Recently, when performing finishing work, such material as porcelain stoneware is becoming increasingly popular. If earlier it was more used for finishing public premises, now it is often used in houses and apartments. Such popularity is ensured by the main characteristics and appearance of this material.
Key Features
Glazed porcelain tile is a regular porcelain tile that is coated with a special sm alt glaze. That is why it is often called m alted. So if you hear this option, do not get lost. They are just different names for the same product.
After the coating layer is applied, the material is fired in a kiln at very high temperatures. This allows you to increase its strength. And a wide variety of designs makes it versatile in use.
One of the most important properties that determine the demand for glazed porcelain stoneware is its wear resistance. In contrastfrom other materials, it is less susceptible to mechanical damage. In addition, it retains its appearance several times longer than other representative finishing materials.
For greater convenience, building material is usually produced in a square shape. Rectangular patterns are also popular. In the case when porcelain stoneware imitates natural stones, it is produced in a non-standard form. When laying individual segments at different angles, the appearance of such a coating is almost indistinguishable from natural. This is another advantage of glazed porcelain tile.
It should also be noted that glazed porcelain stoneware tiles come in different thicknesses. Usually this figure is from 7 to 30 mm. Many people think that this is directly related to the durability of the material, but this is not at all the case. Despite the thickness, all characteristics remain unchanged, only the price changes. Therefore, the preferred thickness is 7-10mm.
Scope of application
As mentioned earlier, the usual scope of this material is the decoration of public places that are visited by a large number of people. Abrasion resistance allows you to maintain a visual effect for a long time, while ordinary samples cannot boast of this.
Recently, glazed porcelain stoneware has been widely used in the decoration of hallways, kitchens and baths. A variety of shapes and textures allow it to be used as a floor and wall covering. Looks especially goodglazed porcelain stoneware matte. It emphasizes the refined and sophisticated style of the room, adds some zest to the interior.
Features of care
Porcelain stoneware is known as a low maintenance material. But, despite all the resistance to mechanical and chemical damage, it is better to exclude those detergents that contain abrasive elements. They can adversely affect the coating itself, contributing to the violation of the structure and deterioration of the appearance.
Advantages and disadvantages of the material
In order to take into account all the positive and negative aspects of glazed porcelain stoneware, we will designate them thesis.
Pros are as follows:
High strength and wear resistance
Great selection of designs
Resistant to fungus and mold
Low maintenance
Thermo and hydro resistance
Affordable price
At first glance, it seems that porcelain tile has no disadvantages. This is almost true, but a few minor drawbacks that should be considered when choosing this material are still worth voicing:
Despite the relative durability, this material is still not 100% protected from mechanical damage
Also, it tends to wear off over time
When using porcelain stoneware for residential decoration, you should remember that it is quite cold
As you can see, glazed porcelain stoneware can be a great design solution. It has its pros and cons,like any other building material. Therefore, when buying, think carefully about all these nuances. Then your purchase will not bring unpleasant surprises and will please you in the future.
