Ceramic Tile: For a safe and healthy home
Ceramic tile is not only beautiful; it’s also healthy for your home. It contains none of the chemicals that have been in the new associated with other flooring products, it’s long lasting, easy to clean, fire safe, and offers many slip resistant choices. Made of Clay and Other Naturally Occurring Minerals: Free of Formaldehyde, VOCs, and PVC Ceramic tile does not contain the chemicals in other floor coverings that are receiving increased attention for their possible adverse health effects, such as formaldehyde, VOCs (volatile organic compounds) or PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Zero VOCs Some VOCs emitted by non-ceramic building products can contribute to a wide variety of health problems and Sick Building Syndrome,” according to various health experts. Because ceramic tile is fired at extremely high temperatures, producing an inorganic material, it has zero VOCs. Formaldehyde-Free Ceramic tile contains none of the formaldehyde found in some other floor coverings. Formaldehyde is a chemical long associated with respiratory disorders, and exposure is a particular concern for children and the elderly, according to the Centers for Disease Control. In fact, formaldehyde emissions for several wood based building and flooring products have been federally restricted since 2011 under the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act. As a fired product, ceramic tile is formaldehyde free and not subject to this or any other such restriction. PVC Free Ceramic tile is also free from PVC, a resin used in other types of floor coverings, and regularly a subject of concern and discussion among health experts. The easy solution for flooring? Use ceramic tile, which is free of VOCs, formaldehyde, and PVC. Occupant Safety Of many flooring choices available, ceramic tile stands out when slip and fall safety is a consideration because of the thousands of floor tile choices that are slip resistant when wet. This is in stark contrast to floorings that, according to their manufacturers, must be kept dry in order to be slip resistant. Additionally, ceramic tile is no flammable and does not produce smoke in a fire, meeting the flame spread and smoke development requirement of section 803 of the International Building Code for interior wall and ceiling materials. Environment The UL certified Environmental Product Declaration for North American Made ceramic tile shows that North American Made ceramic tile has the lowest environmental impact across all impact categories, when compared to other floorings with generic EPDs evaluated under the same product category rules. With a 60 year service life this makes ceramic tile both cost effective and the best choice for reducing negative environmental impacts, resource use, and demolition waste, when compared to flooring products that need to be replaced more frequently. Credit: The Council of North America, INC, Bulletin 03/2016
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In recent times we have witnessed a surprising boom in ceramic tiles, probably the result of technological developments and the enhancement of its aesthetic features. As a result, this material now offers a far wider range of options not only for architects, but also for interior designers and end users, making it a highly attractive and versatile material for home interior design projects or when embarking on the refurbishment of any type of space. The seemingly endless range of formats and finishes, combined with a wide choice of colours, textures, volumes and decorative motifs, converge to offer infinite possibilities. Indeed, ceramic tiles can be adapted to the style of your choice, creating personalised spaces that reflect the character of the home and those who live there. Ceramic tiles can now be put to more uses than ever before, and so now we find shelves, unit top surfaces, book cases and even headboards made from this material and displaying a wide choice of features for some surprising and eye catching results. They can also be used to decorate spaces where ceramic tiles were the exception rather than the norm: as coverings for fitted wardrobes or dressing rooms featuring tiles with stripes, floral motifs or textile looks that add a personal touch to any room in the home. The choice of matt and gloss textures, metallic look and silver and gold shades and range of volumes enable us to play on light and get the most from this product, creating elegant effects and adding to the depth of any space, replacing lineal effects with a sense of movement, or enhancing the visual and even tactile effect. There is also a wide selection of formats to choose from. Large format tiles used for smaller spaces help to create an impression of spaciousness. These sizes are ideal for creating the effect of a single piece on wall or floors, especially in the case of rectified tiles where the joints can hardly be seen. Combining pieces in a range of sizes, forms and colours allows us to create dynamic settings. In addition, vertical laying creates a sensation of added height. In the same way that horizontal laying makes spaces appear longer. Special tile pieces such as trims, insets, strips mouldings and borders also provide a host of decorative options. Colour also plays a key role when it comes to deciding on a style for a particular room. From soberly elegant black, graphite or brown to the use of a single bright colour in a range of tones and finishes or more daring combinations, or the neutral greys and metallic tones and serene earth shades … the options are endless. Ceramic tiles allow our imagination to run riot through the use of forms and colour, dividing up spaces or creating a sense of continuity. Progress in screen and digital printing techniques allow us to personalise the final results exactly as we wish. Breakthroughs that have positioned the ceramic tile sector at the forefront of décor designed to create unique, one of a kind spaces. This provides an endless added value for projects involving private homes as well as business premises. The true value of ceramic tiles lies in the fact that they extend to all kinds of styles and can be combined and reinvented. Floral motifs or wood effects contribute to creating welcoming, natural settings; geometric patterns add a touch of sophistication; we can opt for a neo baroque look or alternatively stick to a simple minimalist style with plain tones and limited detail … and these are just a few ideas. With ceramic tiles the possibilities really are endless and users can make their choice in accordance with their needs and tastes. Apart from obvious technical advantages of ceramic tiles, which have led to their growing use in homes and public spaces (high traffic resistance, easy cleaning, durability, versatility etc..), today’s new dry installation systems make it easy to redecorate and alter a space at regular intervals, unlike before when the amount of work involved made it practically impossible. The ground-breaking nature of this industry reminds us of the successful connection between ceramic tiles and the latest advances in automation and new technologies in the home, as well as its commitment to caring for the environment. This is the present and future of ceramic tiles, a material whose qualities and characteristics never cease to amaze and delight us. Credit: Ceraspana/25 2010/ Ceramics/ Architecture / Design
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