Tips on Making Wall Tiles: น้ำหนักและความเรียบของกระเบื้องผนัง

Tips for Wall Tiles – Lightweight and Smooth

This blog will provide more information focusing on wall tiles, as an extension of tile manufacturing, with the following details:

-The difference between wall tiles and floor tiles.

Wall Tiles vs Floor Tiles

The main differences between wall tiles and floor tiles are strength, weight, and water absorption. Wall tiles prioritize aesthetics, are lightweight, have high water absorption (15-22%), and are prone to breakage if used on floors. Floor tiles, on the other hand, prioritize strength and durability against heavy loads, have low water absorption (3-6%), and usually have a darker backing.

Main differences: The back of floor tiles is usually a darker earthy color, while the back of wall tiles is lighter.

Strength and weight:

Wall tiles: Fired at a lower temperature (approximately 1,000 degrees Celsius), resulting in a highly porous and lightweight body for better wall adhesion.

Floor tiles: Fired at a higher temperature (1,100-1,250 degrees Celsius), resulting in a denser, stronger, and more durable body resistant to pressure.

Water Absorption Rating:

Wall Tiles: High water absorption (15-22%). Not suitable for wet areas or outdoors.

Floor Tiles: Low water absorption (3-6%). Suitable for general floors and bathrooms.

Applications:

Wall Tiles: Suitable for interior wall cladding.

Floor Tiles: Can be used for both floors and walls, but wall tiles should not be used for floors.

Physical Characteristics: The back of wall tiles is usually a light white/earthy color.

Tips for Wall Tiling – Lightweight and Flat

To create high-quality wall tiles, it’s crucial to pay attention to both weight (to prevent tiles from coming loose) and flatness (for aesthetics and easy installation). Here’s a summary of the key tips:

Weight Control

Controlling weight is very important for wall tiles because they must overcome gravity.

Choose the appropriate thickness: For typical walls, a thickness of approximately 6 mm is recommended. This is lighter than floor tiles, reducing the load on the wall structure and adhesive. Check the substrate limits: Gypsum plaster walls: Maximum load capacity is approximately 20 kg/sq.m (including adhesive). Gypsum board walls: If installed without plastering, it can support up to 32 kg/sq.m. Allow for the weight of adhesive and grout: When calculating the total weight, allow for the weight of the adhesive and grout, approximately 2-4 kg/sq.m.

Preventing Warping

Warping problems often occur during the drying and firing stages.

Knead and Roll the Clay Evenly: Turn the clay over and roll it in multiple directions to reduce the problem of the clay trying to curl up.

Slow Drying:

Use the slip clay technique by placing the tile between boards or plywood to allow moisture to evaporate evenly on both sides.

A light weight (such as a sandbag) can be applied to the top board to help keep the tile flat.

Notching the back of the tile: Creating shallow grooves on the back of the tile reduces stress on the clay body and improves adhesive bonding.

Choosing the right clay body: Clays containing a mixture of (sand or crushed ceramic fragments) will reduce shrinkage and warping better than pure porcelain.

Installation Tips

Double-Buttering: Apply adhesive to both the wall and the back of the tiles (especially large tiles) to ensure there are no air gaps.

Use tile levelers (wedges or clips) to force the edges of each tile flush (reducing lippage).