tiles & ceramic

Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tiles have been widely considered as flooring and wall coverings for buildings due to their numerous advantages, including being fireproof, moisture resistant, able to withstand high pressure, light weight, easy to wash, etc. Ceramic tiles are purchased for use in various places, and ceramic tiles are categorized based on different consumption needs. These include: inter-cabinet tiles, floor ceramics, kitchen tiles, bathroom and toilet tiles, ceramic slabs, pool tiles, etc. Since the characteristics of ceramic tiles used for each application are slightly different, the price of ceramic tiles also varies based on its application.

Tile

A tile consists of two main parts. One is a piece of clay that forms the main part and skeleton of the tile, and the other is the glaze on the tile, which is a glass-like material to protect it. Tiles can be divided into four categories based on their water absorption and use: wall tiles, floor tiles, porcelain tiles, and granite tiles. The amount of water absorption in tiles depends on their porosity, and the higher the porosity of the tile, the more water it absorbs and the lower the strength of the tile.

The problem of porosity in tiles can be partially solved by increasing the tile firing temperature and pressing pressure. The water absorption in the types of tiles we mentioned is estimated to be 17 to 21 percent for wall tiles, 5 to 7 percent for floor tiles, and less than 0.5 percent for porcelain tiles.

Ceramics

Ceramics are made from clay and other materials such as feldspar, sand, and quartz. Ceramics are used as wall and floor coverings. One of the highest quality types of ceramics is porcelain ceramics; the reason for its high quality is that it is fired at a temperature of about 1,400 degrees. Firing ceramics at this temperature makes them very porous and has good density.

Porcelain Ceramics

In general, ceramics can be divided into two categories: red clay ceramics and white clay ceramics, with porcelain ceramics being considered a white clay category. Porcelain ceramics have the highest quality level, and its advantages include the following:

Very low porosity
Very low moisture resistance and water absorption
Abrasion resistance
Stain resistance
Easy to wash
Fire resistance
Long life
Types of ceramic tiles based on coating

Ceramic tiles can be glazed or unglazed. Glaze is a layer of liquid glass or enamel that is placed on the tiles and ceramics before they are fired, and then the ceramics or tiles are put into the kiln to be fired simultaneously with the glaze. This allows the glaze to adhere to the surface of the ceramic tile and form a cohesive structure with it.

The presence or absence of glaze on ceramic tiles is not a reason for them to be shiny or matte; rather, it is this type of polishing of ceramic tiles that determines whether their surface is matte or shiny. The glaze itself that is placed on the ceramic can be smooth and uniform or textured and rough. All of these things affect the price of ceramic tiles and are some of the points that should be paid attention to when buying ceramic tiles.

Factors affecting the price of ceramic tiles

The price of ceramic tiles is affected by several factors, including:

Type of ceramic tiles:

Red clay ceramic tiles

The reason for naming this type of ceramic tile is because of the color of the clay used in their manufacture. The presence of more impurities and the production process has caused the price of red clay tiles to be lower than the other two types. On the other hand, the quality and resistance of this tile are also lower and it absorbs more water.

Red clay tiles can be a good option for use in low-traffic areas, or for walls that are not exposed to moisture.

White clay tiles and ceramics

The raw materials used in the manufacture of white clay ceramic tiles are of higher quality than red clay, and kilns with temperatures above 1000 degrees Celsius are used to make them. These two issues have caused the price of white clay ceramics to be higher than red clay, and its quality is also higher, and its porosity and water absorption are lower.

Porcelain ceramics

The highest quality type of ceramic is porcelain. Porcelain ceramics are a type of white clay ceramics, but with higher quality. Porcelain ceramics are suitable for use in almost any place (although in places where such high quality is not required, other types of ceramics are used to manage costs).

Size of ceramic tiles:

Larger tiles are usually more expensive because they require more materials to produce. Smaller tiles may be cheaper in some cases, but when buying, you should keep in mind that more of them are needed to cover a given surface. Of course, it should be noted that many factors affect the price of tiles and ceramic tiles, and size is only one of these factors.

Ceramic tile brand:

Usually, the price of ceramic tiles is higher than that of well-known and high-quality brands. Because of the reputation and quality of their products, they spend more on research and development, production, and requirements. And of course, this expensiveness should not be considered as a sign that the quality of ceramic tiles and tiles of lesser-known brands is poor.

Ceramic tile quality:

The quality of ceramic tiles depends on various factors such as resistance to scratches, stains, water, and chemicals. And naturally, the price of higher quality tiles is usually higher. Because they are produced using higher quality materials and more precise production processes.

Design and color of ceramic tiles:

More complex designs and special colors are usually more expensive