Quarry tiles have been a part of building projects for many decades and are still widely used today. This is because they offer many benefits such as high strength and versatility. They are a type of flooring or wall covering with excellent slip resistance and a wide range of colour options, thus becoming a preferred choice for architects and designers in areas, especially for use in areas subjected to heavy foot traffic and water exposure.
What is a Quarry Tile?
A quarry tile is a type of tile made from shale, feldspar, and natural clay subjected to high-temperature firing to obtain a compact and sturdy surface. The product is free from defects and available in a variety of finishes, such as unglazed, glazed tiles, and rough, offering a wide range of colour and textural options. Owing to its almost zero water absorption capacity and high resistance, it is a perfect floor covering for areas with heavy foot-traffic, including commercial kitchens, public restrooms, outdoor areas, etc. For both indoor and outdoor uses in the field of construction, manufacturers have, over the years, marketed and publicised quarry tiles as one of the most robust, slip-resistant, and easy to maintain flooring options.
Benefits of Using Quarry Tiles in Construction
Quarry tiles offer numerous benefits in construction uses. These include:
- Durability: Quarry tiles are very sturdy and have an almost poreless surface, hence they absorb very little water, making them resistant to both stains and moisture.
- Slip Resistance: The natural slip-resistant resistance allows their users to be safe even in situations where the floor is wet or greasy. Thus, they become very suitable for applications in wet areas, outdoor areas and areas with heavy foot-traffic.
- Heat Resistance: Quarry tiles can be used within fire chambers and other such areas with very high temperatures, giving both safety and beauty to the place.
- Versatile Aesthetics: These tiles are available in a variety of colours, sizes and finishes. They can also be laid in diverse patterns, making them suitable for both rustic and modern styles.
- Low Maintenance: Such tiles can be cleaned easily and generally do not accumulate stains, making them very easy to maintain.
Types of Quarry Tiles
Traditional Red Quarry Tiles
These tiles are iron-rich clays and are fired at very high temperatures. Their natural composition provides excellent service life and wear resistance, while allowing them to be used in both heavy-traffic commercial spaces and residential ornamental spaces.
Unglazed Quarry Tiles
These tiles are extremely porous and have no glazing layer, thus staining more easily, but also have an excellent slip resistance. Usually, they are sealed for protection and are used in outdoor spaces like terraces and balconies. They can also be used in wet areas like bathrooms and utilities, where they provide maximum slip-resistance.
Glazed Quarry Tiles
The surface of these tiles is covered with a glazing layer, which serves multiple purposes, such as colour and brightness enhancement, making the tiles easy to clean and maintain. Besides, the glaze makes the tiles less permeable to water, less prone to stains, and also resistant to chemicals. Hence, they can be used in highly humid places or where cleaning agents are used often.
Flashed Quarry Tiles
Flashed tiles have colour additives and are subjected to different temperatures in the firing process, which results in the surface having small colour changes. Since each tile has a slightly different colour shade, the flooring produced has distinctive patterns and variations, creating a unique aesthetic.
Abrasive Quarry Tiles
These tiles are made up of gritty, abrasive materials that are incorporated on their surface, providing them with enhanced slip resistance. They are the perfect solution for areas that are subjected to high foot traffic and oil or liquid exposure, such as commercial kitchens and public restrooms.
Textured Quarry Tiles
Various textures such as checkered, striped, geometric and abstract patterns are available in quarry tiles. These are commonly used in both indoor and outdoor spaces, and they are a good fit for places such as bathrooms, showers, or terraces that have the problem of constant water accumulation.
Full-bodied Quarry Tiles
Full-bodied tiles are of the same colour and made from the same materials throughout the entire tile body, and as such, they give exceptional durability and wear resistance. The uniformity ensures that when the tile is cut, the colour and texture do not change, making these tiles a very good option for oddly shaped spaces.
Handmade/Rustic Finish Quarry Tiles
These tiles are made in traditional ways and thus they are of the highest quality; however, they also have slight imperfections that make them more lovable. The rustic finish is not only the visual part of it, but also is an assurance that no two tiles look the same. Thus, they look vintage and bring an authentic feeling to all kinds of projects – residential or commercial ones.
Common Applications of Quarry Tiles
- Kitchens: The strength of quarry tiles combined with their natural tendency to prevent slipping makes them the perfect flooring for kitchens where you have a high level of foot traffic and require easy cleaning.
- Bathrooms: For floors as well as walls in bathrooms, their non-slip texture is the right choice as it provides safety and moisture control in these wet areas.
- Outdoor Spaces: Generally, covered areas, sidewalks, and areas around pools are the places where these tiles are used. The fact that they can retain their stunning looks even after going through various harsh weather conditions is what makes them suitable for outdoor use.
- Fireplaces: Besides the heat resistance of quarry tiles, which makes them the number one choice for fireplace surrounds and hearths, they also give off great visual appeal.
- Industrial Settings: Due to their high durability and resistance to destruction by heavy machinery and foot traffic, they can be used in industries and warehouses.
How to Install Quarry Tiles?
1. Surface Preparation
- Remove and clean the floor of the place where you plan to install the tiles.
- Check the bottom for cracks and unevenness.
- If it’s needed, apply a self-leveling compound.
- Measure the moisture in the concrete floor to avoid dampness issues.
2. Layout Planning
- Do a dry laying of the tiles to design the layout and figure out the necessary cuts.
- Use the reference lines method to mark the place where the first tiles will be laid.
4. Apply Adhesive
- Thin-set mortar has to be mixed following the manufacturer’s directions.
- Take a notched trowel and put on the adhesive on a small area, only covering the size of the trowel.
- Put the tiles in the mortar, lay them and use spacers to make the gaps uniform.
5. Tile Placement
- Work from the middle to the edges to have a balanced arrangement of tiles. However, this can be varied based on the tile layout and room shape.
- If a tile is not level, do not move on to the next one until it reaches the right level.
6. Grouting
- Once the adhesive has completely dried, put grout in the spaces between the tiles.
- Use a damp sponge to clean off the grout residue from the tiles.
7. Sealing
- After grouting, a sealer has to be applied to make the tiles last longer and keep them from getting dirty.
- Let the sealer dry following the manufacturer’s directions.
Maintenance and Care for Quarry Tiles
- Regular Cleaning: A pH-neutral cleaner or a mild detergent with warm water can be used to clean dirt and stains off the tiles. Do not use abrasive chemicals.
- Watering: Although quarry tiles are waterproof, overwatering can result in the seepage of water into the joints, and thus the grout will be affected. Make sure any spill is cleaned quickly.
- Sealing: Non-glazed quarry tiles should be sealed regularly to retain their strength and be free of dirt. Therefore, depending on the volume of traffic, sealing is suggested every 1-2 years.
- Stain Removal: Hard-to-remove stains can be treated with a weak vinegar solution or a special tile cleaner. Acidic cleaners should not be used on polished surfaces.
- Scratch Protection: Stretched mats or under legs of furniture and heavy items can be placed to move them without the risk of scratching textured or polished finishes.
- Regular Inspections: The tiles and grouting must be checked for cracks or worn areas from time to time. If a problem is found, fixing it immediately will stop the damage from worsening.
Cost Considerations for Quarry Tile
- Tile cost per sq ft: ₹ 500 – 150
- Initial Installation Cost per sq ft: ₹ 30 – 50
- Life Cycle Cost per sq ft: ₹100 – 200
- Estimated Useful Life: 75-100 years
Conclusion
Quarry tiles are a combination of durability, beauty, and practicality, thus being a perfect choice for both commercial and residential works. As a result, the use of such tiles can be considered a flooring solution that lasts forever. Learning about their various kinds, advantages, and upkeep can empower the decision-making capacity of users when instructing the use of quarry tiles in their projects.
Apoorva H P Achar