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Published on 18/01/2012 6:59 PM by Phil

Latest bathroom tile trends

If you are planning to remodel your bathroom – tiles should be your first choice of floor and wall covering. Available in a wide variety of styles, sizes, designs and textures – tiles give bathrooms a well finished and aesthetically pleasing appearance. They are also the most practical solution for wet areas as they are waterproof, easy to clean, exceptionally durable and able to cope well in high traffic areas.

Nano technology

Glazed ceramic and glazed or polished porcelain tiles are an especially popular choice, The most practical option for bathrooms; glazed ceramic or porcelain tiles are resistant to water, moisture and stains. They are also available in the widest variety of colors and designs, are very durable and long-lasting, and they are generally easier on the pocket than other options. However, until recently, the use of polished porcelain tiles had a very limited use in bathroom areas because their smooth, high gloss, polished surface made them exceptionally slippery when wet.

The above dilemma was recently resolved with the introduction of Nano pre-sealed technology. Nano technology is a great new innovation in tile manufacturing that can make a really big difference to the functionality and appearance of a tile. The end result is achieved by applying the lightest and strongest organic Nano particles, which can be compared to a type of wax, onto the surface of polished porcelain tiles.

A process called plating is used to ensure that these particles are evenly spread on the tile’s surface, which is applied using high pressure sanding and polishing. The plating process is repeated a number of times until the Nano organic particles eventually combine with the surface of the tile to form an organic Nano film that is lustrous, exceptionally dense and durable.

Benefits of tiles that boast Nano technology:

Exceptional slip-resistant qualities:
The protective layer on the surface of any Nano tile is produced from a non-hydrophilic substance with a high skid resistance, making them a great choice for wet areas.

 A high gloss sheen: Common polished tiles have a gloss rating of 50% to 70%, while the Nano pre-sealed polished tiles boast a gloss rating of 90%, giving them and incredible lustre and a mirror-like finish.

Added durability: Nano tile technology ensures increased strength, and enhances the density and durability of the tiles, ensuring that they look as good as new for longer.



Effective hygiene control: Nano tiles boast auto-clean and anti-bacterial properties. Not only is this a very convenient feature, but these tiles also require far fewer cleaning products to keep them looking good, which is good for the environment as well. Unlike materials such as travertine for example, Nano tiles are well sealed and smooth to the touch – so mould, fungus and mildew cannot grow in any porous cavities.

A greener option: Only environmentally-friendly materials are used in the manufacturing of Nano tiles – they don’t contain any chemicals, such as toluene or chloroform for example, which are harmful to the environment. The organic materials used are entirely non-toxic, transparent, odourless and colourless.
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