Use of Ceramics In Home Designs

A long established material being used for kitchen and bathroom surfaces is Ceramic. That's right! Ceramic surfaces have been popular in the industry for years. And they are not going anywhere anytime soon. So what is the story with this well-established and intriguing surface material? What properties make it a good choice for so many uses? And what should you know if you are going to work with ceramic tiles or other surfaces? We will discuss the answers to those questions in this article. Additionally, we will consider some tips regarding care and maintenance of ceramic surfaces.

What Are Ceramics?

Ceramics are a sintered material that is made from a particular kind of clay material that contains very particular minerals. These minerals are composed of various substances that make the resultant material strong and durable. The clay is fired in a kiln or other environment that reaches a super high temperature. What comes out of the fire is a very dense material. Additionally, pigments can be added to give the ceramic surface a particular look and feel so that it can be used in various design palettes. Finishes include both glazed and unglazed and the colors vary widely. The durability of ceramics is expressed through various properties. Let's look at some of those now.

Properties of Ceramic Surfaces

As with most materials that end up being used for durable hard surfaces, ceramic is tough and can handle the wear and tear of normal household use. The day in and day out food prep, cleaning, cooking, and eating of a multi-person family is something that this material can easily handle as a flooring material, cladding material, ceramic tiles have even been used as a countertop surfaces. The properties that make ceramic good for surfaces in the home are as follows:

• UV Stable
• Heat Resistant
• Chip Resistant
• Stain Resistant
• Crack Resistant
• Scratch Resistant

Perhaps the biggest contributor to the durability of ceramic surfaces is the fact that the material is so hard. The list above enumerates a lengthy range of benefits that basically stem from the hardness of ceramics. For this reason, ceramics have been a popular hard surface material for many, many years. Now it is moving into the kitchen as a durable material for porcelain countertops.

Working With Ceramics

If you are planning on working with ceramics, you will want to be sure you have the correct equipment. If you are installing a ceramic floor you will need a tile saw that can handle the task. Knowing some basics about ceramics is helpful too. One key tool that will make a big difference in the success of your install of ceramic tile flooring or a porcelain countertop is having high quality ceramic porcelain blades for cutting the material cleanly and quickly. After the material is installed, it will require some specific attention.

One of the things that will need to be done is the initial cleaning. After installing ceramic flooring, you will need a cleaner to remove excess grout from the ceramic tile.

Care & Maintenance of Ceramic Surfaces

For care and maintenance of ceramic tile and other ceramic surfaces, you will need to make sure that you select a cleaning product that is strong enough to remove the unwanted substance but not so harsh that it damages the tile or surface. Ceramic tiles, wall cladding and flooring panels are for the most part very durable and since they are non-porous, they don't stain easily. Most of the "stains" that they get are merely materials that dry onto the surface of the tile or panel.

Cleaning Grout Off Ceramics

One kind of discoloration, or stain, that you will need to plan on removing is the grout that inevitably ends up on the surface during and after a tiling project. The grout used may be cement based and can end up drying on the surfaces of the tiles. For situations where you need to remove grout or cement from ceramic surfaces, you will need a cement remover for cleaning grout off ceramic tiles. using a quality cleaning product will allow you to get the cement off the tiles but not hurt the surface of them.

Removing Dirt and Grease

There are many other kinds of stains that can be stubborn to remove from ceramic floors or other ceramic surfaces. When you need a detergent that will cut grease and get the surface of a ceramic or porcelain slab clean, reach for a cleaner that is flexible and can remove many types of stains. We provide a ceramics stain remover and cleaner called Booster that works in various ways depending on the way you dilute it. Booster works on wax, rubber, grease, epoxy, and more.

Are Ceramic Surfaces A Good Choice?

Ceramics are a staple in home interior design. As newer technologies continue to be developed there is no doubt that even more uses will be found for them. They are relatively easy to care for, and with the proper tools, know how and skill set, they can be a wonderful part of your project.