Painted ceramic tiles begin as mere clay taken from the ground and refined so that it is of a smooth even consistency. The process now for making tiles has changed little from the process ancients used in Egypt and India thousands of years ago.
Clay was taken and pressed into the desired shape by hand and then fired over high heat in a specially made kiln. Once fired, the tile became resistant to water, heat and highly durable. After firing, the finished tile was ready to be painted and in ancient times, often these were works of art. Each tile was a part of a greater picture or mosaic. The finished tiles graced the floors and walls of palaces and homes of the wealthy in ages past.
Today, the process of making painted ceramic tiles begins the same way, by removing clay from the earth. It is ground to the correct consistency and sometimes other minerals may be added to lower the firing temperature or add strength to the tile. The minerals and additives used with the clay will determine the properties of a clay and usually mass produced tiles are made in batches. The reason for this is because natural products like clay can vary in properties by a small amount from batch to batch, nature is consistent but rarely precise.
Very frequently these tiles are formed using a method called dry pressing. Dry pressing requires the minimal amount of water be added to the clay, the clay is pressed into a metal mold, and pressure is applied forcing the clay to the bottom of the mold where it takes the desired tile shape.
Extrusion is another means of forming tiles and a wetter mixture of clay is used and then forced through a tube. The resulting extrusion is cut into smaller pieces and a punch is used to form them into tiles.
Ceramic tiles for home or decorative use are usually fired only a single time. Once cooled the resulting tile should be strong and ready for painting. Tiles meant for flooring are usually thicker with a thicker glaze while those intended as a shell for walls are thinner.
Today tiles grace the floors and walls of bath areas, are found in kitchens pool areas and are considered strong, and very practical. However, that is a far cry from the days when painted ceramic tiles were considered artwork and objects of beauty. Fortunately, for the home decorator, painted ceramic tiles can still take their rightful place especially if artists of true talent construct the mural. Painted ceramic tiles placed in the kitchen area, or the bath area are the right touch to brighten up the very practical tile walls or plain walls. Imagine the impact of painted ceramic tiles in the shower where instead of bland tile there is a mural of Turtles and Fish made from painted tiles. Roosters in the kitchen are ideal for some or add painted ceramic tiles to form a mural of a Tropical Fruit basket. The possibilities are endless and in this day and age, a touch of unique is always welcome.
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