Ceramic Tiles 101: The Basic Guide to Tiles

 

Left Image Source: Met Museum

Right Image Source: Guocera

 

Ceramic Tile Fun Fact:

The earliest ceramic tiles in the world can be traced back to 4000 BCE from Ancient Egypt.

The image on the left is ceramic tiles found in King Djoser’s pyramid. The durability of ceramic tiles is so well-known that it was used for King Djoser’s eternal royal residence in the afterlife.

The right image is our modern-day ceramic tiles. As you can see, tiles’ aesthetics has improved tremendously, while one aspect remains the same, durability.

So if you ever do plan to build an eternal residence, you know what to use.

 

Why Choose Ceramic Tiles?

Limitless Options	Ceramic tiles are available in various colours, textures, designs and sizes.
Durability	When tiles are chosen correctly with proper care, your tiles could last a lifetime (no exaggeration here).
Easy Maintenance	Tiles come with an impervious glaze or vitrified surface. Regular sweeping/vacuuming and mopping is sufficient. Tiles are also chemically resistant to most household cleaners.
Colour-Fast	Colours do not fade even under direct sunlight over the lifetime of the product.
Termite Free	Unlike wooden and parquet floorings, tiled floors do not get infested by termites.
High Quality	At Dresid, we only use 1st Grade Tiles for our designs.
Safe	Unlike many plastic finishes, tiles do not give off any hazardous fumes and are V.O.C. (volatile organic compounds) free.
Natural Look and Feel	Due to the inherent characteristics of tiles, tiles may vary to some degree from batch to batch. This gives them a natural look and feels, like stone and marble tiles, but at a fraction of the cost. If you are curious about how our designs look and feel, we offer FULL-SIZED tile samples for FREE!

 

Types of Tiles

Ceramic tiles are categorised into different types by their water absorption (porosity). 

In a nutshell:

• Ceramic Tiles: Higher water absorption and tends to be weaker in strength
• Porcelain Tiles: Deficient water absorption and tends to be stronger and more durable

Tiles are available with glaze or unglazed.

 

Technical Porcelain tiles, the latest product manufactured using the latest technological innovations and decorative production methods. It has near to 0% water absorption, giving superior technical features and performance to meet all commercial and high traffic applications specifications.

 

Polished Porcelain Tiles

All our polished porcelain tiles are coated with a nano surface treatment. It seals the microscopic pores making the tiles surface stain and dirt resistant. These tiles need not be sealed after installation.

The image below shows how the nanoparticles seal the polished tiles.

Nano polished tiles may be coated with a protective transit wax. The wax must be removed after the installation as it may pose a slip hazard.

After a period of time, it may be necessary to re-apply a nano coat. This will depend on the amount of wear and tear and how the tiles are maintained.

 

 

Where can I find Tile Specification on Dresid? 

 

To find the tile details on Dresid:

1. Click on one of our designs.
2. Scroll to the bottom to “Package Products” and click on the tile to go to its webpage.
3. Scroll to the bottom and click on “Specifications”, and all the details will be there. Refer to the image on the right. You may click on it for a live example.

Note: If you aren’t sure what any of the terms mean, drop us an email at support@dresid.com, and our service expert will respond by the next business day.

 

DO’s and DON’Ts of Tile Care and Maintenance

Tiles are manufactured with durability in mind. Thus, making them simple to clean and maintain. That being said, it doesn’t mean you can neglect your tiles.

 

The following are DOs and DON’Ts on Tile Care:

Do’s

DO regularly sweep/vacuum and mop your tiles.

DO use the proper cleaning agent for cleaning tiles. E.g. All-Purpose Cleaner.

DO read and follow label instructions for all cleaners.

DO test out ALL cleaners on a small, inconspicuous (not easily seen) area to determine if it will work without damaging the tiles before actual cleaning commences.

DO wear proper safety equipment when using corrosive and toxic cleaners.

DO remove any spillages on tiles immediately to prevent time for chemical attack to occur.

DO remove protective wax from tiles after installation. Bicarbonate soda or baking soda (1:1 baking soda to water) can be used.

DO cover the tiles with protective sheets (e.g. kraft paper or plywood) after installation to prevent staining and scratched from ongoing construction work.

 

Don’ts

DON’T use strong or corrosive cleaners which may damage the tile surface.

DON’T use cleaners without any proper labelling.

DON’T use harsh cleaning agents such as steel wool pads which can scratch and damage the tile surface.

DON’T apply any wax/oils/sealants to glazed tiles.

DON’T use plastic sheets or any non-water absorbent material as protective sheets as it will trap moisture.

 

Final Thoughts

Ceramic tiles can be considered as an all-rounder champion of building materials. They are versatile, durable, safe, and, most importantly, affordable.

Whether you are remodelling your commercial space or renovating your home, consider tiles for your flooring and wall cladding needs.

 

If you have any questions, comments or concerns about our platform, feel free to contact us at support@dresid.com, and we will be sure to get back to you by the next business day!