It's a natural choice

There's tremendous growth in demand for ceramic tiles in the UAE.

Ceramic tiles are versatile, making them ideal for all types of applications from homes to very high-traffic shopping malls. According to S. A. Rajarajan, Deputy General Manager (Marketing), Grannitto, Al Khaleej Ceramics, Dubai, "Ceramic tile consumption worldwide is growing rapidly and today stands at 6.15 billion square metres annually. Interestingly, UAE consumes 40 million square metres per annum."

The tremendous growth in the use of ceramic tiles is mainly due to advanced technological developments that have taken place in the tile manufacturing process resulting in a large variety of tile options available in the market, he says. With demand soaring, there is also pressure on tile manufacturers to produce new finishes and designs.

Different floor applications call for the use of varied types of tiles, he says. "For instance, polished porcelain tiles are preferred for the entrance and foyer of homes while bedrooms look elegant in glazed ceramic tiles or porcelain glazed tiles. Easy-to-clean and stain-resistant glazed porcelain tiles are ideal for the kitchen and for the balcony, non-slip matt tiles are commonly used."

Look out for a smooth and even finish surface in glazed tiles and clarity in print design, he advises. "For vitrified (glass) tiles, quality of polish is a top priority as it should be free of any blemishes or scratches."

However, quality ought to be the foremost concern when selecting any tiles, he adds. "This can be checked by ensuring it complies with the EN/ISO standards for tiles and also checking on the manufacturer's ISO 9000/9001-2000 certification status. Other features to look out for are consistency in sizes and shades or design, durability and stain-resistance factors."

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Retain the look...

Most tiles have superior technical characteristics to endure the daily wear and tear of use. However, to maintain the new look of ceramic tiles, basic maintenance, like regular mopping, is required, suggests S.A. Rajarajan, Deputy General Manager (Marketing), Grannitto, Al Khaleej Ceramics, Dubai.

A little care goes a long way in keeping tiled floors in good condition for many years, he says. "Regular maintenance is the foremost step in this regard. Use a multi-purpose floor cleaner, mixed with water, for daily use. In case of accidental spillage of any staining agents such as coffee, tea, fizzy drinks or oil, ensure immediate cleaning (spot cleaning) of the floor. Do not allow it to remain on the tile for a long period."

For coffee or tea stains, the use of Chlorox is advised, he says, while colour paste, oil, rubber marks, etc., can be removed with hydrochloric acid (HCL) in the ratio of one part acid to three parts water. Markers, paints, etc., can be cleaned with acetone or thinner.