To create an original and unique interior, many building materials are used, among which it is worth highlighting the tiles. It is used for wall cladding, and for finishing floors, as well as for landscaping a personal plot. Recently metlakh tiles have become very popular.
What is this material
This is the hardest tile compared to other types. It does not crack even with a strong blow or after a fall. There are no bumps or scratches on the material. By themselves, metlah tiles resemble stone in strength. They perfectly withstand extreme heat, are hardy. The material perfectly tolerates the effects of moisture, acid and alkali.
It should be noted that metlakh tiles can withstand a lot of pressure: from 3200 to 5550 kg / sq. see. Moreover, it is durable. In the manufacture of the material is not just impregnated with coloring pigments, but baked during firing. That is why the tile for a long time does not lose its color.
A bit of history
For the first time such a finishing material appeared in the Middle Ages. This tile was produced in one of the German cities, which was called Metlach. Hence the name. In our country, this finishing material appeared only in the XIX century. At that time, Metlakh floor tiles were used to finish surfaces in the lobby, entrance lobbies and front rooms. In some historical buildings of our homeland, fragments with beautiful ornaments from metlakh tiles are still preserved.
How is it made?
To make such a finishing material, special clay is used. After applying a thick layer of glaze, metlach tiles are fired in a furnace. At the same time, the temperature is maintained above 1200 ° C. Due to this, the mixture is well sintered and forms a dense coating. As a result, the finished finishing material acquires excellent qualities.
Scope of application
Increasingly, tiles are used for flooring. The photo of the facing surfaces is simply amazing in its beauty. In addition, the tile has excellent qualities that guarantee its long service life. Even after decades, you will not find damage on the material. It is for this reason that the products are used in landscaping a personal plot - for walkways, as well as in public buildings where there is a sufficiently large abrasive load on the floor covering. Products are also used for decorating verandas, porches and terraces in country houses. After all, the material is not afraid of either snow, rain or wind. In this case, the lined surfaces look spectacular.
It should be noted that to create a unique interior in any room, metlach tile is also used. The price of such a facing material is not too high, so many can afford it. Everything will depend on your preferences: you can choose a tile of different sizes, colors, purposes, and different costs: from 500 rubles to 5000. Moreover, every tile copes with the basic requirements. In the hallway, it protects the house from dirt, in the bathroom - from moisture and temperature extremes.
Metlakh tiles are also widely used for surface finishing in cafes, restaurants and offices, since the material lasts long enough and does not require annual replacement.
How to lay Metlakh tiles correctly
Before you begin laying such a floor covering, you must carefully prepare the surface. Otherwise, the tile will not last long. The base should be leveled. To do this, you can use a special composition that simply fills all the bumps. After this, you can proceed to the preliminary layout of the facing material. This stage is carried out dry and without the use of adhesive strictly vertically and horizontally. Tile before laying it is necessary to soak for several hours in water and only after this time to begin finishing work. It is necessary to start laying precisely from the center of the room, slowly moving to its edges along pre-drawn lines. With the help of a gear trowel, an adhesive composition is applied to the back of the tile. If the surface will have a pattern, then first you need to lay out larger elements, and only then fill the remaining space with small details. After the metlach tiles are laid, grouting should be carried out to the full depth and length. For this, special mastic is used. After finishing the facing work, it is worthwhile to thoroughly clean the material from the remnants of the grout and adhesive composition.
Metlakh tile care and protection
As for care, it is sufficient to wash or clean such tiles periodically. In this case, you can use almost any chemical substance. If you consider that this finishing material is quite durable and moisture resistant, then we can say with confidence that it does not need additional protection. However, matte products become very dirty over time. Therefore, after cleaning the tiles, it is still better to use special "chemistry".