What is ceramic tile and what is this type of flooring made from?
In the ancient world, ceramics were simply materials made from clay, such as pottery. A traditional example would be earthenware pottery, which is the result of baking or “firing” clay in a kiln at low temperatures — a cool 1,400 degrees Fahrenheit, compared to more than 2,300 degrees for porcelain!
In the modern world, technological advancements have expanded the term’s definition. Today, materials called “advanced ceramics” are used to make everything from medical implants to refrigerator magnets!
The tiles themselves are generally made from a mixture of water, sand, and clay. However, the spaces between the tiles, known as “grout,” are filled with a separate mixture of water, sand, and “cement” like material. In some installations, the tile grout is made from epoxy instead of cement.
Ceramic tile is very diverse with a myriad of options from natural stone looks to solid colors in a variety of sizes. As you may have found during your search of ceramic tile, there are so many interesting designs that are created with ceramic tile. Here we touch on a few trends in ceramic tiles.
Natural stone is currently trending in designs for kitchens and bathrooms. Stone is beautiful but can carry a price tag that is not for everyone. Ceramic in natural stone looks provides all the design aesthetic of stone without the high price tag. With advanced options for printing on ceramic, natural stone patterns can be extremely realistic.
While hexagons and other tile shapes enjoy bursts of popularity, a majority of tiles come in a linear rectangle or square. To achieve the former, manufacturers use machines that create precise, uniform edges, resulting in a product called “rectified” tile.
In current interior design trends, it is more typical to see large tiles than small tiles. (That’s good news for renters and big city homeowners since large tiles can help make small spaces look larger!) Some common ceramic tile sizes include: