Development of porcelain tiles

Ceramic plate. Now there is a term for you. When most people hear about it or read about it, they think of high gloss “bathroom” tiles of yesteryear or decorative tiles that were used to replace regular tiles. Aren’t there many types of clay roof tiles? Aren’t ceramic tiles just a small part of the field?

Not really. The term “ceramic tile” covers almost all ceramic products manufactured and used in the tile industry. In addition to four-quarter-inch bathroom tiles and colorful “deco’s,” there are “monoculture” or single tiles, 1- and 2-inch “mosaics” installed over tiles, doubles, triples, and even dozens. Large porcelain tiles are used on the floors and walls. This is the last category of tiles that we will cover here. There is a lot of confusion about the status of porcelain tiles, mainly in the tile industry.

Record sales in the United States and Canada have doubled

 in just over ten years, and record popularity continues to grow exponentially. The increase in tile sales is mainly due to two factors: the determined and conscious investment of marketing and sales personnel in the industry; and the continuous and significant improvements made by paperboard manufacturers over the decades. In just twenty years, we have gone from relatively soft tile knobs made of terracotta-like clay to very thick, dust-pressed porcelain that is virtually indestructible. Visit a tile showroom today and you will see mostly porcelain tiles.

Ask your tile dealer if porcelain tile is stronger and more durable than ceramic tile, and usually the answer is yes. But although porcelain tiles are really strong and durable, this answer is fundamentally wrong. As I mentioned above, porcelain tiles are ceramic tiles. Porcelain is just one type of clay. Porcelain tiles have the lowest absorptive capacity of all ceramic tiles available. For a tile to be classified as “porcelain”, it must not absorb more than 0.5% of its total weight in water. Many porcelain tiles absorb less than this – only 0.1%. In the industry, these plates are called “impermeable”.

There is no ambiguity on this point among installers.

We call ourselves ceramic tiles, not porcelain tiles. It turns out that most floor tiles installed today are just porcelain. But the misinformation persists. The Porcelain Enamel Institute has classified glazed tiles as portable. Glazed tiles are tiles in which a decorative layer is applied to the ceramic body of the tile. Glazes are rated from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest or strongest rating. Many (if not most) porcelain tiles are unglazed, but ask your tile dealer for the PEI rating of the large format tiles you see in the showroom. You’ll probably hear something like, “Oh, that’s a 5th grade porcelain tile. You could put it in a kiddie car factory.”

I certainly don’t want to denigrate record sellers. We need them and we love them. Without them, we would be unemployed. I wish they knew a little more to better inform consumers of ALL the benefits of ceramic tile.

Porcelain veneers are an excellent dental treatment option

 for people who are not completely satisfied with the appearance of their teeth. Veneers can treat several dental problems at once and dentists recommend them.

But each solution comes with baggage, and the baggage that comes with that solution is very small, but very important. Patients looking for porcelain are explained and guided upstream so that their life and vitality are the best possible. If patients take good care of their new teeth, they can last for years without a problem.