How to choose granite

Ceramic granite is a finishing material for floors and walls, which appeared relatively recently. The country is the ancestor of ceramic granite - Italy. And that's why the best Italian brand names are still considered the best trademarks of ceramic granite. From ordinary ceramic tiles, ceramic granite is characterized by the water absorption coefficient, which is not more than 0.5%, and also the appearance approximating to natural stone.

Advantages of ceramic granite

The choice of natural granite is clay, quartz, feldspar. It is also colored only by natural natural oxides. In general, the process of manufacturing ceramic granite is comparable with the stages of the formation of natural stone. But only the formation of porcelain is much faster and controlled. The material is exposed to high pressure and temperature, which give it all its remarkable properties.

Ceramic granite is a serious competitor to natural stone. Its technical characteristics are at a much higher level, and apparently it looks natural, but it is much more attractive than that of natural stone slabs. Unlike ceramic tiles, the pattern of ceramic granite does not have clear lines, it creates the impression of an accidental, randomly chosen pattern. But, if to compare with a natural stone, then the differences of each tile from each other in porcelain stoneware are not so pronounced. Another major advantage over natural stone is the complete absence of radiation background.

The most important technical quality of porcelain tiles, which makes it the main competitor of ceramic tiles - high density and the absence of micropores. Ceramic tiles and natural stones have a large number of pores, which increase their water absorption coefficient, reduce resistance to frost and mechanical wear. Porcelain in these characteristics has better indicators, which makes it an indispensable finishing material in public places.

Types of ceramic granite

The main parameters of ceramic granite, according to which it is classified, except for purely technical indicators - the color of the picture and the surface characteristics. According to the figure, the following types are distinguished:

• Salt-pepper - such a ceramic granite price has the most liberal, since it is the simplest. Characterized by a homogeneous color with small impregnations of black and light tones, which are located on the tile evenly.

• Monocolor is a product of the same color. At manufacturing it is painted by pigments with salt of cobalt, chrome, zirconium and other metals.

• Coloring of natural stone - complex patterns that repeat the natural color of natural stones.

• Texture - no less complex patterns that repeat the color of various natural materials - leather, wood and so on. Demonstrates such an unusual porcelain stoneware below.

• Porcelain tiles with additional inclusions - in production, granite, natural marble or coquina in small quantities are added to the granite.

According to the surface characteristics of these types:

1. Matt is a non-machined material. Visually there is no gloss, but this material has high hardness and low moisture absorption, which makes it suitable for use in the most severe conditions.
2. Polished - the mirror shine of the material is visually observed. Has an aesthetic and attractive appearance, but it is not suitable for operation in harsh conditions. In the process of polishing the structure of micropores changes, which makes ceramic granite sensitive to moisture and mechanical influences.
3. Grinded - visually has the same specular luster as polished material, but is even more demanding in terms of operating conditions. Coarse abrasive materials are used for processing.
4. Satin or glazed - visually there is a mirror shine. Appearance is as attractive as the two previous varieties, but it is not exacting to the operating conditions. During the manufacturing process, a layer of mineral salts is applied to the tile, and then it is fired. This gives the material a shine, but it does not break the pore structure.
5. Embossed - a material with a nonideal surface, which has irregularities and imitates the chips of natural stone.
6. Glazed - a material coated with a special glaze. This technology significantly expanded the design capabilities of ceramic granite. Using the glaze, it is given any colors and textures. Disadvantage - the coating tends to be erased, and therefore the glazed porcelain stoneware is not suitable for public places.

These characteristics determine the aesthetic qualities of porcelain stoneware, as for important technical characteristics, this refers to abrasion, which is also called wear resistance of the material. According to this indicator porcelain is divided into 5 classes:

1. PEI I and II - the optimal material for rooms in which they move barefoot or in shoes with soft soles, that is - bath, toilet, bedroom.
2. PEI III - rooms without direct access to the street, visited relatively rarely.
3. PEI IV - public rooms with intensive traffic.
4. PEI V - any traffic intensity and operating conditions.

Among the listed groups, the optimal choice for an ordinary living room is the third group, since this material has the best surface characteristics, strength and porosity. In addition to this division, each class of tile, regardless of the type of its surface and color, has a lot of indicators and characteristics that should be considered when choosing. But the basis is still the given classification, which should be repelled initially.

How to choose porcelain stoneware

To determine the optimal material, repel the first and most important factor - the nature of the room for which it is intended. The loads to be borne against the material, as well as the surface type, are evaluated. For example, putting a very smooth coating on the floor is incorrect and even dangerous, this is explained by the following reasons:

1. When wet, the floors become excessively slippery and the likelihood of household injury increases.
2. With a constant exposure to contaminants, the material quickly loses its qualities. In the summer, dust and small stone particles contribute to this, in winter various sprinkles from ice from the street.
3. On the polished material, any scratches that appear on the floor can not be avoided.
4. Over time, from constant contact and friction, ceramic granite will lose its gloss and gloss.

However, the grooved surface for the floor is also not the best option, as it creates obstacles to movement and is difficult to remove stains from it. The optimal option for rooms with an average level of visits - glazed porcelain stoneware with three-dimensional drawings or a matte finish.

For corridors and vestibules, moving in which passes in street shoes, class IV and V tiles are suitable, which has a high resistance to erasure. Ceramic granite for the bathroom floor must be selected taking into account that in this room it will constantly contact with various chemicals. Shampoos, gels, creams, detergents and cleaning agents leave stains on the coating, which are sometimes difficult to remove. Therefore, the tiles in these rooms should have a structure with a small number of pores, resistance to acids and bases. Public premises, which have a high rate of visits, require the installation of expensive IV and V class materials, with high resistance to mechanical stress and low temperatures.

Having defined the necessary technical characteristics, the next step is to evaluate the color and dimensions of the presented line of ceramic granite. Colors and textures are selected based on their own preferences and features of the room. Designers recommend that under the strict furniture of the official style of granite to buy in monochrome colors of cold tones, and for soft and cozy home furniture to choose from warm colors and textures.

Dimensions of ceramic granite are standard and are presented in different versions. Basically in the market there is a tile in width from 20 to 60 sm of the square form. There are more or less products, but they are rarely used as a basis, they often act as additional elements that emphasize the entire composition and create a decorative effect. The size of the tile, as well as its color, is chosen based on the characteristics of the room. For small rooms, large tiles are not suitable, because visually it will make the space even smaller. The optimal size for small rooms does not exceed 30x30 cm. There are no restrictions in rooms of a large area.

When choosing the size and buying tiles, it is also important to focus on the area of ​​the room. It is necessary to calculate the total square of the room, and then divide it into the expected quadrature of one tile. In this way, the exact piece quantity of the material is accurately calculated. Another plus of this method is the ability to change the solution and change the estimated size of one tile to a greater or lesser extent. The fact that the porcelain is cut is difficult enough, because it is better to choose it so that the cut parts were few. Also, tiles of smaller size will help to avoid cutting, which will nicely fit into the composition and will facilitate the process of laying the tiles.

Buying porcelain stoneware, practical tips

When all technical parameters, configuration and color are selected, the next step is going to the store. At this stage it is important to know how to choose a really good and good product without overpaying extra money. This will help some practical advice on how to make a choice of material professionals.

• First of all, you need to determine the category of the product - tile it or granite. The external differences lie in the side cut, the porcelain stoneware has no difference between the pattern on the surface and on the cut. The usual tile is painted only from above, and therefore on a cut has a different color.
• A simple means of determining the quality of goods - to make a felt-tip pen with alcohol content or an ordinary marker on the polished surface. If in a few minutes the footprint is easily erased, then this is a good quality product, if not, then low.

• Some experts advise watering the tile and making sure that it absorbs moisture. However, this method is applicable only to ceramic tiles, since the porcelain gres does not absorb moisture completely. To test the product in this way it is still worthwhile to make sure that the offered products are actually porcelain stoneware.
• During the purchase, ask the seller about the weight of 1 m2 of tiles. The optimum weight to tile ratio of 8-8.5 cm is 18.5-19 kg. All the relationships are indicated in the catalog, which is always available from the sellers. If, however, after the question of such a catalog for examination was not offered, it is worthwhile to doubt the quality of the proposed goods and leave the store. Since the wrong ratio indicates a violation of the process in the manufacture of porcelain stoneware.

• The density and quality of ceramic granite is checked from the back side. It has small square depressions, which should not be too deep. Their optimum depth is 1.5-2 cm. If this figure is higher, then this product is also not worth buying.
• Every product must have a company name, not just a country manufacturer. Proven brands that produce high-quality goods will not hide their name.
• The price of porcelain stoneware is mainly composed of its color and thickness. The most affordable is ceramics from the group "salt and pepper", as already mentioned above. Therefore, one should not be afraid to buy such products, considering it not quality. Here, it's all about the complexity of the technological process, which gives the tiles some of the decorative characteristics.

Producers of porcelain tiles

The market for finishing materials offers many brands of porcelain tiles. There are among them not very well-known names that offer quality goods, but there are others who already managed to get a high rating from reviews of consumers. Among them are the following items:

• Fiorano, the country of the manufacturer of China.
• Estima, country of manufacture Russia.
• Kerama Marazzi, country of manufacture Italy.
• Sal Sapiente, the country of origin China.
• Grsaaro, country of manufacture Russia.
• Shakhtinskaya tile, the country of manufacture Russia.
• Ural granite, the country of manufacture Russia.
• Imola Ceramica, country of origin Italy.
• Floor Gres Ctramiche, country of manufacture Italy.
• Grasaro, country of manufacture Russia.

Each of these manufacturers offers different prices for their products, but in terms of price / quality, they are among the best brands. The most high-quality ceramic granite is considered to be Italian, as this country is the progenitor of this material. But the Chinese and Russian industries are not far behind the Italian quality.