Planning to remodel your bathroom? Tiles are one of the most practical solutions. And thanks to nanotechnology, the latest varieties are less slippery and more hygienic.
Tiles are waterproof, easy to clean, durable and able to cope well in high-traffic areas, which makes them perfect for wet rooms.
Glazed ceramic and glazed or polished porcelain tiles are an especially popular choice. Until recently, however, polished porcelain tiles had limited use in bathroom areas because their smooth, high-gloss, polished surface made them exceptionally slippery when wet.
Fortunately, this has changed.
“Nanotechnology is a great new innovation in tile manufacturing that can make a really big difference to the functionality and appearance of a tile,” says Jasmin Kraneveld from Bathroom Bizarre. “The end result is achieved by applying the lightest and strongest organic nano particles, which can be compared to a type of wax, onto the surface of polished porcelain and ceramic tiles.”
“A process called plating is then used to ensure that these particles are evenly spread on the tile’s surface, which is applied using high-pressure sanding and polishing,” she continues. “The plating process is repeated a number of times until the nano organic particles eventually combine with the surface of the tile to form an organic nano film that’s lustrous, exceptionally dense and durable.”
Besides being slip-resistant and glossy, nanotechnology increases the strength of the tile. As each tile also boasts auto-clean and anti-bacterial properties, and has no porous cavities for fungi to grow in, nanotech tiles are also unfavourable breeding ground for mould and bacteria.
Bathroom Bizarre: www.bathroom.co.za, 0861 555 000
