The richness of Spanish ceramic tiles

Over the past years, ceramic tiles have undergone extraordinary development in all aspects. They are now generally consumed worldwide thanks to their properties and technological evolution. Spain alone produces and exports 50% of the total, which is the general trend throughout international markets. Why do ceramic tiles stand out?

• Spanish research development has obtained highly technological products of a quality that has allowed Spain to rank as world leader.
• Until very recently, ceramic tiles were used almost exclusively for bathroom and kitchen walls. Today they are considered to be a construction item and a wide range of products are available with endless uses: from the interior of houses to façades, urban facilities, hospitals, public areas, urban decoration, industrial zones...
• A wide range of colours, shapes and dimensions are available, with different technical characteristics in terms of their use.
• More and more combinable tiles are available, including special tiles with multiple decorations that allow the creation of custom-made atmospheres.
  

Selection of ceramic wall tiles

On selecting the appropriate tiles, it is absolutely necessary to know the place where they will be used. In terms of the characteristics of the space, certain technical features must be borne in mind:

1. Exterior facing

• Ceramic tiles for exterior walls exposed to the inclemency of the weather.
• A low level of mechanical features is normally demanded.
• As well as being easy to clean, the level of resistance of the chemical agents must be borne in mind in each case, in terms of the location (pollution, zones bordering with the sea).
• We must consider brusque temperature changes or frost cycles (vitrified or non-vitrified stoneware tiles are recommended).
• The modern technology of laying the tiles at site, including the different mechanical fixing systems and prefabrication, allow them to be laid anywhere.
  

2. Roof tiles.

• These items meet architectural demands and allow a good finish, thanks to the complete tile systems.
• They have similar characteristics to exterior wall tiles

3. Housing construction.- bathrooms and kitchens

• Hygiene conditions and cleaning facility.
• They require medium-high service due to regular temperature changes, chemical agents and detergents.
• Mechanical resistance.
  

4. Commercial and industrial buildings

• Shops and shopping centres, bars and restaurants, banks, sports facilities, airports and stations, hospitals and laboratories...
• Their common denominator is the intense activity that goes on in them and thus, high or very high exposure to mechanical, physical and chemical action and agents.

5. Urban facilities

• They are used in parks and squares, for exterior socles and closures, benches and public areas and ornamental ensembles such as fountains and ponds, or for facilities for which it is normal to use traditional tiles that have a high decorative value and for their colours and pictures.
• Temperature changes must be borne in mind and attention must be paid when laying the tiles on waterproof bases, to avoid efflorescence and the crystallisation of soluble salts that strip them of their beauty and may loosen the glaze of the tiles.