Ceramic Tile
In order for the layman to better understand what is a ceramic tile, the best place to start is
with a definition for the word "ceramic." This word is derived from the Greek "Keramikos,"
which literally translated means "of the earth." A modem definition of ceramic would therefore
be, products made from naturally occurring earth (clays) which are shaped and then
permanently hardened by heat.
When referring to a ceramic tile floor, we are, therefore, using the word ceramic in a generic
sense, to describe the fact that the floor is paved with a burnt clay- based product, without
being specific about what type of ceramic tile has been used. There are many methods and
numerous combinations of clays and auxiliary raw materials used to produce tiles with widely
varying properties. The properties, which are adjusted, include strength, porosity, color, size,
surface texture and uniformity.
With there being so many different types of ceramic tiles commercially available, it is very
difficult to list them all individually, and as a result it is common to classify a ceramic tile by its
porosity. Porosity and strength are generally inversely proportional, so a highly porous tile will
be less resistant to abrasion than a vitrified tile would be.
In order to make a highly porous tile useable in situations where it would be vulnerable to
staining, a topical glaze can be applied before the firing process to create an impermeable
barrier to contamination. These glazes are usually colored to produce a decorative finish and
can also be a high gloss or a matte luster. The use of a high gloss tile is generally confined to
walls, as their use on floors would result in a floor with a high risk of slip and fall accidents.
Glazed tiles are regularly used in flooring applications but the glazes are normally of the
matte, slip-resistant type. Another advantage in the application of a glaze to a ceramic base is
that it allows the use of clays, which would under other circumstances be rejected because of
their poor fired color. This is advantageous because it holds down the cost of the finished
product. Modem Italian floor tiles are produced by the "monocottura" (once-fired) method,
using a red burning clay base covered with a colored glaze. Both clay and glaze is fired at the
same time, bringing down the manufacturing costs and promoting a strong bond between the
glaze and the ceramic base.
Technological advancements made in the manufacture of ceramic tiles have provided the
manufacturers with the ability to produce a finished product which so closely mimics natural
stone that it is extremely difficult to be able to decipher the difference between the man made
products and the real thing. The ceramic tile manufacturers have been very quick to realize
that providing a product, which looks like natural stone but has the strength and durability of
a ceramic, is a winning combination. This is because most ceramics are chemically resistant to
both strongly acidic and strongly alkaline chemicals. They are also generally harder wearing
than most natural stone used in flooring applications (including granite) and so are resistant to
scratching and wear patterns. It is, therefore, obvious that the use of ceramic tiles in flooring
applications will continue to grow at the expense of natural stone.