Introduction to Porcelain Tiles

Porcelain tiles, also known as homogeneous tiles, full-body tiles, or vitrified tiles, are made by crushing natural stones and adding chemical binders, then pressing and sintering at high temperatures. With a high sintering temperature and excellent vitrification degree, they possess numerous outstanding characteristics.

Characteristics of Porcelain Tiles

Superior Physical Properties: The water absorption rate is less than 0.5%, with minimal hygroscopic expansion, high flexural strength, and no visible defects after 20 freeze-thaw cycles between -15℃ and 20℃. They are resistant to wear, acid and alkali, do not change color, and have a long service life, being able to adapt to various climatic conditions.

Dense and Hard Structure: As a polycrystalline material, it mainly consists of quartz grains and mullite grains forming a network structure. The crystals and glassy bodies have high strength and hardness, and the bonding strength is large. The hardness can reach above Mohs scale 6. The color and texture on the surface and inside are consistent, and it is not easy to deform.

Good Decoration Effect: There are polished and unpolished ones. Polished tiles look beautiful and noble, while unpolished tiles appear elegant and simple. Moreover, they come in various specifications and rich colors, with delicate and unique designs. They can match multiple decoration styles, provide sound insulation and heat insulation, and decorate buildings with elegance and taste.

Stable Performance: They are not easy to break, resistant to corrosion, relatively light in weight, easy to process, and the price is relatively inexpensive, making them a common choice for home decoration materials.

Classification of Porcelain Tiles

Porcelain tiles can be classified into glazed porcelain tiles, unglazed porcelain tiles, polished porcelain tiles, unpolished porcelain tiles, non-slip porcelain tiles, etc., according to appearance and use. Among them, polished tiles usually adopt a one-step firing process, with low cost, relatively low color and luster but a flat surface, and excellent vitrification effect of the body; porcelain tiles using a two-step firing process have good water absorption, a flat glaze surface, and excellent body strength, and are less likely to have problems such as pinholes and bubbles inside.

Key Points for Selecting Porcelain Tiles

Check the Appearance: High-quality porcelain tiles have a flat surface, soft color and luster, and natural and clear textures. The size deviation is small. When two tiles are placed back to back and face to face, the gap should be tight.

Listen to the Sound: Gently tap the tile with your finger. If the sound is clear and pleasant, the quality is good; if it is dull, the quality is poor.

Water Test: Pour water on the back of the tile. The slower the water absorption and the less obvious the water mark after wiping dry indicate a low water absorption rate and good quality.

Test the Stain Resistance: Write with an oil-based pen on the tile surface or pour difficult-to-clean liquids such as soy sauce. If it can be wiped clean after a period of time, the stain resistance is strong.

Check the Wear Resistance: Scratch the tile surface with a steel brush. If there is no wear, the wear resistance is good.

Precautions for Using Porcelain Tiles

Avoid Scratches from Hard Objects: In daily use, avoid dragging sharp or heavy objects on the tile surface. When moving furniture, it is best to wrap the bottom with a soft cushion or cotton cloth.

Keep Dry: Although the waterproof performance of tiles is good, being in a humid environment for a long time may cause discoloration and mildew. Therefore, the water on the ground should be cleaned up in time.

Regular Waxing and Maintenance: Regular waxing can maintain the glossiness of the tile and extend its service life. However, do not do it too frequently to avoid excessive wax layer affecting air permeability and aesthetics.

Pay Attention to Temperature Differences: Tiles are sensitive to temperature changes.