Frequently Asked Questions

Ceramic is made primarily of clay mixed with various minerals and water. This composition is heated to create the solidified product. Since ceramic material is porous, the top surface is usually sealed with a glaze. The glazed surface is referred to as the design layer since it determines the tile's finished color, design, and texture.

Ceramic tile is a beautiful, tough and enduring floor and wall covering material. Apart from its very presentable look, it is resistant to almost all of the common sources of wear endured by quality flooring.

Here is a quick list of the many advantages of ceramic tiles:

• Durability - Ceramic surfaces have a relatively longer life if compared to most of the other materials used for floor and wall covering.
• Fireresistance - Ceramic tiles are fireproof. They do not burn, nor give off smoke or toxic fumes.
• Moisture Resistance - They are an excellent choice for use in wet areas, if properly installed and grouted. Some of the types (porcelain) are also impervious, i.e. they have a less than 0.5% moisture absorption rate.
• Resistance to abrasion and tread wear - They are easily used as floor tiles at busy commercial locations and residential sites. Ceramic tiles can withstand heavy foot traffic due to their resistance to abrasion and tread wear.For Resistance to abrasion & tread wear it's advisable to add Group V tiles which can withstand heavy abrasion and tread ware.
• Slip resistance - Ceramic tiles are treated to prevent slipping either by adding an abrasive grit to the glaze or texture to the surface such as ribs, studs or orange peel finish. This anti-slip factor is also particularly defined and rated in tile flooring.
• Frost resistance - Group V tiles are frost resistant tiles. These tiles come up to the need of frost resistant exterior applications.
• Thermal shock resistance - A properly laid ceramic tile floor will neither deform nor break in extreme temperature conditions.
• Stain resistance and easy maintenance - To keep a ceramic tile surface clean, all you need to do is sweep, vacuum and wash them regularly with water.
• Color permanence - Direct exposure of ceramic tiles to sunlight neither alters their color, nor causes them to fade.
• Hygiene - Being hygienic and easy to clean, ceramic tiles are recommended for all areas where high sanitary standards are a must.

Whether it is a public or residential, indoors or outdoors, ceramic tile can be counted on to perform with exceptional durability and unique visual appeal.

Generally ceramics tiles are used inwalls &floor; of Bathrooms, Kitchens, Bedrooms, living rooms, parking areas, roofs etc. A Ceramics Tile can be used in Residential as well as Commercial places..

Wall tiles are not intended to be load bearing and are typically thinner, lighter and softer than floor tiles. Wall tile glazes are also not designed to handle the abrasive forces from foot traffic. Lately, floor tiles have been applied to walls as well which is not a problem so long as the walls are strong enough to support their weight and proper ceramic tile installation methods are used. However, it is not usually recommended using wall tiles in floor applications.

Tile is not limited to just being used indoors. It is an ideal patio covering and can be used for decorative front porch stoops. You can permanently adhere tile to pre-cast concrete walking pads to create beautiful garden stepping stones. But if you decide to use ceramic tile outdoors, be sure these tiles meet slip-resistance minimum requirements. Al Maha Ceramics exterior tiles have a surface texture that helps make them slip resistant. Al Maha Ceramics make special outdoor tile that has a slightly gritty surface, even though the tile is glazed. The invisible grit provides traction when tiles become wet. To be used outdoors, the tile must be frost proof. We recommend that slip-resistant tiles be used outside in areas exposed to weather and rain or around swimming pools.

If the existing ceramic is on a cement slab or on backer board, it is best to chisel up the existing tile and re-tile over the slab, especially if any of the tiles are loose or badly cracked.

Tiling over the old ceramic is possible but will add height to the floor which will make it harder for opening and closing doors and flooring transitions. Tiling over old tiles is not a professional installation and is NOT recommend.

There are generally two types of ceramic tiles, unglazed and Glazed. The glazed varieties have a sheen appearance and are available in a wide range of colors and shades. The glazed ceramic tile has super protection from stains, spillages and is waterproof.

The Glazed finish is further divided in Glossy Finish, Semi Glossy & Matt finish. The glossy variety of ceramic floor tile is more likely to become slippery when wet thus Al Maha Ceramic uses special non slippery material on all glossy floor tiles.

Al Maha Tiles are available in various sizes, wall tiles are available in 25x40CM & 30x45CM while Floor tiles are available in 30x30CM, 45x45CM, 50x50CM.

Al Maha Ceramic Tiles are available with all leading Dealers across Middle East & select dealers in North Africa & Asia. To get the nearest dealer details of your area please contact our Office phone +968 26752323/22/21 or mail us on mktg@almahaceramics.com