Admiring the Art That Ceramic Tiles Are!
It is amazing how artistic can a combination of natural clay, feldspar, grog, rock and some extra dirt can be! The aforementioned granular materials are what make the beautiful ceramic tiles that many of us want to decorate our houses with. However, only a few know the background of this beauty!
Briefly speaking, the production process of ceramic tiles involves sifting, screening, and mixing these materials with water. Later stages of the process involve dry pressing and compaction of the mixture into a mould, followed by baking, colouring, and firing.
Our story begins from here. Once ceramic tiles have been manufactured, they undergo quality testing controls. But we all know not every tile available in the market has undergone rigorous quality testing! So, how can an absolute novice to ceramic tiles determine the quality of ceramic floor tiles that he is about to purchase? The detailed answer to this query forms the subject matter of this discussion.
Key Considerations to Keep In Mind before Purchasing Ceramic Floor Tiles
Before this discussion turns a little complicated (it will, you are warned!) we thought it prudent to share with you, the basic criterion that can be used to purchase ceramic floor tiles. There is nothing too amazing about these tips and tricks, rather these are the mandatory boxes that you have to check anyway.
Here are basic quality assurance tips and tricks that you need to be mindful of while purchasing them:
- Make sure that all of the ceramic tiles that you are purchasing are of the same color and texture.
- Make sure there is nothing irregular about the size of the ceramic tiles and shape-wise as well.
- The ceramic tiles that you are purchasing must be devoid of any cracks or scratches.
- Smooth glazing and finishing are hallmarks of premium quality ceramic floor tiles.
- The ideal thickness of ceramic floor tiles is around 5 mm.
- For testing the glazing, you can use a domestic cleaning liquid.
- To ensure that water absorption is not more than 10 %, you can submerge tiles in water for a day.
The Ceramic Floor Tiles Rating System
The tips and tricks that we have shared in the previous section are good enough for beginners. But if you want to get into this quality assurance debate, then we are afraid you will have to read a bit more before you can call yourself a pro as far as the determination of quality ceramic tiles goes.
Folks, there exists a ceramic floor tile rating system that only a few are aware of. Honest to God, that ain’t no fibbing! In the following lines of this discussion, we talk about this rating system and explain how it can help you purchase the premium quality ceramic tiles available in the market.
The Slips Ratings
Slips and falls. These are the events that become a frequent incidence in case you are not too careful about this factor while purchasing ceramic tiles. The slip rating is a great way of determining how slippery a tile is, a series of tests are conducted in this regard to gauge the slipperiness of the tiles accurately.
This rating is important because it helps a customer/client decide which tiles are best suited for which area of the residence/commercial building. In the following lines, we talk about series of tests that help determine the slips’ ratings accurately.
P-Rating
This rating is derived from the findings of the Wet Pendulum test. What happens during this test is that a foot-shaped item featuring a rubber outsole is swung over a wet tile. You could say it appears like a heel striking a tile! The findings are characterized into different categories, ranging from 0-5, where five is the lowest slip risk category.
R-Rating
This rating is derived from the findings of the oil-wet ramp test. Quite an intriguing name, right? So, what happens during this test? Well, in the first step, tiles are laid on an incline. Then, the angle of unsafety is determined as the testers walk on tiles. This angle is what gives the tiles R-rating. R9 represents very high slip risk while R13 represents very low slip risk.
A, B, and C- Rating
This rating is derived from the findings of the wet ramp test. The only difference between this test and the oil-wet ramp test is that in this instance, testers are requested to walk barefooted on the inclined tile surface that is sprayed with an adequate amount of water to make it slippery. In result, A stands for high slip risk, B for moderate slip risk while C is representative of low slip risk.
PEI Rating
This rating is determined by subjecting ceramic tiles to abrasion that is caused by friction. For the sake of convenience, we can call this rating tile wear ratings as well. It starts from PE-1 and goes up to PE-5. Here, PE-1 represents light-duty, PE-2 regular duty, PE-3 medium-duty, PE-4 heavy-duty, and PE-5 extra heavy duty.
For better understanding, PE-1’s applications are bedrooms and bathrooms, PE-2 the same but with normal footwear, PE-3 for kitchen and dining rooms, PE-4 public buildings while PE-5 is ideal for commercial areas.
V-Rating
The last rating in this system is the shade variation rating. As the name suggests, this criterion is used for rating the colors and intricacy of the ceramic floor tiles. Again, the rating starts from V0 and goes up to V4. Here, V0 refers to a very uniform appearance, V1 to uniform appearance, V2 to a slight variation, V3 to moderate variation, and V4 to moderate variation. V4 reflects the peak of creativity and artistic looks since here, all the tiles have unique colors and designs.
Picking Quality Ceramic Tiles Is Only One Piece Needed To Solve The Tiling Puzzle!
If reading this article pays a dividend, and you do manage to purchase the premium quality ceramic tiles from a trusted vendor, then accept our heartiest congratulations and buckle up for the next challenge. Finding the best tiling service.
We can tell you that the efforts you invested in finding the premium quality ceramic tiles will go down the drain if you fail to find the skilled hands that know how to fit them in the first place. And while we are on it, let us tell you that finding the best tiling services in your vicinity is no easy task either. We daresay you have got quite a challenge for yourself!
Tilers in Perth: The Best in Perth
Well, if your luck is in and you are someone who is reading these lines from Perth, we have a solution that you will love for sure. Tilers in Perth. Tilers in Perth are one of the best floor tiling service in Perth, for multiple reasons. For one, the service believes in finishing the job on time.
For another, it uses only premium-grade materials to add more to the style of your residence or commercial place. Tilers in Perth believe in following a methodical tiling approach. From inspection of the site to actual work and then maintenance checks later, Tilers in Perth do take the cup in this race of best tiling fitter services in Perth.
A highly skilled staff is well complemented by a cost-effective service. We are giving Tilers in Perth full marks for its services but you got to try their services for yourself to believe in their high reliability. If your efforts of finding the best ceramic floor tiles in Perth have been fruitless so far, well Tilers in Perth can prove to be one of the ideal floor tiling services that you have been seeking desperately so far!
Why Opting For Tilers in Perth Makes All the Sense In the World?
We have given you a few reasons in the previous section as well, but we guess you need something more than an introductory appraisal to believe in service. Well, Tilers in Perth is a perfect choice for many reasons. The service takes responsibility, uses only premium grade ceramic tiles, uses modern-day technology for the installation of tiles, and believes in keeping things straightforward. The pricing policy is super transparent as well, which is why this tiling service trumps its competitors in Perth by a great margin!
Final Thoughts
The rating system that we have shared with you must have confused some of you. It is perfectly understandable as well! There is plenty of variety to choose from, as far as colour, size, shape, and material are concerned. One golden rule that can help you in this mess is that the quality of ceramic floor tiles largely depends upon your need and demands.
Check all the ratings and indicators, cross-check them with your tiling requirements, and then leave the matter in experienced hands like Tilers in Perth! With a wish that may your tiles shine always, we bid you farewell from this space!
Also Read: How to Cover Cracked Tiles – Tilers in Perth
