What type of tiling to choose? And for which room? How to find your way in terms of standards? How to maintain your tiles? The point in order to choose the most suitable tiles.
Different tiles on the market
There are several categories of tiling. For indoor coatings exclusively, there are untreated terracotta or earthenware. Many tiles are adapted to the interior and outside : enamelled sandstone, stretched sandstone, enamelled porcelain stoneware, glass plate and natural stone. The porcelain stoneware is rather intended for external coverings. Locally – but they are also found throughout France -, the terracotta of Toulouse and the Burgundy stone are beautiful products, adapted inside and outside. The trend is also in large formats, tiles with rectified edges that allow a joint -free installation and cement tiles that make their big back in decoration.
If you want to have choice and quality tiles, it is better to avoid general general surfaces and rather favor specialized brands where sellers are more able to inform, because of their technical knowledge. Certain medium-high range brands generally offer beautiful selections by remaining affordable. In terms of price, it takes between 5 euros per m² and this can rise to 150 euros per m² excluding taxes.
The criteria to be taken into account
The choice of tiles is made depending on the premisesof the place that will be tiled as well as its use. It is therefore necessary to determine whether it is an aggressive environment or not for tiling. Afterwards, There are standards that allow you to find your way. Regarding traditional tiles, the consumer can find their way thanks to the international standard PEI (porcelain email institute) which makes it possible to classify the enamelled tiles in 5 groups of abrasion resistance (PV with PV). For example, a classic habitat corresponds to PII and therefore to an average bass abrasion. With this standard, the manufacturer himself declares to which category his tiles belongs.
The UPEC standard, on the other hand, is much more common, it is controlled by an official organization. It takes into account the resistance to wear, the marking of furniture, water and maintenance. It is sort of a sustainability classification. She goes from U2S (entrance, corridor) to U4 (shopping mall, waiting room).
Some tips and tricks
When purchasing, choose Rather average tiles format 30 cm x 30 cm. The average tiles facilitate installation, especially if the support is not straight. Once the tiles are at home, we ask ourselves the question of maintenance. Above all, do not buy wax -based products because even if they make the floor shine, the wax layers tend to superimpose and end up gusling tiles and joints. Better to wash the tiles with lukewarm water and a little bleach to disinfect or choose black soap.
(Thanks to Thierry Toffoli, master craftsman, for his advice)
