Ceramic and Porcelain Tile – Not Just a Pretty Face but a Hygienic Choice!

Sally Augustin at Forbes a Houzz contributor, believes that design is best created when we use every opportunity to “enrich sensory experiences” and embrace all five senses; see, hear, feel, smell and touch.  It is through these senses that we create a mood which can either attract or offend people.

The image of tile we chose to provide; as an example, is called Piper and it is everything we can do in our power to resist touching and feeling the tile with pleasure – well, maybe we do not have to resist the temptation after all!

Ceramic and porcelain tile are one of the safest choices for a safe and healthy home.  According to the Tile Council North America bulletin 2020 titled “Tile The Natural Choice:  Ceramic Tile for a Safe and Healthy Home” (adapted) ceramic (porcelain) tile is:

• VOC-Free (Volatile Organic Compounds): because ceramic/porcelain tile is fired at extremely high temperatures it produces an inorganic material and has “0” VOC’s.

• Formaldehyde-Free: Center’s for Disease Control indicates there has been a correlation between formaldehyde and respiratory conditions particularly in children and elderly exposed to this chemical and several wood-based and flooring products have been federally restricted since 2011 under the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act.
  
  
• PVC-Free (Polyvinyl Chloride): is a resin commonly used in many flooring products and is regularly a topic of concern by health experts). PVC contains phthalates and organotins, both regularly a subject of concern among health experts.
  
  
• Fire Resistant and Smoke-Free: Ceramic and Porcelain tile are non-flammable and, in a fire, does not produce smoke thereby meeting the flame spread and smoke development requirements for Section 803 of the International Building Code (IBC) for interior wall and ceiling materials.

• Non-toxic: doesn’t emit any toxic fumes when exposed to fire.

• No plastic: the health and environmental concerns associated with plastic aren’t an issue for ceramic tile.

Ceramic and porcelain tile also have the added feature of being an easy-clean solution. Always check the manufacturer instructions on cleaning; however, it is an accepted standard in the industry that one cap of vinegar (to kill bacteria) added to one pail of water is all the solution you need to clean your tile. No more harsh chemicals that harm the environment!

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