Historically, ceramic tiles have been man-made for almost 4000 years. Whether it is the decorative tile work of Persia, the mosaics of Spain, the majolica tiles of Renaissance Italy, the faciences of Antwerp, or the iconography of tiles from the Netherlands remain milestones in the history of ceramic tiles. Although the ceramic tiles of the modern world had humble beginnings as simple white or beige squares for bathrooms and kitchens, today they come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, colors and patterns and have found their way into the rest of the home.
Furthermore, ceramic tiles have a true “green” pedigree, as they are made entirely from natural, recyclable and biodegradable materials. Being naturally waterproof and resistant to mold / mildew, ceramic tiles improve indoor air quality and since they don’t need polishing, they install faster.
There are several types of ceramic tile products available in the market that can be used as floor tiles, wall tiles, or shingles with literally thousands of styles and grades to choose from. However, depending on the material and properties of ceramic tiles, they are divided into few general categories:
Vitrified tiles: these tiles are compact, scratch and acid resistant and have better mechanical resistance. They are practically replacing stone and marble as flooring due to their stone-like qualities such as seamless joints and uniform color and texture.
Porcelain Tiles – These versatile tiles come in a smooth, rough or polished finish and can be used indoors and are a great choice for outdoor conditions as they do not wear easily in heavy traffic conditions.
Mosaic Tiles – These are small tiles, approximately 0.75 inches to 1 inch in size, mounted on sheets of paper or latex mesh for easy installation. These tiles can be ceramic, porcelain or glass and are best suited for walls, curved surfaces such as murals, pools of water, and low-traffic floors. They do not chip easily and due to the many grout joints they are also slip resistant.
Glazed Tiles – These smooth-surfaced, non-porous tiles are stain-proof, best suited for low-traffic areas, walls, and countertops. Large format glazed tiles with a satin finish are very popular these days.
Quarry Tiles – These thick and dense tiles are primarily used in heavy commercial establishments. Their natural color and the rough texture of the surface give them natural anti-stain and non-slip qualities.
Terracotta Shingles – These handmade or machine-made terra cotta shingles are often used as roof tiles, they have a rustic look and stay cool in summers and warm in winters, although unglazed terra cotta tiles need a coat of sealer all the years.
Design trends
Tiles are the most versatile medium and the design possibilities are limited only by imagination. The latest trends in tile design range from bold colors to black and white schemes and from large sizes to tiny tile patterns. While black and white is the expression of minimalist design in staggered patterns, diagonal designs, and combination of patterns and textures, the vibrant color palette brightens up spaces and works well in homes. Striking colored mosaics can also accentuate the black and white design. Another recent trend is tiles with a metallic finish in steel, copper, bronze, gold or silver, with a fresh, rusty and classic look. Ceramic tiles with steel inlays and stainless steel finished edges can give the most contemporary look. The rusty and weathered steel look are the other designer finishes in demand. In terms of size, large format tiles are the most attractive aspect that gives the space a great look.
With their flawless joints and striking finishes, they almost look like stone. In addition, since the focus is now on natural materials, they are also being emulated in tiles such as stone, wood and textiles, even natural elements such as bamboo and pebbles are reproduced in tile finishes. As the natural design is not repeated in a similar way, the emerging concept based on mosaics, which are designs made with a combination of mosaics, also breaks up the monotonous pattern and is therefore popular with designers. Likewise, there is also an inclination towards history and heritage; Manufacturers are increasingly borrowing from the past to capture the essence of the old world and reproduce it on tile. Retro is one of the hard-to-miss old-school styles that resurfaces today with lime green, orange colors and a checkerboard pattern. For luxurious spaces, there are now high-end tiles with gold and silver texture and Swarovski inlays. As well as the exclusive digitally printed ceramic tiles that are made to measure with total image permanence.
Today, ceramic tiles have become a major lifestyle product and designer tiles have caught the attention of Indian customers. With technological innovations and designs, the options are endless in terms of finishes and aesthetics, as well as application for various uses. Today, tiles are used in interiors, residential and commercial spaces and are in fact considered a new fashion statement.