Black floor tiles: the pros and cons

As for the finishing of the apartment, serious disputes arise concerning the material and color. If you combine practical and aesthetic components, a great solution would be black tile. It can be used on almost all surfaces, including walls, ceiling and floor.

Any black tile is a plate of a certain format that can be used for cladding various surfaces.

This material has its own advantages:

• Strength. Some species are able to withstand a large load without changing their characteristics and integrity.
• Resistant to temperature extremes, sunlight and humidity. Such floor covering does not swell and does not deform, black color does not lose its saturation, which makes it possible to use it in residential and non-residential premises.

• Long service life.Each manufacturer has its own and depends on many factors (raw materials, method of manufacturing and processing, installation, maintenance). This figure ranges from 12 to 50 years.
• Ease of care. Virtually all materials do not absorb dirt and liquids, which is explained by the dense structure that prevents them from being absorbed and prevents the growth of fungi and bacteria. Care is extremely simple, you can use aggressive tools to remove dirt. The only weak spot remains the seams between the tiles: with insufficient care, they can become dark, like the floor itself. The solution to this problem is to add a black color to the grout.

• A wide range of models allows you to choose exactly the option that will be suitable in terms of practicality and cost and attractive appearance. Deep black, black with streaks, with glitter or without - the choice is yours.

There are few disadvantages, but they need to be taken into account:

• Most varieties of black floor tiles have high thermal conductivity. Their surface is cold. This can be done with slippers or installing a floor heating system.
• Low sound insulation requires the use of a special layer or insulation.

• Be careful when transporting (to avoid chips and cracks that cannot be repaired). Point-like dynamic effects (falls and shocks) are contraindicated during use. On a tile in which all layers are painted with black pigment, chips and scratches are less noticeable.

Lay the tile with glue, which is applied to a specially prepared surface. For its solidification takes time (two or three days). Until the end of the drying step on the laid plates can not. And the process itself is quite complex, involving several stages, requiring the cost of skilled workers.

All black tiles recommended for flooring are conventionally divided into smooth and embossed. The first varieties do not have a pronounced surface topography: this is the traditional version, which is cheaper. Relief floor tiles often have the texture of natural materials (wood, stone, metal, convex ornament). This option is more expensive, because to create a relief using special equipment and complex multi-stage processing.

A special place is occupied by black tiles with anti-slip effect. Any such surface is less slippery than polished. This is convenient in that you can not limit the speed when walking on the floor. An important indicator is the stability of the slip (when calculating it, the angle of the surface is important). Five classes (from R9 to R13) reflect the risk of slipping and permeability (for example, in the pool that many people visit daily, the highest is required).

Black tile is matte and glossy.

Each species can be:

• monophonic;
• with color details on a black background.

Natural materials (such as rock) are rarely uniform in color, so small glitters are allowed. Often the dies are decorated with patterns, interspersed with marble chips. Gloss is more habitual, it reflects light well, makes the room wider. If the windows overlook the sunny side, such a coating will create a lot of glare unpleasant to the eye. It is clearly visible stains, dust, drips, so it should be removed carefully.A restrained matte finish looks simpler, it absorbs light well, and is easier to maintain. It is less likely to slip.

The form of the individual elements can be:

• square;
• rectangular;
• fantasy.

On the modern market, black floor tiles are made of different materials.

Black color is well conveyed by marble, granite and onyx. Close to it, but with a shade of gray or brown - slate and sandstone. They satisfy the requirements of hardness and wear resistance. Their natural nobility is highly appreciated. A feature of this raw material is a large weight. It creates difficulties in transportation and installation, it is distinguished by a complex elimination of the effects of acids, including fruit.

These materials are made of clay, sand, kaolin and spar. Their difference in the method of manufacture. Ceramic tiles appear as a result of pressing and subsequent firing, which is repeated after the application of enamel. The pressure of the press on the porcelain is more, like the temperature, so it is less porous and more durable (it can be used even on the street).All its layers are painted with black pigment, while the tiles have enamel only. This property gives ceramics more artistic possibilities.

Polyvinyl chloride is a modern alternative to stone. It is used in pure form or with mineral additives to improve performance. At cost, it is the most affordable option, much lighter than its counterparts. Coloring occurs in the mass, so the black color is homogeneous. Separately here it is necessary to allocate carpet tiles with vinyl base (not to be confused with carpet). Despite the fact that it requires constant, time-consuming cleaning, it is laid without gaps and glue.

• Black tile is universal. It looks equally harmonious in a modern minimalist living room and a living room decorated in a classic style. At the same time the glossy surface attracts attention, the matt has the opposite effect, the furniture in its background looks especially expressive.
• You can combine such a coating with completely different shades (gold, silver). The most popular is black and white contrast. Elements can be staggered or in a specific pattern. You can combine and texture: for example, edging around the perimeter with glossy tiles or wood. This distribution is one of the zoning techniques.

• In the bedroom, black tile looks appropriate. The variant with imitation of the vein and stone texture, echoing the wall decoration, looks stylish.
• For children, a hard and cold floor is not suitable: an alternative variant of PVC tiles is needed here (they are both warmer and softer). Black color can affect the psyche of the child. The variant in which black tiled elements alternate with the white, decorated with an identical print, will lighten mood to the child and the adult.
• The tile in the kitchen looks unusual. The glossy mirror surface of the furniture and floor will visually increase the space.

• A practical way to use tiles is the bathroom, jacuzzi, swimming pool (places where water falls on it). Such an unconventional version looks fresh and unusual.If the floor and walls are completely black, take care of good lighting. Otherwise, it is better to make part of the walls and ceiling light.
• Black tiles can be laid in the hallway, corridor and other common areas where dust and dirt accumulate the most. It is important that the flooring is combined with the decoration, furniture, color of the door and other interior details.

Before you go shopping, you need to evaluate the scope. Black tile is more suitable for rooms where the floor is more prone to constant mechanical stress. Black color is appropriate in almost any interior.

For safety reasons, select models with the appropriate mark. about the class of slip resistance. Natural materials are preferred. If you want to save, you can pick up artificial, not inferior to them in strength. Depending on the material, the elements have a different size (from 10 to 60 cm on one side). This affects the final holistic picture, the method of laying and the flow of money.

When purchasing in many hardware stores, you can use the service of calculating the amount of necessary material. In this case, there will not be a situation when the building material is not enough. Still need to take into account the ability of different materials to abrasion, since the grooves and grooves with time can smooth out.

For information on how to create a black and white contrast using a tile, see the next video.