Russian-made tiles: pros and cons

Since Soviet times, the attitude towards domestic facing products has been negative. Today, tiles from Russian manufacturers are able to compete with foreign counterparts; they cope with this task more than successfully.

Wall and floor decoration with ceramic tiles is the best option for decorating a bathroom and kitchen. Today it can be used in other rooms of the dwelling as well. Due to the peculiarities of these premises, certain requirements are imposed on the tiles. It must be moisture and vapor resistant, insensitive to mechanical damage, exposure to chemicals.

Until recently, domestically produced tiles could not boast of these properties. A modest choice of colors, dubious quality, lack of decorativeness led to the fact that Russian tiles were not in demand or trusted by consumers. Now the situation has changed radically. Russia has managed to establish the production of high-quality tiles, which ousted more expensive foreign counterparts. Innovative technologies, European equipment and careful quality control allowed domestic manufacturers to catch up with their competitors.

Russian tiles have a number of advantages. It has an affordable price. Domestic manufacturers do not need to pay customs duties like their foreign counterparts. This is reflected in the cost of the facing material. Russian-made tiles are of high quality and durability. The outdoor version can be used in places with high traffic.

Despite all the advantages, ceramic tiles have their own disadvantages, which, however, do not depend on the manufacturer. In case of careless handling during transportation, chips and scratches may form on the surface of the material. Before gluing to the surface, it is subject to mechanical damage. It is tough, so this coating will not work for a gym or children's room. In addition, this facing material is distinguished by excellent thermal conductivity: in a cold room, the tile remains cold, in the sun it quickly heats up.

When decorating walls and floors, different tiles are required. No one will lay flooring on the walls. This is due to the fact that tiles for walls and floors have different technical characteristics, they are produced using different technologies. Floor finishes for bathrooms, toilets, kitchens should be especially durable, resistant to mechanical damage and moisture. The goods of Russian companies occupy a leading position in the market for all the indicated indicators.

As for the wall covering, they have their own requirements. It must be durable, strong, beautiful.Domestic products are distinguished by a wide variability of shades, patterns and sizes, which is especially important and allows you to choose a material for cladding that is convenient for cladding. It will not be difficult to create an interior in any style (from classic to high-tech) with domestically produced tiles. Monochrome design or bright tropical ornament - the choice is limited only by the buyer's imagination.

Ceramic tiles are divided into two main groups - wall and floor. Externally, the wall trim is thinner. It is designed for a lower weight load. For example, wall tiles are lighter than floor tiles. Wall tiles are easier to cut with a tile cutter, allowing you to customize them into any shape and size you want.

The floor tiles are particularly durable (capable of withstanding a load of up to several thousand tons). It is characterized by the absence of sliding (with resistance above 8 points). It is durable (can last up to 50 years) and hygienic, insensitive to temperature extremes and chemicals.

The facing raw materials produced are divided into a number of varieties:

• Bikottura. Enamelled tiles used for interior wall decoration. Enamel gives shine to the tiles, any pattern can be applied to it.
• Monocotture. Such tiles can be used to decorate walls, lay out the floor. Frost-resistant types of this tile are used for outdoor use.
• Monoporosis. Single fired tiles. Used exclusively for interior work.
• Gres (ceramic granite). It can be used for finishing any surfaces outside and inside the premises. It can be matte (without processing after firing), polished (the untreated surface is cut, lightened, polished, covered with a special composition that closes micropores), semi-polished (a smaller top layer is cut off, as a result, polished and matte areas are beautifully combined with each other), smoked (applying enamel , which determines the color and texture of the surface).

• Cotto. Unenamelled tiles, once fired.
• Clinker. Single fired tiles. It can be coated with enamel or transparent glass, applied in a thin layer. Used for indoor and outdoor use.
• Majolica. Coarse pore tiles. The front surface is covered with glaze, a pattern is applied on top. For indoor use only in rooms with low humidity.

On the modern construction market, there are many collections of tiles of domestic production. Among all the variety of manufacturers, we will consider a few of the most popular ones.

Kerama Marazzi is one of the largest manufacturers in its segment. A complete production cycle, a combination of unique design with European quality products are the main characteristics of these products. Ordinary ceramics, mosaics, ceramic granite, decor - this is not a complete list of what the company offers to its customers. The factory's products are distinguished by high moisture resistance, insensitivity to chemical attack and temperature extremes, wear resistance, a large selection of colors and availability.

The most requested collections are:

• "Classic";
• "Japanese";
• "British";
• "Alpine";
• Techno;
• "Modern".

This company has been producing quality tiles for 30 years. Availability, the widest choice, high quality, environmental friendliness are the distinctive features of the product.Of the 30 collections presented in the catalog, the most demanded among buyers are "Rotang", "Sevan", "Fabrizio", "Venus", "Florentina".

This manufacturer has been known since the early 60s. The presence of the ISO 9001: 2008 quality certificate, which not every plant possesses, is a confirmation of the high-quality production and quality of the goods. The assortment of the brand includes many varieties of cladding for every taste.

The young company, which entered the market in 2006, has won the trust of customers with high quality products and a wide variety of design solutions. The range of collections is regularly updated. Updates are guided by customer preferences. Tiles made for various natural materials (stone, wood and even textiles) are in great demand.

This tile is produced in a factory that is part of the Concorde Group. The use of high-quality raw materials and modern equipment does not affect the cost of products - it remains available to a wide segment of consumers. The characteristic features of this tile are European quality indicators, original design and a wide range of colors (from bright and rich to delicate pastel shades).

In the manufacture of this tile, the manufacturer uses its own raw materials, double firing using a special technology, unique dyeing methods and modern Italian-made equipment. Customer reviews confirm that the products of this company are the best on the market. Durability, strength, variety of solutions increase the popularity of the product.

The oldest manufacturing plant has been operating since 1907. Due to the reorganization, the plant was provided with the latest equipment, which allowed it to take an equal position with world manufacturers. A large volume of products (more than 500 varieties of tiles) makes it possible to choose the best option for any interior.

This material has an impeccable structure, which gives it strength, wear resistance and durability. The brand offers more than 30 collections of wall tiles, durable façade tiles, mosaic tiles, floor tiles (including those made of porcelain stoneware), unglazed tiles and special ceramic products. The only domestic company offering acid-resistant products.

The production uses the most modern equipment from Italy and Spain. The presence of digital printers allows you to reproduce unique and technological drawings in a short time. The brand offers tiles for the bathroom (almost 100 selections), kitchens (more than 10) and the Ceramique Imperiale line (includes 9 premium tile collections).

This company can boast of high quality products and a large selection of decor. These are silk-screen printing, applied by means of special equipment, and structural, metallized effects. The tiles produced are subdivided into collectible (which includes more than 20 collections) and common varieties (traditional flooring and cladding). Fine-grained tile structure makes cutting easier, minimizes the appearance of chips and cracks. The durable glaze retains its attractive appearance for a long time, the material is insensitive to moisture or chemicals. The plant offers customers a wide assortment, producing matte, glossy, classic, modern, bright tiles and options in pastel shades of colors.

The above rating, of course, does not include all tile manufacturers in Russia. Many companies produce products worthy of the highest praise.

In addition to these companies, these brands include:

• Gracia Ceramica;
• Lyra Keramika;
• CJSC "Contact";

All manufacturers are united by the high quality of products and materials used in their manufacture. The brands are distinguished by a wide range of finishing materials. Due to the availability of modern equipment, the capabilities of manufacturers have expanded. Now they can manufacture products that compete with foreign companies. Numerous international competitions, at which the products of Russian manufacturers have earned the highest appreciation, confirm this.

To assess the possibilities of interior design with Russian tiles, you can refer to the examples of the photo gallery:

• Uralkeramika wall decoration in beige shades brings freshness and lightness to the bathroom interior. Due to the original texture, the wall decoration looks impressive.

• Another good example of finishing a bathroom using Russian tiles from the manufacturer Uralkeramika. The combination of beige and brown gives the space an originality. Decorating fragments with leaves add zest to the general background of the walls.

• Decorating the bathroom with companion tiles looks beautiful and gentle, conveys a feeling of airiness. The use of patterns and different shades in the cladding fills the room with versatility.

How to choose ceramic tiles, see the video below.