Benefits of Using Ceramic Tiles Instead of Paint and Wood on Wall & Floor

Selecting appropriate materials to finish your walls and floors is crucial when designing and renovating your home. While paint and wood have their merits, ceramic tiles have emerged as a versatile and practical choice. Tiles not only offer several aesthetic advantages over traditional materials but also offer a longer lifespan.

Here's more on why you should consider ceramic tiles over paint and natural wood for your home:

Hazards of Wood and Paint Work Inside the Home

Working with woodwork and paint in closed environments can pose several hazards to individuals if proper precautions are not taken. These hazards can affect the health and safety of those involved in these activities. Here are some of the hazards associated with woodwork and paint in closed environments:

• Inhalation of Harmful Chemicals

  Paints and wood polishes often contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are released into the air during application and drying. Inhaling these chemicals can cause short-term health effects like headaches and dizziness and long-term issues, such as respiratory problems and damage to the central nervous system.

• Fire and Combustion Hazards

  Wood and paints are typically flammable, and the fumes produced during painting operations can create a fire hazard. Proper ventilation and fire safety measures are crucial if you use wood and paint inside your home.

• Chemical Exposure

  Some paints and wood treatments, stains, and finishes contain chemicals that are harmful if absorbed through the skin or ingested accidentally. Paints may contain toxic substances like lead or solvents that can be absorbed through the skin.

• Hazardous to Ecology

  Wood comes from trees, and paint uses by-products from petrochemical processes. Thus, both use an exhaustible natural resource.

  You can avoid many of these hazards and use non-toxic or low-VOC paints and finishes or other alternatives to paint and wood.

Alternatives to Wood & Paint for Indoor Decor

There have been several safer alternatives to paint and wood in the house. Some of the popular ones include the following:

Material	Pros	Cons
Lime	Cheap, easy to work with	Fades quickly, requires regular maintenance and repair
Water Soluble Paints	No fumes or odour, the space is ready for use within a few hours. Makes the surface washable for most stains	Can have a glossy finish unless textured well. Requires multiple layers of base preparation before use.
Natural Stones	Natural hues and aesthetics can be used for luxurious as well as down-to-earth designs	Expensive to source and work with. Requires expertise for on-site cutting and polish
Concrete	Easily available, can be moulded, and possible to use as a finished surface or use other materials for finish	Requires regular maintenance, and additional thermal insulation for temperature control. Absorbs water.
Ceramic Tiles (including Vitrified Tiles)	Modular, easily available and easy to work with. Nominal onsite shaping and resizing are required. Ready-made surface finish.	Not easily replaceable, i.e., the appearance remains constant for a long time. You need to understand tiles well to select the most suitable one for a space.

 

The Benefits of Ceramic & Vitrified Tiles in the House

Ceramic tiles, including vitrified tiles, offer several advantages to your home interior. Some of the most useful advantages are listed below:

• Durability and Longevity

  Ceramic tiles are renowned for their durability, unlike paint, which can chip, fade, or peel over time, and wood that may be susceptible to wear and tear. Ceramic tiles can withstand heavy traffic, moisture, and daily use. They have a longer lifespan, reducing the need for frequent replacements and maintenance.

  The trick with ceramic tiles is to use the right kind of tile to manage the four dimensions of the space:

  1. Type of traffic

  2. Magnitude of traffic

  3. Safety needs of the users

  4. Aesthetical choices

  These four parameters define the ceramic tile features, such as tile thickness, density (vitrified or non-vitrified), surface finish of the tile, and design. For example, if you are tiling your bathroom floor, the best ceramic tile would be one that can:

  1. Bear the moisture, water, soap, etc.

  2. Floor tiles should provide adequate surface grip

  3. The floor should have an adequate slope towards the drain

  4. Wall tiles should be easy to clean and beautify the space

  These conditions require the bathroom floor tiles to be small, preferably vitrified, and feature a matt finish surface for extra grip. At the same time, wall tiles can be high glossy and larger than the floor tiles. Smaller tiles make sloping easier. But since wall tiles don't have such an obligation, you can use larger tiles on the walls.

• Easy Maintenance

  Ceramic tiles are incredibly easy to clean and maintain. A simple wipe with a damp cloth or mop is usually sufficient to keep them looking pristine. Tiles are resistant to stains, water damage, and most chemicals, making them an ideal choice for kitchens, bathrooms and outdoor areas.

  Polished vitrified and glazed ceramic tiles feature a surface almost impregnable to any kind of liquid. This non-porous surface makes them easy to clean and stain-free. Most vitrified and non-vitrified tiles are also impervious to household chemicals.

  However, you should try to clean acidic or alkalic spillovers quickly to avoid discolouring. Overall, ceramic tiles, for the most part, remain relatively easy to maintain and clean, than any other material.

• Variety of Designs and Styles

  Ceramic tiles offer an extensive range of design possibilities. From intricate patterns and textured surfaces to a multitude of colours and sizes, you can find tiles to match any interior style or theme. Whether you prefer a classic, modern, or eclectic look, there are ceramic tiles to suit your vision.

  H&R Johnson being one of the largest and best ceramic tile manufacturers in India offers more than 3000 design and size varieties under the following portfolios:

  1. Johnson Tiles: Non-vitrified and vitrified wall-only tiles and floor and wall tiles.

  2. Johnson Porselano: Collection of glazed vitrified or porcelain tiles suitable for almost all household floor and wall applications

  3. Johnson Marbonite: Collection of full-body vitrified and double-charged vitrified tiles serving the aesthetic and durability needs of commercial spaces

  4. Johnson Endura: Collection of special vitrified and glazed vitrified tiles serving various needs of public spaces, industrial areas, and heavy-duty spaces like parking lots and swimming pools.

• Hygiene and Allergen-Free

  Unlike porous materials such as wood, ceramic tiles are non-porous, which means, they do not harbour allergens, bacteria, or mould. This makes them an excellent choice for individuals with allergies or respiratory issues.

  Additionally, their resistance to moisture makes them perfect for bathrooms and kitchens.

• Temperature Regulation

  Ceramic tiles have natural thermal properties that help regulate indoor temperatures. They can help keep your home cool in hot weather and retain heat in colder seasons, contributing to energy efficiency and lower utility bills.

  If you have an exposed terrace causing uncomfortable temperatures during summer, you can also use special cool roof tiles. These tiles can reflect sunlight and radiate heat faster than they absorb, keeping them cooler than the ambient temperature.

• Resistance to Fading

  Unlike paint which can fade when exposed to sunlight, ceramic tiles maintain their colour and finish for years. This makes them suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications, such as patio floors and walls.

  3D elevation tiles are glazed vitrified tiles with three-dimensional tactile-like surface features. These tiles grant your home exterior a virtually lifetime maintenance-free surface.

• Environmental Benefits

  Many ceramic tiles are made from natural materials, and their production processes have become more eco-friendly over the years. Additionally, the long lifespan and low maintenance of tiles reduce waste and leave a smaller environmental footprint.

  Also, broken tiles can be recycled and do not pollute the environment. Tiles are also fireproof. So, tiles not only reduce the chances of fire hazards but also do not release harmful gases when exposed to fire.

Other Benefits and Selecting Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tiles offer a myriad of advantages over traditional materials like paint and wood when it comes to covering walls and floors in your home. Their durability, easy maintenance, versatility, and aesthetic appeal make them a practical and stylish choice.

The addition of ceramic tiles to your home can enhance its resale value. Potential buyers often appreciate the durability, low maintenance, and timeless aesthetic of the home built using ceramic tiles.

With so many potential benefits, selecting the most appropriate tiles within your budget should be a task on your priority list while renovating or building your house. The simplest way to start is to look through the catalogues and tile collections of the brand online.

You can also connect to a tile expert before you visit the nearest dealership. H&R Johnson also operates several Experience Centres throughout the country. So, if you have a Centre near your home, visiting the place will relieve many of your questions, including the ceramic tiles price.

FAQs