From contractors and developers to interior designers and homeowners, the transition towards ceramic/porcelain tiles and away from more traditional non-ceramic materials is in full flow.
It is the numerous benefits of porcelain tiles which have served to act as the catalyst for this switch, and the abundance of tiles we interact with on a daily basis in every space, both externally and within interiors, serves to demonstrate the impact of the porcelain tile. In the latest Meraki Ceramics blog, we list 10 reasons why everyone is now looking to porcelain tiles to impact their projects, whether these are homeowners or developers building large scale schemes.
1. DIFFERENT STYLES, SAME BENEFITS
There are so many subsets of the wider porcelain tile family, from quarry tiles to mosaics, to glazed, double vitrified… You get the picture. Despite their differences in terms of aesthetics, application and production, each of these tiles share the same benefits. This is why as a family, porcelain tiles will retain their popularity across the board. No matter the style or application, the strength of the value proposition and benefits remain the same.
2. HEALTH AND HYGIENE
Porcelain tiles hold many health and hygiene benefits, which is of particular note when we consider the current global recognition of the terrible impact that spread of germs can really have. There are numerous reasons for porcelain’s positive impact on health and hygiene. For example, they are hypoallergenic and so do not cause any kind of allergic reaction; they are free of volatile organic compounds, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and formaldehyde, both of which can have health implications for people. They are also nonporous, which means that mould, allergens from insects, pollen, dust and dust mites cannot penetrate the surface.
Furthermore, porcelain tiles also contain antibacterial properties, meaning that they prove inhospitable to bacteria growth. Some of the options within the porcelain tile family actually have antimicrobial properties too, which suppresses, and in many cases destroys, harmful fungi, mould, bacteria and viruses.
3. LOW MAINTENANCE
In addition to looking fantastic, porcelain tiles have the advantage that they don’t need constant upkeep, polishing, cleaning or dusting. The fact they are water resistant, with a maximum of 0.5% water absorption, are completely stain-resistant, hard-wearing and almost impossible to break or scratch is part of the reason for their enduring popularity.
4. EASY TO CLEAN
When they do require it, porcelain tiles are one of the easiest surfaces to clean you can find. A regular clean, once a week, is usually ample to keep tiles at their best. The steps to cleaning porcelain tiles are as follows:
- Sweep away crumbs, dust and dirt.
- Wipe/mop with warm, clear water.
- Allow to dry.
It really is that easy. However, if there is a mess that requires a different level of attention, for instance courtesy of a pet’s incontinence or a spillage of something untoward, use a tiles cleaner/anti-bacterial spray and you’ll be as good as new in no time.
5. NO FIRE
Ceramic and porcelain tiles are completely non-flammable. They don’t burn or produce smoke, and if they are exposed to intense fire, they will not produce any toxic fumes. What’s more, they can actually reduce flame spread. This is why tiles are a great choice for laying around fire pits or fireplaces.
6. SLIP-RESISTANT
Slip-resistant tiles are now plentiful within the market. These tiles are the ideal choice for areas exposed to moisture, such as kitchens, bathrooms and pool areas. There is a slip resistance rating attached to each tile we stock, and you would be well advised to ask one of our expert team prior to selecting your tile to ensure that the slip-resistance is appropriate for the nature of use.
7. SO STYLISH, SO VERSATILE
The advancement of the technological solutions now available to manufacturers within the tile industry have made it possible to create tiles and tile-effects that sweep across the spectrum of material styles. All colours, finishes and textures are now available, and all sizes too. In essence, no matter the design aspirations, there is a tile option out there just waiting as the answer to your aspirations.
8. ULTIMATE FUNCTIONALITY
There was a time when tiles were only considered for use in kitchens and bathrooms, but the versatility and style of modern-day porcelain tile products has opened up the use of tiles to every area of a home or building, from façades to outdoor verandas and inside living spaces.
One of the key functions of any material is durability and suitability for its application. Tiles are resistant to pretty much every element in existence – water, scratches, fading, stains, freeze thaw, fire, slip, bacteria and mould. It is this versatility in terms of sustainability across the board that has helped porcelain and ceramic tiles take their place at the top of everyone’s shopping list when it comes to interior design.
9. A GREEN SOLUTION
Tiles are the perfect choice for people who wish to utilise products that do not harm the environment. There are many environmentally friendly components to tiles. Firstly, the raw material used to produce tiles is naturally occurring, and all of the Meraki Ceramics factories are located within a 500-mile radius of the source base, which significantly cuts down on the carbon footprint of our tiles. They lend themselves to energy efficiency, due to the inherent mass of the product which reduces peak heating and cooling which in turn can help to reduce the need for artificial cooling/heating and reduce energy bills. Tiles have the lowest carbon footprint of any material used in flooring in the world.
10. VALUE
Tiles are a cost-efficient option not only in the fact that they are relatively cheap to purchase initially, but also because they are low maintenance and extremely durable. This means that they are cheap to look after, and they will rarely, if ever, require replacing. When it comes to value, it’s impossible to look beyond porcelain tiles.
If you need any more reasons to buy porcelain, feel free to contact us!