Ceramic Tiles: Everything You Need To Know

If it’s high time your interior spaces had a makeover, and you’re considering using tiles as part of your project, then you’ll probably encounter Ceramic Tiles whilst browsing through potential designs. What are ceramic tiles, what designs are available, and where should they be used? Well, we’re glad you asked…

What is ceramic?

Ceramic is a material often used to produce wall tiles, mosaics, and some lower-traffic floor tiles. The main ingredients for creating a ceramic tile are clay and sand. These components are ground into a very fine powder. Then water is added, and the mixture is compressed in a mould at high pressure making the “Biscuit”. These are then dried out, primed, painted then glazed, before being fired in a kiln at approximately 1000oC.

Where to use ceramic tiles

Ceramic isn’t as durable as porcelain, and it’s not typically frost proof. Therefore, we only suggest using ceramic tiles in interior spaces – avoid outdoor areas where the frost can reach it. Traditionally, the kitchen and bathroom are the areas of the home where ceramic tiles are most widely used. However, thanks to a wider variety of designs these last few years, they can be used throughout the home.

The best way to tell the durability of a ceramic tile is to look at the grade on a product page. A zero graded tile is for use on wall spaces only. If it’s 3, then it can be used on the floor in light traffic areas. If it’s 4, it’s okay for domestic traffic – i.e. in a hallway, kitchen, etc. However, if the grade is 5, it’s one tough cookie, and it can be used anywhere throughout the home.

What ceramic tile designs are available?

So, now you know how ceramic tiles are made and where they can be used, what designs are available? Well, thanks to the latest HD Inkjet printing, long gone are the days when ‘ceramic tile’ meant ‘white, plain square.’ Instead, ceramic tiles are starting to don wood effect, stone effect and patterned designs, in a multitude of finishes, colours and textures!

Metro tiles are one of the most popular types of ceramic tile. These brick shaped tiles originated on the Parisian Metropolitan (that’s how they get their name, Metro – one for the pub quiz). Now, they’re a style icon, and they’re used in bathrooms and kitchens all across the world. There are over 400 designs to choose from in the Brick and Metro category – from smooth and bevelled, short and long, through to crackled and bumpy, matt and gloss.

Wood effects such as the bestselling Oak Wood Tile are made from ceramic. They have an extremely lifelike wood effect design, with textured surfaces that are alive with wood grain and knots. Wood effect tiles are perfect for creating the natural look in a hallway, lounge, dining area or bedroom!

Talking about the natural look, let’s not forget about ceramic stone effect tiles, such as the gorgeous Otono Tiles range, which have a realistic marble effect design. Any designer will tell you that marble is the most desirable stone, on account of its striking and characterful veining.

One way to instantly transform the look of a room is to create a statement floor; i.e. a floor space that is so striking in design that it acts as a focal point and immediately catches the eye of guests as they step into the room. Our range of Memoir Encaustic Effect Tiles consists of patterned designs with a wonderful vintage appearance. And, would you have guessed it? They’re all made from ceramic.

So, as you can see, there are lots of different ceramic tile designs to choose from!