With a tradition that dates to
ancient civilizations,
*ceramic tile flooring can be found in a variety of settings in diverse cultures
and structures, including residential buildings ranging from large apartment
buildings to small private houses, institutional buildings such as government
offices and schools, and religious buildings such as cathedrals and mosques.
Historically, its widespread use may be attributed to the fact that a readily
available natural material--clay--could be converted by a relatively simple
manufacturing process--baking or firing--into a very durable, long-lasting and
attractive floor tile that is easy to maintain. Ceramic floor tiles exhibit a
versatility of colored glazes and decoration, and they range from the plainest
terra cotta tiles to highly decorated individual ceramic tiles and elaborately
patterned tile floors. Their modularity, as standardized units, make them easy
to fit into different sized spaces which also explains much of the popularity of
ceramic floor tiles throughout history.
*Ceramic: Any product manufactured from a nonmetallic mineral (such as clay), by firing at high temperatures.