Concrete-look tiles: pros and cons

The modern assortment of tiles in hardware stores is quite wide, so during the renovation of a room it is often very difficult to find the best option. This is not surprising, because a good coating should combine quality, safety, attractive appearance and affordable price.

Concrete-effect wall tiles are a fairly popular solution for interior decoration.because it has all the basic necessary qualities. Such a coating will help create a modern atmosphere of simplicity and comfort in the room.

This type of tile is an imitation of building concrete, however, there are many shades and textures of the material, thanks to which you can find a suitable option for various interior styles. The most popular raw material for making such tiles is porcelain stoneware.

The average service life of products, depending on the operating conditions and correct installation, can vary within 20-30 years, and sometimes it even exceeds half a century.

By itself, concrete is a rather unattractive material, so many do not believe that its use in the interior of a room can add beauty and comfort to the atmosphere. However, tiles decorated with concrete look only vaguely resembles these building materials, since they look very neat and restrained.

The main positive qualities of the "concrete" finish are distinguished:

• Versatility. Concrete-look tiles are quite unusual, but at the same time, a very versatile coating. It will perfectly fit into many interior styles, creating a discreet basis for highlighting bright details or becoming the main accent of home decoration. This type of coating can be combined with many other popular materials such as wood or metal elements, glass inserts and furniture.

• Easy maintenance. Tiles of such a plan do not require special expensive care products and do not take much time to clean. The surface is quite non-marking, so it will not quickly get dirty and will retain its neat appearance. In addition, due to the reduced number of joints between the boards, dirt will not accumulate. In order to remove stains and scuffs from the tile, you just need to periodically wipe it with a rag or foam sponge.

• Durability. Considering that the main material for making tiles for concrete is porcelain stoneware, we can say that such a coating will be very durable and will last for many years. With proper installation, such a tile will not chip or move away from the surface, it will not be covered with cracks. The material is also quite resistant to physical impact, therefore, it will not rub and lose its visual appeal over time. Having made the repairs once, you can forget about the additional expenses for updating the coverage for a long time, and significantly save money and time.

• The ability to change the design. Since concrete-look tiles are the basic material, they can be used in the interior not only in their pure form. Such a coating will allow you to show imagination and decorate the walls, depending on personal taste preferences - to cover with paint, apply any patterns, create a fancy slab shape or lay out an interesting pattern.

The disadvantages of this material include the following points:

• Laying such a coating is a more laborious process than installing conventional ceramic tiles. This is due to the shape of the slabs, which are usually made in the form of an elongated rectangle.

• For installation, a special adhesive solution is required, since the material is water-repellent. The adhesive should not be made from cement.

• The cost of such a coating will be higher than laying ordinary ceramic tiles, since the material for its manufacture cannot be classified as the cheapest.

Porcelain stoneware is a building material with a rather large weight, so it is most often used for decorative flooring. However, concrete-look tiles are made for both flooring and wall cladding. As for covering the ceiling, this material is not very popular in this direction, however, sometimes there are options for interesting rooms with a ceiling covered with such tiles.

In order not to be mistaken when buying a finishing material, you should first of all pay attention to the thickness of the plates. Floor tiles will be much thicker than wall tiles, as they bear the greatest stress. Porcelain stoneware for walls and ceilings will be much thinner so that the material does not begin to move away from the surface under its own weight.

The adhesive mixture is selected in accordance with the purpose of the tile. When installing the coating on walls, the main requirement for the adhesive is good adhesion to the surface and high elastic properties. Without these characteristics, the tile simply will not stick to the wall, falling off the surface along with the glue, or the glue will crack, which will also lead to deformation of the coating.

When covering the floor with tiles, it is recommended to use the adhesive that is indicated in the instructions for the building material. This is usually a kind of standard flooring adhesive.

A good mix is ​​a ready-made polymer glue. It does not require additional time to make the solution, since it is sold ready-to-use. For reliable fixing of the plates, a thick layer of the mixture is not required, it dries well and has high adhesion to the surface. The disadvantage of such an adhesive composition is its price, which is an order of magnitude higher than the cost of cement mixtures.

It is imperative to pay attention to the operating conditions of the glue, which are usually indicated on its packaging. The main qualities that such a composition should have are resistance to low temperatures and elasticity. In addition, if there are certain unfavorable conditions in the room where the repair is being carried out, it is necessary to find such an adhesive that is designed for use in these conditions.

For information on how to use tiles for concrete and cement in the interior, see the next video.