Porcelain: what is it? Porcelain stoneware for cold weather (отзывы)

Until recently, finishing materials were clearly divided 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, with its help decorated 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 the technology of semi-dry pressing, 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. According to this technology, we 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 white granite is bought, then this color will be preserved under any conditions of abrasion, as the color passes through the entire depth of the tile.
• A solid structure, due to which the technical characteristics of greas are often compared with similar properties of stone.
• Resistance to temperature changes.

We can say that similar qualities are found in other materials. For example, the same stones in the form of granite or marble will demonstrate 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 its main advantage. Wishing to please customers with different tastes, the factories will diversify the model lines according to this criterion. For the coloring of the preform mixture, special oxides are used, by means 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.

A separate direction is worth noting the imitation of coatings. Such an approach has successfully proved itself in ceramics, but in the case of greek it gives an even greater effect. A tile made of granite can recreate the 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 imitates the surface of the parquet.

Where to apply porcelain tiles?

Given the characteristics of gres and its decorative properties, we can talk about a wide range of applications. First of all, it is necessary to note public places - today ceramic floors are 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 covering the floor, and for finishing the area near the cooking surfaces. Thus, protection against thermal and chemical influences is formed.

It is worth noting and 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 is also used porcelain stoneware 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 special feature of this gres is the increased resistance to extreme temperatures. This quality is laid at the manufacturing stage. To ensure that the porcelain stoneware for the street is frost-resistant, it meets the performance requirements, and special additives are added to the mixture along with the main mass. These are antifreeze additions, due to which the tiles are also endowed with increased hardness and wear resistance. But there is another feature of frost-resistant greece. As a rule, it has a rough rippled surface. The fact that the operation of coatings on the street is unsafe in periods of precipitation, so to prevent the effect of sliding, the outer layer becomes embossed.

Types of porcelain tiles

The production of tile models with improved characteristics still applies 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 scrapes will be especially noticeable on such a coating. Mosaic porcelain stoneware is the most expensive, but at the same time it allows to form unique surfaces.

Stacking technology

In general, the technique of installing gres can be compared 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 adapted for gres. Stacking is done by gluing with further sealing of seams. In some cases, pruning of tiles is required. To do 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 on the purpose of the material. It's one thing if you need 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, decorativeness comes to the fore. That is, they select the texture that best corresponds 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 properties of the texture and the strength characteristics. The optimal solution for flooring, for example, can be a relief tile in a large format.

Reviews about porcelain tiles

If we talk about performance, then they are, as a rule, euphonious responses. Users note the preservation of color, durability and strength, which possesses porcelain stoneware. The reviews also note that the coatings do not react almost to external influences, whether it is contact with chemical potent substances, or physical attacks. However, not 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 the manufacture of granite have changed significantly in recent years. Previously, it was an unsightly tiled material that could cope with mechanical stresses. Today it is a full-fledged decorative tile, in which not only preserved, but also expanded technical merits. 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 and improve the aesthetic properties of ceramic granite. This can be judged from the model lines, in which series with unique patterns and patterns that recreate the texture of natural materials are presented.