Easy-care all-rounder

Carpeting in the bathroom is just as rare as parquet in the garage – for the simple reason that certain types of flooring require specific uses. With the exception of tiles: they are real all-rounders when it comes to wall and floor application. Whether in the kitchen or bathroom, in the hallway, cellar or on the terrace – tiles are highly functional so that they can be used anywhere in and around the house. And: When using EMICODE^®-certified adhesives and grouts for tile installation, you can be sure that no harmful substances will enter the house and ruin your dream of a healthy home.

Compared to other floor coverings, tiles are particularly easy to clean and hygienic. Water and dirt can hardly cause any damage and are easily removed. Furthermore, tiles are extremely hard-wearing: falling objects hardly leave any marks or dents. Classic white is a matter of the past. These days, tiles are available in a wide range of colors, decors and formats. Whether colorful or playful or tone-on-tone – there are all kinds of laying patterns, formats and gloss grades. There are virtually no limits to creative design. Tiles can even imitate the look of wood, which makes them real eye-catchers. The new trend of XXL tiles offers a number of practical advantages: they are installed with a smaller number of joints, which also reduces the required cleaning effort.

If you are afraid of “ceramic coolness” in your living room, it is advisable to have underfloor heating installed. Ceramic tiles are perfect conductors and quickly transfer the heat from the heating system into the room. Thanks to bonded installation, there is no separating air layer between the subfloor and the tile. Unlike parquet, laminate or carpet, tiles cannot be loosely laid but must always be firmly glued over the entire surface. This ensures good thermal conductivity and increases the tiles’ load-bearing strength and service life. Speaking of load: When choosing tiles, it is important to take the later use of the room into account. The lower wear level in bathrooms, for instance, requires abrasion resistance class 3, while the higher loads in garages caused by cars require resistance class 5. Here’s a small tip: When buying tiles, it is better to buy one tenth more material than is required for the number of square meters. This takes the cutting waste into account and ensures sufficient spare material in case of later damage.

Expert preparation of the substrate is of key importance before installing tiles. The substrate should be level, sound, clean, dry and free of adhesive residues. In some cases, a priming coat may be required to ensure a firm bond between substrate and tiles. Inexperienced do-it-yourselfers are advised to start tile installation in the middle of the room and to proceed in parallel rows from the inside to the outside. Tiles that have been cut to size are less noticeable at the edges. A diagonal pattern creates a nice visual effect but is more demanding and should be done by a professional tiler. He knows exactly how to proceed and which products ensure best results.