The Type of Tile You Choose

Can Make or Break Your

CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES

If you've never taken on a tiling project before, you might be surprised by the
many different types of tiles available. Ceramic and porcelain tiles are the most
popular, but there are also glass tiles, cement tiles, metal tiles, and stone tiles—to
name just a few. To make it even more confusing, not every type of tile works for
every job. And, of course, there's your budget to consider. It's hard not to feel a little
overwhelmed.

Whether you're shopping for an immediate project or just planning for the future, we
enlisted some experts to guide you through the 12 most common types of floor
tiles and wall tiles. Find out which tiles are best for every type of home project to
ensure you'll love your remodel for years to come.

RELATED: 12 Sleek Ways to Use Penny Tile Throughout Your House

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Credit: homedepot.com

1 Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tile is one of the most common types of tile found in the home because it's
suitable for many applications. "Increased durability makes ceramic tile perfect for
any room in the house, such as kitchens, bathrooms, or even entryways," says Tony
Castellano, senior merchant for The Home Depot. "It's easy to install, clean, and
comes in hundreds of styles that can fit any design. For a bonus, if you're looking to
renovate on a budget, ceramic offers a great price point."

When shopping, Castellano recommends checking the ceramic tile lot number to
ensure you have a clean, uniform end result. "Additionally, make sure you understand
the difference between glazed and unglazed. While unglazed gives an artistic, rustic
finish, glazed ceramic tiles provide more protection for longer lasting floors."

Try: Restore Bright White 3x6 in. Ceramic Bevel Wall Tile, $2.16/sq.
ft.; homedepot.com.
Credit: homedepot.com

2 Porcelain Tile
The other most common type of tile is porcelain, which differs from ceramic tile.
"The appeal of porcelain comes from its ability to emulate natural stone, brick, or
wood—and without any of the maintenance," Castellano says. "You get the same
elegant finish without any of the upkeep or weathering. In addition, as it's an all-
purpose tile, it comes in a variety of designs, colors, and styles to allow for versatility
when designing a space. Porcelain can even be used outdoors, as it will not freeze,
fade, or crack." Other applications for porcelain tile include bath or kitchen tile, high-
traffic areas, and kitchen backsplashes.

The biggest drawback with porcelain tile is that installation can be tricky. While you
can DIY an install, Castellano says many homeowners forget that you also need an
adhesive when laying down this type of flooring.

Try: Wind River Grey 6x24 in. Porcelain Floor and Wall Tile, $1.49/sq.
ft.; homedepot.com.
Credit: lowes.com

3 Glass Tile
"The stain resistance of glass makes it a fantastic alternative to natural stone. Red
wine and any acidic foods like lemon and vinegar are wiped up with ease without any
permanent staining," says Melissa Morgan, an interior designer and founder of M
Interiors in San Antonio, Texas. This type of tile also offers a clean and minimalistic
aesthetic.

"A potential drawback is that glass will, of course, chip quite easily along the edges,"
Morgan says. For that reason, she recommends not using glass tile in high-traffic
areas like kitchen and bathroom floors. Instead, she suggests using them in smaller
applications with less traction, such as gently used table tops or desks, around the
fireplace, or as a backsplash.

Try: Bestview Grey 9 x 12-in Glass Lantern Mosaic Wall Tile; $12.98; lowes.com.
Credit: wayfair.com

4 Cement Tile
Cement tiles have been around since the 19th century and they're currently
experiencing a bit of a boon in modern interior design, says Docia Boylen, franchise
owner of Handyman Connection, a home remodeling and repair service based in
Lakewood, Colorado. 

"Cement tiles are extremely versatile and can provide you with amazing patterns and
colors," Boylen says. "Since the tiles are extremely porous, a patina can develop over
time to enhance the pattern. They can also be sanded and resealed, like wood floors, if
they get discolored over time." The biggest drawback to cement tiles is that they're a
beast to lay. Additionally, cement tile must be resealed once a month to maintain its
beauty. Cement is best used in low-traffic areas and in small quantities.

Try: MeaLu Victorian Encaustic 8x8 in. Cement Field Tile in Turquoise/Blue/White,
$21.88/sq. ft.; wayfair.com.
Credit: homedepot.com

5 Marble Tile
Though costly, marble tile adds an instant touch of elegance and refinement to any
room. "If you're looking to add beauty to any kitchen or bath, laying down marble
tiles immediately upgrades the space," Castellano says. "It also delivers texture and
depth, as it's either patterned or veined. You'll never have the same piece."
In addition to being quite costly, marble requires a lot of upkeep to keep it looking
pristine. And like any stone, marble tile is susceptible to scratches and stains in
addition to being difficult to clean. "Due to marble's predisposition to scratches,
etching, and stains, it's best used in low-traffic areas unless a sealant is applied,"
Castellano says. "Many homeowners avoid using marble in countertops and instead
add marble in decorative features, such as shower floors, columns, and backsplashes."
By using it in smaller applications, you'll also give your budget a breather.

Try: Carrara White 3 x 6 in. Honed Marble Wall Tile, $6.98/sq. ft.; homedepot.com.
Credit: flooranddecor.com

6 Mosaic Tile
Mosaic tiles give you a chance to flex your creative interior design muscles since it
comes in so many different shapes, sizes, colors, styles, and even materials. "Mosaic
tiles work best on wall applications when an accent is needed. I recommend using
them sparingly," Morgan says. She also notes that, depending on the type of tile you
choose, mosaic can look dated quickly. Keep that in mind as you select not just the
tile, but the space where it will be installed.

Try: Viviano Marmo Gray and White Flower Marble Mosaic,

Credit: wayfair.com

7 Granite Tile
Granite is a natural stone that has a similar look and feel to marble because of its
natural flecks, though there are some notable differences. "Granite has been overused
and tends to look like a cheaper alternative," Morgan says. That's partly because it
actually often is the cheaper alternative, which is nothing to balk at if you're on a
budget. Morgan recommends using granite tiles in a laundry room or other secondary
space where performance and lower cost are your top priority.

Try: MSI Giallo 18" x 31" Granite Field Tile, $11.22/sq.ft.; wayfair.com.

Credit: homedepot.com

8 Limestone Tile
Limestone is another type of natural stone tile. "To achieve a truly rustic style filled
with natural tones, shades, and variation, lay down limestone tile," Castellano says. "It
delivers a natural appearance that's almost reminiscent of ancient architecture and
design. Durable but soft, limestone is also easy to shape and cut for specific patterns
and placements."

One thing to keep in mind about limestone tile is that it's a porous rock. In order to
ensure it lasts for a long time, it must be sealed properly, otherwise it will crack and
etch easily. Also, cleaning limestone can be a pain. "To avoid ruining the stone,
homeowners need to use neutral pH cleaning agents and avoid citrus and vinegar-
based products," says Castellano. "That said, the rich appearance and variety of colors
or size make it a great option for really any space, especially outdoors. I recommend
using limestone outdoors in a patio space to give the perfect final look."

Try: Salvador Vanilla Ledger Panel 6 x 24 in. Natural Limestone Wall Tile, $3.39/sq.
ft.; homedepot.com.
Credit: homedepot.com

9 Travertine Tile
Like limestone, travertine tile offers a natural, one-of-a-kind aesthetic. "Its soft,
subdued palette provides beautiful neutral tones," Castellano says. "From gray to tan
and beige, its swirling surface produces an elegant and unique statement."
Just like other natural stone tile types, it's easily impacted by water, stains, and
traction. For that reason, travertine tile requires extra maintenance and a once-a-
decade resealing. "It's best to use travertine tiles in low-traffic areas of the home.
Also, to avoid scratches, etching, or stains, many designers and DIYers will apply
these tiles to walls instead of floors," he says. "If you are applying it to floors, make
sure you know what type of sealant to use and what cleaning products to use."

Try: Daltile Travertine Peruvian Cream Paredon Pattern Natural Stone Floor and Wall
Tile Kit, $10.30/sq. ft.; homedepot.com.

Credit: menards.com

10 Quarry Tile
Quarry tile is made with ground materials in a process that's very similar to brick
(though technically stronger). This tile type's name implies that it comes from a
quarry, but that's not actually the case. Quarry tile is made from ground minerals, like
feldspar, clay, and shale, that are ground together then baked at over 2000 degrees.

"They get their name from where the ground minerals come from: a quarry," Boylen
says. "Since these tiles are fired at extremely high temperatures, they are naturally
dense, nonporous, and water-resistant with an extremely low water absorption rate.
They can be glazed or left in the natural finish. Another benefit is that they do not
have to be sealed."

Though durable, quarry tiles are susceptible to staining, so they shouldn't be used in
the kitchen. Boylen recommends them for high-traffic areas since they offer a sense of
purposeful design and are naturally slip-resistant.

Try: VersaTILE 6 x 6 Quarry Floor and Wall Tile, $.53 cents/each; menards.com.

11 Metal Tile
"Metal countertops offer superior durability and a chic and modern kitchen aesthetic,"
Morgan says. "Although the cost for this type of tile is usually similar in pricing to
natural stone, it will certainly withstand the test of time in both look and in function."
A primary consideration with metal tile is that it tends to scratch almost as soon as it's
installed. Some people prefer this naturally occurring patina, which can soften the
overall effect. If that's not your preferred finish, then metal probably isn't an ideal tile
type for you. "Metal works great on any work surface, such as a kitchen, bar, or utility
room," Morgan says. "I would not recommend it for baths or, depending on the
climate, outdoor use."

Try: Luxsurface Penny 1" x 1" Metal Mosaic Tile, $22/sq. ft.; wayfair.com.

Credit: wayfair.com
12 Resin Tile
"Resin tiles are a great solution to combine styles you want," Boylen says. "These tiles
look great and are water-resistant. Plus, they are perfect for the DIYer since you can
make you own tile patterns. The 3D patterns are also popular with resin and it can
imitate the look of water and stones."

Resin drawbacks include a propensity to chip, and this type of tile can also yellow
over time, especially when exposed to the sun. "I recommend resin flooring for water
areas, like the bathroom and mudrooms. These also make great backsplashes and
accent pieces," Boylen says.

Try: Bedrosians Ambiance Insert Rising Star 2" x 2" Resin Tile in Pewter,
$6.40; wayfair.com.
`

 1

TILES BY

 2

Introduction Definition: These are Structural units mouldedfrom clays in suitable shapes and burnt to
vitrification temperatures these differ from ordinary bricks in • Dimensions • Shape • Degree of
burning These have been used throughout the world in a number of situations in building as Drains,
for flooring, for partition walls, and for roofing. They are invariably thinner than bricks used for
similar purposes. • Manufacture of tiles: Tiles are manufactured by methods that are similar in all
respect to those for making bricks. The different stages in the manufacturing of tiles are explained
below: Preparation of clay Moulding Drying Burning b. 000000 000000 000000 00000< d.

 3
Manufacture Of Tiles

 4

Stage I Preparation Of Clay • Only those clay which are sufficiently plastic are suitable for making
tiles, These clay generally occur in the lower layers ofthe brick clays, The Tile clays are extracted and
cleared from fragments, pebbles and organic matter if any. These are then grounded or Crushed to a
fine powder using even mills for crushing, It is common practice to add a mixture of finely ground
glass and broken pottery at the crushing stage to increase imperviousness and strength of tile, • For
ordinary type of tiles, the powdered clay is rendered into a homogeneous mix using a Pugg Mill in a
matter similar for brick making. • For superior type of tiles, the crushed and powdered clays is
rendered into homogeneous mix using a pug mill in a matter similar for brick making for superior
types of tiles, however, the crushed and powdered clay are thoroughly stirred in a tank, coarse clay
particles are allowed to settle in tank, water consists fine clay particles in suspended is separated and
allowed to settle at a very slow rate. This finest clay is suitable for manufacture of delicate type of
decorative tiles.

 5

Preparation Of Clay

 6

Stage Il — Moulding There are three different methods by which tiles are moulded. Selection of
method would depend on the shape and the size of the tile to be moulded. 1) Wooden Pattern Method:
It is Similar to ground moulding of bricks manual method, this method requires skilled moulder.
Wooden pattern of required shape and size is made from seasoned wood, Ash is spread on the inner
side of mould, Lumps of pugged clay is thrown into it by moulder and surplus clay is removed by a
wire string. Tile is removed from pattern by applying pressure with fingers and thumb. This method is
suitable for flat tiles, of non-uniform dimensions, & non-circular shapes. 2) Potter's Wheel Method:
This is also a Manual method, and is best suited for moulding circular tiles with uniform or varying
diameter. In this method , the use is made of potter wheel on which a skilled Labourer moulds tiles of
required shape from the pugged clays using the same techniques as for moulding pitchers & other
earthenware on the potter's wheel. The moulder makes deep cut on either side on the finally moulded
pipe of clay before removing from the wheel. This cut helps splitting of two halves easily after
burning.

 7
Wooden Pattern Method

 8

Potter's Wheel Method

 9

Stage Il — Moulding / Stage Ill — Drying 3) Moulding by machines: For large scale manufacturing of
tiles, for having uniform sections machine moulding is adopted, Clay of suitable consistency is fed
into machine and pressed forward, It comes out from a die of required cross section in the form of a
continuous band and ribbon, Suitable lengths are then cut from clay band and taken for drying. Stage
Ill Drying: Tiles Require greater care in drying them for two reasons; a) As tiles are thinner, they are
easily deformed if they handled carelessly . b) Non Uniform drying may result in warping and
cracking To over come these difficulties, Tiles are collected and arranged in heaps near the place of
moulding till they are hand-hard. Small deformations due to careless handling or due to drying are
corrected by using a flat wooden pallet. Thereafter the tiles are Placed for full drying under a shed,
which protects them them from direct direct sun and rain . Position of tiles should be changed to get
uniform exposure at all areas during drying period. Further, Any pebbles or grit should be cleaned in
the semi-dry stage of tile, otherwise once tile becomes hard, such material will disfigure the tile on
burning.

 10

Moulding By Machines

 11

‫سرمرسردـ س سسس ت عح سح لح عتت طت عن عت طسابلتمت عتسست ح تسرعقس نست«متت‬.‫ تسي س‬-—1. ‫يييتاـك ترم ة‬
‫تس عت من ق تسا ت تد مت ستت تت ت سس فس تس ت عس ن متسن سس حس سس‬،‫كست طسس كت كس تط ف «لت (ت‬
‫ تت رإ‬،‫صست تس مسن سس منسساامنسا‬،" ‫ م س عس مدد س سيس‬،‫حس ه سنس تس ل حتس س ت عس ت عت فهت فس ف‬So
c.5‫إ‬٨ul:

 12

Stage IV — Burning When required in small number, tiles can be burnt in brick kilns, In that case,
they are placed on the edge in the upper part of the kiln over and above the last rows of the bricks.
Generally two or three rows of tiles are burnt in a brick kiln. Very often it may be only a tile- making
unit. In that case the tiles are burnt in specially designed intermittent type kiln called Sialkot kilns. A
Typical Sialkot Kiln - Intermittent Type • Consists of: a) Outer wall — made of bricks of suitable
thickness The walls have two openings (i) doors for loading and unloading of tiles (ii) doors for filling
up fuels b) The floor— which is divided into longitudinal, narrow channels at regular intervals, which
are known as the flues. c) The roof— Which is supported on posts covering the entire area of the kiln
The Burning of a batches of 30000 to 50000 tiles are carried out in the following manner, Steps: First
Step - The Flues are filled with fuel and Covered by a layer of burnt bricks that are laid flat with
sufficient space in between to allow heat to pass upwards. Second Step -Tiles are stacked over the
brick layer edge wise with space in between to the full kiln height a Layer of ash and old broken tiles
is laid at top to conserve heat

 13

Burning of Tiles

 14

Burning of Tiles

 15

Stage IV — Burning Third Step — Once the kiln is loaded as above, Doors are closed by bricks laid
in mud mortar. Fourth Step — Kiln is fired by igniting fuel in the flues the firing is continued for
about 72 hours during which time temperature is increased or decreased in accordance with the
following scheme • Time temperature scheme: i. ii. iii. ivo v. vie vii. viii. Gentle fire to begin — to
dehydrate or remove any moisture from the tiles Fire increased around 8000 C — Red-heat for baking
of tiles for 4 hours Fire is slackened — for 6 hours to allow the baked tiles a time to adjust to a
temperature shock Fire is increased once again around 1300 0 C — White-heat for 3 hours to convert
baked tiles into vitrified tiles Fire is slackened — for a second time for about 6 hours Fire is increased
to a second white heat period — for 4 hours The flues are filled with fuel for the last time and closed
from outside with brick in mud mortar. The kiln is allowed to cool very gradually before emptying. •
For burning of one batch of tiles - twice the white heat temperatures with two intervening periods of
slackened heating, • Regulating temperature — Most important aspect of tile burning

 16

Characteristics Of Good Tiles Uniform Colour • Properly Burnt Free From Cracks, Flaws, Bends •
Hard And Durable ' Proper Shape And Size Even And Compact Structure Clear Ringing Sound

 17
Types Of Tiles Clay Floor Tiles Clay Wall Tiles Clay Roofing Tiles Clay Drain Tiles Glazed Earthen
Ware

 18

Clay Floor Tiles As the name signifies these tiles are Used for flooring in a building. These tiles are
Flat in shape rectangular, square, other geometrical outline They come in different ' Dimensions ,
more common being — 20 x 20 x 2 cm, 15 x 15 x 1.8 cm, 22.5 x 22.5 x 2.2 cm The required Qualities
of flooring tiles are : Hard to resist wear, strong to resist loads Well burnt, give ringing sound while
struck with each other No visible foreign material like pebbles, grit, lime or other fragments on
surface or sides Dimensional specifications with tolerance of mm for length or width, .5 mm for
thickness • Uniform texture throughout the body 7

 19

Clay Roofing Tiles They are Used as alternatives to corrugated and plain Galvanized Iron Sheets and
timber as roofing material for building construction sloping roofs Qualities: Absolutely leak proof
Very durable Easy to fix on the roof Less maintenance cost • Types of roofing tiles: especially l. 2. 3.
4. 5. Pot tiles Flat tiles Allahabad tiles Mangalore tiles Corrugated tiles

 20

Pot Tiles • It is Ordinary but common class of roofing tiles. The individual tile is Semi-circular in
outline and has tappering Diameter: 15 cm at one end 10 cm at other end The Length of such tiles is :
20 to 25 cm and Thickness: 1.5 to 2 cm they come in width of 20 and 25 cm They are also called Pan
tiles They are Moulded by potter hand moulded and hence Not very dense or strong They offen have
high absorption values and hence Can suffer greater wear and tear The pan tiles differ from pot tiles in
that way they are first made as tiles and the Curvature is given while the clay is in green stage they are
generally used in rural areas

 21

Flat Tiles • Specifications is as per IS: 2690 Part Il -1975 They are almost Rectangular, uniform in
size and shape. Shall be Free from distortions such as bends, twists and cracks , ' A Minimum
compressive strength: 75 kg /cm2 and a Maximum absorption value: 20% They are Used alone or in
combination with pot tiles for roofing in common buildings.

 22
Allahabad Tiles They are a Better class of roofing tiles, generally Made from superior quality of clays
and by machine pressing. The Essential part of this tile is a flat tile provided with interlocking
arrangements at the sides, The Flat tiles — tapering dimension with bigger end 30 cm and smaller end
25 cm width Length: 40 cm. • Flat tiles are laid side by side and joints between the adjacent tiles are
covered with half-round pot tiles which overlap each other this results in an appealing roofing pattern
(a) Allahabad tiles

 23

Mangalore Tiles They form a Very popular class of roofing tiles in southern and western part of our
country, They are So named due to early manufacture in Mangalore, South India. The Important
feature is built-in interlocking arrangement at the sides • Provides better roofs, simple construction at
economical costs • Important characters as per IS 654-1972: Shape of Nibs: Free from twists, bends,
laminations, cracks, blisters etc. At least two nib, each with base width not less than 19 mm and
projecting above the surface not less than 10 mm Dimensions and Weight: 410 x 235 mm; 420 x 250
mm; 425 x 260 mm Weight of six tiles dried at 105 0 C + 5 0 C not less than 2 kg not more than 3 kg
Classification: Type Class AA Class A Moisture absorption Avg. breaking load Less than 10% Less
than 24% 102 kg /cm2 68 kg /cm2

 24

Corrugated Tiles • They are Similar to flat tiles in the making except their surfaces are contorted
during the moulding stage in this way, these tiles resemble corrugated galvanized Iron (G I Sheets ) •
Size: 40 x 35 cm When used over the roof, a side lap of one or two corrugations is formed which gives
pleasing effects, They have an additional advantage of Quicker drainage of rain water,

 25

Clay Drain Tiles • Those tiles which are manufactured from clay for special purpose of lining of drain
are called drain tiles. In shape they are circular or semi circular Their size is determined by the exact
purpose for which they have to be used e.g. in irrigation drains or in domestic drains

 26

Terra Cotta • Terra Cotta means burnt clay, It may be defined as a clay product, which is made by
very careful burning. Terra Cotta requires more homogeneous and purer type of clay, High quality
earthenware which is used as a substitute for stone for ornamentation of buildings, • Terra Cotta
products include: hollow blocks, ornamental and decorative blocks • Manufacture: Terra cota is
manufactured in the same four stages as applied for brick making and tile making. Stage I —
Preparation of clay The Clay for terra cotta should contain higher proportion of alumina and iron
oxides and less proportion of sand and lime the clay should be Free form impurities like pebbles, grit,
lime and organic material very often, Ground glass, old terra cotta and refined pottery are added
before crushing. The clay and other Materials are then finely crushed and reduced to a fine powder
using grinding mills and water is added and thoroughly mixed. Using spades. It is Left for seasoning
for a few days and thoroughly mixed in Pug Mill, till converted into very homogeneous mixture of
desired plasticity. Since terracotta is made in various Colour the color imparting pigments are added at
this stage for thoroughly dispersed in the mass.

 27

Terra Cotta

 28

Preparation Of Clay

 29

Manufacture Stage Il — Moulding: The moulding is done for terra cota using both Hand moulding,
Machine moulding The Moulds for terracotta product is made of — Plaster of Paris, zinc. Wooden
moulds not suitable due to very sticky nature of the mix and the intricate shapes of terra cotta. Sand is
sprinkled inside the mould and lump of finely mixed plastic clay is pressed into the moulds. • Any
desired designs and patterns are given only at this stage. • Stage Ill — Drying: The mould product are
dried in two stages • Initial drying: Takes place in the mould itself, It will come out of mould easily on
slight tamping, as on drying the clay mix will shrink to some extent, • Final drying: Is done by placing
the products in well-protected, airy sheds where direct sun, rain and stormy winds not disturb the
products.

 30

Moulds For Terracotta

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Manufacture • Stage IV — Burning: Terra cota products are made by burning the above moulded units
in special furnaces called Muffle furnace in such a furnace there is perfect control over temperature .
The Dried products are kept in rows, one above another in muffle furnace and burnt to temperatures as
high as 12000 C . The Temperature is raised gradually but burning is continued for about four days. •
Burning is discontinued and the terra cotta products allowed to cool in the furnace itself for four to
five days. A batch requires about ten days for burning and cooling, Uses: All kind of ornamental
work, used as building material in form of shaped blocks Advantages: Can be easily cleaned Light in
weight Strong & durable Can be moulded into desired shapes, available in several colours Fire-proof,
not affected by acids and atmospheric agencies Cheaper than finely dressed stones

 32

Muffle Furnace

 33

Earthenware They are Made from refined type of clay mixed with other suitable materials, Such
mixtures are Burnt carefully and also cooled very slowly They are Porous in textures and soft in
character They are also made hard and impervious by glazing their surfaces ' Common use — cable
conducts • Terra cotta, porcelain — types of earthenware ' Porcelain: It is also a very fine type of
earthware it burns white, depending upon composition made translucent, semi-transparent wares, The
required material are: Materials —J clay of high plasticity, feldspar and quartz (Si02) • Materials are
finely crushed to powder form and little water is added to make a stiff paste Articles — tea-sets,
dinner-sets, sanitary wares, electrical insulation They burnt at vey high temperatures above 13000 C in
muffle furnace and cooling is done in a very controlled manner,

 34

Earthenware

 35

Porcelain

 36

Stoneware Stonewares are actually clay products that have been made perfectly opaque, & Impervious
by suitable adjustment. They are Made from refractory clays, crushed pottery, feldspars, powdered
stone The above ingredients are Mixed together, crushed into a fine powder, moulded in desired
shapes by using pattern moulding. Burnt at very high temperatures • Properties: Impervious, opaque,
dense, can be easily clean, highly resistant to the action of acids and other corrosive chemicals • More
compact and dense than earthenware ' Use: Drain & sewer pipes, sanitary wares and for storage of
chemicals and food products
  37

Stoneware

 38

Glazing • Definition: It may be defined as Protective treatment given to a certain class of clay products
with a view of improving their appearance and to protect them against weather, sewage and chemicals
• A glaze is the thin film or glassy coat having 0.1 to 0.2 mm thickness on the surface ofthe clay
products as a result of glazing, • Objectives: i. To improve its resistance to water, chemicals and
atmospheric gases ii, To improve its durability iii. To impart a pleasing finish and decorative design
on its surface • Glazing Processes: i, Salt Glazing ii. Opaque Glazing iii. Porcelain Enamelling

 39

Glazing

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Salt Glazing This Process is employed to impart a transparent lustrous finish to products of stoneware
categories. It consist of Throwing a sufficient quantity of common salt (NaCl) in the kiln where the
products are being burnt at high temperatures of 1200 0 C • At this high temperature, thrown salt gets
vaporised and the vapours spread over the entire surface of the articles It forms a thin layer of sodium
silicate or glaze on chemically reacting with the hot surface of the article. ' Salt glazing is not
practicable for inferior type of clay products. Useful for sanitary pipes and chemical stonewares.

 42

Opaque Glazing • Opaque Glazing: This is a very common process of making the surface of some
domestic and general appliances of metallic nature very smooth and resistant to chemical and
deterioration by dusting they are widely for domestic applications like crockery and sanitary wares. •
Materials fine quality clay, feldspar, flint, boric oxide and metallic oxide like tin, zinc and lead •
Process consists of preparing a very fine, homogenous lean paste of glazing compounds and dried
thoroughly. • Put into kiln for burning at high temperatures and during this process coating or glaze
compositions get completely vitrified. They form a uniform glaze of desired colour over the surface of
clay ware which also gets baked simultaneously.

 43
Opaque Glazing

 44

Porcelain Enamelling • Porcelain Enamelling: Making the surface of domestic and general appliances
of very smooth, resistant to chemicals and deterioration by dusting ' The best variety of clay (kaolin or
china clay) is used and crushed into finest powder, mixed with calculated quantity of water to make a
thin paste. • The article to be enamelled is given a uniform coating of this slip using a spray gun and
then subjected to heating in furnace at very high temperature around 1500 0 C. • The glaze material
gets uniformly dispersed and stuck to the metal surface very firmly.

 45

Porcelain Enamelling