The use of porcelain stoneware in a stylish bathroom design

The choice of finishing materials for the bathroom must be given serious attention. Difficult conditions are created in this room, which not every coating can withstand. The traditional material for floors and walls is tile. In practice, he has proven his ability to perfectly withstand impacts, maintain integrity, and aesthetic indicators. But now the tile has a worthy competitor. Professional designers, homeowners are increasingly using porcelain stoneware for the bathroom. In terms of performance and aesthetic characteristics, it surpasses the classic tile.

Porcelain stoneware and tiles, similarities and differences

There is an opinion that porcelain stoneware differs from tiles in the presence of particles of natural stone. This is a common misconception. The composition of these finishing materials is identical. It includes:

• purified clay suspension;
• kaolin clay;
• feldspar;
• quartz sand;
• coloring natural pigments.

Differences in the technological characteristics of these materials are provided by the specifics of the production process. Porcelain stoneware blanks are pressed with an increased pressure of about 500 kg / sq. cm, treated with high temperatures of 1300 degrees.

Porcelain stoneware as a bathroom tile is ideal, as high pressure and temperature lead to the melting of clay, the formation of a monolithic structure. There are no pores in this material, as in a tile, moisture cannot penetrate into it. This excludes the destruction of the structure.

Many are attracted by glazed tiles, which have high aesthetic performance. But by purchasing porcelain tiles in the bathroom, you can create an equally attractive design. Moreover, the decor of this coating will last longer, since the coloring substances are not in the glaze, but in the composition of the tile.

back to index ↑

Unique properties of porcelain stoneware

Absence of pores, ideally flat surface of the material excludes the penetration of water into the structure. But not only this feature makes it expedient to use porcelain stoneware in the bathroom. Specific technological processing provides it with strength comparable to that of natural granite. These covers:

• have maximum wear resistance;
• can be cleaned without fear of scratching the surface;
• during operation are not covered with cracks;
• inert to aggressive chemicals.

These specifications guarantee a long service life, easy maintenance and cleanliness. Photos of porcelain stoneware for the bathroom allow you to appreciate the excellent aesthetic performance of the material. Its advantages include a large assortment that allows you to make a good choice for any design.

Temperature drops for coatings are not terrible, they retain their structure over a wide range. You can use porcelain stoneware for bathrooms, baths, saunas, street decorations.

back to index ↑

Varieties of coatings

Manufacturers offer consumers a wide range of this finish, allowing you not to limit yourself in your choice. It contains material:

• matte, polished, glazed;
• for floor and wall coverings;
• standard and non-slip;
• in classic, modern design;
• plain and printed.

Choosing porcelain stoneware for the bathroom wall, you can give preference to noble matte finishes, spectacular polished tiles, glazed material with original, multi-color decor. These types of porcelain stoneware are not used for finishing the floor, since the polished coating creates the risk of slipping, injury, and the glaze can wear off under such operating conditions.

A special floor tile with a non-slip texture. There are several processing technologies. In satin finish, the pattern is created on blanks of mineral salt, fixed under the influence of high temperatures. Structuring allows you to create accurate imitations of wood, leather, stone, etc. In the photo of porcelain stoneware designs in the bathroom, you can see many such options.

The range of this material includes tiles of different sizes. There are elements of medium dimensions, large-format, square, complex configuration. You can purchase porcelain tiles in the bathroom, taking into account the size, layout features.

back to index ↑

The most popular porcelain stoneware

All types of this material are popular. There is a conditional rating that can help if you want to choose a fashionable, stylish finish option. When choosing porcelain stoneware for the wall in the bathroom, for the floor, pay attention to the materials:

• in neutral colors - white, gray, red, black;
• imitating wood, leather, stone;
• with original, unusual decor.

Neutral tones are used in both classic and modern styles. These coatings are ideal for visual correction, they become an excellent background for furniture, sanitary equipment. In the photo of porcelain stoneware for the bathroom, there are many options for combining colors. This technique is used to create unique interiors.

Now porcelain stoneware is in high demand, like bathroom tiles, imitating various natural materials. You can choose the warmth and comfort of wood, the grandeur and elegance of stone, the solidity and chic of leather. These coatings provide an opportunity to give the atmosphere a certain character, to make it original, interesting.

Numerous photos of porcelain stoneware designs in the bathroom allow you to correctly select the material for a particular interior, ensure it is in harmony, in line with fashion.

When purchasing this material, you must ensure the quality of the products. The main guarantor is the popularity of the manufacturer. But no one is immune from fraud. Before buying porcelain tiles for the bathroom, it is worth weighing the packaging. A discrepancy in mass may indicate violations of technology. Pay attention to the wrong side. Technological recesses should not be more than 2x2 cm.You should make sure that the shade of the tiles of the batch is exactly the same.

back to index ↑

Porcelain stoneware installation and coating maintenance

Most consumers prefer to trust the design of the floor, laying porcelain tiles on the wall in the bathroom to qualified craftsmen. Home craftsmen who want to handle the installation on their own should be aware that the processes of tiling and porcelain stoneware are identical, but there are some features.

There are several conditions for obtaining a quality result:

1. Excellent base preparation.
2. Good selection of consumables.
3. Accuracy at work.

Before installing porcelain stoneware in the bathroom, preparatory work must be done. Facing requires a perfectly flat base. It is necessary to carry out high-quality leveling of the floor or wall. The surface is primed twice. This will prevent the absorption of the adhesive, reduce its consumption, and ensure reliable adhesion.

Porcelain tile for the bathroom has a high density. Therefore, its ability to grip is reduced. It is impossible to use classic mortars on sand and cement for this tile. You need to purchase a special composition. It can be made on the basis of acrylic, latex. The adhesive composition is applied not only to porcelain stoneware, but also to the base. The manipulation uses a comb spatula.

When laying the material, it is necessary to check the level, the size of the gaps, install plastic crosses. After the porcelain stoneware in the bathroom has set qualitatively, the gaps are covered with a rubber spatula with a grout. Before that, you need to remove the crosses.

It should be noted that the cladding uses adhesive compositions of two components. They freeze quickly. No need to prepare solutions for more than half an hour of work. When laying the material on the floor, special attention should be paid to leveling, there should be no irregularities, air cushions.

Photos of porcelain stoneware designs in the bathroom allow you to appreciate the beauty of such designs. The advantage of such interiors is ease of maintenance, long-term preservation of the original appearance. Walls and floors with such coatings can be washed using household chemicals. These tools will not reduce the quality of the finish. Any contaminants are easily removed from expanded clay, since there are no pores in the surface, stains do not eat in.

back to index ↑

Lappated porcelain stoneware

The high popularity of the material makes manufacturers constantly update their range, look for new technologies. Many consumers have heard about lapped porcelain stoneware, not everyone knows what this new type of finish is.

Relatively recently, this technology was invented in the homeland of ceramic tiles. Italian experts, following fashion trends, have developed a new processing method. They came up with lappated porcelain stoneware, which means “worn”. But do not think that the coating looks old. Matte and polished zones are combined on the surface, which provides:

• beautiful, refined shine;
• lack of slip;
• depth, saturation.

The popularity of this material is growing rapidly. Many consumers want to know everything about polished porcelain stoneware, what it is, where the coating can be used. Now this finish is mostly used in the design of solid offices, commercial facilities.

In home interiors, while it can be found infrequently. Perhaps the reason for this is the lack of awareness, fears associated with new material. Few people know what lapatated porcelain stoneware is, how it differs from classic coatings.

back to index ↑

Production of lapped tiles

The description of the technological process of its production will help to understand what it is lapatated porcelain stoneware, to understand the differences. The manufacture of this tile is identical to the creation of a standard counterpart:

• a mixture of clay, quartz sand, feldspar, mica is created;
• metal oxides are added to give a shade;
• blanks are formed;
• pressed under high pressure;
• baked at a temperature of about 1300 ° C.

The subsequent processing process also gives to material of distinction. The creators did not in vain call it lappated porcelain stoneware, which means shabby. For tiles, a special grinding technology is used. It uses a special tool that removes the uneven top layer. In some places the surface remains unfinished, in others it is dulled, in others it is polished to a shine.

Unique processing has an impact on decorative and functional performance. Before you go shopping, you can study all the information about the advantages and disadvantages of lapped porcelain stoneware, reviews of these products.

back to index ↑

Functional characteristics of the coating

An important point for those who want to know what lapped porcelain stoneware is is its functional performance. They allow you to determine in which cases it is advisable to use such a finish. The specifics of the composition, production technology, processing provide the material with:

• increased strength, resistance to any mechanical stress, even point;
• low porosity, minimum moisture absorption coefficient up to 0.05%;
• resistance to temperature extremes, frost up to 35 ° C, open flame;
• uniformity, giving resistance to wear, ensuring color retention under the influence of ultraviolet radiation;
• neutrality to chemical agents;
• ability to accumulate, store heat.

Non-uniform surface treatment significantly reduces the risk of slipping. All these qualities make it possible to use the coating for the design of open terraces, gazebos, halls. You can use this tile to create a durable, practical interior in the bathroom, bathroom, etc.

back to index ↑

Benefits of lapped coatings

Quite often, consumers who prefer to use new materials in the design of an apartment or house pay attention to polished porcelain stoneware. What it is, they may not know, but its aesthetic superiority needs no special explanation. The combination of raw areas, matte parts and polishing gives the tile an unusual, interesting look.

There are several reasons for choosing such coverage. It can become indispensable if:

• it is necessary to provide the surface with a muted, refined gloss;
• the interior needs shine, but it should not glare, disrupt perception;
• it is required to create a combined coating, including several materials.

Despite a certain novelty of the technology, these materials are produced in a wide range. When choosing, you can take into account all the nuances of a particular interior.

It may seem that the presence of untreated areas creates problems in the care of the coating, which is a significant drawback of lapped porcelain stoneware. Consumer reviews note that this procedure does not cause any difficulties. Any contamination is easily removed from untreated areas. Resistance to chemical agents allows the use of any detergent.

This tile goes well with various materials. You can create successful combinations with wood, laminate, tiles, etc.unique technological characteristics allow this porcelain tile to be used in various interior and exterior designs.

The disadvantage of the material is the difficulty of cutting, which creates a high density. In the installation it is necessary to use a special tile cutter. Production, processing of this tile has a certain complexity, costs, which does not affect the price. Many consumers consider the high cost to be a disadvantage of lapped porcelain stoneware. Customer reviews note that the cost of the material is justified, it pays off with durability, excellent aesthetic performance.

back to index ↑

Range of materials, use in the interior

This material is increasingly used in their projects by professional interior designers. This means that lapped porcelain stoneware is welcomed by modern fashion. The range of coatings is widely represented in all colors. It is possible to choose tiles in neutral, saturated colors. However, it is not now in particular demand. At the peak of popularity, imitation of stone, wood, leather. The texture feature provides them with:

• maximum naturalness;
• respectable appearance;
• great possibilities in combining materials.

These coatings harmoniously fit into classic and modern interiors, provide them with presentability and individuality. Lappated porcelain stoneware can be used in facing fireplaces, making countertops, etc.

Based on the characteristics of lapated porcelain stoneware, it can be argued that this coating is suitable for decorating the floor in the bathroom. The minimum porosity excludes water absorption. The existing anti-slip effect will ensure safe movement.

back to index ↑

Laying material, care rules

Qualified craftsmen who know what lapped porcelain stoneware is, claim that its laying does not cause any difficulties. Stages, the order of work is the same as for the installation of a standard analogue. Responsible surface preparation, accurate laying with leveling, and subsequent grouting are also required. In fixing, adhesive solutions intended for porcelain stoneware are used.

This finishing material has a high cost. It is worth using special calculators that calculate the expense:

• tiles;
• adhesive composition;
• grout.

This will help you avoid unnecessary costs.

Those who want to decorate their home with this finish need to know the qualities that lapped porcelain stoneware has, what kind of coating it is, how to properly care for it in order to keep all indicators as long as possible. This material is unpretentious, it will not require much trouble. However, untreated areas may require additional cleaning. Stains from food, drinks can be removed using baking soda, nail polishes, paint, chewing gum are removed with acetone or gasoline. To eliminate building compositions, it is necessary to use products containing acids.

This type of material has appeared relatively recently. But choosing it for your home interior will not be difficult. A great helper is a large assortment, as well as designer photos of porcelain stoneware for the bathroom and other rooms. They will suggest options for combinations, combinations that can provide maximum comfort and coziness.

back to index ↑

Photo gallery - porcelain stoneware in the bathroom

back to index ↑

Video

---