Italian Ceramic Tiles Characteristics
Our home decor series offers italian ceramic tiles from collections, designed to give a precise and current response to the demands of aesthetics and furniture. Italian ceramic tiles surfaces have high technical characteristics. They are highly resistant to various types of influences, and each collection is designed to provide special properties. Therefore, it is advisable to select the products according to whether they are to be used outdoors or indoors, on walls or on the floor. All Italian tiles collections are accompanied by symbols that indicate the most suitable application areas for each one.
Italian Ceramic Tiles Decorated Surfaces
Our home decor collections offer various types of decoration, made with exclusive and valuable Italian ceramic tiles materials: for cleaning, the manufacturer does not recommend the use of abrasive products or materials that may damage their surfaces. For decorations made of steel, aluminium, glass or other non-ceramic materials, it is necessary to adhere to the installation and maintenance rules for the specific type of Italian ceramic tiles material. The iridescent effects and pearlescent reflections of some collections are achieved with the use of metallic chandelier paints. These materials are sensitive to the harmful effects of hydrochloride acid. It is necessary to check carefully if this acid is contained in the detergents used to clean the decoration and to test the cleaning results by treating an inconspicuous area of the decoration.
Italian Ceramic Tiles Installation Recommendations
For an optimal surface finish, we recommend that you ensure that the substrate is strong and consistent. Italian glazed ceramic tiles are designed for installation in residential and commercial premises with little traffic. If other applications are contemplated, it is best to consult directly with Italian ceramic representatives. It is important to check the gauge, shade and grade of the Italian ceramic tiles material before starting work. During installation, take the Italian ceramic tiles one by one from several boxes. When laying, it is recommended to protect the surfaces from possible abrasions, make expansion joints and always leave a 2 mm wide joint between the Italian ceramic tiles. The manufacturer also advises to make an elastic seam around the perimeter of each vertical element, limiting continuous surfaces to an area of no more than 50-60 m2. Lay the tiles with class C2 adhesive for interior use and class C2E for exterior use, as stipulated in EN.
The adhesive must be applied by the double application method. The company advises the use of a suitable grout and also recommends preliminary cleaning tests if a contrast grout is used. During Italian ceramic tiles installation, it is important to always thoroughly rinse the remains of glue and grout from the surface with water, avoiding hardening of the material, which will be difficult to remove later. When doing this, be sure not to use sponges, pastes, detergents or abrasive substances that can affect the appearance and aesthetics of the Italian ceramic tiles surfaces. If it is necessary to remove grout or glue residues with acid detergents, it is recommended to rinse all surfaces with plenty of water and dry them. Before treating Italian tiles with cleaning products, it is important to first test them on a small area and make sure they do not damage the surfaces.
Recommendations For The Installation Of Calibrated Floors And Coatings
Calibrated Italian ceramic tiles produce floors and coverings where the joint between tiles is barely visible. The tiles to be laid have very hard and orthogonal surfaces, so there are some simple rules to follow when laying them:
- Always check that the Italian ceramic tiles are level and clean.
- When laying the Italian ceramic tiles, avoid bumps that can damage the edges and corners.
- We recommend in any case to leave a joint of at least 2 mm wide to facilitate the penetration of the grout in the joints of the italian ceramic tiles.
- It is important to always use a suitable grout for the material to be laid.
- Taking into account the technical characteristics of the Italian ceramic tiles, if it is necessary to lay with a turn, it is recommended not to exceed a turn of 1/3 of the length of the tile.
Cleaning And Care Recommendations For Italian Ceramic Tiles
The high resistance of porcelain stoneware tiles gives floors and other cladding surfaces durability and resistance, however, good cleaning immediately after installation and careful maintenance play an important role. To optimally maintain your floors and walls, it is important to pay attention not only to Italian ceramic tiles surfaces, but also to seams. For routine cleaning we recommend using water and neutral detergents. Do not use very aggressive or acidic products, as they can damage the Italian ceramic tiles surfaces and make them dull, especially when it comes to polished or lapped tiles. Only when absolutely necessary should abrasives and tools such as metal shavings be used. However, we do not recommend using them on lapped or polished surfaces, some of which scratches, abrasions and dull areas are clearly visible. It is important to limit the amount of dust and sand brought in from outside because they can increase the abrasive effect of walking. Therefore, it is recommended to place a mat in front of the house, which will provide adequate protection to the floor and keep the rooms clean.
Italian ceramic tiles accompany you anytime, anywhere, both at home and anywhere else. The same tiles that you have chosen for your home can be found unexpectedly in other places that are part of your life. When you go shopping or in a restaurant, you stay in a hotel, go to the library or arrive at the airport, when you see your children at school, look around you: it is very possible that the floor you walk on and the walls that catch your attention, made of Italian ceramic tiles.
Italian Ceramic Tiles Are Wear Resistance
Thanks to its safety and durability, Italian ceramic tiles are also widely used in places with high traffic, such as shopping malls, airports, museums and other public architectural structures.
Functionality And Technology Of Italian Ceramic Tiles
Italian ceramic tiles are the best material for the implementation of modern technical solutions:
- Raised floors are floor coverings based on adjustable height supporting structures, which allow you to create free space under them for laying utility lines, which is especially valuable when equipping offices and work premises;
- building cladding systems that fulfil a decorative function and the task of thermal insulation and protection of the structure from atmospheric influences. The use of Italian ceramic wall tiles as an external cladding increases the energy efficiency class of a building, reduces heating and cooling costs, increases the value of a building object and permanently solves the problem of facade maintenance.
Style And Aesthetics Of Italian Ceramic Tiles
With an infinite variety of colors and decorations, a rich variety of imitated textures, graphics and materials, as well as extraordinary aesthetic quality, Italian ceramic tiles bring high values of flawless style and design to every architectural project. For architects and designers, Italian ceramic tiles are the optimal material to express the individuality of the client and to implement a project characterised by sophistication, style and quality. Italian ceramic tile is a durable, compact and inert material. These characteristics, which vary from one product to another, determine the many advantages of Italian ceramic tiles over other materials for flooring and wall cladding.
Italian Ceramic Tiles Strength
The partially glassy structure and the high internal adhesion of the mass make Italian ceramic tile a hard, tough and wear-resistant material. The Italian ceramic tiles characteristics are determined according to international standards, which allow an objective comparison of the properties of Italian ceramic tiles products. Symbols may appear on boxes and in information attachments, which will always be explained in detail by a qualified dealer.
Immunity Of Italian Ceramic Tiles
Italian ceramic tiles, and especially porcelain stoneware, are compact and non-porous materials, resistant to humidity, stains and, therefore, quick and easy to clean. Thanks to the indicated advantages, Italian ceramic tiles are also frost resistant.
Italian Ceramic Tiles Safety
Unlike many other materials, Italian ceramic tiles are not combustible, they do not emit smoke and toxic gases in the event of a fire, Italian ceramic tiles prevent the spread of flames and they limit to some extent the damage that a fire can cause.
Shapes And Sizes Of Italian Ceramic Tiles
Modern Italian ceramic tiles products in Italy are presented in modular formats with side edges ranging from a few centimetres to more than a meter. Such a variety of tile sizes makes the choice limitless.