Tile

Tile

A tile is a thin object usually square or rectangular in shape. Tile is a manufactured piece of hard-wearing material such as ceramic, stone, metal, baked clay, or even glass, generally used for covering roofs, floors, walls, or other objects such as tabletops.

History

Tiles have been made by man for over 4,000 years, with the earliest examples found at the archaeological site of Lerna in Greece, and have been used in many different cultures worldwide.

Types of Tile

There are several main types of tile, including:

• Ceramic tile - made from clay that has been permanently hardened by heat, often having a decorative glaze.
• Porcelain tile - a type of ceramic tile that is characterized by its strength, hardness, and purity of color.
• Stone tile - such as marble, granite, and slate, is cut from a large block of the natural material.
• Glass tile - made by heating sand and other chemicals, then cooling them rapidly, it is usually transparent and often used for decorative purposes.
• Metal tile - made from thin pieces of metal, often used for decorative accents.

Uses

Tiles are often used to form wall and floor coverings, and can range from simple square tiles to complex or mosaics. Tiles are most often made of ceramic, typically glazed for internal uses and unglazed for roofing, but other materials are also commonly used, such as glass, cork, concrete and other composite materials, and stone.

Installation and Maintenance

Tile installation is a specialized skill and is usually done by professional tile installers. The process involves preparing the surface, applying adhesive, laying the tiles, and applying grout. Maintenance of tile involves regular cleaning and sealing, and may also include repair or replacement of damaged tiles.

See Also

• Mosaic
• Ceramics
• Porcelain
• Stone carving
• Glass production
• Metalworking