Floor tiles: Italian elegance in the interior

Floor tiles are a great design solution. Properly selected materials are able to refresh the situation, as well as give it a special chic. With the help of beautiful tiles will be able to emphasize the unique Italian sophistication in the interior.

The tile, first found in the excavations, dates from the third millennium BC. In ancient times, it was so expensive and revered that it was used only in the decoration of temples and palaces of the nobility. Nowadays, this material is a practical and fashionable decision in the choice of finishing material. Despite its centuries-old history, such coatings do not lose their relevance to this day and are distinguished by excellent characteristics. Particular weight in the market is Italian tile, distinguished by the handicraft of masters of the seaside.

Italy, famous for its landscapes, traditions and originality, was a place of inspiration for the flourishing of the tile industry. At the moment, the creation of Italian tiles can be considered an art or a separate tradition of a country that has a history of ten centuries. Masters continue to create, inspired by new trends, but not forgetting about history.

What is also unique is that the ceramic business is usually family-owned, where the traditions and secrets of working with the material are handed down from generation to generation. In general, there are more than 350 such factories throughout the country than no other state can boast of, and 70% of the produced tile is always exported and finds its international owner, perhaps on another continent. But what is the difference between Italian ceramics? Let's figure it out.

The features of Italian tiles include:

• Stunning appearance. The most fashionable varieties and their design solutions come to us from Italy, because, like in fashion, it dictates any current trends for certain ceramics.
• In production, only the most time-tested reference technologies are used.
• Non-standard formats, colors and the use of combined materials.

If you understand the characteristics, then it is Italian material, despite its high price, for all options will be the best of the options for flooring. Let's analyze in stages.

The most important characteristic of floor ceramics is its resistance to stress. Subject to all the rules of installation of the material, it is considered that Italian materials can withstand a greater load than reinforced concrete.

Another advantage is also the rigidity of the material, which leaves it unchanged even under the most severe loads. It is difficult not to mention the special thermal conductivity of Italian ceramics. In addition, the characteristic with direct benefit is the fire resistance and stability of the drawings at all temperatures.

Much to our regret, today cost does not guarantee better quality at all. Many suppliers still use this trick in the hope that the buyer will be guided by the price in finding a quality product.How, making a choice, do not let yourself be deceived and what to look for when choosing?

Only four simple steps will allow you to avoid unpleasant moments:

• Before buying it is worth exploring the market in order to know exactly the name of the Italian company you prefer.
• Request a certificate from the seller confirming the quality of the product and its exact origin.
• Carefully examine the packaging. It is there that the manufacturer’s contact details and other information must be provided.
• With your own hands, open the package, then examine the quality of the purchased product. Pay attention to the plane, compare the details among themselves. Poor quality ceramics can not be perfectly laid on the floor, so you should protect yourself even when choosing.

Italian designers create true masterpieces, but competently applying them in their own space is another equally difficult task, where one cannot do without the help of a professional.

The very first step before installation is to prepare the floor for tile laying, which involves cleaning it and degreasing it. It is worth paying attention to the floor area and the size of the tile to avoid pieces of small diameter, spoiling the overall picture or a planned ornament.It even happens that the identical tiles of the same collection, but from different boxes, vary in size. All the nuances, calculations should be made in advance.

Ceramics are placed on a special adhesive composition, which includes cement, sand, and sometimes a latex additive to create additional strength. Interglacial seams are filled with grout (special material serving this purpose).

To be satisfied not only with the quality of the floor, but also with the aesthetics of the resulting coating, Note the following design tips:

• Light colors always visually increase the room, but do not forget that the floor should always be darker than the walls.

• Ornaments and colors should fit into the overall style of the room.

• To visually make the room larger, try using small tiles in the flooring.

How to lay floor tiles, see the following video.