Whether you are shopping for ceramic backsplash, floor tile, wall tile, or even decorative ceramic tile best suited for your application, not all tile is created equal, and the differences can determine whether your Tiento ceramic tile will hold up to the use for which you are installing it.
Dried but unfired ceramic can be glazed with a low firing and fired at a relatively low temperature. Low-fired tiles or tiles that have only gone through biscuit firing are usually cheaper but less durable than hard-fired tiles. Even if a tile has been glazed, it may only have gone through firing and possibly only light firing, so just because it is glossy and colored does not indicate that the tile has the durability of a fired tile.
But in your question, do not dwell on what kind of clay the tile is made of. Icings vary greatly; even the “food safe” icings can release chemicals, stain, and lose color. Many manufactured tiles must be better made and suitable for their intended purposes. Of course, plenty of perfectly crafted tiles are out there, so you’ll need to find out to be sure. The information, however, may or may not be readily available.
The type of ceramic ornament is also essential. For a ceramic countertop or countertop, the tile must be level. For a backsplash, tiles can be embossed, but a high emboss will be challenging to clean and is generally not recommended.
The fireplaces, frescoes, mosaics, and facades can be flat, low, or high relief, with low fire resistance glazes suitable for these purposes. However, be careful with areas that will be used frequently, such as around the fireplace where firewood will be placed or fireplace tools used.
Almost any type of tile and glaze is suitable for ceramic walls in dry rooms that are not subjected to intense physical contact. A giant frog jumping off the shower wall at body height is not a good idea.
Flats present other challenges and opportunities. Ceramic floor tiles must be durable, so porcelain stoneware is the best choice. No terrain is recommended, as uneven surfaces can be challenging to walk on, especially for the elderly. An additional factor when choosing tiles is smoothness. Glossy enamel on the floor is not recommended. A heavily textured glaze or frosted glaze works best.
Slightly combustible and even porous shingles can be used outdoors on a vertical surface in cold weather. Outdoor use in cold climates requires high-fired tiles and reliable glazes, especially on horizontal surfaces. But it is still better to use frost resistant tiles in colder climates.
Finally
There is the issue of food safety for ceramic tiles. Many decorative ceramic tiles serve trays for various hot and cold dishes and mustn’t release chemicals.
