Whenever it comes to giving a classy look to any space, whether indoor or outdoor, tiles emerge as the most sought-after choice of homeowners and architects. There are many reasons behind their popularity like their low cost, durability, wide range of designs, availability of different materials, and many others. Among the different types of tiles available in the market, ceramic tiles are the most widely preferred one.
Though the use of ceramic tiles is quite prevalent in both commercial and residential applications, there are many things that may post some questions from the stakeholders. One of them is the heat resistance properties of ceramic tiles? Many people think that they may not withstand extreme heat which makes them not an appropriate building material in modern construction. Is it true? The answer lies in determining the heat resistance levels of ceramic tiles. So, let’s find out how much heat ceramic tiles can tolerate.
Ceramic tiles are extremely resistant to heat but not essentially heatproof. With an endless variety of colors and patterns, along with the capability to tolerate heat, ceramic tiles are a widely preferred choice for kitchens and other areas of a home. However, experts recommend staying cautious while using them as they may get damaged by being exposed to extremely hot objects.
How ceramic tiles are made?
Most ceramic tiles in India are made by firing red or white clay in a kiln. Further, they are glazed to achieve desired color and design. Quite similar to porcelain tiles but laxer, ceramic tiles are largely used on walls, floors, and countertops. For flooring tasks, ceramic tiles match residential applications but are usually not sturdier enough for heavy, commercial footfall. Due to their porous environment, they are usually not recommended for usage in outdoor areas use in colder regions that don’t possess frost-resistant properties. Ceramic tile is heavily prone to chipping as compared to porcelain tile, a thought if installing it on kitchen countertops.
Finishes
Apart from being available in almost any color one can think of, ceramic tiles also come in a wide range of finishes and design schemes. One can choose from a submissive matte finish, an extremely gloss, or a Dura glaze finish which looks like two finish layers. For use in the kitchen, a high gloss may be appropriate for walls but scrapes easily, so it may not be a perfect choice for countertops.
Heat
Ceramic tiles are prone to cracking if continually exposed to varying temperatures. Cracks may get formed in ceramic tile countertops during extended exposure to extreme heat. To evade this condition, it is recommended not to place hot pots, pans, or heated appliances on the countertop. Since they are made under high heat, extra exposure to high heat also changes them. It is better to use trivets or likewise heat protection elements to safeguard ceramic tile countertops from extremely hot objects, so as to avoid physical contact between the tile and the hot object.
In general, it has been found that ceramic tiles in India can withstand heat in the range of 600◦C to 1600◦C.
The main issue with ceramic tiles isn’t the extreme temperatures. If the temperature increases gradually, then a ceramic tile can endure high temperatures beyond 1000◦C. However, it is prone to crack in case of a thermal shock – when sudden changes in temperature take place. For example, putting a scorching hot pan makes the tile beneath turn from cold to hot, making it susceptible to chipping and cracking.
Discoloration
Though ceramic tiles do not exhibit any kind of discoloration due to extreme heat, abrupt temperature changes from hot to cold and vice versa tend to cause discoloration. To avoid any such situation, the use of a grout sealer is recommended.
Seal grout on a fresh ceramic kitchen countertop and leave it for a week. Sealing is found to contain the damages caused by quick temperature variations. In case of any signs of chipping on the tile, regrouting would be required. Regrouting safeguards the ceramic tiles, keeping them safe from chipping and discoloration.
