Short note: Floor and wall tiles

Tiles are thin, flat, factory-made units of baked clay or cement, used to finish floors and walls. They are hygienic, durable, easy to clean and available in many colours and sizes.

Floor tiles

• Types: ceramic, vitrified, mosaic (cement-marble chip), terracotta, clay, and stone tiles. Sizes: 300 x 300, 450 x 450, 600 x 600 mm; thickness 8-12 mm.
• Laying: on a 20-25 mm cement-sand mortar (1:4) bed over the base; tiles are tapped to a level, joints 2-3 mm, grouted next day, cured for 3-7 days.
• Qualities: low water absorption, abrasion resistance, anti-slip finish.

Wall tiles

• Glazed ceramic tiles (150 x 150, 200 x 300 mm; 5-6 mm thick) used in kitchens, bathrooms and toilets, up to a height of 1.2-2 m or to the ceiling.
• Fixing: the wall is plastered with a rough coat (1:4, 12 mm), wetted, then tiles are soaked and fixed with cement paste or adhesive in true line and level, with spacers. Joints are grouted with white cement.
• Merits: waterproof, clean, decorative. Demerits: brittle, cost, hollow spots if bonding is poor.