New market trends of modern ceramic tiles and porcelain stoneware: variety of formats, colors, textures, style solutions
Materials such as ceramic tiles and porcelain stoneware can be unusually bright, spectacular or gentle and refined. They are surprisingly accurately reproducing natural stone and wood texture or elegant drawing of fabrics and wallpaper. At the same time, such facing of the walls and the floor perfectly corresponds to our idea of everyday practicality.
Ceramics - universal material. From kaleidoscope formats, colors, textures, style solutions, any person can choose the option corresponding to his personal tastes and preferences, as well as the nature of the interior. Modern owners who are due to the rapid rhythm of life to appreciate each minute, attracts its operational potential. Ceramic facing of refractory, hygienic, has high resistance to the effects of chemicals, does not fade in the sun, it is practically not worn at home, it is easy to clean. Undoubted advantages of ceramics - natural origin and environmental friendliness, which is the key to a healthy atmosphere in the house. The basis of ceramic tiles and porcelain stoneware is a mixture of natural clays of different varieties. The production of production plastic clay mass is placed in special forms, pressed and burned in the furnaces. As a result, products with low porosity and water absorption are obtained (less than 0.5% in porcelain stoneware, 2-10% in ceramic tiles), high hardness and wear resistance.
Dune | 
Peronda. | 
Edilgres. | 
Vives |
1. The secret of the magic of ceramic finishes - in bold combinations of textures and colors
2. Wall tile made of white clay pastel tones, and expressive original decors from the Chic series (peronda) allow you to issue an interior in any style
3. The inhabitants of the metropolis are vital to the atmosphere of calm and equilibrium. It helps to create background tiles (4932cm) and decorative elements (6449 and 329cm) from the new series Wish (edilgres)
4. Bright flower decor of ceramic tile VIVES mimics the manual embroidery of beads. It is created by innovative technology of multilayer drawing
Under ceramic bedspread
"The abilities" of ceramics are diverse. So, it helps to update and make more practical floors and walls, pool bowls and recreation areas near them. Porcelain stonewares and some types of low water tiles, and therefore, high frost resistance is well withstanding complex climatic conditions. They have proven themselves as finishing bases and facades of buildings, as well as coatings for open areas and terraces.
Among the obvious disadvantages of the material, we note it some fragility, although the tile can crack only with a significant concentrated load. Ceramic tiles, especially porcelain stoneware, need careful circulation during transportation and laying to avoid the appearance of chips on the corners, scratches and other surface damage. There is a common belief that the ceramic floor is extremely cold. Indeed, its temperature in residential premises is always slightly lower than air temperature, but only 3-4, which is practically not felt by a person. Avot on the frozen walls and interoaded floors This facing will undoubtedly be cold. But this problem is easy to solve, applying heat-insulating materials or equipping the apartment with a warm floor system.
Edilgres. | 
Vitra | 
Ceracasa. | 
Porcelanatto. |
5-8. A variety of decors and ceramic finish palettes will create a special mood in every corner of the house. Tile with romantic floral motifs will decorate the living room and the kitchen. Walls and floors of the bathroom, covered with light bulk ceramic "leather", will surprise and intrigue. Elements with an elegant graphic pattern will make the interior attractive
To care for surfaces, lined with ceramic tiles and porcelain, is not at all difficult. Only a few simple recommendations should be followed. Do not use detergents containing fluorious hydrochloric acid, which can damage the glazed surface, and abrasive cleaners. Do not apply aggressive and potent detergent liquids on an acid-based basis. For ceramic tiles, these drugs are not scary, but they can damage the basis of the seams (except for epoxy-based rates).
The leaders of the production of natural clay products are Spain and Italy. However, ceramics issued in different countries are presented in the domestic market. Its manufacturers such as Aparici, Cerasa, Colorker, Dune, Gaya, Peronda, Porcelanosa, Rocersa, Undefasa, Vives, Arsheo Ceramica, Atlas Concorde, Ceramica Di Treviso, Cir, Coem, Cotto Deste, Edilcuoghi , Edilgres, Idea Ceramica, Impronta Italgraniti, Marca Corona, Sant'Agostino, Self, Sichenia, Viva Ceramica (All Italy), Villeroy Boch (Germany), Vitra (Turkey), Love Ceramic Tiles (Portugal), Estima Ceramica (Russia ). Prices for 1m2 start with 400 rubles. and can reach 3 thousand rubles.
Colorker | 
Dune | 
Real Ceramica. | 
Edilgres. |
9. Against the background of a monochrome base tile of light tones, an unusually colorful flower decor from the Nova collection (Colorker) looks great. Unic the same format- 89.329.5 cm. Complement the friezes series (89,915cm) and borders (89.95cm)
10. The original designer solution is offered by Dune specialists. In addition to the mosaic and ceramic tile, the company produces furniture items for bathrooms, in the finish of which elements of different mosaic series are used.
11. Incredibly stylish deep gray ceramics is at a fashion peak. The retped tile and almost seamless styling makes invisible transitions between individual elements, and the feeling that the surface is homogeneous
12. Wish (Edilgres) is presented with a pretty large-scale ceramic tile (4932cm) with a satined silky surface intended for bathrooms. Floristic decor in a soft muted color scheme, including five tones, is non-private time. The series complements the glazed porcelain stoneware for the floor
Life in harmony of natural shades
Ceramics, one of the most ancient materials, and today is extremely attractive for architects and designers. The diversity of styles in the world of ceramic fashion is quite logical. Nevertheless, every year at the largest international exhibitions of Cersaie (Italy) and Cevisama (Spain) manufacturers offer new interpretations of familiar and recognizable trends.
We are dominated by the collection of ceramic tiles with a pronounced natural (or so-called environmental) colors. They are represented by an incredible number of variants of natural shades of beige, cream and gray colors. In addition, such a tile mimics natural materials. Calm elegant cladding makes a living space harmonious and creates a positive attitude, at the same time allowing us to concentrate on elegant and stylish interior items. The use of finishing, which with incredible accuracy reproduces the texture of marble, granite, basalt, travertine, sandstone, helps save the irreplaceable resources of our planet.
Love Ceramic Tiles. | 
Mayolica. | 
Porcelanosa. | 
Dune |
13. One of the fashionable tendencies of the interior design is the combination of ceramic products of different formats. On the half-square floor tile of the classic size (35 g 35cm). On the wall-rectangular large format (100g 35cm) and mosaic. The latter allows you to beautifully arrange a smooth curvilinear surface.
14. Before grouting seams between conventional tiles or ceramics with specially cut rugs, you should make sure that they are cleaned of the adhesive composition and dirt. This will help not spoil the seam and facilitate the work
15. The genuine collection of Forest Fall Tiles (Porcelanosa), which reproduces the texture of natural wood, applied technologies that do not harm the environment. Together with traditional square elements (4141cm), the company has released products, simulating the planks of a piece parquet size of 418cm. Narrow long tiles create a full illusion of wooden floor. Natural theme Supports and vegetable decor of wall cladding
16. High-quality stacking of different format ceramic products is to trust only highly qualified finishers who have experience of such work. The slots on the joints of the walls and the floor, as well as in the output of the bathroom communications, it is necessary to fill the silicone mass. Special accuracy requires filling of seams. The aggregate is applied with a rubber trowel, so as not to damage the surface of the tile
Collections of ceramics made in the classic style are still beyond the time and fashion. Lovers of sophisticated elegant facing prefer a tile of restrained pastel tones with a unobtrusive decor and a concise surface. Now, the contrasting black and white gamma products remain in demand. However, we did not speak in vain on the universality of ceramics. The monophonic background tile combined with expressive bright decorative elements allows you to embody in the interior radically opposite stylistic solutions: from the restrained classics to a bold avant-garde and graffiti-"wall painting" of the modern city. Such metamorphoses allow you to choose your own option to people with absolutely different tastes and preferences. A bright blooming garden from roses ... What can be more beautiful for lovers of neoromantics? Heavyweight, light, notes filled with spring notes Flower decor collection NOVA (Colorker) is able to turn the room into a real greenhouse. High drawing quality provides a method of digital printing.
Dune | 
Porcelanatto. | 
Vives | 
Porcelanatto. |
17. The contaminated embossed surface of the floor ceramic tile is easy to launder with soap solution. Apply cleaning powders and pasta for this not necessarily
18-20. Non-standard solutions always attract attention. Highlighting smooth background elements are engaged in separate tiles with a relief resembling a light ripple on the stroit of the sea or exotic plants. They can be compared with the arrangement that gives additional expression by the main music topic.
Fashion format
A wide variety of ceramic tile formats indicates that in the trends of this season there is no place for the principle of golden middle. "Give multiformation!" - Here is the likely motto of the prevailing part of the manufacturers. Last collections include tiles of different, but, as a rule, multiple sizes. Create interesting finishing drawings, combining small and large squares or rectangles, it is possible to infinity. Agree that such a creative search resembles the compilation of puzzle. The main task is to choose the option that the chaos will turn into a finished picture. It may be a lot of iteak.
A bright example is a FUTURA (FAP Ceramiche, Italy) from white clay. The background outdoor and wall-mounted tile of the original format 56g 15 cm, auxiliary and independent decors, mosaic panels are fully disposed of the Creator. Only personal taste and fantasy dictate the choice of material, find the most successful combinations and manag the project plan. An expressive solid surface is obtained thanks to almost seamless styling of the material.
Edilgres. | 
Edilgres. | 
Vitra | 
Mapisa Ceramica. |
21-24. The variety of artistic solutions of original and dynamic decors allows you to reflect a variety of stylistic directions in the finish of any room and even raise the mood
Change the format and borders - they are increasingly transformed into a mosaic. Such decors along with the "quasi-zoom" (tile with deep longitudinal and transverse grooves, which divide it by an integer number of squares; after laying, they are filled with suture grout) complement almost every collection. Combinations of tiles and mosaic elements make up great opportunities in themselves. After all, the mosaic may be not only ceramic. An interesting effect is given, for example, glass tessers. The game of light on them allows to revive the room, even when the glass is present in the form of a fine strip or individual enclosures. A special charm give the facing of inserts from semi-precious grinded stones. No less, the borders from ordinary pebbles look at astrimately. In addition, there is a mosaic of metal, wood, leather ...
Following the principle of multi-informacy often turns out to be very practical. When using elements of different dimensions, it often disappears the need to trim the tile. Comparatively small mosaic sizes allow you to virtuosively bypass corners, perform elegant turns and smooth roundings. Speaking of practical benefits, we note another relevant tendency to the appearance of super-thin porcelain stoneware thickness of 3-5mm (usually the thickness is 7-20mm), for example Inalco (Spain), Cotto d'este. Such material can be stacked directly on the tile that served his time, without knocking it down. The result is possible to significantly save time spent on the repair, due to the absence of preliminary operations (dismantling of the old coating, garbage collection, surface preparation for laying).
Fap Ceramiche. | 
Dune | 
Dune | 
Keramia. |
25. The retreed tile from the Futura collection (FAP Ceramiche) of the extended format (5615cm) is characterized by simplicity and elegance. Soft deep tones of its satin surface are setting up interior. Unusually natural and nonsense natural colors resemble natural paints of land, plants and stones
26, 27. Collections of porcelain stoneware, floor and wall ceramic tiles and DUNE mosaics conquer absolutely all. Rubbing products are combined with a strict classic and modern avant-garde. Ceramics are made of red clay, stirring it with a large number of crushed natural stone and adding polyester resins
28. Externally, the ceramic "parquet" is not different from the wooden. It imitates a variety of wood breeds - from a well-known oak to overseas exotic wood. At the same time, such a coating has all the advantages of ceramic floor: wear resistance, strength, environmental purity
From texture to texture
The use of textured surfaces helps to change the stereotype of perception of ceramic tiles as exceptionally flat. Modern ceramics are not devoid of volume. Easy, slightly noticeable relief helps more subtle convey pattern and wood texture, repeat the characteristic accomplishments and foreign splashes on the surface of natural stone. The non-latch pattern of background tiles seems too correct and boring on the plane, but becomes tangible, acquires extraordinary expressiveness. The original, constantly changing game of light and shadow appears on the tiles with a pronounced geometric texture.
If you spend your hand over the surface of the Bourgie tile (peronda) with a fashionable pattern resembling a complex draper, a feeling of the relief of real tissue, frozen under the layer of glaze. This illusion allows such ceramics to make residential space amazingly cozy. The collection is designed specifically for decoration of living rooms and even bedrooms.
Peronda. | 
Marca Corona. | 
Zirconio. | 
Saloni. |
29. In addition to the York decor, the size of 45.645.6cm The Forest Outdoor Cerambulator (Peronda) includes one-picture tiles (9047 and 9015cm)
30. The color of the "wooden" porcelain stoneware remains unchanged during the entire period of his service, while the original shade of the tinted tree disappears after the next grinding
31. Structured ceramic tile under the wood allows you to create an atmosphere of heat and coziness. Picture of laying tiles can be the same as a piece parquet
32. Elements of the new DAX collection (Saloni) meet all modern quality standards, have their own style and highlight. In the manufacture of these products, the unique principle of printer printing is used, which allows the colorful pattern to the smallest relief. Sizes of wall tiles- 9030cm, outdoor - 3030 and 90 g 45cm, borders- 3010 and 3020 cm
The second coming of "Tree"
Connoisseurs of parquet or a massive board, intentionally walking at home only on a natural tree, we recall several well-known facts. With temperature and humidity drops, any wood products change their geometric dimensions somewhat. Because of this, the ugly gaps often appear between the straps or the latter are boxed. In addition, the wooden floor requires the correct regular care and periodic surface updates. It is not by chance that now in apartments in most areas experiencing increased load (bathrooms, hallways and kitchens), on the floor, you can still see ceramic tiles and porcelain tiles.
Therefore, it is worth carefully look at modern ceramic tiles that imitating wooden coatings. At that, our fellow citizens had already managed to evaluate the combination of special aesthetics of wood with strength and durability of ceramics. Elements of the collections of many manufacturers repeat not only the woody decor, but also the dimensions of the planks of a piece parquet or a massive board, such as narrow and long Zirconio tiles (Spain) format 9030cm or the Taste 60g 15cm collection (Estima Ceramica). The accuracy of color transmission and drawing of wood is such that makes doubt: is this material that we see?
However, not only the floor can be "wooden". History lovers are well acquainted with a magnificent, exquisite plating of the wall-boauzer, popular in France XVII-XVIII centuries. The unique wooden panels with an ornamental carved ornament and painting inspired by Saloni's designers (Spain) to create a new DAX collection. The ceramic analogue of Bua Armenis combined aesthetic attractiveness and high technology.
Vitra | 
Porcelanatto. | 
Peronda. |
Inalco Ceramica. | 
Vives |
33-35. In this season, most manufacturers of ceramics reproduce various wallpaper drawings
36. The walls of the bedroom are lined with a very subtle ceramic granite with a thickness of 4mm from the Muse collection (Inalco). Sizes of tiles - 118,459cm
37. The name of the new XXL collection (VIVES) is very eloquent. The tiles included in it affect the imagination with their gigantic sizes: 12060 and 12020 cm
Space for innovation
Until recently, the place of undivided domination of ceramic tiles was a bathroom. Hygienic procedures are an important component of everyday life. They require the appropriate situation, convenience and safety. Ceramic wall cladding and floor is well withstanding increased humidity and long-term contact with water. Elements of collections designed specifically for bathrooms have anti-slip properties and guarantee you maximum stability even on a wet floor.
Gradually, the bathroom from the narrow-function and, as a rule, a small room began to transform into a zone of relaxation and recreation. Ceramics manufacturers, who caught this trend, offer more and more diverse and interesting collections and innovative technologies. For example, Casalgrande Padana and Iris FMG (obhestaly) have developed a unique method of processing porcelain stoneware. This mass is introduced by titanium oxide; As a result, the material acquires the ability to decompose organic substances and thereby maintain cleanliness in the room. These properties are preserved over the entire life.
Beautiful and durable ceramics are increasingly found outside the bathrooms, for example, in united kitchens. From the room closed to extraneous eye, they turn into a favorite meeting place of households, daily used with great intensity and open to receive guests. Here will be as impossible, by the way, durable wear-resistant ceramic coatings. They are immune to the effects of food acids and household chemicals, convenient for children's games are invulnerable to claws of animal and sharp heels. A priment in the overall space of the same material is dictated not only to functional, but also aesthetic considerations.
On the floor in such premises, the large-format (6060cm or more) is the retreed tile under natural stone. Classic living room interiors will decorate the floor panel or traditional carpet ornaments. At the peak of fashion-ceramic "drapets" of walls, externally and touch reminding expensive textured fabrics or a slightly tangible relief of wallpaper with floral pattern. Floristic motifs have not yet exhausted themselves and continue to surprise the infinite number of new variations. A colorful accent for a monotonous surface will be a ceramic decor, reproducing a favorite photo, a picture, a geometric or vegetable pattern (they can be transferred to ceramics using digital printing technology).
In a word, the potential for creativity is inexhaustible. The main thing is to overcome the psychological barrier, to abandon the stereotypical perception of ceramics as sterile cold material, pay attention to the inner natural warmth of products made of simple clay.
The editors thanks the company "Bars- Architecture and Design", "Ceramics", Vitra, the Trade Economic Department of the Spanish Embassy for help in the preparation of the material.