Choosing the ceramic is one of the most important concerns of any real estate owner, whether it is a house, an office, a company or even a factory from the beginning of its finishing and establishment.
This kind of choice is an art in terms of choosing colors and sizes, depending on the area of space and the type of furniture desired, whether modern or classic, in addition to the colors of the walls and furniture.
In this article, we will provide you with the most important things you should know about the different types of ceramics, as a reference for you when buying and before starting the implementation.
Ceramic… its components and production
Ceramics are a mixture of cement, glass and clay. They do not include any mineral materials and does not contain any organic materials.
Cement makes ceramic more durable, difficult to break, and withstand heavy loads, pressure and heat.
It is made by heating like pottery, to be formed with the required sizes and shapes.
Moreover, it is a mixture of clay, feldspar, calcium and sand. It goes through 4 phases of drying, roasting, burning and, finally, paint.
The paint phase is one of the most important phases of its production. It is the phase that gives the ceramic its distinctive attractive shapes and protects it from scratches. It also makes the ceramic easy to clean and does not leak liquid materials.
The quality of ceramics depends on the purity of the raw materials used in its manufacture, the absence of impurities, and the consistency of its basic material.
As for the price, its price depends on its color fastness and homogeneity, the ability to resist the paint used for acids, and all types of salts, in addition to its ability to absorb liquids.
Types of ceramics
Types of ceramics according to water absorption
Highly absorbent ceramic
It is featured with its open pores and its smooth surface; therefore, it does not transmit sound between the layers from top to bottom, and does not absorb frost; therefore it is an excellent choice for bedrooms, hallways and reception rooms.
Low absorbent ceramic
It is characterized by its closed pores; therefore its body is dense and highly resistant to frost; therefore it is a suitable choice for the floor and walls of bathrooms and kitchens, and places exposed to high humidity and rain, such as the external walls of buildings.
Types of ceramics according to texture
Polished or glossy ceramics
It is the strongest type as it is not scratchable, easy to clean, fat and nothing stick to it; therefore it is the best for many people in terms of use.
But it is never preferred to use it in bathroom floors and kitchens, because when water or any liquid falls on it, it slips.
Semi-glossy ceramics
It is also a very good type and easy to clean, It can be used in all places, as well.
Stretchable ceramics with prominent reliefs
One of the most elegant types of ceramics as it resembles natural stone. However, it is very difficult to clean, because the surface is not smooth and liquids and water can fall inside it, so it is better not to install it in the kitchens.
Ceramic companies in the Egyptian market
The best-selling types of ceramics on the Egyptian market are:
- Cleopatra ceramics
- Then, Gemma ceramics, and Royal ceramics
- Followed by Art ceramics, Gloria ceramics, Prince ceramics, Pharaohs ceramics, and Prima ceramics.
- Finally, Alpha ceramics.
Most important thing to consider when buying ceramic
The sizes and dimensions of the ceramics should be chosen to be appropriate to the size and nature of the to-be tiled place.
Open all cartons before taking the required quantity, and ensure that the ceramics match with the chosen initial sample, to avoid any difference in colors or other defects.
Ensure that the back of each slab is rough, to stick well with the mortar.
All ceramic tiles must be soaked in water before installation in order to stick well.
A skilled and highly experienced technical choice in the field of ceramic installation, where he must take into account the distances between the ceramic pieces of the compound so that the distances are equal, and not more than 5 millimeters; therefore it is possible to use plastic parts in the shape of (+) between the tiles to ensure equal distances between them.
Use high-quality white cement to fill in the blanks between the tiles, so that the voids do not break and crack over time and their shape becomes unacceptable.
Consider keeping the slope of the tiles when installing, so that it does not exceed 1% in the direction of the sinks in the bathroom and the kitchen, for easy flow of water into it.
Avoid gypsum when installing the ceramic because it causes the ceramic to break after a few days.
When installing ceramics, it is necessary to keep away from extremely hot days, whose temperature exceeds 40 degrees Celsius, because the adhesive is affected by heat, which may cause cracks or cracks in the ceramics.