subject: History on Tiles [print this page] History on Tiles History on Tiles
The history of tiles
Tiles have been around for almost as long as man has been around (well not quite). The word tile is derived from two words, the Latin word "tegula", and the French word "tuile". Both mean exactly "roof tile of baked clay". The English word "tile" is a little less precise as it can mean that it can be applied to any surface of a building. The word ceramic is derived from the Greek word "keramos" which means pottery or to burn; it was generally used to mean "burnt stuff".
Ceramic tiles have been around for over 4000 years, it has been found in many ruins such a Babylon, the pyramids and ancient Greek cities so we know it was being used to beautify living spaces back then also! Since then tile has been used in all shapes and sizes to decorate living spaces. From the plain unglazed tile which is restricted to natural clay colors to the more colorful glazed, mosaic and hand painted tiles to name just a few . In the 16th century, tiles were placed together and larger illustrations were painted on them before they were fired to create large murals.
Throughout the ages tiles have been used in just about any place one could imagine. Places like walls, floors, ceilings, fireplaces, as murals and exterior cladding on buildings. They were used in this manner because tile has outstanding properties that defined their usefulness, durability, and strength. Tile is not affected by oxygen, its abrasion resistance is superior, it is impact resistant, and it has a very high breaking strength and is resistant to pretty much all acids, alkalis, and solvents.
Today tiles are still used the same way; you can see it used in just about every single finish construction application in ceramic floor tile, glazed kitchen and bathroom wall tile and so on. The reason so many chooses tile applications is most times than none the price per square to install tile is cheaper than most other flooring like carpet. Its stain resistant properties are superior to carpet. Most of all its upkeep and life far outlast any other type or inorganic flooring or wall tile. When installed properly you will get a lifetime out of tile. Sure, there will be the minimal upkeep of maybe re grouting but as compared to replacing an entire floor or wall, the costs outweigh each other. Another reason so many use tile today is that you can get it in just about any shape, color and pattern you can dream. The reason there are so many patterns is because today, most tile are cut by water jet, these jets are computer controlled making so that one can get pretty much any shape and size they can imagine, custom too!
As for the future of ceramic tile, one cannot see it going away anytime soon. With its superior quality to any other type of covering and flooring makes tile the optimum and least costing choice for most home and business owners. Just as it was with the master tile setters 4000 years ago up to today, install techniques just keep getting better. Don't expect tile to disappear anytime too soon!
