Floor Tiles UK
Making Floor tiles The main function of floor tiles is to stand heavy
wear. They must therefore be thick and tough enough to stand heavy weights
and wear. They should be easy to clean and therefore non porous,
so that dirt does not easily penetrate. The surface should be smooth
and vitrified to withstand constant use and should not be slippery when
wet. Floor tiles are classed as light domestic duty, or heavy industrial.
Most light duty floor tiles are glazed.
Modern technology now supplies
very hard glazes that withstand much wear. Many glazes are matt or the
surface textured to prevent slipping if they become wet. Should a client
wish to install large, thick terracotta floor tiles, which are porous
by nature, they will have to be sealed. When laid and finished they will
need two coats of pure boiled linseed oil followed by a coat of traffic
wax. All this treatment can cost an extra 14 per cent to the cost of
the tiles.
Today, most floor tiles are porcelain, non porous and frost proof,
being suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. |
Anyone deciding to make floor tiles will
need to make them vitrified or almost non porous, otherwise they will
need treating with oil or wax. Floor tiles can be used for pathways,
entrances, hallways, patios, kitchens or utility areas. They can either
be plain or in a combination of colours, which can give a rich pattern
of shapes. Hand made and decorated floor tiles can be combined with
areas of industrial ones with the same dimensions or similar modules.
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