Choosing floor tiles for the hallway - what you need to pay attention to. Floor tiles for the kitchen and hallway: a step-by-step guide

19.01.201827.05.2017

The floors in the corridor are very heavily soiled, so when choosing suitable coating there are many nuances to consider. One of the best options would be floor tiles in the corridor. It is one of the most wear-resistant and durable coatings that do not lose their attractiveness even under intense mechanical stress.

Features of the choice of coverage

How to choose floor tiles? To make your choice in favor better material, you should pay special attention to such nuances:

Wear resistance. The floors in the hallway are constantly exposed to dirt, sand and shoes. To prevent damage to the coating, it is advisable to purchase a tile of 4 or 5 class of wear resistance;
Moisture resistance. The tiles in the corridor on the floor should have a minimum porosity. Otherwise, under the influence of dirt and moisture, the floor will gradually collapse. Therefore, it is desirable that the water absorption of the tile does not exceed 3-4%;
Slip coefficient. The floor must first of all be safe, so pay special attention to the anti-slip properties of the material. The friction coefficient of the coating must be at least 0.75%;
The degree of hardness. On the Mohs scale, this indicator is determined from 1 to 10 points. Hallway floor tiles must have a minimum of 6-7 points on the appropriate scale;
Resistant to chemical attack. Detergents with acids and abrasive particles put additional stress on the tiles. Since the floor in the hallway is washed most often, it is worth purchasing material of the maximum class of resistance to the effects of reagents - A or AA.

Design techniques in flooring

Probably, it is no longer a secret for anyone that a competent selection of texture, color and method of tile layout can visually change the space in the room. Such techniques are regularly used by designers in the process of creating interior projects. What is the best tile floor design?

For small hallways. In order to visually expand the boundaries of an already small corridor, it is better to use flooring in cool colors: blue, green or gray;
For spacious rooms. Hallway tiles on the floor big size can have almost any color scheme. But if natural color does not penetrate into the corridor, designers recommend using lighter shades of facing materials;
Combination. Ceramic tiles for the corridor floor do not have to be plain. Using tiles of several colors, you can zone the room, dividing the hallway into the front and working areawhere you can hang your outerwear.

Tile options in terms of color design are so diverse that, if you wish, you can purchase a coating of almost any color, from traditional white to acidic (light green, orange, purple). In many ways, the choice depends on the area of \u200b\u200bthe room itself, the chosen interior style and, of course, the taste preferences of the owner of the house.

And yet, choosing a suitable tile design and color, it is advisable to pay attention to the following subtleties:

White. Coating white always associated with laconicism and restraint, so this floor will ideally be combined with modern interior styles and minimalism;
Gray. The serene and background color scheme does not attract much attention, which allows you to focus on finishing the ceiling or walls in the process of decorating a room;
Brown. “Warm” brown tiles on the floor are in perfect harmony with almost all shades of white and beige. No less impressively, the brown floor will be combined with dark walls;
Red. When decorating the interior, bright colors should be used with caution, they go well with orange, green and black colors, but in a small room, the red floor may seem too intrusive.

Floor covering with a matte surface will create a cozy atmosphere in the room, but glossy surfaces in hallways should not be used. Due to the fact that the floor gets dirty quickly enough, the tile will not look very attractive.

Imitation of natural wood

Wood materials have always been popular with many consumers, but due to the high hygroscopicity and insufficient durability of wood, it is still not worth using it in the corridor. But the realistic design of the floor tiles under the laminate will cope with this problem.

Thanks to modern equipment manufacturers have learned to create ceramic flooring that can imitate the texture of solid wood, parquet and laminate. Such a finishing of the hallway floor will be the best way out. Firstly, it is almost impossible to visually distinguish a tile from a tree, and secondly, such a coating will last you at least 10-15 years longer than any laminate.

Porcelain stoneware in the hallway

Porcelain stoneware is one of the optimal solutions for flooring in the corridor. The material has very high mechanical and chemical resistance, as well as the absence of pores on the surface. Besides, fake diamond is absolutely not afraid of high temperature changes and dirt, which is important.

In a sense, porcelain stoneware flooring is less varied than ceramic. This is due to the peculiarities of the material production process. In the manufacture of porcelain stoneware, only natural dyes are added to the composition of the clay mixture, which, during high-temperature firing, do not break down and do not change their shade.

Despite the relatively small choice of colors, porcelain stoneware for the floor in the corridor is used quite often. When deciding on a coating model, designers recommend to note the following points for themselves:

For a spacious hallway it is best to take matte or structured porcelain stoneware. The price of the material is quite high, however, such a floor will last even with intensive use for at least 70 years;
For compact and narrow corridors optimal solution will become lapped porcelain stoneware. The material practically does not slip, but at the same time reflects most of the light, due to which the space in the hallway visually expands;
Diagonal tile layout on the floor will visually make the covering more elongated, and the checkerboard styling will visually embroider a narrow hallway.

The photo shows successful design projects of hallways using porcelain stoneware. The presentable-looking coating organically fits into both modern and ethnic interior styles.

The floor in the hallway is being renovated at the very end. The entrance hall serves many functions. Here they receive guests and put themselves in order, and the floor in the corridor as a connecting link between all rooms is subjected to the greatest stress. Therefore, you should seriously approach the choice flooring... Most believe that it is ideal floor tiles in the hallway.

Hallway floor requirements

Floor tiles in the corridor and hallway should not only fit into the overall interior of the room, but also be functional

So that later you do not have to correct mistakes and redo everything, it is worth taking seriously the choice of floor tiles. There are specific requirements that cannot be ignored.

In terms of appearance, the following video will show some options for interiors with floor tiles in corridors and hallways:

Installation of floor tiles in the corridor

If the floor tiles are simple and without a pattern, you can lay them down with your own hands. But design solutions look especially impressive. Correctly selected colors and textures can expand the space and, in general, change the perception of the room.

For a small narrow corridor, a diagonal layout will be irreplaceable. The combination of ceramics with other flooring will also expand the space. Increasingly, they resort to precisely such a combination as tiles and laminate. This is a great zoning option.

Diagonal laying in narrow corridors and zoning examples

Tiles that simulate different textures are very popular now. It can be stone, marble, leather, etc. Wood fans are especially pleased with such solutions, because the wooden floor in the corridor is very impractical, but the tiles imitating natural wood are the ideal solution.

After the final choice of materials, you can start laying. To do this, you must comply with some rules:

The floor surface is first properly prepared. The base must be perfectly flat.
The tile can be laid jointly to joint or with a small distance, it all depends on personal preference.
The markup is mandatory. And only on it the tiles are laid.
It is very important to apply the adhesive to the surface and not to the tiles.
There should be periodic evenness checks. This requires a level.
Only after complete drying can it be carried out.

The laying process itself is not as complicated as it might seem at first glance. The first step is to remove the old flooring, level the floor with a screed. After the floor is completely dry, the markings are carried out, on which the correctness of further work depends. When making the markup, it is better not to focus on the walls, but simply draw two perpendicular lines. In this case, you will have to measure each tile.

To optimize the cut, the tiles should first be spread over the entire floor surface without glue. In order not to forget where this or that tile lay, it can be numbered and the number marked on the floor.

The cladding is very simple and does not differ much from the wall cladding, only the layer of glue should be thicker. The adhesive should be applied in small patches with a notched trowel. Each tile must be pressed tightly to the surface with glue, and then it is better to tap the tile with a rubber hammer. The glue dries very quickly, so it is better to remove the excess immediately.

Styling in a series of six video tutorials:

Today there is a huge selection of floor coverings on the market of building and repair materials. Everyone can choose something to their liking that will meet all their requirements. But for the corridor, floor tiles still remain the leader. It is she who is ideal for this room and meets all the requirements, and the color solutions only add to her advantages. Therefore, everyone can carry out design ideas.

If you have something to add or you want to leave your opinion - leave your comments!

Due to its aesthetic appearance and unique properties, the undisputed leader finishing materials is a tile on the floor for the corridor and kitchen: photos of modern interiors clearly demonstrate this. But how to choose the right tile among the many different offers on the market? Buying flooring is not an easy task that requires a careful approach to its solution. Indeed, to create not only a stylish, but also a high-quality interior, it is necessary to take into account specifications and the features of this material. After reading the article and the proposed photos of floor tiles in the interior, you can easily make an independent choice.

1 Advantages and Disadvantages of Floor Tiles
2 Indicators of the quality of floor tiles in the corridor and kitchen
- 2.1 Ideal floor tiles for the corridor and kitchen: photo the best options finishes
3 Sizes and shapes of tiles on the floor for the kitchen and corridor: interior design photo
4 Floor tiles for hallway and kitchen. Choice of color and texture
5 Floor tiles for corridor and kitchen. Photo illustrations of interior design options
6 How to properly lay tiles on the floor yourself

Advantages and Disadvantages of Floor Tiles

The tile has a number of advantages over other finishing materials:

hygiene - tiles are considered the best finishing material for rooms with a high level of pollution. The smooth and even surface is easy to clean, does not accumulate dust and perfectly tolerates washing even with aggressive household chemicals... The latter is a big plus, since the floor in the kitchen and corridor is constantly exposed to moisture, which can contribute to the appearance of mold and harmful bacteria;

strength - with high-quality tile laying, it is able to withstand significant impact loads. In addition, it is not subject to mechanical damage and color loss;
durability - a well-laid tile can last you up to 50 years without losing its visual appeal;
moisture resistance - not afraid of high humidity and even flooding;

fire resistance - ceramic tiles do not react in any way to an increase in temperature and will not burn in a fire;
ease of restoration - in case of damage, there is no need to change the entire floor covering. You can easily replace a separate area, returning the interior to its original appearance;
environmental friendliness - ceramic tiles are a material that is safe for health;

a large selection - numerous options for colors, patterns, sizes, as well as a variety of tile textures make it possible to create not only a practical, but also a visually attractive design.

Specialized Internet resources will help you get acquainted with a variety of photos of floor tiles for the hallway. Prices for this material can be viewed on the websites of hardware stores.

But, like any coating, tiles have a number of disadvantages. Let's list the difficulties associated with laying tiles, and options for eliminating them:

poor-quality installation can lead to cracks, therefore, it is necessary to prepare an even and dry base in advance;
tile has poor sound insulation properties. This disadvantage can be eliminated with the help of a special layer, which is laid at the stage of creating a screed;

tile is a rather cold material. But at the same time, the tile has excellent thermal conductivity, so the problem can be solved by installing a "warm floor" system;
the tile is a slippery surface, so it is better to give preference to tiles with a rough texture.

Indicators of the quality of floor tiles in the corridor and kitchen

To choose not only beautiful, but also high-quality tiles, pay attention to the marking. The manufacturer must indicate the following indicators on the packaging:

PEI - wear resistance level ceramic tiles... Measured on a scale of 1 to 5;
the percentage of moisture resistance of the material;
the size of the floor tiles;

resistance of the material to chemicals. The classification is carried out from D to AA, where D is the minimum indicator, AA is the maximum;
the way the product was produced (the letter B stands for the pressing process, the letter A for extrusion);

the hardness of the tiles. This indicator is measured on a ten-point scale of the MEP. The higher the number indicated on the package, the more hard the tile has;
grade of tiles. It is easily recognizable by the color of the markings on the packaging. So, red color indicates 1 grade of material, blue color - 2 grade, green - 3. The higher the grade of the purchased product, the higher its price.

Ideal floor tiles for the corridor and kitchen: photos of the best finishing options

Characteristics that a tile intended as a floor covering in the hallway and kitchen should have:

floor tiles in the kitchen and in the corridor must have a wear resistance class of at least PEI 3;
the water resistance of the material should not be less than 3%;
the coefficient of friction should not exceed 0.75%;

among manufacturers, the market leaders are companies from countries such as Spain and Italy;
it is better to choose the first type of tile;
the size and shape of the tile can be anything, depending on your preferences.

Sizes and shapes of tiles on the floor for the kitchen and corridor: interior design photo

The standard sizes of floor tiles are 30x30 cm, 20x30 cm, 20x25 cm, 20x20 cm, 10x15 cm, 10x10 cm.However, now you can buy products in larger sizes - 40x40 cm, 60x100 cm, 70x120 cm.

The most common forms of tiles are square and rectangle (in this case, the aspect ratio can be absolutely any - 1/2, 1/3, etc.). Elongated "sticks" are much less common.

Floor tiles for hallway and kitchen. Choice of color and texture

Choosing a tile, you will come across a huge assortment of this finishing material. Tiles differ from each other not only in size and shape, but also in texture and color.

Which option should you give preference to? Here are some tips for choosing this flooring:

for the kitchen and the corridor, it is better to choose tiles with a rough surface. This will reduce the level of slipping, but it should be borne in mind that dust and dirt will accumulate in the recesses of an overly textured tile. At the same time, products with a glazed surface have greater moisture resistance and increased strength. It perfectly illustrates how such a tile looks in the corridor on the floor; photos available on the Internet;

when choosing a tile color, it is important to consider the overall interior design. Most often, preference is given to tiles of light colors with a monochrome surface. To do this, you can use not only ceramics, but also porcelain stoneware for the floor (photos of the design of such interiors are widely presented on the network);
a light floor is able to significantly expand the room visually;

dark tiles are permissible only in a spacious hallway (kitchen), while requiring light shades for furniture and other interior details;
keep in mind that black and white tiles are very easily soiled options, but combining tiles in these colors is an option that does not go out of style. They lay such a combination in a checkerboard pattern or diagonally with rhombuses;

the most successful colors for finishing these rooms are gray, brown and beige;
a matte surface is more practical than a glossy one. On such a floor, dirt and scratches are less noticeable;
tiles that imitate a natural stone... Such a tile is suitable for creating a classic or "rustic" interior;

wood imitation floor tiles are very popular. Such a tile is versatile for an interior decorated in any architectural style;
medium-sized tiles with repeating patterns will make your room look smaller and more comfortable.

Floor tiles for corridor and kitchen. Photo illustrations of interior design options

The color of the selected flooring directly depends on whether there are windows in the room being decorated and where they go. So, if there are no windows in the corridor or they are facing north, it is better to give preference to plain light tiles. A dark coating will take in too much light.
If the windows in the room face south, you can use more saturated colors.

When choosing the size and shape of the tiles, it is important to consider the area of \u200b\u200bthe room. Large square tiles are perfect for a spacious kitchen or hallway, and, for example, using tiles rectangular you can visually lengthen a short corridor. Looking through the photo of floor tiles for the hallway, you will see examples of such work with space.

A variety of patterns and ornaments are perfect for designs with ethnic motives; in rooms decorated in a minimalist style, it is preferable to use tiles with a monochrome surface, and bright colored floors will be appropriate in a modern interior.

The ideal solution would be to install a "warm floor" system under the ceramic tiles.

How to properly lay tiles on the floor yourself

The service life of the flooring directly depends on how well you prepare the base. The concrete floor must be leveled before laying the tiles. For this, a special composition is used, after which they must be checked using a level. After the solution has dried, a primer is applied to a clean and dry surface.

Before starting to lay the tiles, the marking is done - taking into account the size of the tiles. But some masters recommend just starting from the corner. After mixing a special adhesive solution, apply it to the surface with a smooth spatula. After that, the adhesive must be smoothed out with a notched trowel.

It is not difficult to prepare tile adhesive yourself. To do this, use a construction mixer or drill with a special attachment. Dissolve the dry mixture in water according to the instructions and mix thoroughly. The finished product must be left to stand for 15 minutes, and then mix well again. This will produce a homogeneous solution.

It is very convenient to use a notched trowel with one smooth side to apply tile adhesive. The finished solution is applied to the floor surface over an area of \u200b\u200bno more than one square meter and for each tile separately. It is important not to forget that the direction of the grooves on the tile and on the floor must be different. This promotes better adhesion of the adhesive after drying.

Special spacer crosses will help you to make the seams between tiles even and parallel to each other. Further, the already laid tiles are adjusted to the level by gently tapping with a rubber hammer.

After the solution has completely dried, it remains only to rub and process the tile joints. Use a rubber spatula to do this.

It is quite possible to independently choose and lay tiles for the floor in the kitchen and in the corridor. Using the advice of experts presented in the article, you can realize any of your ideas, creating a unique interior.

The floor covering of the hallway is constantly being influenced by several aggressive factors at once: moisture and sand brought from the street, salt particles in winter, the sound of heels from shoes. Ceramic tiles are ideal for finishing the floor of this room. It is recommended to make a choice in favor of this material when repairing a bathroom and. The days when tiles looked unattractive are long gone. How modern tiles look like, laid on the floor in the corridor, can be estimated from the photo. The latest material samples allow you to implement the most daring ideas in the living room interior.

Main characteristics of tiles

There are many requirements for ceramic tiles for the hallway. The floor covering must be reliable and durable, as well as maintain its performance as long as possible, since this part of the apartment is used most often. Outdoor footwear, slippers, and pets' claws have an impact on the tiled floor. The tile is characterized by mechanical strength, wear resistance, high coefficient of friction and lack of sensitivity to chemicals.

Contemporary sustainable tiles.

Mechanical strength and resistance are closely related to each other. Tiles with high resistance to mechanical stress cannot but be characterized by high wear resistance. This type of flooring does not wear off or break under normal stress conditions, which eliminates the need for frequent repairs to the floor in the hallway.

The tile has a high moisture resistance. This quality is very important, because, returning from the street, you can walk along the corridor in dirty or wet shoes. The tile may differ in the value of the coefficient of friction. The floor in the hallway can be made of two types of flooring. The tile, as seen in the photo, is smooth and embossed (or rough). For a corridor, it is best to choose a surface with a raised surface so that the floor does not turn out to be slippery.

The best option for a hallway tile would be a covering made of porcelain stoneware. This material has several advantages. Porcelain stoneware is painted over to its full thickness, which eliminates fading over time, and is also characterized by zero water absorption. When buying corridor tiles, choose options with an anti-slip index of R10 or R11.

Ceramic tiles have their drawbacks. It is cold and hard, so it will be unpleasant to walk on it barefoot.

Some people feel that the use of this material makes their hallway cold and gloomy. The last drawback can be easily dealt with by making a partial tiling, when it is used to cover only the floor area near the door, and the rest of the hallway floor is covered with linoleum or finished with laminate.

When choosing a color scheme, pay attention to the embossed tiles in dark tones. The rough coating of light shades will become dirty over time, as dirt will settle in the irregularities. It is recommended not to choose black material, as it visually narrows the space of an already small hallway.

Combination with another coating

Tiled floor in combination with other material on the floor in the hallway looks very impressive. You can choose the best option for your apartment from the photo.

With the help of this technique, you can perform several important tasks at once. The tile is placed only in the area where the floor needs protection from the negative effects of external factors. The combination of tiles with another floor covering allows you to divide the corridor area into zones. As a result of the work, the entrance hall itself will be beautifully and effectively separated from the space of the hall or lobby. Usually, for these purposes, a tile is chosen that differs in color or pattern from the second material.

The combination of two coatings is expressed in a combination of two textures and two colors, which deprives the interior of the hallway of monotony. Additional lines and new shades give this space an unusual look.

Tiles can be combined with other flooring in the hallway in different ways. Before starting work, it is better to evaluate the finished options from the photo. The tiled area can be on the same level with the floor covering or rise slightly above it.

If you decide to make a podium from a tile, then raise it by a maximum of 5 cm, with a higher height such a structure will already be unsafe.

You can connect two coatings in a straight line or along a curved line. The second option is more difficult to implement in practice, since you will need to cut the material exactly to size, but the figured connection looks much more spectacular.

The combination of various materials must take place in accordance with certain rules.

It is impractical to spend your energy on carrying out such painstaking work for the sake of effect, experts advise making a curved connection in cases where it overlaps with other elements of the hallway interior.

Styling

The floor tiles can be installed in the hallway by themselves. For clarity, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the photo and video master classes. Design work includes, in addition to laying the coating, the selection of combinations of colors and textures. The specialist is able to create from tile a unique image that will decorate the interior of your apartment. Not only the appearance of the floor itself depends on the layout, but also the perception of the entire hallway room.

Diagonal laying visually enlarges the room.

The diagonal layout of the tiles is mainly used in small rooms. This pattern contributes to the visual expansion of the room space. A similar effect is obtained by combining tiles with a different type of finish. The hallway in this case visually increases in size due to the allocation of zones. In the interior of the apartment, it is recommended to use floor coverings that imitate natural materials: "Wood imitation" create a cozy feeling in the hallway.

Do-it-yourself tile laying must be done, observing several rules:

The tiles are laid on a flat floor (if the surface has irregularities, they must be removed);
For the convenience of work, you can first make markings on the floor;
The glue must be applied exclusively to the floor, the tiles are not smeared with glue;
Throughout all finishing works it is important to constantly check the levelness of the surface (use a level so that the floor of your hallway is even);
You can proceed to grouting only after the glue is completely dry.

The tiles are laid on the floor in the corridor in two ways: "seam to seam" or "staggered".

Their difference from each other is clearly visible in the photo. Before facing work, the floor surface is carefully leveled. You need to remove the old coating, clean out any debris and level the unevenness. After that, you can proceed to the screed; for these purposes, any of the special compositions available in the hardware store will do. After the screed is dry, you can mark the floor.

For correct marking, it is not recommended to use the hallway walls as landmarks - they can go obliquely. Experts draw two perpendicular lines and focus on them. This method takes more time and effort, since you will have to try on each edged tile separately. To minimize waste, you can first lay out the material dry and analyze the resulting layout.

Floor cladding has no fundamental differences from wall cladding. Any all-purpose adhesive can be taken as a fastener. Its layer for laying tiles on the floor of the hallway should be thicker than when decorating the walls. The glue is applied with a notched trowel, then the tiles are pressed tightly against it.

Tiles for the outer sides of the floor surface are cut separately. The main part of the coating is first laid in the hallway, only after the glue has completely dried out can the rows be installed along the edges. It is best for beginners to view photos of all stages of the process. Seams between tiles are treated with grout or cement mortar.

Tiles neatly laid in the hallway look beautiful and stylish. The combination of shades and textures, correctly selected when combining two coatings, allows you to add a "zest" to the interior of the "dull" room of your apartment, adding a little brightness and visually expanding the space. Tile flooring is durable and durable, with proper care will not lose its color and attractive appearance for a long time.

Many of us choose flooring based on its appearance and cost. But floor tiles, like other types of finishing materials, have many important technological characteristics that will have a direct impact on the duration of operation and surface resistance to different types impacts. In order to select high-quality tiles for a particular room, and in our case, these are hallways and corridors, you need to decide on technical requirements to cover. It is important to understand what loads and with what intensity the floor covering will be subjected, what will be the temperature regime and the humidity of the room, whether the surface will need to be cleaned with the help of chemically active substances.

Having decided on the criteria for choosing a floor covering for a difficult, in terms of traffic and types of mechanical and other influences, hallway premises, it will be possible to move on to a direct design solution. Typically in technical documentation for tiles of any type, their technological and operational characteristics are indicated. In addition, the packaging is supplied with special markings that can also tell a lot about the "nature" of the facing material. Let's try together to figure out what kind of floor tiles to buy for renovation works in hallways, hallways, corridors and other auxiliary rooms.

Floor tile characteristics

Material porosity

This is a very important characteristic of the tile - other indicators of the strength, durability and wear resistance of the material depend on it. The porosity of a tile indicates the amount of water that the product can absorb. It is expressed as a percentage indicating an increase in the weight of the tile after 2 hours in water. Obviously, the tiles that will protect the floors in the hallway should have a minimum porosity, because moisture (snow, dirt) from our shoes and umbrellas will get to the surface. To obtain a low porosity of the material, it is necessary heat firing products. As a result of such firing, the material receives a large shrinkage, its bending strength increases, and in non-glazed tiles - resistance to wear.

The floors in the hallway are washed much more often than in other areas of a private house or apartment. Experts recommend purchasing floor tiles for private households with a porosity of no more than three percent, and for apartment buildings - less than six.

Hardness and wear resistance of tiles

For halls, hallways and lobbies of residential buildings, it is recommended to use tiles with a high abrasion class as flooring. For cladding corridors and hallways, material of class 3 or 4 is suitable. And at the very entrance to the room, you can put unglazed tiles or ceramic granite (porcelain stoneware). It will also be necessary to take into account the surface qualities of products - hardness, resistance to chemicals, cleanability.

When choosing tiles for hallway floors, it is also important to take into account other indicators, including the color "chromatic structure" and shine. With wear of products, surface contamination increases. Spots are visible on light and solid surfaces and less visible on dark, grainy or variegated items. Scratches are very visible on glossy, shiny surfaces. This factor must be taken into account by hostesses who often wear stiletto heels.

Mechanical characteristics

All the mechanical properties of the tiles are related to the ability to resist various loads, from the weight of furniture to the movement of bags on wheels. Most often, attention is paid to two types of such characteristics - bending resistance and bending strength. The bending resistance directly depends on the hygroscopicity of the material - the higher the porosity of the tile, the lower this indicator. For example, porcelain stoneware has a moisture absorption rate of 0.5%, and a single-fired tile - 10%. The bending resistance is distributed accordingly. Flexural strength depends not only on the porosity of the product, but also on its thickness. The thicker the tile, the higher the tensile strength.

The strongest (and most frequent) impact on the tile surface comes from the soles of our shoes, which can be made from a variety of materials, including metal heels. In addition, the more dirt on the soles of our shoes, the faster the flooring wears down.

The durability of a tile coating is most easily characterized by two indicators - the surface hardness on the Mohs scale and the wear resistance of ceramics. On the scale of surface hardness, minerals can be ranked in the following sequence:

talc - 1;
gypsum - 2;
calcite - 3;
fluorite - 4;
apatite - 5;
feldspar - 6;
quartz - 7;
topaz - 8;
corundum - 9;
diamond -10.

The wear resistance of ceramic tiles is measured in conventional units from 1 to 5 on the P.E.I. scale. The group (1-5) to which a particular tile model belongs is indicated on the package. In order not to load you with information about each of the five groups, we will only say that for rooms of hallways, corridors and halls characterized by a sufficiently high traffic intensity, medium abrasion of surfaces, products belonging to the fourth group are suitable (in extreme cases, you can use material from the collections of the third groups).

Safety requirements

Slip resistance is obviously a key safety requirement. This characteristic is very important for the flooring of residential premises that are constantly exposed to moisture, among other things. The parameter that determines the ability of a surface to prevent the sliding of an object on it is measured by the coefficient of friction. Corundum-coated tiles are often used to increase slip resistance on dry surfaces.

Use and maintenance of the floor covering

The durability of a ceramic tile flooring depends a lot on how it is maintained. For routine, routine cleaning of surfaces, you can use simple cleaners, avoiding strong acid-based compounds. They can damage not so much the tile itself as the inter-tile joints sealed with cement-based products. If the seams between your products are sealed with epoxies (sealants), then such a surface will have a high level of resistance to chemical cleaning agents.

When cleaning ceramic flooring, you must stop using abrasives - powders with large particles and even more metal brushes. All scratches and chips are perfectly visible on glossy surfaces. Glazed surfaces can be effectively cleaned using special products (sold in all household chemical stores), without the use of powders and pastes. For non-glazed products (clinker, porcelain stoneware), it is necessary to use special fluids to prevent the appearance of stains on the tiles and tile joints.

Types of ceramic tiles for flooring

Tiles differ in material and manufacturing method, which in turn is subdivided into forming method, pre-drying time, presence of glaze and number of firing. All ceramic tiles are classified as unglazed single fired and glazed single and double fired.

Previously, tiles were produced using a bicotour method - they were fired after molding, glaze was applied and once again fired with it. Such tiles have a fairly high porosity - up to 10%, because they were naturally molded and dried for a short time (the thickness of the products is 5-7 mm).

The modern method of tile production is single-cut - the finished mixture is pressed, dried, glazed and fired. During drying, such tiles are significantly compacted and reduced in size. The products are heavier, thicker (9-13 mm) and with a porosity not exceeding 3%.

The most popular are the following options for ceramic tiles:

unglazed single firing (cotto, clinker, porcelain stoneware);
glazed double firing (faience, majolica, cottoforte);
glazed single fired (single fired white and red).

Non-glazed products have a rough (natural) surface. Such tiles are very durable, but in order for the appearance of the coating not to suffer during the period of operation, it must be covered with a special compound.

In addition to the composition and manufacturing method, floor tiles differ in shape - they can be square, rectangular, curly, in the form of a polyhedron. Also, the choice of tiles will need to be made according to the size of the products. Large tiles look great, visually increase the space. But if the number of tiles is incorrectly calculated, there will be a lot of waste. Also, the visual expansion of the volume of the room (and the hallways and corridors in our apartments are often not large in scale) is facilitated by the laying of products diagonally.

Methods for laying tiles for floors in auxiliary rooms

Manufacturers of finishing materials offer ready-made collections, which contain all the necessary elements for drawing up a floor covering pattern. Often used is the technique of drawing up a seemingly colorful carpet with edging in the center of the corridor or hallway and making the rest of the space in a monochromatic version. Such a floor covering can become the center of attention of the entire room. The variegated design of the floors will require a monochromatic finish on the remaining surfaces.

The so-called patchwork technique involves the arbitrary arrangement of square floor tiles with variegated ornaments. The covering resembles a patchwork bedspread, in the manufacture of which the same colors were used, but in different variations of the patterns. Such a floor looks accentuated, colorful and attracts attention, becoming the focal point of the room.

The familiar "checkerboard" is an arrangement of tiles of two contrasting colors (most often white and black) in a checkerboard pattern. Such an arrangement of products visually increases the volume of the room, becoming a bright and variegated spot in the image of the interior. Surprisingly, such a distinctive floor covering perfectly integrates into rooms decorated in various styles - from classic to modern. The only thing that needs to be taken into account is that such a variegated design of the floors requires a more calm, neutral execution of the rest of the finish.

Ceramic tiles imitating wood floors are installed in the same way as floorboards. At the same time, there is no need to compare the consecutive dies of ceramic products - the "natural" pattern of wood is good because its surface is universal.

As well as parquet, ceramic tiles can be laid with a herringbone pattern. The original, but at the same time, already classic flooring pattern will look attractive even in a light, neutral color. Herringbone laying of products has various modifications.

In custody

The choice of flooring for the hallway is ambiguous - in addition to ceramic tiles. There are other options for protecting floors in auxiliary rooms, including linoleum, laminate, parquet and even floorboard. But ceramic tiles have a number of undeniable advantages:

the strength and wear resistance of ceramic (tile) tiles is significantly higher than many alternative materials;
low water absorption of products ensures protection of floor surfaces from leaks, which is important for rooms that are constantly in contact with dirt, melted snow and water;
from the point of view of hygiene, tiles are the most resistant to the formation of mold and mildew;
practical and easy-to-clean floor with ceramic coating does not cause trouble for the owners - a minimum amount of time is spent on cleaning it;
a wide range of models - various sizes, configurations and shapes, many options for surface texture, imitation of wood, stone and brick, rich color palette, glossy or matte finish.

The disadvantages of ceramic tiles include only a fairly high cost (compared to linoleum, for example). Also, floor tiles have two contradictory properties - smooth tiles are easy to use, but can be very slippery, and rough tiles do not have such disadvantages, but they are much worse cleaned.