FAQ
What you always wanted to know about tiles
but no one could explain correctly
Today’s choice of materials for paving a space is not easy. There are many materials such as marble, stone, wood, brick, granite, styles, wallpaper, metals, etc. The fact is that the choice must always be made based on aesthetics and durability. The latest developments in the field of tiles have allowed the simulation of almost all materials combining the maximum durability it can offer and the most durable material. For example, we can now have granite tiles with a natural wood look. In this way we combine the enormous durability of granites with the look of natural wood. We will no longer worry if a glass or a heavy object falls into our living room, if the marble absorbs the fallen coffee or if we drag the table that it will leave a mark. In our company you will find tiles in the form of granite, wood, stone, marble, wallpaper, brick, glass, metal in many colors and these are just the beginning. You can now combine them all: strength, durability, technology, design and price!
Tiles are slabs with sizes ranging from 10 cm up to 1 meter or more. They are made from mixtures of soil, quartz, sand and other natural materials that are baked at high temperatures. The nature of the materials used determines the type of tiles (ceramics, granites, etc.). Their production is done in phases. In the first phase the materials are mixed and water is added. This creates 2 types of mixture: the one with 4-7% water that looks like powder and the one with 15-20% water that looks like paste. In the second phase the mass of the tile will be created. Most tiles are made with the powder mixture with the least water where they are usually compressed and baked at 900 to 1250 degrees Celsius or more. The paste with the high water content is elongated and cut to the dimensions of the tiles we want and then the water is removed with hot air. This way we make the clinker or terracotta tiles. In the third phase the enameling is created. Various ores are poured on the surface of the tile and adhered. The tile is baked again and when it cools the ores create a porcelain texture where it can be painted and create infinite patterns, textures and colors.
There are many types of tiles with minimal differences between them. In general, however, the categories to which they belong are the following:
Ceramic tiles with enamel (red mass)
The mass of these tiles consists of soil, sand and star. It can be categorized into monocottura and bicottura. In monocottura the mass and the enamel are baked only once around 1185-1200 degrees Celsius. They belong to the groups UNI ISO BIIa and UNI ISO BIIb. In the bicottura the mass is baked alone at 1100 degrees Celsius and then for the 2nd time with the enamel at 1060 degrees Celsius. In this way, tiles are usually made for walls, mainly bathrooms. They belong to the group UNI ISO BIII .Ceramic tiles with enamel (white mass)
Tiles with white mass are more durable than tiles with red. They are usually baked once and have very good resistance to temperatures.Granite tiles without enamel
Granite tiles usually have a mass with large amounts of granite ore mixed with the other components. Their mass is very hard and their mechanical strength is huge. They are usually painted the same color throughout their mass. Most often we meet them with a polished surface. Their only drawback is that the lack of enamel slightly increases their absorbency. They belong to the group UNI ISO BIa GL .Granite tiles with enamel (porcellanato)
They are the tiles that combine the huge mechanical strengths with the aesthetics. Their mass is usually whitish because very high quality special soil with granite and acids is used. The presence of enamel makes the absorbency almost non-existent and allows for many designs, colors and textures. They belong to the group UNI ISO BIa GLTiles are categorized as electrical insulators. They thus provide security to be used in places such as laboratories, hospitals and chemical plants. It is also safe in case of fire as they do not ignite
You will hear this phrase “laser cut” for tiles usually “whole mass” (granite painted all over the mass of the tile) which are cut to the edge, without finish like enameled tiles and which the Italians call “rettificatto”. Of course they are not cut with a laser! After all, there is no laser technology that has enough power to cut such materials with such precision! There are scientific lasers that if we marked them on a tile then it would destroy it completely! The reality is that these tiles are cut by water cutting, that is, they are cut with a wheel and water falls on them to cool them because the friction is so great due to their hardness that they ignite. The laser therefore serves to mark them in a straight line. Because the laser light creates the perfect straightness, these tiles are cut completely straight and “whistled” to be placed with small joints and the finished effect of the wall or floor to be seen with a minimal joint. However, for marketing and impression reasons, some sellers in the area want to deceive customers by selling them “laser cut” tile.
The areas in which we can lay tiles are many and varied. Usually we will need tiles for: bathroom, living room, kitchen, terrace, balcony, pool, terrace, basement. Each space has different requirements in durability and other aesthetics
Bathroom
In terms of durability, bathroom tiles are the least demanding of all areas of the house. They do not accept special stresses and the enamel of the tiles is able to keep away both moisture and most chemicals. In terms of aesthetics, things are inversely proportional. Here are the most options often with special pieces such as glass or granite tiles, bricks, pebbles, engraved tiles, chrome-plated aluminum, brushed and many more materials. Also, the trend lately is to use granite materials and not ceramic tiles, not for reasons of durability but for reasons of aesthetics.Salon
The requirements for durability are definitely increased compared to the bathroom. Here we usually prefer enameled granites with smooth surfaces which offer both durability and aesthetics with a variety of designs and colors.Kitchen
If we refer to the kitchen floor then the same applies to the living room while for the space between the cabinets and the counter the same applies to the bathroom.Balcony, Veranda, Garden, Pool
Enameled granites with rougher surfaces are suggested here so that they are not so slippery and brittle in bad weather. The colors and dimensions vary, although for the latter smaller ones are preferred (from 30×30 up to 34×34) so that it can be more easily said by the craftsman but also the stiffness can be reduced. Note that even the largest dimensions are not prohibitive for these spaces. Each case must be considered separately. We can advise you on the materials and requirements of each space for your specific case if you visit usExpansion joints are gaps between the tiles. The dimensions of the gaps vary from 0 to 15 mm. They are usually filled with grout after laying the tiles to ensure complete waterproofing of the floor or wall. Expansion joints are used to allow the tiles to move slightly due to expansion or contraction. Without these small movements the tiles may break, crack or even come off the floor. Joints need to be used on floors, either indoors or outdoors where there are large temperature fluctuations. They are not necessary in bathroom walls where the stresses are much less
There are 3 types of joints: Tile joints, perimeter joints (where they meet other surfaces eg walls) and control joints used to separate large surfaces into smaller ones to more effectively deal with the contraction-expansion effect. In this case the individual surfaces can be separated from 2-3 meters for outdoor spaces up to 5-8 meters for indoor
It can be said that the larger the dimensions of the tiles and the smaller the joints, the greater the stiffness. What does this mean; Imagine a place like a sidewalk where there is great mechanical and thermal pressure as well as a large amount of moisture. It is almost certain that the tiles will expand and contract to cope with these adverse conditions. In short, the tiles will be in a constant “movement”. It is therefore easy to understand that the smaller the tiles and the larger the joints, the easier it will be for the tiles to “move” and to ensure the lack of rigidity of the tile-substrate system. This will be helped by special adhesives (eg acrylic adhesives) which provide “elasticity” to the substrate and help the tiles to move more freely. At the same time, special attention must be paid to the correct layering of the substrate (cement mortar). Its surface must be as smooth as possible to accept the tiles. If all the above conditions are met then it is certain that the layering we will do will last for a lifetime
The answer to this question is definitely no. Laying grouted tiles can not be considered waterproof or better not sufficiently so as to guarantee an effective waterproofing against the penetration of moisture into the lower floor. This applies to all cases, even when the laying of the tiles has been designed and done in the right way. If we want a guaranteed watertight roof it is necessary to place a waterproof coating under the tiles for example asphalt membrane. This principle is expressed in the latest international standards
Other Questions
Surely you have heard from the old plumbers that cast iron bathtubs are the sure and solid solution. This is not the truth. The answer is not easy and we need to know about the construction materials of each bathtub.
Cast iron bathtubs
On the positive side, we can include the solidity and confidence that enamel steel inspires. It is also more difficult to carve. That, of course, is where the advantages end. Unfortunately, cast iron bathtubs conduct heat, resulting in icy cold winter days. Also, if something falls into the cast iron tub and the enamel is gone, it will never be repaired. At least no solution currently on the market has been able to effectively repair any bathtub. We can resort to enameling the whole bathtub, but this process is unprofitable. Also, the shapes and designs offered by a cast iron bathtub are limited because steel is very difficult to shape (there are no angular and asymmetrical solutions). Finally, there are no cast iron bathtubs with whirlpool.Acrylic bathtubs simple
This category includes bathtubs with 3-5 mm acrylic sheet. The advantages over cast iron batteries are as follows: Acrylic bathtubs are dormant in temperature and always remain neutral. They are repaired if they are scratched and also smoothed if they become dull over time and the use of chloride solutions. It should be noted, of course, that their gloss lasts much longer than that of cast iron. There are still angular shapes in many dimensions, many types of hydromassage and color therapy and they are definitely much more impressive in appearance. But we also have some disadvantages. However, these relatively thin sheets of acrylic (3-5 mm) are in danger of being broken or cracked and their repair leaving a mark. Finally, when water falls on them, it sounds like water is falling on an empty plastic container, while on cast iron it sounds like it is falling on a wall.Acrylic bathtubs reinforced
In this category, things show that acrylic bathtubs clearly beat cast iron. The reason is that for the last 2 disadvantages, ie the sensitivity to the blows and the strange sound of the water when it falls on them, solutions were found. Every manufacturer uses its innovations. Prasinosbath proposes CARRON for the most reliable solutions to acrylic problems. CARRON has invented the CARRONITE material where in the whole mass of the bathtub there is a special coating of resins and in the floor there is a special reinforcement with wood. With the universal reinforcement of the bathtub at a thickness of at least 1 cm with this special material, the robustness and the gloss are achieved. CARRON gives a 25-year warranty. Please note that no cast iron bath manufacturers offer any warrantyFirst of all, housewives need to understand that bathtubs are NOT a carpet and quilt laundry. Any kind of chemical or detergent that contains chlorine or other caustic substances permanently destroys the gloss of all types of baths. That’s why we have to take care of bathtubs and sanitary ware with gentle commercial cleaners such as creams (eg JIF) that do not contain chlorine. Then rinse with plenty of water. The same goes for sinks, basins, furniture marbles, etc. Furniture wood does not need any cleaners, only a cloth or VETEX with water. If there is a difficult stain then we should consult the manufacturer of the item
The technician who will place it must follow the instructions of the form when it is contained in the package e.g. for leveling, use of all materials, placement of silicone where needed, electrical, etc. When the furniture is lacquered, moisture can remove the freshness of the paint in the long run or even the furniture in some places to swell. For this reason, water should not remain on the surface of the furniture for a very long time. If in the future it will be necessary to make some adjustment, this is done based on our instructions and only by the hinges and the regulators with a corresponding tool without the use of force
The built-in cisterns have a built-in wall basin support and help in the hygiene and aesthetics of your bathroom. Under the hanging basin the floor cleaning becomes very easy and the hygiene is significantly improved. At the same time, the annoying volume of the cistern behind the wall disappears. The hanging basin gives the feeling of open space. The bathroom wall hides the cistern, the pipes and the connections. In addition, there is the possibility of an extra shelf above the cistern
Geberit built-in cisterns are made by the method of blowing, so that there is no seam anywhere! This process eliminates the risk of leakage, which of course is very important when walling. The functional parts of the cistern are accessible at any time. By removing the actuating board, both the float and the mechanism can be easily replaced or repaired
The combination of a hanging basin with a built-in Geberit cistern does not take up more space than the usual exposed cistern. The bathroom wall hides the cistern, the pipes and the connections. This makes the Geberit built-in cistern in combination with the hanging basin suitable for any space large or small. In addition, there is the possibility of an extra shelf above the cistern