How to choose the right floor tiles - expert advice and recommendations. How to choose high-quality and beautiful bathroom tiles on walls and floors Price of ceramic tiles

Among the wide variety of flooring materials, ceramic tiles occupy a special place. This material has been tested over the years and does not give reason to doubt its advantages, especially in rooms with special operating conditions and microclimate. Today's article will talk about the advantages of tiles, how to choose floor tiles, as well as about alternative types of tile materials.

There are many options for floor tiles, differing in the material of manufacture. But ceramic tiles are in the lead for many reasons.

The main thing is that it has no restrictions on its use in premises of any purpose and differs in completely different ways:

1. Given the surface to be tiled, the tiles can be wall and floor. The first is thinner, the second is more durable and wear-resistant.
2. Taking into account the operating conditions, different requirements are imposed on ceramics - it can be used indoors and outdoors. Outdoor ceramic tiles should have a low level of water absorption, be resistant to cracking and be frost-resistant.
3. According to their composition, the tiles are divided into ceramic and porcelain stoneware.

Methods for making ceramics

There are two ways to produce tiles: by pressing and extrusion. In the first case, durable, aesthetically pleasing products are obtained. In the second case, the tile is squeezed out through the extruder under high pressure.

For the production of glazed tiles, the double firing method (bicottura) is used. Using the method of pressing, a tile of the required shape is formed from a clay mixture, then it is fired and glazed, and then fired again. This type of tile is not very durable, and therefore is often used for interior work.

Technical qualities of floor ceramics

When choosing ceramics, they look at the grade of products, the higher it is, the higher the quality of the tile.

I grade tiles are characterized by uniformity, caliber, durability and correspond to other qualities declared by the manufacturer. Low-grade tiles have some defects - the presence of uneven corners or surface plane, not too clear pattern. Class II is assigned to products that have defects on only one side in the form of an uneven color, sagging and irregularities on the edges. If there are flaws on both sides, the tile is assigned grade III.

Despite this, even the third grade tile meets the operational requirements, which allows it to be used for wall and floor cladding in unheated rooms. A fairly low level of water absorption is provided by the porous and dense structure of the products, and their frost resistance.

Advantages and disadvantages of using ceramic tiles

Of the advantages of ceramics, the following can be noted:

1. High strength.
2. Environmental friendliness.
3. Hygiene.
4. Hypoallergenic.
5. Moisture resistance.
6. A wide range of colors and shapes.
7. Bacteriological resistance.
8. Fire resistance.
9. Dielectricity.
10. High coefficient of thermal conductivity, which is important for "warm" floors.
11. Wear resistance.
12. Color fastness before exposure to UV rays.
13. Durability.
14. A variety of shapes and sizes.

Of the shortcomings, first of all, the fragility and low soundproofing properties of the coating are noted. Also worth noting is the surface cold to the touch and difficult dismantling. In addition, if there is no experience in laying tiles, then it is better to entrust this business to professionals who know how to solve all sorts of small nuances that emerge in the course of work. The calculation formula looks like this: cost of work = ½ the cost of the material.

Tiled floor characteristics

Regardless of the material of manufacture, the floor covering must meet a certain set of operational requirements. As for ceramic tiles, the floor from it must have the following qualities:

1. Wear resistance. The tile is chosen depending on the forthcoming loads on the floor covering - the wear resistance class of the floor covering must correspond to the level of traffic in the room.
2. In rooms where temperatures are expected to drop in winter (unheated rooms), great attention is paid to frost resistance of the coating.
3. Hypoallergenic. The material should not emit harmful substances and provoke the appearance of allergic reactions.
4. Fire resistance. The material must not support or spread flame.
5. Moisture resistance. This criterion is especially important when laying the floor in the bathroom, hallway and kitchen. The material should not absorb moisture and serve as a medium for the development of harmful microorganisms.
6. Chemical and mechanical resistance.
7. Anti-slip surface.

Types of ceramics

The surface structure of floor ceramics can be matt with a slight relief, imitating, for example, the surface of natural stone, or smooth, glossy. The rough, porous surface of matte products on the floor is pleasant to the touch and safe, as it provides an anti-slip effect and safety. Glossy products are more often used on walls - the glazed coating protects the image and makes them shiny. With the help of glossy tiles, you can visually make the room more voluminous.

Tiles with a smooth surface are among the simplest options, they are functional and practical - they are easy to install and keep clean. The smooth surface is able to retain heat well.

Mosaics are less common, but can still be found on bathroom floors or other "damp" rooms. When using such tiles on the floor, you can create a unique original pattern, but you should carefully approach the material for grouting the joints, which are much more than when laying large-format floor tiles.

What to look for when choosing ceramic tiles

When choosing a tile, first of all, the purpose of the room in which it will be laid is taken into account, the conditions and intensity of the loads on the coating - the specifics of the bathroom and the hallway differ significantly from the living room or dining room. The material differs in several ways.

By structure

As previously noted, in rooms with high humidity, preference should be given to floor tiles with a matte rough face layer. A glossy floor surface, especially when water gets on it, becomes dangerous. Therefore, matte tiles are chosen in the bathroom and in the kitchen.

To size

This is an important parameter that affects the visual perception of the floor area and the room as a whole. Large tiles in a small room will visually make it even smaller, and small tiles or mosaics, on the contrary, will make it more spacious. It is recommended to install large tiles in rooms larger than 7 m². In the bathroom, a mosaic on the floor would be appropriate.

Fugue, matched to the tone of the cladding, creates the impression of a monolithic coating

By color

As one of the planes that influence the overall perception of the interior, the floor needs a careful selection of its colors. Taking into account the fact that the flooring is durable, it is advisable to make it in neutral colors that will be appropriate in many interior solutions. The color of the floor should organically fit into the space and harmoniously combine with other finishes or create a contrasting combination. So, with the help of a white or light tiled floor, you can visually make a small hallway lighter and larger.

Ceramic base

The surface of the tile, its face layer determines the appearance of the finish, and a properly selected and prepared base is responsible for its quality, strength and durability.

Laying on a cement board (DSP)

Cement board has high strength and, despite its higher cost than plywood or other sheet materials, it is an ideal base for laying tiles. This is a versatile material that allows you to form a base for tiles on any surface - on walls, on the floor, on the kitchen counter, in rooms with normal and high humidity.

Important! The cement board requires additional moisture protection.

There are two types of cement boards. Products based on sand and cement have a fiberglass-reinforced face layer that creates a tough and durable base. The length of such slabs is 90 - 300 cm with a width of 80 - 120 cm and a thickness of 6 - 15 mm.

Aquapanel cement-mineral slabs

Slabs based on sand, cement and mineral fiber are available in thickness from 6 mm. In this case, the fibers reinforce and reinforce the entire slab, and not just the top layer, since they are evenly distributed in its array. These slabs are characterized by high density.

Laying on fiberglass gypsum board

Gypsum sheets with the addition of fiberglass, which are made specifically as a base for tiles, differ from gypsum boards. They are not as hard and durable as cement boards, so they are used under light loads. An inner filler with a water-repellent impregnation is located inside a moisture-resistant coating, which allows them to be used even in close proximity to water. Fiberglass is used as a reinforcing agent.

Important! Despite the increased moisture resistance, when fixing the boards, additional sealing of the joints with silicone sealant is required.

This material is easy to transport, cut and assemble.

Plywood as a base for laying ceramic tiles can be used in conditions of normal humidity. It is not recommended for use in conditions of sudden temperature changes and in rooms with high humidity. It is also necessary to perform high-quality waterproofing with a waterproof membrane. Among all varieties, it is recommended to choose moisture-resistant plywood, which is used for outdoor use. When choosing a material, they carefully check the integrity of the plates, the absence of voids, the presence of resin on the surface, which reduces the quality of adhesion. The allowed plywood thickness must be at least 15 mm.

Laying on a concrete slab

When laying ceramics on a concrete base, there are no problems. The only requirement relates to the quality of the surface of the slab, which must be flat. For 3 meters of length, a difference of no more than 3 mm is allowed. Since any concrete surface is distinguished by dust formation, before laying the tiles, it is dedusted and treated with a primer, which creates a thin film that provides excellent adhesion to the adhesive composition. Most often, deep penetration soil Betonokontakt is used for this. For better adhesion, the concrete surface is brushed with a wire brush.

Laying on cement screed

A common way of laying tiles is by, which, in turn, can be poured over any base. Standard requirements are surface evenness. To do this, use the method of pouring the solution along the beacons and markings on the wall, which is applied using a laser level. To ensure strength, the screed is reinforced with a metal mesh. The advantage of such a base is that communications and a heat carrier of a warm floor can pass through the screed.

The use of a screed is relevant in the following cases:

1. When installing tiled flooring in premises with high traffic (in sales areas, public premises of any purpose).
2. To carry out restoration work to level the floor in a new building.
3. With a pronounced deviation from the vertical of the walls of the apartment.
4. When facing elements of an irregular room.

Laying on old ceramic flooring

Laying floor tiles on a base previously tiled with tiles is allowed if the old facing is firmly held in place. Otherwise, the floor will need to be completely cleaned of the old finish before, and then level the base. The disadvantage of laying on existing tiles is the increase in the thickness of the coating. To ensure high-quality adhesion of the old tile with the glue solution, its face layer is treated with sandpaper.

Materials and tools

To lay tiles on the floor, you will need a standard set of materials and tools:

1. The tile itself. It is worth purchasing it with a margin in case of a marriage during pruning. The tiles should be from the same batch, as products from different batches often differ in shade. You should immediately evaluate the tiles for defects and irregularities and sort them - higher-quality elements will be laid in a conspicuous place, products with defects will be useful for trimming.
2. Tiles are trimmed with a tile cutter.
3. Tile adhesive and mixing container. When laying tiles, take into account the pot life of the adhesive and your own pace of work; accordingly, prepare the required amount of adhesive.
4. You will need a notched trowel and trowel to apply the adhesive.
5. To form the tile joints, plastic crosses of the required size are purchased.
6. To apply the markings, you will need a laser level, a construction square, a tape measure and a pencil.
7. When laying tiles, use a level to control the horizontalness of the surface. It is desirable to have several levels of different sizes to control the position of both one tile and the entire floor space horizontally and diagonally.
8. The tiles are fixed by hand and using a hammer with a rubber butt.
9. Grouting composition. The fugu is selected taking into account the operating conditions. Epoxy grout is more expensive, but it is more resistant to all kinds of influences. It is also important to decide on the color of the fugue - it can be matched to the tone or be a contrasting tile.
10. To work with grout, you will need a small rubber spatula to press the composition to the depth of the seam, a bucket for clean water, a felt float and a sponge.

Preparatory work for the installation of tiles

Preparatory work depends on the type and condition of the foundation. If this is a floor in a new building, then it is necessary to assess its evenness, repair cracks, if necessary, level it with a screed, prime it and perform waterproofing using the coating method.

In the inhabited premises, the existing floor covering is dismantled to the rough screed, it is repaired and leveled.

If the tile will be laid with a pattern, then it is necessary to draw it on paper in advance, apply the appropriate markings on the floor, lay out the tiles in the required order and trim the necessary parts so that all this is not distracted during work.

When laid on a wooden base, it is checked for strength and integrity. If the boards are strong, do not walk and are rigidly fixed, forming a solid monolithic flooring, then a self-leveling mixture with mesh reinforcement is poured on the wooden base.

As noted earlier, a non-glossy tile with a III or II class of wear resistance is chosen for the floor, depending on the room in which it will be installed. It is worth remembering that the larger the tile format, the higher its cost and the price of glue, which should have a higher plasticity. The optimal tile size for a floor is 40 x 40 cm.

You should decide in advance on the layout of the tiles. The diagonal layout has its own nuances, especially if there is a damper seam in the central opening of the room. At this point, you will need to make a cut on the tiles, which will be noticeable even with a high-quality grout.

Diagonal layouts require more tiles and generate more waste. In this case, it is better to choose a standard way of placing the plates, and start laying from the doorway.

Tiles are laid using SVP wedges, but if the screed is even, then you can use the usual distance crosses, controlling the location of the tiles in level.

Formation of seams using SVP - wedges

In the presence of microcracks on the surface of the screed, it is recommended to use an elastic glue, for example, Ceresit CM 117. When laying the tiles in the course of work, it is necessary to remove excess glue from the joints between adjacent tiles. This will allow you to make high-quality grouting of joints in the future. When working with grouting, it must be borne in mind that the work will have to be done at a fast pace. In the absence of experience, it is better not to dilute a lot of the composition at once, since it has a short pot life. Using a small rubber trowel, press the grout to the full depth of the joint. And then immediately the seams are treated with a damp sponge. It is also recommended to remove the remains of grout from the tile surface immediately - if it dries up, then you will need to use a special tool to remove it.

We will consider how to grind the seams on the tiles on the floor, and what composition is needed for this.

Important! When choosing a grout in the color of the tile, you can mask not too even joints.

Ceramic tile price

The cost of ceramic tiles depends on many indicators - varieties, technical indicators, abrasion class, size, country of origin.

Table 1. Cost of ceramic tiles

Image	Name	Size, cm	Cost, rubles (as of June 2018)
	Ceramica Classic Libra	38.5x38.5	830
	Azori eclipse indigo	33.3x33.3	700
	Kerama Marazzi Platan	30.2 x 30.2	675
	Uralceramics Brown PG4BR404 55x55	55 x 55	840
	Jade-Pottery Tuscany brown	38.5x 38.5	670

Care

Ceramic tiles are unpretentious to maintain, but there are some nuances:

1. When choosing a detergent, it is necessary to study the recommendations for its use - whether it is suitable for ceramics. It is better to refuse powdery compositions and detergents containing acids and fats.
2. For daily care, we recommend using soap-free detergents or warm water with a glass cleaner.
3. It is not recommended to use porous sponges, which can retain abrasive particles that scratch the face layer of the tile.
4. The surface is cleaned in two stages - dry and wet. First, remove dirt from the floor with a soft brush, broom or vacuum cleaner, paying special attention to the tile joints, and then wipe the floor with a damp cloth. Rinse off the detergent with clean water and wipe the tile dry.
5. If the grouting was carried out with cement mortar, then every year the seams are treated with a water-repellent impregnation.

Floor tiles are unpretentious and, as they say, easy to clean. Let's take a closer look at how to clean the tiles on the floor and how to deal with contamination of the joints?

Alternative varieties of tiles

Floor tiles are not only ceramic. Modern manufacturers offer a wide range of natural and synthetic coatings, each of which has its own pros and cons.

PVC tile

Pvc tiles are one of the most budget-friendly flooring options. In terms of structure, such a tile is the same linoleum, produced in the form of slabs of a certain size. For ease of fixing, such tiles can have an adhesive base. The high level of wear resistance of the coating is provided by its multilayer structure.

Such material can be laid on any substrate, even on plywood or old linoleum. The positive qualities of such material include the following:

1. Laying can be done on any substrate.
2. The material is moisture resistant.
3. Low cost.
4. The shrinkage process is not typical for PVC tiles.

Among the shortcomings, one can note a short service life, compared to ceramics. Immunity to high temperatures and chemicals. PVC tiles, depending on the class, can be used not only in residential premises (class 21 - 23), but also in public (class 31 - 33) and industrial (class 41 - 43) premises.

Vinyl tiles

One of the multilayer flooring materials - vinyl tiles, belongs to the category of synthetic coatings with high aesthetic data, characterized by moisture and wear resistance. The presence of vinyl in the composition of the tile guarantees the reliability and excellent performance of the floor covering.

One of the cheaper varieties is quartz vinyl tiles, which have sand in their composition. This is a multi-layer product made of a protective polyurethane coating on a decorative layer, a vinyl base and a lower polymer or fabric layer. Such a coating has moisture resistance, excellent shock absorption, resistance to chemicals. The tile has a non-slip face layer, and due to its high heat transfer, it is suitable for arranging the finishing coat of a warm floor.

Metal floor tiles

Manufacturers offer a huge range of flooring materials, including metal. A polymer film on the surface of such a tile protects it from the harmful effects of moisture. High strength and resistance to influences of various nature make such a coating in demand at industrial and commercial facilities with high traffic, as well as in warehouses. In addition, decorative tiles for home use can be found on sale. Such tiles are characterized by: heat resistance, wear resistance, fire resistance. She is not afraid of mechanical stress.

Stone tiles

Such tiles are made from artificial or real marble or granite. Each of these materials is characterized by high wear resistance and aesthetic appearance.

Of the positive qualities of such a floor, the following can be noted:

1. Long service life (up to 25 years).
2. The tiles are frost-resistant.
3. Fireproof.
4. Aesthetically attractive.

Regardless of the type of tile, the operating conditions are taken into account - in damp rooms it is recommended to abandon products with high hygroscopicity.

Carpet tiles

A novelty in the construction market is modular carpet tiles measuring 50 x 50 cm. The structure of this material is not similar to carpet, as it is a multi-layer product with several reinforced layers.

Due to the presence of a solid substrate and the tight abutment of the elements to each other, the rigidity of individual plates is ensured and excludes their deformation during operation. The basis of such a tile is made on the basis of bitumen, polyvinyl chloride, fiberglass or rubber.

Fiberglass ensures the invariability of the geometric parameters of the tiles when the temperature in the room changes. The outer layer is made of nylon. The aesthetics and performance of tiles depend on the quality of the fibers and pile.

Today we will tell you how to choose the right ceramic tiles for your bathroom or toilet. Having studied this information, you can prevent popular mistakes that lead to an ugly result, a waste of time and money. We are talking about a bathroom with an optimal price-quality ratio.

Fast navigation through the article

Collections

When you come to any specialty store, you will see samples of bathroom tiles (collections) that hang on the stands. A collection is a collection of tiles that are combined in size, shape and color.

The standard collection consists of 5 elements:

• Light background,
• dark background,
• border (frieze),
• decor,
• floor tiles.

One collection of bathroom tiles can have several color options. In practice, in one room it will be enough to correctly combine one light and one dark background, take one type of decors and floor tiles.

There are some collections that have good background tiles but hideous decors, or vice versa.

Most of the collections have the same size for backgrounds and decor. The curb is the same in length, but much less in height. The floor tiles are in the shape of a square, with sides greater than the height of the main elements, but less than their length. Sometimes the length of the square is equal to the length of the main tile.

An important point: the borders can only be cut to length, and the decor cannot be cut off at all. This is due to the fact that many decors have embossed elements that can fall off when cut. The second reason for this rule is the violation of the harmony of the picture. Imagine what a cut embossed border with a pattern in the corner would look like, glued next to its trim through a 3 mm layer of grout. To make the corner beautiful, two identical tiles must be joined in it.

Manufacturers and prices

The very first thing worth paying attention to is the country of origin. Bathroom tiles can be made in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Portugal or Russia. If you do not want to have problems during installation due to large differences in the size and shape of tiles in the package, then it is better to immediately abandon Russian tiles.

In some stores, the tiles on the stands are specially cut to make them seem even at first glance.

There are several manufacturers in each country. But do not be guided by the name of the company, as they each have good and bad collections of bathroom tiles.

A good tile for a bath now costs from 900 to 1700 rubles per square meter. For this price, you will receive high-quality and beautiful tiles, but do not overpay for the brand. If you are making repairs for a long time and for yourself, then you can buy more expensive options, but not cheaper.

Surface

As a rule, bathroom floor tiles are matte and wall tiles are glossy. The glossy finish looks brighter and richer, and is easier to clean. But if you cover the floor with a glossy material, it will be slippery and over time the paint layer will wipe off, and bald spots will appear.

The most practical is the texture of a mosaic tile, when its parts are uneven, and at a slight inclination relative to adjacent elements and have a slightly different shade. Outwardly, it looks like pixels.

It allows you to solve 3 main problems:

• Light drops from detergents;
• Dark drops from dirty water;
• Toothpaste drops.

At the same time, the dirt on it is invisible, it is easily washed off, and all this is not to the detriment of the beauty of the coating. But if the sizes of the squares are too large, corner elements and plumbing will not adhere to such a relief surface.

Dimensions (edit)

As for choosing the optimal size, the larger the bathroom tiles, the better, but this should be within reasonable limits. Imagine how a 90-cm tile for a small bathroom 160 cm wide will look like.In addition, you will not be able to make a correctly hidden hatch due to the fact that it must be installed under the full tile, you will need to somehow fix this whopper and open it.

Optimal dimensions for most bathrooms:

• 60*20,
• 50*20,
• 50*25,
• 60*30,
• 45*20.

Large-format seamless porcelain stoneware for the bathroom and seamless tiles are not suitable for several reasons. Firstly, it is very large for most bathrooms. Secondly, it is impossible to attach it to hidden hatches.

Why you shouldn't use curbs

Ceramic curbs are now almost never used for installation.

They were originally used to get rid of narrow trims due to fixed ceiling heights. But now you can install a suspended or stretch ceiling with any offset from the main one, and this problem will disappear by itself.

Also, the border was often used to separate light and dark backgrounds. But after setting up the room, this belt turns out to be torn, and the beautiful effect is lost.

In addition, it is very difficult to correctly guess the height of the embossed curb on the wall so that it does not overlap the places where the suspended plumbing fixtures fit, visually draw attention to itself and do not create a narrow trim above the bathroom.

We select the color

To begin with, the floor should always be dark. It will be practical and durable.

Light tiles in the bathroom will always be dirty, and since they are matte, over time, dirt will eat into them. If on a dark background the dirt is not so conspicuous, and it can serve you for more than ten years, then you will want to replace the light tile in 1-2 years.

Choice of grout color

The grout to the tile is matched to the tone of the lightest elements, or a little lighter.

Can you imagine what will happen to the light grout in six months? It will turn black. Of course, if you use a two-component epoxy grout for 2,700 rubles for 2 kg and buy a detergent for it for 800 rubles, then it will remain white, but it's not worth it.

But you can't use a dark grout either, because your eyes will ripple from the excessive contrast of each element.

Layout

The most beautiful bathrooms are obtained if they are painted with horizontal rings, the integrity of which will only be violated by the doorway.

The best option:

• Dark floor;
• The dark border at the bottom is 0.5-1 rows higher than the bathroom;
• Light background in the center with correctly positioned decors;
• Dark top stroke 1 row high.

In the toilet, the height of the bottom row is usually combined with the flush button on the installation, that is, the border ran somewhere in the middle between them. If you are afraid that this area will be too dark, it is allowed to dilute it with light rows.

• First, there will be almost no drop marks on the dark bottom stroke.
• Secondly, it will blend in with dark floor tiles.
• Thirdly, the dark color of the floor will be reflected in the white glossy ceiling, and the stroke on the top will only emphasize it, and it will automatically fit into your design.

Oftentimes, bathroom tiles do not look exactly the same as what you see in the store when installed. This is due to the different color temperature of the lighting and its quality in the store and yours. It is better to abandon low power halogen spotlights and use one powerful light source.

To position the decor correctly, inside the center light strip, step back one row at the top and bottom, and then replace all whole tiles with decor. At the same time, a wall with a doorway does not need to be decorated in any way, the maximum is to place a background tile in it instead of a decor according to the described scheme.

In small bathtubs, do not join the outer corners of the tiles by filing them at 45 degrees. Perhaps such a docking will look more beautiful, but it will be traumatic. In such places, the corners are best done using a plastic layout.

Conclusion

Do not buy leftover collections that have ceased to be produced. They can be sold at a deep discount, but, as a rule, some items will not be enough in the collection. If 1-2 tiles are not enough for you, you will no longer be able to buy it later.

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For every person who decided (or was forced) to start repairs in the apartment, there comes a moment when it is necessary to answer the question - “How to choose ceramic tiles?”In this case, the following issues most often have to be addressed:

Bathroom tiles:

What is needed bathroom tiles?

Where to buy tiles For bathroom?

What is needed small bathroom tiles?

Honest bathroom tile price?

How to choose ceramic tiles for bathroom? Rectified or not?

Which tile seam in the bathroom?

Floor tiles:

How to choose ceramic floor tiles?

Where buy floor tiles?

Can I put warm floor under the tiles?

Tiles on wood floor- can I put it?

Kitchen tiles:

Kitchen tile for apron- which one to choose?

Kitchen tiles on the floor- what are the requirements?

Kitchen apron made of tiles- What are the benefits?

Tile hog on an apron- is it worth putting it?

How to choose ceramic tiles for kitchen?

A bit of the history of ceramic tile production

15x15 tiles in the Soviet bathroom

If you look back a little, then many will remember the Soviet bathrooms, tiled with 15x15 white tiles somewhere to the middle of the wall. And then there was oil paint right up to the ceiling. Those who have seen this horror will never forget!

However, the explanation for such a dull monotony is extremely simple. The technologies that existed in the USSR did not allow the production of high-quality tiles even in this format. Attempts to produce larger ceramic tiles resulted in an increase in scrap rates of up to 90%. So everyone used either 15x15 tiles, or hog 7x15.

The same situation was in the West, but the technologies for the production of ceramic tiles began to develop rapidly in Italy in the late 60s - early 70s. It was then that the Italian ceramics industry was founded. Many well-known Italian surnames came into the ceramic business during this period.

As the technologies for the production of ceramic tiles improve, each manufacturer strives to produce tiles of an ever larger format, and today the maximum format mass-produced is 160x320 centimeters.

So let's get to grips with bathroom tiles

What is needed bathroom tiles?

Where to buy tiles For bathroom?

Of course, all online stores keep prices on average 15% lower than in their own retail store. However, if you decide to purchase tiles in a "clean" online store without a showroom, then you should take care of what you will do if, God forbid, one or two tiles break or the calculations turn out to be incorrect. In most cases, online stores do not deal with such orders or claims. They simply do not have the ability to solve such problems. Therefore, the optimal solution is to lower the price in the retail store by demonstrating low prices on the Internet.

For floor tiles:

Supreme flaviker

Floor tiles have already crossed the boundaries of flooring and are increasingly being used for both flooring and wall cladding. And thin ceramic granite is already used for countertops, and for doors, and for cladding partitions and facades.

What should be floor tiles?

Floor tiles must first of all be functional. If you plan to put it at the entrance, then it should be non-slippery and durable. For a home, ceramic granite with a natural surface or lapped is quite suitable. The surface of such a tile, upon closer inspection, consists of polished dots interspersed with matte depressions.

For interiors, ceramic granite is best suited, and the stronger the shine of the tile, the more expensive it costs, since the cost of high-quality polishing is very high. Remember that for lappated porcelain stoneware, the main enemies are: stiletto heels, wheels on chairs, sand on shoes. If you do not roll around the room on a wheelchair, pushing off the floor with stiletto heels without removing the sand from the floor, then this floor will serve you for a long time, most likely for more than a decade.

Recently, the formats 80x80, 90x90 and 120x120 are becoming more and more popular for laying on the floor. The effect created by such a tile is strikingly different from the "standard" 60x60 tiles.

Can I put warm floor under the tiles?

La fabbrica astra

And it is possible and necessary. In Italy, for example, heating radiators are practically not used, and all heating comes from a warm floor, which of course is much more pleasant. For ceramic granite that has been fired at 1200 - 1300 degrees, heating from a warm floor is completely painless. There is simply no difference between an electric underfloor heating and a water one for tiles.

Tiles on wood floor- can I put it?

Of course you can! The only thing to do is to avoid bending the wooden floor. If the floor bends, the tiles will fall off over time. Therefore, the wooden floor is strengthened, waterproofed, covered with either GVL sheets, or a light screed is made and ceramic tiles are glued. The ideal solution would be to choose tiles from ABK group (ABK, AREANA). Their new technology Wall & porcellan allows the production of tiles with very serious elasticity. This will compensate for the vibrations of the wood base.

Kitchen tiles:

Kitchen tile for apron- which one to choose?

The classic solution for an apron in the kitchen - 10x10 tiles, is gradually going out of fashion. In fact, this is not a very practical solution, since grease accumulates on the tiles quite abundantly, and cleaning the joints between tiles is not an easy task. Of course, modern steam tools are very helpful, which with a jet of hot steam soften the layer of fat, but it is easier to have a flat surface of the apron with a minimum number of seams and low surface roughness.

Kitchen apron made of tiles- What are the benefits?

Considering the amount of fat that is released during cooking in the kitchen, it is very important to carefully select the material for the apron. The use of natural marble in the kitchen is certainly beautiful at the beginning of use, but natural stone absorbs fats at an amazing speed. And now, instead of a beautiful and expensive countertop made of natural marble and an apron to match, from the same marble, you have some kind of spotted stone that can never be washed.

The ideal solution for a kitchen backsplash is large format ceramic tiles. Buying lappated ceramic granite with marble pattern in 80x240 or 120x240 format solves all problems with the porosity of natural stone and with the seams of small tiles. Just one 120x240 tile cut in half - covers the entire backsplash in 75% of kitchens.

You can design in a modern style - for example, using a pure solid color of a tile from Laminam in 5 mm thickness, or using a marble tile pattern Aestetica from the factory in 6 mm thickness. Of course, you can choose different tiles for your kitchen backsplash, but you must always remember the listed problems. A common mistake when choosing a tile for an apron is buying a mosaic for an apron. Whatever this mosaic is, the numerous seams between the mosaic elements will cause many problems to the owner.

Choosing ceramic tiles for the kitchen on the floor is not difficult if you have already chosen tiles for the backsplash. However, if the apron is made of a different material, then you should choose carefully in order to avoid typical mistakes when choosing a tile.

All of the above problems with the backsplash are also true for floor tiles. Large-format rectified tiles with a lapped surface are the optimal solution for kitchen floors. The polished surface of porcelain stoneware from reputable manufacturers will easily be cleaned of adhering dirt, which is inevitable in the kitchen. A small seam (1.5 mm) between rectified tiles will be less stained than a standard (3-5 mm) seam for non-rectified tiles. But of course, if the above problems do not concern you, and specially trained people are engaged in cleaning, then this article is not for you.

Tile hog on an apron- is it worth putting it?

The very term "hog", which came to us in Soviet times, awakens memories of 30 years ago. Today this type of design is called "loft" and is at the height of fashion. All the arguments "for" and "against" were stated above. It is not possible to decorate a kitchen in the "loft" style without using tiles imitating brick, unless you decide to overlay everything with special bricks, which in the end cost twice as much as tiles. For example, the collection is designed for wall cladding "like a brick". However, if style issues are not decisive, then perhaps it is worth refraining from such a choice in favor of more modern design solutions.

If you already have a fix idea, pick a dream color and let it be the starting point for the rest of the shades. The main thing is not to overdo it with accents.

You shouldn't choose more than three different colors. To navigate in all the variety of design options, it is best to look for photos of ready-made premises.

Is the room you want to decorate small and need to visually expand it? Use light colors. The classic bathroom option is white tiles.

If you think it is too commonplace, give preference to beige, peach or blue.

The floor and walls, lined with one type of tile, mostly light and glossy, visually expand the space and add air.

Andrey Lyamin-Borodin, General Director of the Rewedo.ru internet service for ordering repairs

It is believed that cold colors create the effect of freshness and coolness, while warm ones soothe. One of the modern trends is interior decoration in natural shades.

Dark tiles create a depressing impression. Contrary to popular belief, dirt is clearly visible on it. Use dark colors carefully. For example, to decorate the floor and the bottom of the walls.

Avoid very bright colors such as scarlet or gold. In such rooms, you will get tired very quickly.

Use bright or patterned tiles to create accents or a room.

When choosing a tile for the kitchen, match its color with the headset.

How to choose the shape and size of the tiles

Most often, shops offer square or rectangular tiles. If you're doing your own renovation, stick with these classic options. It is much more convenient to work with them than with tiles of an unusual shape.

Want to achieve different visual effects? Use rectangular tiles. Place it vertically on the walls, and you will stretch them in length, horizontally - in width. To visually expand the room, lay out the floor tiles diagonally.

Do not choose very small tiles for small spaces. Also, give up the idea of ​​decorating the room in a mosaic style. It narrows the space a lot. Do not use very large tiles. With it, there will be large seams on the walls, which will also disadvantageously divide the room into parts.

Avoiding extremes is also worth it for reasons of economy.

From the point of view of practicality and cost of work for the walls, it is better to choose medium-sized tiles. Too small or, conversely, large format can cause extra charges for installation. Mosaic tiles are on average more expensive than regular tiles and will not be cheap to work with.

Andrey Lyamin-Borodin

How to calculate the number of tiles you need

Measure the length of the walls and their heights and multiply these numbers. Subtract the area of ​​the door from the resulting product (if necessary, also the area of ​​the bath). Calculate your floor area.

Then calculate the area of ​​one tile, also multiplying its length by width. By dividing the total area of ​​the walls or floor by the area of ​​one tile, you will determine the amount of the latter.

An example of calculating tiles for a wall with a door

When in doubt, use any online tile calculator.

Do not forget to add 10-15% to the obtained value, as part of the tiles will inevitably be damaged during transportation or installation.

Naturally, this is the most primitive way of calculating tiles. With an unusual layout, you may need the help of professionals who will draw up the correct drawing and, based on it, calculate the required amount of materials.

How to choose a tile of the desired structure and quality

If you are choosing tiles for your home, it makes no sense to give preference to super-resistant materials, which are necessary for decorating common areas. It is unlikely that the same number of people walking in your kitchen or bathroom as attending cinemas or exhibitions.

Choose tiles with a wear resistance index from I to III (III - for the floor) and do not overpay.

If you are not going to arrange a large freezer or solarium from your apartment, then the temperature resistance of the tiles should not be taken into account either.

When choosing a bathroom tile, pay attention to characteristics such as water resistance and embossing (for the floor).

The best quality tiles are Italian and Spanish. To save money, combine expensive tiles with cheap ones.

Many Russian manufacturers, for example Kerama Marazzi, Keramin, Italon, offer tiles of quite acceptable quality. It can be taken as a base, dotted with a more expensive and expressive one, or, for example, a mosaic.

Andrey Lyamin-Borodin

But buying tiles with huge discounts must be done carefully. The fact is that a low-grade product, passed off as a higher quality one, can get on sale. The coating from such a tile will come out sloppy.

How to check the quality of tiles

Defective tiles are chips, cracks, uneven geometry and a difference in height between different tiles. If, having bought a tile and unpacking it at home, you find such defects, go to the store and return the defective product.

Andrey Lyamin-Borodin

There are ways to check the quality of a tile before purchasing:

1. Consider the tiles against the light: this way possible cracks and other imperfections are better visible on it.
2. To evaluate the flatness of the material, place two tiles against each other and check how tightly the surfaces fit. Take a couple of tiles from different boxes and attach them to each other in the same way.
3. To assess possible slippage, drip water onto the tile and slide your finger across it.

If you opened the packaging with tiles and found a defect, write a claim. In this case, you can either bring low-quality tiles to the store on your own, or ask a broker to come (it happens that half of the packaging is already on the wall).

The broker will draw up an act of non-compliance of the goods with the declared characteristics and send your claim to the manufacturing plant. There, your appeal will be considered and, if they are deemed justified, the product will be replaced with a proper one. As you can imagine, the procedure is not quick. If renovations are in progress, it is often easier to buy a new pack of tiles.

Can the tiles be returned to the store in case of a calculation error? According to Andrey Lyamin-Borodin, this is possible if you bought a large stock of tiles and you still have whole packages. According to the law, tiles can be returned within 14 days from the date of purchase, excluding that day. Some manufacturers offer customers buyback as a bonus, but this only applies to budget tiles.

Do you know any life hacks for choosing tiles? Share them in the comments.

It's just overflowing with options. You can find both simple inexpensive tiles and exclusive designer tiles, but the assortment of different options is so extensive that even experienced builders and designers sometimes find it difficult to navigate in it and choose the option most suitable for specific conditions. So, what rules should be followed when choosing tiles for the bathroom so that it is beautiful, practical and durable.

# 1. Deciding on the design

Since the choice of tiles is quite extensive, almost any design can be created in the bathroom. The first thing that every customer pays attention to is color material. So, White color Is a safe bet and can be easily paired with brightly colored items. For some, white seems too boring, but it is with its help that you can significantly expand the space of a small bathroom. But still, pure white walls are not an acceptable option, so it is better to choose a warm white shade or dilute the walls with some other color.

Great for bathroom fit blue and that give a feeling of coolness as well warm beige and coffee shades which create a cozy and relaxing atmosphere in the room. Bright shades better used as accents, and black color tiles make the room gloomy, and is contraindicated if there is no window in the room.

Experienced designers when working with tiles advise take into account several nuances:

• artificial lighting may change the color of the coating, and this should be taken into account already at the selection stage;
• glossy tiles can tire the eyesight, as it creates glare when illuminated by lamps;
• vertical drawings on the tile can visually make room above;
• tile with a large pattern it is better not to use if the bathroom is not very large, otherwise it will seem even smaller;
• for, of course, it is better to use tiles in light shades to visually expand the boundaries of the space.

# 2. Choosing a style

There are a great many different styles for decorating a bathroom, and each requires a specific approach to the choice of tiles.

Classic style

So, classic style provides for dividing the walls into two parts: the upper one is finished with tiles in a light tone, the lower one, together with the floor, in a darker shade. also provides for a combination of tiles with an ornament and a single color, and the color scheme should be the same.

East style

Great for bathrooms East style, which is conducive to relaxation. But in this way, you can organize only sufficiently spacious rooms, so as not to end up with an overly cramped space, which has not a calming, but annoying effect. If you decide to create an oriental interior in the bathroom, then pay attention to the tiles in saturated colors: green, red, gold, turquoise, as well as options with a characteristic pattern. You can put some kind of pattern on the walls or on the floor.

Country style

No. 3. Tile surface type: glossy, matte or mirror

Today, you can find glossy and matte tiles on sale: both have a number of undeniable advantages, but when choosing, you need to weigh all their main properties so that the bathroom space is comfortable and cozy.

Glossy tiles

Glossy tiles- the more common option. It attracts buyers with its ability to reflect light and ease of care. But here you should be extremely careful. If glossy tiles of light shades give almost imperceptible glare, then dark ones glare strongly, which can irritate the eyes. By the way, glossy tiles with a completely identical color will always appear brighter than matte ones.

Matte tiles

Matte coating- quieter, does not reflect light, but traces of splashes on it are visible more clearly. The material is excellent for the floor, as it has a slightly rough surface. Often matte tiles imitate some material and have an interesting texture: you can find material like wood, pebbles, stone, metal, leather, etc. This material will look great both on the floor and on the walls.

Mirror tiles

Also on sale today you can find tiles with a mirror surface, with which you can achieve a visual increase in space. Such tiles can be used to lay out one of the walls in the bathroom; you can use it only as inserts between ordinary tiles. By the way, such inserts can completely replace you. Can be laid diagonally on floors or walls to achieve greater depth of space. In addition, such tiles are used today for decorating the ceiling, in order to visually make the room taller.

No. 4. Choosing a tile size

If the bathroom has decent area, then for walls and floors you can choose tiles of any size. If the room is tiny, which is found in most cases, then the choice of the size of the tiles should be approached with the utmost care. Small mosaic tiles can play a cruel joke and make the bathroom even more miniature. If you choose large tiles, then the space will be divided into several large geometric shapes, which will make the room even smaller. Small repeating patterns, like a large bright ornament, will not work.

Ideal for small spaces- use of medium tiles. So, you can choose a square with parameters 20 * 20 cm or rectangular with dimensions 20 * 30 cm. Rectangular can correct the perception of the room: if it is laid out horizontally, it will make the room longer, and if vertically, it will make it taller. On the floor, tiles can be laid out diagonally: this is how the illusion of additional space is created.

No. 5. Tile grade

When choosing a tile, it is important to pay attention not only to its design, color and size, but also to its performance characteristics, so that the material is suitable for use in the bathroom, does not slip, withstands all loads, is durable and strong. The manufacturer must indicate on the packaging about the type, category of tiles, about its atmospheric and chemical resistance, the possibility of using it as a floor or wall decoration.

First you need to deal with types of tiles... There are three of them in total, according to the European marking, and they are easy to recognize by their characteristic colors:

1. first grade - red marking,
2. the second is blue,
3. the third is green.

First grade possesses the highest quality, no more than 5% of defective tiles are allowed, and testing is carried out from a distance of one meter to the samples.

Second grade also provides for the presence of defective samples up to 5%, but in this case, testing is carried out from a distance of 2 meters.

Tile of the third class does not differ in high quality, and more than 5% of defective products can be found in the batch.

Domestic manufacturers such markings are rarely used, so you should look for information on the possible percentage of defects on the packaging.

No. 6. Physical properties

The signs on the packaging will help to understand the basic properties of tiles. So, floor tiles are indicated the symbol of the foot, such material is more reliable, strong and durable. Wall tiles are marked palm icon.

It is also important to pay attention to material resistance to chemicals... This property is marked with a flask sign indicating the degree of resistance: AA, B, C, D. When it comes to choosing tiles for the bathroom, it is better to take the most resistant material (AA), since high humidity is always present in this room, detergents are used and various kinds of cosmetic substances. Otherwise, you risk getting streaks and stains on the material after a while.

Wear resistance of the material is indicated on the packaging with Roman numerals and can be of five classes. For residential premises, it makes no sense to buy material, the class of which is higher than the third, since the load on the tiles will be minimal. If a small number of people live in the apartment, then you can choose first class tiles, saving a little.

No. 7. Manufacturer name

Of course, quality leaders can be safely recognized Italian companies Valverde, Saloni, Tilegres. Their products combine excellent appearance and excellent performance, but such samples are not cheap either. They also performed well and Spanish manufacturers, incl. Aparisi, Pamesa, Novogres, Ceramica.

Lithuanian and Slovak the tiles also performed well due to the price / quality ratio. Also common chinese products under the brands Cimic, Omica, Hitom, and the prices for these tiles are quite reasonable with the high quality of the products. Domestic manufacturers that use modern equipment also produce excellent products that compete with the world leaders in the field. These are Shakhtinskaya tile, Kerama - Marazzi, Kerabud, Sokol Plant.

No. 8. We evaluate the appearance

Before buying, it would be a good idea to take a look at the tiles and assess how well they are made. Should be guided by the following parameters:

• the enamel must be complete, without cracks, chips and other defects. There should be no foreign inclusions on it, and the presence of red or yellow stripes on it should immediately alert, because this is how defective tiles are labeled in factories;
• increased requirements are put forward for floor tiles. Does not interfere conduct such an experiment: put the front side of the tile on a rough surface and rub, if there are no traces left, then the material is of high quality;
• regular geometric shape tiles and compliance with the parameters indicated on the package;
• moisture resistance: water should collect on the surface in droplets;
• anti-slip surface, especially when it comes to floor tiles. It's easy to check: just wet the surface and run your finger over it. If this can be done easily and the finger glides well over the surface, then the material will not be suitable for the bathroom, as it can be dangerous.

No. 9. We calculate the amount

It is very important to calculate the number of tiles correctly. If there is not enough of it, then in the store it will already be possible not to find the same one, which will cause problems, and if there is too much, then it is uneconomical, and the surplus will clutter up the free space. To correctly calculate the amount of material, you need to know parameters of the room and the selected tile, and to simplify the task, you can use a construction calculator... Experts advise adding 7-15% to the result obtained.

In conclusion

The choice of bathroom tiles is a demanding task that needs to be approached with special attention. It is necessary to take into account a lot of factors from appearance and size to performance and manufacturer's name, and then the material will delight you with its ideal appearance for many years. We hope the above tips will help you make the right choice.