Decorative tiles for interior decoration: types and installation

Gusevsky Andrey Anatolyevich

An example of interior design using decorative tiles

To date, home decoration decorative panels has become very popular. It is distinguished by its originality and uniqueness.
There is a very large selection of decorative plate design.

Types and characteristics of decorative plates

The material is diverse today.
But decorative tiles are used for interior decoration:

• Ceramic.
• Porcelain.

Note. These two species differ in their properties and cost not too much. The latter type is a type of ceramic, only with improved properties.

Ceramic tile and its properties, scope

The use of ceramic tiles in interior decoration

Ceramic tiles are quite popular. They have excellent properties.
Tile:

• Durable.
• Reliable.
• Durable
• Practical.
• Available in installation.

It has a wide range of colors and sizes. there is brick tiles decorative for interior decoration, stone, wood and other materials.
It is made from a mixture of clay solutions with the addition of quartz sand and various components.
There are several types of ceramic tiles:

• Single firing.
• Double firing.
• Cotto.
• Clinker.

Characteristics:

• Ceramic tiles of one firing are characterized by more modern production technology. During this process, clay dough is pressed under the influence of high temperatures.
• Double firing of ceramic tiles has been used in manufacturing for quite some time.
• Initially, clay dough is pressed at high temperatures and fired. Then, glaze is applied to the surface of the tile and it is again fired.

Particular attention must be paid to the cotto tile and clinker.
The first type of ceramic tile has a porous structure and a more natural color:

• Yellow.
• Brown.
• Terracotta.
• Red.
• Pink and others.

Positive characteristics:

• It is durable and can retain its appearance and appearance for a long time. In the manufacture of its surface is always covered with a variety of protective equipment.
• Otherwise, there is the possibility of a variety of spots on the tile, as it will absorb various dirt quite well.
• Clinker decorative ceramic tiles have a similar structure with only fewer pores. Her surface is both matte and glossy.
• It, like cotto, is coated with a protective agent to give durability to the material.

This type of tile:

• Frost resistant.
• It has a high abrasion threshold.
• Not exposed to direct sunlight and temperature extremes.
• Long-lasting, because the average life of this tile is at least 50 years.
• Practical, as it is not able to absorb moisture and pollution.
• Easy installation.

On the one hand, ceramic tiles can have any surface:

• Matte.
• Glossy.
• Convex.
• Concave.
• Embossed.

Note. On the other hand, the surface is perfectly flat in order to carry out its quality installation.

Surface mounted ceramic tiles

Laying tiles

In order to carry out high-quality installation of decorative tiles, it is necessary to prepare the surface well for such works.
The process includes:

• Surface alignment.
• Her cleansing.
• Padding.

Surface preparation

All works are not particularly difficult and you can do them yourself without the help of specialists. In leveling the surface, drywall is most often used.
It is a sheet of pressed cardboard, between which there is gypsum dough, the thickness of the material reaches 2 cm.
There are several types of it:

• Ceiling.
• Wall.
• Arched (perforated).

Tip. Do not use drywall to level surfaces in those rooms that have not too large area. All this is due to the fact that the height of the frame itself for mounting drywall sheets depends on irregularities.

To install drywall on the surface, you first need to make a frame.
For this you need:

• Metal profile.
• Self-tapping screws for metal.
• Rotary hammer and screwdriver.
• Dowels.
• Tape measure and building level.
• A grinder or hacksaw for metal.

Installation:

• On the surface, the crate is mounted and attached to it with dowels.
• All elements of a metal profile design are fastened together by self-tapping screws.
• After the crate on the surface is ready, you can proceed with the installation of sheets of material.

For such work you need:

• Building level.
• Self-tapping screws for working with drywall.
• Stationery knife for cutting sheets.
• Screwdriver.
• Putty.
• Sandpaper.

Installing tiles on drywall

Stages:

• Sheets are mounted on the frame using self-tapping screws.
• Joints of the material are processed using putty and, after drying, with sandpaper.
• Then the surface is primed with a special agent and only then can decorative ceramic tiles be fixed to it.
• Using plaster is an older and well-known method. It differs from the first in a laborious and lengthy process.

It uses two types of plaster:

• "Start".
• "The finish".

Note.
Since such a product is sold in the form of a powder, for the formation of a solution, it is necessary to add a specified amount of liquid to it. For proper dilution on the plaster packaging there is an instruction.

To apply the plaster to the surface you will need:

• Special container for mixing plaster mortar.
• Construction mixer.
• Level.
• Two spatulas.
• Sandpaper.

So:

• Initially, layers of starting plaster are superimposed on the surface. Each of them must be covered with sandpaper. After that, the finish is applied over it and processed in a similar way.

Tip.
The number of layers of starting plaster depends on the roughness on the surface. Their thickness should be small, since under its weight the plaster can freely peel off the surface and thereby deform the finish.

• An important role is played by surface cleaning and priming. To do this, use a damp rag that wipes the surface.
  As a primer, you can use glue, on which ceramic tile or a special tool will then be attached.

The process of installing ceramic tiles

In order to fix the ceramic tile on the surface you will need:

• Special glue or cement mortar.
• Level.
• Tile cutter for cutting size.
• Decorative putty.

Works:

• The choice between glue and cement mortar depends on weight and size tiles for interior decoration. If it is very large, then it is more rational to use a cement mortar.
• This mortar or glue is applied to the surface and the inside of the tile using a rubber spatula with wavy movements.

Tip. To avoid a large amount of cement mortar waste, it is best to apply the product not to the entire perimeter of the tile, but only in the center.When squeezed, the solution is evenly distributed.

• The seams of the material should be masked with a decorative putty of a certain shade, which would correspond to the overall color scheme of the design.

So that there are no questions with the installation of decorative ceramic tiles, you can watch the training video.

Porcelain decorative tiles

Porcelain tiles in the design of the room

Ceramic granite (porcelain stoneware) is made according to the new Italian technology. It has excellent properties and characteristics.
It is more durable and reliable. Also, it does not absorb moisture and various impurities.
Its surface may be:

• Matt
• Glossy.
• Glazed.
• Porous.
• Embossed.

Features:

• This type of tile differs not only in production technology, but also in terms of wear resistance. Because of this, in most cases, tiles are used to floor finishes.
• Porcelain tile is characterized by a large assortment of decoration. There is a variety of decorative brick tiles for interior decoration.
  There is an imitation of stone and other material.
• This type of tile is often used in kitchen and dining areas.
• The only thing to consider is its price is not very affordable. This material is expensive.
• Porcelain tile is frost-resistant and able to withstand a variety of temperature extremes.

Tip. It is necessary to work with such material very carefully, since it is quite fragile, although after mounting on the surface it gains strength.

Installation of porcelain tile on the surface

Material Installation Steps

An ordinary tile of this type is mounted on the surface quite simply and easily. All actions are carried out similarly to the installation of ordinary tiles.
So:

• It is necessary to prepare the surface for work in a high-quality manner. It should also be perfectly smooth, since the strength of the tile fastening will depend on this.
• Used to smooth the surface of plaster or drywall. When choosing such a material, special attention is paid to the weight of the finish.
  If the mass of the tile is very large, then it will be more rational to use plaster, under whose layers a reinforcing wire mesh is mounted on the surface to strengthen the surface. If the weight is small, then you can apply drywall.

Tip. Before installation, the surface is primed to give it greater strength and viscosity with cement or adhesive mortar.

To install the tiles you will need:

• Cement mortar or special glue.
• Building level.
• Tile cutter.
• Putty knife.
• Decorative putty.

Tip. If the tile has a large weight, then you need to use a cement mortar, which has excellent fixing properties.

For mixing a homogeneous mass of the solution, use a construction mixer. The solution is applied both to the surface and to the inside of the tile itself.
It is necessary to try to carry out such actions carefully so that there are no residues or excess solution. To ensure the same distance between the tiles, you need to use cross-shaped beacons, which are always used when installing ordinary tiles.
After that, all the seams are treated with decorative putty.