Tiles are available in both glazed as well as unglazed finishes with each having its own different properties. For floor and wall tiles, a glazed tile is considered to a better option as far as suitability goes.
A strong density of hardness along with colour is given to these glazed tiles, which are commonly known as machine-made tiles that are cast into a die, are baked in a kiln on really high temperatures. It is imperative, since clay is porous in nature, that you add a glaze coating to it for additional reliability. They are available in a wide range of tones, designs and colours and are far more stain resistant as compared to unglazed tiles. Due to the glossy finish and the durable quality, glazed tiles are recommended for wall applications and countertops, e.g decorating bathrooms.
A glazed finish look can be found on Ceramic and Porcelain tiles; this kind of finish adds lustre and durability to the tiles. The availability of glazed ceramic tiles on the market today, tend to have a high density that allows very little or in most cases, no accrual of moisture. If you want a durable tile that will last a long time then Porcelain or Ceramic will suffice, although Porcelain is said to be slightly better. Being baked in a kiln at a higher temperature and made out of a finer quality clay gives them the upper hand. These tiles are more suitable for both wall and floor tiling as they are more resistant to moisture and stains and can withstand high traffic. Ceramic bathroom tiles are still available however and are fit for purpose.
Today glazed flooring tiles have become quite popular and are the most purchased tile type. Glazed tiles are used for bathroom designs and kitchen wall and floor tiling because of their ability to work well in wet conditions. Countries such as; United States, Spain, Italy and Portugal will produce these. The Porcelain Enamel Institute grading system rates the tiles according to their durability. The quality of the tiles can be calculated by using this method. This includes their ability to withstand abrasions and other external conditions. Tiles are put into catergories dependant on their quality; this is measured on a rating scale of 0-5. 5 is considered to be the best quality and 0 not is said to be of a lesser quality and unable to withstand extreme force.
Tiles that will be subjected to heavy traffic and might be prone to dirt and heavy abrasions should be brought from catergory 5 as these are the most suitable. You will find areas that have a constant flow of traffic, such as subways, shopping malls, industrial floors, airports are the best areas to visit. Just like any other tiles, glazed tiles need to be inspected carefully before they are bought for installation. You must check for the quality grading given by the manufacturer besides the CE marking and the BS EN 12004 certification. These grading of tiles will help you determine if the tile type that you intend to buy is suitable for the kind of application you plan for it. Once you have checked for this and compared it to the PEI rating, you can be certain that your purchase has been successful and that you have the right kind of tiles.
