classes:
- Class 1 - soft tiles, does not like the abrasive effect of sand, dirt and other things. These tiles can be installed in bathrooms, bedrooms and rooms where hard-soled shoes are not used.
- Grade 2 - this tile can be laid in the hall, kitchen and other rooms where there is no contact with street dirt and sand. Normal sole tolerates well.
- Grade 3 - suitable for corridors, hallways, offices with low traffic. Resistant to sand and dirt.
- Grade 4 - even more resistant tiles to abrasion, can be used on stairs, balconies, front doors, corridors with medium traffic.
- Grade 5 is the strongest tile, it can be laid in the subway, corridors in public places, staircases and so on.
What class of porcelain stoneware is suitable for flooring in residential premises? Answer: from first to third grade! In public places, it is better to use tiles from the third to the fifth grade.
What to look for when choosing
Porcelain stoneware can be of different thickness from 3 to 30 mm, as well as different sizes from 100x100 mm to 1200x1200 mm. The thickness and size of the tiles greatly affects the price: the larger they are, the more expensive the porcelain stoneware.
Best ratio prices and quality of porcelain stoneware with a thickness of 8-9 mm and dimensions of 300x300, 450x450 and 600x600, as well as in a format that imitates a parquet board. You can get acquainted with the current prices on the website tnsystem.ru in the section "porcelain stoneware tiles".
Important! The thickness of porcelain stoneware does not affect its strength in any way, so there is no need to buy the thickest material. Better to spend your money on quality styling glue. By the way, you need to purchase special glue, specifically for porcelain stoneware. We do not recommend using universal glue!
At the moment, porcelain stoneware is the strongest, most versatile and durable flooring. We recommend choosing a natural calm texture, preferably laying on a warm floor (water or electric), use high-quality glue and grout for joints, and then such a floor will delight you many decades.
