A Deep Dive into Ceramics
Welcome back, avid reader! As promised, this blog entry will take you on an immersive journey into the fascinating world of ceramics, building on our previous exploration. In case you missed it, we covered the six main categories of ceramic tiles, each with its unique charm:
1) Clay tiles
2) Glazed tiles
3) Zellige (or Moroccan) tiles
4) Terracotta tiles
5) Quarry tiles
6) Saltillo (or Mexican) tiles.
Let’s not waste any time and delve into the intricacies of each type:
1. Clay Tiles
Composition: Natural clay
Surface Finish: Unglazed
Uses: Mainly used for roofing
2. Glazed Tiles
Composition: Ceramic (clay) body with a glaze on top
Surface Finish: Glazed
Uses: Indoor walls, floors, decorative, wide design range
3. Zellige (Moroccan) Tiles
Composition: Natural clay, usually locally sourced
Surface Finish: Glazed and colorful
Uses: Decorative mosaic-style walls, floors
4. Terracotta Tiles
Composition: Fired red/brown clay, rich in iron and other minerals
Surface Finish: Often unglazed
Uses: Indoor/outdoor floors and walling, warm and earthy appearance
5. Quarry Tiles
Composition: Natural clay, durable, high-traffic areas
Surface Finish: Can be glazed or unglazed
Uses: Commercial flooring, specifically durable
6. Saltillo (Mexican) Tiles
Composition: Handmade Mexican clay
Surface Finish: Typically, unglazed
Uses: Rustic indoor/outdoor floors, irregular shape, Spanish-style vibes
While glazed and Zellige tiles boast distinctive looks, confusion often arises between terracotta, quarry, and Saltillo tiles due to their similar appearance. Let’s simplify:
Terracotta: Your basic go-to reddish-colored tile, perfect for both indoor and outdoor use.
Quarry Tiles: Like terracotta but with more color options (brown and gray) and increased durability, making them ideal for high-traffic areas and commercial flooring.
Saltillo Tiles: Crafted from a specific clay in the Saltillo region of Mexico, these tiles exude Spanish-style vibes with irregular shapes and surface texture.
Stay tuned for our next blog entry, where we’ll unravel the beauty of natural stone tiling! Until then, keep exploring the vast world of tiles with Tile Tales.
