Until recently, finishing materials clearlydivided into areas of destination. It would seem that strict separation of the facings by functions should facilitate the choice of buyers. However, in practice, many faced the need to seek compromise solutions, sacrificing some properties of materials in favor of others. The appearance of granite allowed to eliminate some of these problems. He occupied an intermediate niche between stone trimming and delicate decoration of ceramics, providing durability of coatings and aesthetic appearance. Anyway, far from many people know the answer to the following question: porcelain stoneware - what is it? Sometimes it is confused with the same ceramics, and some consumers mistakenly regard the tile as a full-fledged replacement for the granite, which is fundamentally wrong.
What is ceramic granite?
The material is also called gres, granite.It has an artificial origin, and is used primarily as a decoration. Initially, the technique of its production assumed the production of technical material, which in this case carries a certain decorative function. For example, it used flooring in public places with high loads. Orientation to a purely technical role for a long time hampered the massive use of this coating. But 15 years ago, manufacturers began to consider porcelain stoneware. What is it in the modern understanding? The consumers themselves answer this question, using tiles in the design of various premises, among which are very demanding in terms of design qualities.
Manufacturing technology
Gres is produced by technology of semi-drypressing, at which the pressure is about 500 kg / cm2. As a pressing powder, a mixture is used that includes kaolin, quartz sand, clay, feldspar, as well as various mineral dyes. Then follows the firing at a temperature regime up to 1300 ° C. On this technology, you can give an answer to another question: porcelain stoneware - what is it from the ecological point of view? Of course, absolute naturalness to this material is not peculiar, since artificial binders are added to it - the same dyes and other additives. Nevertheless, synthetic materials for cladding gres also can not be attributed, since at the core there is still a considerable share of natural raw materials.
Properties of ceramic granite
Due to its performance, Kerobranite takes its position quite firmly in the market. The list of positive characteristics of the material is as follows:
- Resistance to harmful effects of chemically aggressive substances.
- Low water absorption coefficient, which distinguishes gres from conventional ceramics.
- Depth of shade. For example, if the ceramic granite is purchased white, this color will be preserved in any abrasion conditions, as the color passes through the entire depth of the tile.
- A solid structure, through which the technical characteristics of greas are often compared with similar properties of the stone.
- Resistance to temperature changes.
Можно сказать, что подобные качества встречаются and in other materials. For example, the same stones in the form of granite or marble will show even greater resistance to external influences, and the terrace board feels great when coming in contact with water. But porcelain stoneware wins at the expense of set of characteristics, possessing also aesthetic advantages.
Textural qualities
Appearance of Gres is not his mainadvantage. Wishing to please customers with different tastes, the factories diversify the model lines according to this criterion. For the coloring of the preform mixture, special oxides are used, with the help of which a tile of different colors is obtained. The technology allows to produce not only green, burgundy, blue and beige porcelain stoneware, but also various variations with patterns and patterns.
Отдельным направлением стоит отметить имитацию coatings. This approach has successfully proved itself in ceramics, but in the case of a greek it gives an even greater effect. A tile made of granite can recreate a unique surface of stone rocks, metal, leather and, of course, wood with a characteristic texture and original colors. For example, porcelain stoneware for the floor, the photo of which is presented below, organically mimics the surface of the parquet.
Where to apply porcelain tiles?
Given the characteristics of Gres and its decorativeproperties, we can talk about a wide range of applications. First of all it is necessary to note public places - today ceramic granite is laid in floors in shopping centers, hotels, shops, metro and in high traffic areas. In private houses this material is made out not only on the floor surfaces, but also on the walls. For example, porcelain stoneware for the kitchen can be used for flooring, and for finishing the area near the cooking surfaces. Thus, protection against thermal and chemical influences is formed.
It is worth noting the outer lining of houses.Gres decorate the facades of buildings, selecting the texture for the environment and the style of the house. By the way, outside the premises also used granite for the floor. The photo below illustrates the example of laying the tile material for the terrace. They can lay out tracks and steps, however, in this case, you should take care of such a property as frost resistance. This is worth considering separately.
Frost-resistant ceramic granite
A feature of this gres is an increasedresistance to extreme temperatures. This quality is laid at the stage of manufacturing. To ensure that the porcelain stoneware for the street is frost-resistant, it meets the operational requirements, and special additives are added to the mixture along with the bulk of it. These antifreeze additions, due to which the tiles are also endowed with increased hardness and wear resistance. But there is another feature of frost-resistant greek. As a rule, it has a rough corrugated surface. The fact that the operation of coatings on the street is unsafe during periods of precipitation, so to prevent the effect of sliding, the outer layer becomes embossed.
Types of porcelain tiles
Making tile models with improvedcharacteristics still apply to specific series. Most of the gres is available with matte, glazed, polished and mosaic surfaces. Matt beige porcelain is the most affordable for the price, as its outer layer is not processed. At the same time, it is sufficiently durable and durable. Glazed models have a smalt surface, which increases the resistance of the material to impurities. The surface of the polished gress has a mirror gloss - it is recommended to use this material in conditions of gentle use, since it is susceptible to mechanical influences. So, if white polished porcelain is used, small scratches and abrasions will be especially noticeable on such a coating. Mosaic porcelain stoneware is the most expensive, but at the same time it makes it possible to form unique surfaces.
Stacking technology
In general, the technique of installing gres can becompare with the laying of ordinary tiles. Glue compositions are also used, and the working surface is previously cleaned and leveled. But there are some peculiarities of laying, for understanding which one should answer the question: porcelain stoneware - what is it in terms of cladding? These are rather heavy slabs, which, however, can have different sizes and thickness. But in any case, the binding material should be specially suitable for greens. Stacking is done by gluing with further sealing of seams. In some cases, pruning of tiles is required. For this use special tile cutters or Bulgarian. This operation is not easy, so it is better to initially calculate the formation of coverage with solid elements.
How to choose the best granite?
In the selection criteria should be based onmaterial assignment. It's one thing if you want to aesthetically decorate the floor covering in the living room or hallway, and quite another when planning a garden path for which outdoor porcelain stoneware will be used. Stones in the form of granite or marble, by the way, are less often used for paving, leaving this function to a more practical greeze. Thus, different properties should be considered in different situations.
In the premises on the first plan comes outdecorativeness. That is, they select the texture most appropriate to the interior. The wear resistance characteristics in this case are not so important. Conversely, in order to choose the best porcelain stoneware for exterior cladding, one must take into account the texture properties and strength characteristics. The optimal solution for flooring, for example, can be a relief tile in a large format.
Reviews about ceramic granite
Если говорить об эксплуатационных качествах, то they cause, as a rule, euphonious responses. Users note the preservation of color, durability and strength, which possesses porcelain tiles. The reviews also point out that the coatings do not react to external influences, whether it is contact with chemical strong substances, or physical attacks. However, it can not do without criticism of ceramic granite. It mostly refers to the installation process. The hardness of the material makes it difficult to process, and the laying process itself requires precision and increased attention.
Conclusion
Technological approaches to manufacturingkorogranita significantly changed in recent years. Previously, it was unsightly tiled material, able to cope with mechanical loads. Today it is a full-fledged decorative tile, in which not only preserved, but also expanded technical advantages. This is evidenced by porcelain stoneware for the street frost-resistant, able to withstand a whole range of external influences from extreme temperatures to precipitation and mechanical damage. Manufacturers do not stop at improving the aesthetic properties of ceramic granite. This can be judged by the model lines in which the series are presented with unique patterns and patterns that recreate the texture of natural materials.
