Tiles are durable building and decorative materials made from raw materials such as clay, feldspar, and quartz, through processes of shaping and high-temperature sintering. They are widely used for interior and exterior floor and wall decoration, combining practicality with aesthetic value. The following is an introduction covering their core characteristics, classification & applications, key parameters, and more:
I. Core Advantages
Durable and Easy to Maintain: With a Mohs hardness of 6-7 and excellent wear and impact resistance, tiles have a dense surface that is not easy to stain. Daily cleaning only requires clean water or neutral detergent.
Eco-Friendly and Safe: No harmful gases (such as formaldehyde) are released during the high-temperature sintering process. Some products have obtained international certifications like ISO and CE, complying with green building material standards.
Strong Adaptability: Featuring water and moisture resistance (with water absorption as low as below 0.5%) and acid-alkali corrosion resistance, tiles are suitable for humid or special environments such as kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoor terraces.
Diverse Styles: Available in a wide range of colors, textures, and sizes, tiles can simulate the textures of wood, stone, metal, etc., and match various decoration styles including modern, minimalist, and retro.
II. Main Classifications & Application Scenarios
1. Classification by Size
Small Sizes (20×30cm, 30×30cm): Suitable for wall accents, bathroom waistlines, or floors of small spaces (e.g., balconies, corridors).
Medium Sizes (30×60cm, 40×80cm): Mainstream sizes for home use, suitable for walls/floors of living rooms and bedrooms, balancing practicality and aesthetics.
Large Sizes (60×120cm, 80×80cm, 120×120cm): Offer a strong sense of visual extension, ideal for large spaces (e.g., shopping malls, villas) or engineering decoration, reducing joint gaps.
Special Sizes (e.g., mosaics, special-shaped tiles): Used for feature walls and decorative designs to enhance the sense of design.
2. Classification by Material & Craftsmanship
Glazed Tiles: Coated with glaze on the surface, they have rich colors and good anti-slip performance, suitable for interior walls (e.g., kitchens, bathrooms) and floors.
Polished Vitrified Tiles: Fully sintered from porcelain, with extremely low water absorption (≤0.1%) and high hardness, suitable for high-frequency use areas such as living rooms and shopping malls.
Vintage-Style Tiles: With retro textures and a textured surface, they match retro and industrial decoration styles, and are often used in restaurants and homestays.
Full-Body Tiles: With consistent internal and external materials, they are wear-resistant and scratch-resistant, and can be further processed and cut, suitable for outdoor floors and engineering decoration.
III. Key Parameters (for Procurement Reference)
Water Absorption: Generally ≤10% for glazed tiles, ≤0.1% for polished vitrified tiles. For outdoor tiles, it is recommended to choose products with water absorption ≤0.5% to avoid deformation caused by water absorption.
Wear Resistance Grade: AC3 or above for home use, AC4 for commercial spaces (e.g., shopping malls), and AC5 for engineering decoration.
Stain Resistance: Priority should be given to products with glazed surfaces or anti-stain treatment. The difficulty of cleaning can be verified through the "soy sauce/ink test".
Anti-Slip Coefficient: For humid areas such as bathrooms and kitchens, products with an anti-slip coefficient ≥0.5 must be selected to ensure safety.
IV. Extended Application Scenarios
Residential Decoration: Fully covering walls and floors of living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and balconies.
Commercial Spaces: Used in public areas of shopping malls, hotels, and office buildings, balancing durability and design.
Engineering Projects: For public places such as subway stations, hospitals, and schools, tiles need to meet the requirements of high wear resistance, easy cleaning, and fire retardancy.
Outdoor Scenarios: For areas around courtyards, terraces, and swimming pools, outdoor-specific tiles with strong anti-slip and weather resistance should be selected.