For more than a decade, Italian tile known for the world for the bathroom has been the most sought-after as a design decoration. Italy is a country where the best manufacturers of a wide range of tiles that meet any consumer requirement are represented today. Excellent quality, exquisite design and a variety of price characteristics - these are the main differences between Italian tiles.
Features
Wall tiles must necessarily have an attractive look, creating a unique style in the bathroom, and at the same time, taking into account the peculiarities of the purpose of the room, absolutely do not let moisture in. Italians clearly distinguish between the purpose and functionality of the material they produce: for the kitchen, for the bathroom, hallway or living room.
There are wall and floor cladding materials. Therefore, when making this or that tile, experts strictly take into account the fact where the material will be operated.
Italian tile for the bathroom has a huge number of characteristics that distinguish it from products from other manufacturers.
- Strength. Italy boasts resistance to the loads of tiles produced there. Sometimes the strength of a tile is comparable to reinforced concrete.
- Resistance to deformation. Ceramic tiles can withstand a huge load, which is why it is used even in public places: at stadiums, in cinemas.
- If your bathroom provides a “warm floor” system, then tile from Italy is absolutely suitable for this. Its surface does not cool down immediately, heat passes through it quite effectively, so you can not worry about discomfort.Plus, this is a significant energy savings.
- Fire resistance of ceramic tiles is so effectivethat they are used even when decorating kitchen areas and fireplaces.
- The durability of the pattern. Italians can boast of the fact that the drawing, applied in a special way on the tile, is not subject to time. The “recipe” of this application has been preserved since ancient times, when skilled craftsmen only learned to create real wall masterpieces.
Despite the fact that many consider the cost of Italian tile to be not the most budgetary, experts say that it is worth it: reliability, amazing design, quality and durability guarantee you incredible pleasure from the purchase.
Kinds
Tiles in Italy have been produced for over a millennium. The first tile appeared on the island of Mallorca, where they lined the premises of churches and temples. The local aristocracy also liked the vivid design, their houses began to be decorated with different types of this material. This design emphasized their social status. Today, thanks to a wide range of products, anyone can choose a suitable option for their style and design, color and texture.
Many people wonder what the difference between tiles and ceramics is. In principle, they are not much different: both are made of clay. The very word "ceramics" in Greek means "from burnt clay." Both ceramic and tile are made from clay with various additives - water, quartz sand and feldspar.
True, not all clay is suitable for the production of tiles. Various mineral additives are needed to obtain the desired result.
Today, manufacturers offer several types of Italian ceramic tiles.
- Bicotura. Typically, this material is lined with the internal walls of the premises. The tile covered with a layer of enamel protects the ceramic composition of the cladding from moisture.
- Ceramic granite, or gres, is also a fairly demanded material. Its appearance is close to natural stone. Its surface is matte if, after exiting the furnace, it is not subjected to additional processing. It is often used for flooring in bathrooms.
- Lappated porcelain stoneware (from Italian lappato - ground, smooth) with a polished surface and the effect of combining polished and matte areas, it also looks stylish indoors.
- Famous Majolica - large-pore product. It has a colored base, and the surface is covered with opaque glaze. True, it does not fit in the bathroom, as the pores let moisture through, but the “pre-fucked” room in this design will look stylish.
- Many designers believe that tiles with a matte surface look more stylish than glossy, however, when choosing tiles for your bathroom, be guided by your own taste. To give a special chic to the bathroom, you can choose a tile with a carved surface.
- Rectified - Seamless tile, the edge of which is trimmed exactly under 90 degrees.
Design options
When choosing a design option for a bathroom, remember that the size of your room is an important factor.
If all the walls of the bathroom are decorated in bright colors, then the accent wall can be bright, unique in color from curly tiles. For example, the cotto version of a mysterious terracotta color obtained from red clay will make your room unique, made in retro style.
Geometric clinker tiles fits perfectly into the design of the bathroom, where, instead of the bath itself, there is a shower cabin or its varieties.
Moreover, if you place such a tile vertically, you can achieve a visual increase in the height of the room.
Classic version - this bathroom is decorated with marble tiles.It is recommended to choose colors that are soft, pastel, with decorative elements in soft colors - you can use gold, sand or beige inserts.
Style modern involves a combination of several colors, you can even use contrasting shades. For example, a dark veined floor and light walls - from beige to light pink.
In the bathroom ethnic direction It is recommended to use Italian tiles of bright colors: red, orange, golden. Here you need to focus on accessories that harmoniously fit into the overall design style.
Room country style - This is a reasonable combination of tiles in different colors: blue and green, sand and brown. It is better to combine the selected tile with various coarse materials - stone, wood, for example. The mirror should be framed by a massive wooden frame, from the same material you can pick up a cabinet for linen.
High-tech style and Italian tiles - the perfect solution for a modern bathroom. Bright colors of a glossy product in combination with mirror racks, chrome plumbing fixtures will create a unique atmosphere in your bathroom.
Popular brands
Products of Italian manufacturers of tiles and ceramic tiles are known worldwide. Many companies are recruiting artists to create amazing sketches and design options. Today, there is practically no country where tiles from Italy would not be exported.
Many brands of ceramic products are recognizable even by people who occasionally repair.
La Fabbrica is a company providing the world with amazing quality and unique ceramic tile design.
Properly constructed production processes and subsequent sales allowed manufacturers to become well-known suppliers of their products.
Products from a famous Italian manufacturer Italon breaks the records for the production and export of excellent and high-quality ceramic tiles. In Russia, the company produces high-class porcelain tiles using innovative technologies. The production plant is located in Stupino near Moscow. In the shops you can choose the best samples for flooring and wall tiles from white clay.
For refined and expensive bathrooms, Italon is ready to offer luxurious ceramic collections, for more budget options - interesting and high-quality solutions in any color palette.
Fans of classic bathroom design need to get acquainted with the products of the Italian manufacturer Colli Ceramica. It was founded back in the 60s of the last century and since then has successfully occupied all possible niches of this market. The company produces complete and amazing collections for decoration of any room. An excellent collection of Olimpia in the ancient Greek style is worthy to decorate the bathroom of any connoisseur of beauty.
How to choose?
Almost all experts recommend choosing a tile not in the picture or on the Internet, but live when it is possible to touch it with your hands and see for yourself that the color scheme is fully consistent with the advertising booklet.
- The same applies to texture, light reflection and, importantly, types of cut edges of the product.
- Do not rely on the recommendations of sales consultants, their main task is to simply sell, although there are also professionals in their field.
- Remember that the floor in the bathroom is not faced with simple ceramic tiles, but with granite.
- When purchasing a certain amount of tiles, be sure to take “in reserve”, this will protect you from force majeure.
- If your choice fell on the mosaic drawing, then the calculation of the required number of tiles must be discussed with the master.
- The color scheme is also selected taking into account small nuances: a light upper part of the wall and a dark bottom will make your bathroom less visually, as, indeed, a large floor cladding.Therefore, to "expand" the room, choose a tile with vertical stripes on the wall, and on the floor - a small tile.
Beautiful examples
Choosing a tile for a bathroom, it is better to follow the advice of designers.
- The winning option is classic: white or light tile. The floor is a little darker, it is better to choose a white plumbing too. Avoid sharp contrasts.
- Mosaic - An interesting combination of vintage patterns or bright colors will create a unique mood in your bathroom.
- Plain glass on the walls and floor - aesthetics combined with elegance. Italian tile imitating glass and transparent partitions in the bathroom will give it effect and shine.
- Glass material It goes well with wood and metal.
Italian tile ideal for any size bathroom made in various styles.
The main thing is not to be afraid to experiment and listen to the advice of designers.
Popular Italian tile collections are listed below.