Glossy floor tiles in the interior of the house and apartment

Floor tiles are durable and easy to clean. It is suitable for decoration of any premises, except, perhaps, the bedroom. In the kitchen and hallway, floor tiling will reduce the labor costs for cleaning, and the living room gloss will give respectability and solemnity.

Special features

To ensure that the flooring lasts as long as possible, it is necessary to take into account compliance with certain requirements, and the requirements for each room will be different.

There are five classes of wear resistance of floor tiles. They differ in manufacturing method and material and are used in the respective premises. The higher the grade, the greater the strength of the tile.

  • 1 class - the most fragile material, is used to cover the premises with a minimum load.
  • 2 class - strong enough material, suitable for residential premises.
  • 3 class - for places of active use.
  • 4th grade - for public places with a low load.
  • 5th grade - for industrial premises, public places with high traffic.

When choosing a flooring for a specific room, several other factors must be considered. For example, buying material for a balcony or platform in front of a private house, attention should be paid to the temperature stability of the tile, its thickness and hardness. The best option in this case is the production of porcelain stoneware.

Classification

Ceramic floor tiles can be made of various clay compositions. For example, pottery is made of red clay, earthenware - of white. A common option includes a mixture of clay grades with the addition of quartz.

The strongest products are made of porcelain. They are made by pressing clay under high pressure and firing, thanks to which the tile acquires the properties of granite.

Kinds

Floor tiles are divided into two main types: glossy and matte. The difference lies in both appearance and technical characteristics.

Glossy

The upper surface of such products is covered with a thin layer of vitreous glaze, which consists of various chemical elements.The glaze is applied to the tile and melted under high temperature, forming a shiny glossy surface. Gloss gives shine to the coating, as well as increases its moisture resistance and strength.

However, the surface itself becomes quite fragile and subject to mechanical stress. Due to inaccurate handling on a glossy tile, scratches, chips and abrasions may remain.

Matte finish

This type has high performance properties, but has a simpler appearance than glossy products. Matte tile has a uniform structure throughout the thickness, is resistant to mechanical stress.

This flooring is indispensable in rooms with high traffic, and its cost is much lower than glossy counterparts.

Advantages and disadvantages

The choice of coverage, of course, depends on the taste of the owner, but it should be noted that the glossy tile creates the illusion of chic, decorates the interior, makes it more solemn and “elegant”.

A clear advantage of the glossy surface is its ability to visually enlarge the space.reflecting streams of light.Glare from sunlight falling on the floor or lighting fixtures make the room brighter. This nuance can be successfully applied in rooms that lack natural light.

Glossy tile, unlike matte, does not have a porous structure, due to which much easier to clean the dirt. It is enough to wipe the vitreous surface with a damp sponge with a household tool, while the dirt is not clogged and does not "eat" into the pores of the tile.

Among the shortcomings of the glossy material is worth noting its fragility and the need for careful attitude. Also in rooms facing south and filled with sunlight, the glossy surface can glare, which can cause some discomfort and make the room uncomfortable.

It is worth noting the fact that due to the vitreous coating glossy tiles can be slippery and traumatic in places of high humidity. From the point of view of security, for the bathroom and kitchen it is preferable to choose a matte material with a rough surface.

Sizes and shapes

In drawing up the design project of the premises and thinking through the stages of repair, it is necessary to determine the size of the material, select the configuration and method of installation.

The most common mistake encountered when laying tiles is the discrepancy between the dimensions of the material and the room. In such cases, the tile has to be cut or, on the contrary, to add it in parts, which adversely affects the appearance of the room.

Standard sizes of ceramic tiles are 10x10, 15x15, 20x20.30x30 cm squares. Here you can add a size that forms a rectangle - 10x20 cm. Porcelain stoneware is made in a larger range of sizes and can reach 150x300 cm. These plates are used in spacious public spaces.

When choosing, pay attention to unusual tile shapes.. In small residential areas, a triangular shape or models with rounded edges will look original.

Advance it is necessary to think about the way of laying. For a square shape, a “butt joint” arrangement is suitable, for a rectangular one - “herringbone”, and a diagonal layout will allow you to visually expand the space.

Selecting a tiled canvas, you must immediately take care of the purchase of grout. Its tone, as a rule, depends on the color of the main product, but this condition is not mandatory. Bright color patterns on the tile will look good with a grout of beige or milky range, although in this case it is necessary to take into account the increased contamination of floor seams.

Tile "under the wood" looks perfect only when grout, matched to match, not breaking the surface into squares and allowing to create the illusion of a single canvas.

For the floor of dark tones suitable grout any suitable shade. Thus, a glossy tile of dark chocolate with the same grout will create the effect of a solid coating, and with a beige one it will liven up the floor with clear geometric lines.

Design

One of the indisputable advantages of glossy tiles - a variety of colors and prints. Unlike matte counterparts, which are often monotonous, glossy tiled canvas boasts a huge selection of patterns and a wide range of colors.

The choice of pattern, format and layout of the tile flooring will depend on the size and illumination of the room. For poorly lit rooms it is better to use light colors.. They visually increase the space and make it brighter due to the glare on the glossy surface.Dark shades are suitable for spacious living rooms, designed in classic or modern style.

The combination of light and dark squares in a checkerboard pattern will allow you to create an original flooring design, which will be the main focus of the interior.

For example, black tile, diluted with white, is perfect for the art deco style, and will also look good in the kitchen, combined with white furniture.

Choosing a tile based on the characteristics of the room

Living room

The most suitable room for a glossy surface is a spacious hall designed for receiving guests. The glossy polishing of the floor will create the effect of a luxurious palace, and the design selected to match the overall decor will become an independent element of the decor.

Bathroom

It is necessary to choose a glossy tile for a bathroom with care. Water and steam may make it too slippery. The best option would be to use glossy tiles on the walls, and matte - on the floor.

The permeability of the material can be determined by the reverse side of the surface. The more porous it is, the stronger the tile will “absorb” moisture.

Kitchen

Kitchen facilities are more prone to mechanical stress and pollution. Also in the kitchen most often made cleaning with the use of chemicals. Therefore, the tile for the kitchen should be chosen, given its strength, dirt and water repellency.

Balcony and outdoor areas

For household premises of a private house, it is better to choose matte porcelain stoneware tiles. It withstands heavy loads and does not need the beauty and gloss of gloss. The exception is the floor of the front terrace. But for the balcony porcelain can be too heavy, here they use only ceramic products.

When choosing material for any open spaces outside the heating zone, the frost resistance of the material should also be considered.

Given all the nuances of choosing a tile, you can purchase the option that suits you best. Sales statistics and reviews of Russian buyers suggest that the collections of European manufacturers are most popular, but high quality Russian products are also noted.

The choice between gloss and a matte surface is strictly individual, and the debate about quality, appearance,“Slipperiness” can be misleading. Therefore, it is best to consider the tile yourself.

For how to choose a tile, see the next video.

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