Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tile is made from clay which is baked at very high temperatures, resulting in an attractive and very hard surface. A Ceramic tile is a varied material, some types glazed with a layer of liquid glass, others left untreated for a more natural, rustic appeal. It is worthwhile learning about the right kind of ceramic tile to ensure that the type you choose is the one that is most appropriate for your installation. Overall, a ceramic tile is very low maintenance, particularly in terms of keeping the surface clean. A Ceramic tile retains virtually no dirt and can be kept clean with water and a damp cloth or mop.A Ceramic tile is also naturally fire resistant and can actually help to maintain a structure in the event of a fire, making it popular choice of flooring material by the safety conscious. It used to be that it took several days of "firing," that is, baking the clay in a kiln to produce a ceramic tile durable enough for use as flooring. Now, thanks to a process called monocottura (an Italian term meaning "single fired") by which individual tiles are fired and glazed at the same time, the production time on ceramic tile has been reduced to a matter of hours. Another advantage is a denser and therefore more durable tile with a flat back allowing for an easier installation. A similar process called bicottura ("double-fired") breaks the process in two. The clay is fired a first time and then again with a glaze added to the layer of ceramic. Tiles in this case may be fired several times, and are generally a little less durable than monocottura ceramic tiles. Bicottura tiles should really be restricted to an indoor application, mostly as wall tiles and backsplashes because of their softer body and their glaze.